Venice, the pearl of Adriatic sea
With its romantic canals, amazing architecture, and great historical relevance, Venice, a charming city on the Adriatic Sea, fascinates visitors. The great center of this…
The Earth offers an astonishing variety of landscapes that can feel more alien than familiar. Far from gimmicky exaggeration, many of these places truly emulate other planets or moons in striking ways. This guide is for curious travelers and sci-fi enthusiasts who want to see Earth’s most otherworldly scenes up close – from Mars-like salt flats to Venusian acid pools to ice deserts straight out of Voyage to Enceladus. It merges vivid travel narrative with hard science, practical trip planning, and photography advice. Organized by theme and location, the article starts broad (why these sites feel alien) and then dives deep into each must-see landscape (30 sites in all), logistics (permits, seasons, guides), safety, ethics, plus photo tips and even fan-culture notes. In short, it’s a one-stop handbook: part travel planning, part astrobiology primer, and part adventure memoir. Whether you’re a casual sci-fi fan or a dedicated “planetary analogue” researcher, every answer (and citation) you need is here.
Earth’s strange terrains are shaped by familiar processes—but in extremis. Erosion, volcanism, evaporation, and biological pigments combine in rare ways to create scenes more reminiscent of film sets than hiking trails. This section (in plain language) explains the key geological, biological, and optical factors that make a place look “not of this Earth.” By understanding the science, we can appreciate why, say, Bolivia’s mirror-flat salt plain or Turkey’s petrified waterfalls are just as extraordinary as any imagined planet.
The foundation of alien-looking landscapes is often tectonics and erosion. For example, the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia (below sea level) was formed by the splitting of three tectonic plates, producing deep rift basins, active volcanism, salt lakes, and acid springs. Over millions of years, these processes created salt-crusted plains and sulfur fields so extreme they seem extraterrestrial. Similarly, narrow valleys in Antarctica like the McMurdo Dry Valleys are so cold and arid that scientists describe them as “high-fidelity analogues” to the Martian surface. Even basins that were once underwater play a role: many salt flats (so-called playas or salars) formed where ancient lakes evaporated. As Britannica notes, when desert basins flood and then evaporate, “fine-grained sediment and salts concentrate” into flat, crusty pans. That’s what happened at Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia: a prehistoric lake shrank, depositing a pure salt crust over 10,000 km². Today it’s the world’s largest mirror-like salt flat.
Volcanic and hydrothermal action also create alien ground. Places like Zhangye Danxia in China owe their rainbow stripes to layers of sandstone and minerals that were uplifted and eroded. Turkey’s Pamukkale falls and basins are carved from travertine – calcium-carbonate deposits from hot spring water – giving a “cotton castle” of brilliant white terraces. Worldwide, salt-mineral chemistry produces bizarre solids: Madagascar’s Tsingy de Bemaraha is a forest of razor-sharp limestone spikes formed by groundwater dissolving and eroding ancient reefs. In short, while Earth’s bedrock is familiar, the extreme concentration of these forces (heat, minerals, volcanism, desert basins) sculpts landscapes that look like alien art.
Life itself adds to the palette. In many hot springs and salt lakes, extremophile microbes color the water in living rainbows. For instance, Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring shows concentric rings of orange, yellow, and green – not because of paint, but because of heat-loving bacteria. Smithsonian reports that cyanobacteria form mats around the spring’s edges, with each species living at a different temperature and producing a different hue. Similarly, Australia’s Lake Hillier was famous for a bubblegum pink hue caused by high-salt-loving organisms (like the algae Dunaliella salina and bacteria Salinibacter ruber) that excrete carotenoid pigments. In 2022 extreme rains even turned Lake Hillier blue-gray by diluting these microbes, highlighting how delicate such ecosystems are.
Other examples: Nevada’s Fly Geyser is partly man-made but still biological – its hot waters nurture colorful thermophiles. Wikipedia notes that the geyser’s runoff hosts algae that stain the mineral mounds bright greens and reds. And the bizarrely colored pools of Ethiopia’s Dallol (sulfur springs) actually get their rainbow of white, green, yellow, orange, red and purple from chemical oxidation of iron and salts – not life. NASA-backed research finds Dallol’s multi-extreme ponds are mostly sterile, with colors arising from mineral precipitates.
In short, microbial mats thrive in heat or salt by making pigments (often carotenoids), and these tints paint landscapes vividly. Without extremophiles, places like Yellowstone’s prismatic pools or salt ponds in Africa would look quite drab. But in these psychrophiles and halophiles, alien ecology meets alien scenery.
Even the sky and light play tricks. High altitude deserts (like Chile’s Atacama or Peru’s Lake Titicaca basin) have very thin, dry air, which makes sunlight unusually sharp and the sky intensely blue. This amplifies color contrasts and makes distant scenery unusually clear. Some surfaces become super-reflective: for example, Salar de Uyuni, when covered by a thin film of rainwater, becomes the “world’s largest mirror,” reflecting sky and mountains over its entire 129 km width. This mirror effect can look downright cosmic, as if the ground and sky have swapped. In certain salt flats, optical mirages or shimmering haze (from dust or heat) can also lend an unearthly quality. On another note, albedo differences on Iceland’s black volcanic sands vs. white salt flats or colorful algae blooms can create alien mosaic patterns when seen from above. Though less heralded, these atmospheric/optical factors – intense sun, dust devils, twilight glows – often complete the “science fiction” illusion in a landscape.
Researchers and travelers alike often group sites by the planet or moon they resemble. This section sorts our must-see destinations into categories like “Mars analogs” or “Venus analogs,” with science-backed notes.
High deserts and dry valleys most resemble Mars. Chile’s Atacama Desert (hyper-arid, nearly no rain) is so Mars-like that NASA sent rover tests there. Its salt flats, salt domes, and geysers mimic Martian terrain. Close by, Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni has a crust of bright salt over red-brown earth – indeed parts of it were used as planet Crait in Star Wars (2017). The Salar’s glassy surface after rain even looks like Mars’s dusty sky reflecting off a flat plain. Meanwhile, Antarctica’s McMurdo Dry Valleys are literally frozen deserts (snow-free by katabatic winds). They are the coldest, driest valleys on Earth – so analog to Mars that since the 1970s NASA has run field tests there. For example, University Valley in Antarctica yielded no detectable life in the permafrost, making it an eerily Mars-like wilderness.
In short, places like the Atacama, the high Andes, and Antarctic dry basins are prime Martian analog sites. Scientists study them to train rovers and instruments; visitors enjoy the superb stargazing (due to dry air) and dramatic expanses of red rock and salt. (For more on research tours and citizen science in such sites, see later sections.)
If Mars is parched and red, this next group is blisteringly hot and acidic – evoking Venus’s inferno or Io’s sulfuric fields. Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression and its neighbor Dallol are top of the list. Danakil is one of the lowest, hottest places on Earth; daytime lows rarely fall below 30°C and surface temperatures often top 50°C. Its salt volcanoes and lava lakes (Erta Ale volcano’s persistent lava lake, for instance) lend a space-age vibe. In winter it’s still brutally hot, but at least more bearable. Dallol (nested in Danakil) deserves special notice: it’s a geothermal field with the lowest (410 ft below sea level) volcanic vents on Earth. Its pools are hyperacidic (pH<0) and up to 108°C, bubbling with yellow, green, and pink brines rich in sulfur and iron. Wikipedia notes Dallol’s hyperacidic springs are “poly-extreme” – even acidophiles struggle to survive there. The result is a landscape of neon-yellow sulfur ponds, ochre salt pillars, and wine-red microbial mats (microbes can only live at pond edges). As field reports describe it, Dallol “feels as if we’ve visited Mars and Venus,” with rusty-green acid lakes stacked against neon terraces.
These places look alien not just in color, but in chemistry. They leak sulfur dioxide and chlorine gases, and their water is so saline and acidic that contact is painful. Visiting requires safety gear (masks, goggles), and tourists can only go with armed guides for security. But for sci-fi fans the payoff is huge: Danakil and Dallol are the closest you can get to walking on a Venusian plain or Saturn’s moon Io. (We cover permits and tours in Planning section.)
For analogs to Europa, Enceladus, and other ice worlds, we turn to the polar realms. The McMurdo Dry Valleys already doubled as Mars analog – but they also hint at conditions on icy moons. The valleys are Antarctica’s largest ice-free region, and remain below freezing year-round despite almost no rainfall. Subsurface microbial communities there eke out life under rocks or in permafrost, a bit like what might exist beneath Europa’s or Enceladus’s surfaces.
Notably, researchers use even colder Antarctic lakes as stand-ins for icy oceans. For example, Lake Untersee (East Antarctica) is sometimes cited as a model for Enceladus because of its thick ice cover and trapped gases. Drilling teams have tested Mars-like rovers in Dry Valleys, and the first IceCore drills for life-detection, all in anticipation of outer-planet missions. In the future, icy-world tours might center on extreme glacial environments in Svalbard, Greenland or Antarctica. (Such expeditions are highly specialized and expensive, but they exist – see “Itineraries” and “Travel Tips.”)
Below is an exhaustive, whistle-stop guide to 30 of the most extraterrestrial-feeling sites on Earth. Each entry has a brief hook plus subsections on why it’s alien, how to visit, safety issues, permits, and photography/film notes. (Links in these cards jump to deeper info, but we include key points here.) The list covers classic star-scientific analogs, natural wonders, film locations, and a few surprising oddities – from the acid lakes of Ethiopia to the dessert pavements of California’s “Badlands.” Wherever possible, note that reputable sources (park services, science articles, traveler reports) back the facts below.
Reaching extreme sites takes logistics. Here are practical tips for organizing a trip, from paperwork to itineraries.
These regions require official permits. Foreign visitors cannot travel independently. A short-term tourist visa for Ethiopia is needed, usually obtained in advance. Danakil tour groups must register with Ethiopian authorities and include an armed police escort for security. Usually this comes via the tour operator. There is no separate entry fee to Danakil, but tours charge for guides. For Dallol itself, there is no entry booth, but local Afar tribes often set informal limits, so stick with your guide. Visiting Danakil/Dallol is strongly seasonal: November–February are safe (cooler nights, only 20–30°C lows). Summer is deadly hot.
With many remote locales, your guide is your lifeline. Always choose operators with local affiliations (often no multinational chains here). Look for guides affiliated with national parks or recognized companies. For example, in Socotra one must tour with locals due to sensitive habitat, while in Atacama and Uyuni you might join a larger shared tour or rent a 4×4 + driver. Key questions for guides: Are they licensed? What vehicles do they use (4WD)? Do they carry spare parts and first-aid? Can they speak your language or at least provide translation? Also check for ecolabels or NGO endorsements (e.g., some desert tours partner with environmental groups). Paying a bit extra for a fully equipped, insured guide can be lifesaving in emergencies.
For any extreme-remote trip, travel insurance that covers evacuation is essential. Standard tourist policies often exclude off-trail adventures or high-altitude illness. Seek specialist providers (e.g. World Nomads Adventure Travel, SafetyWing, or an alpine club membership) that cover heli-evac if needed. Danakil’s toxicity, Himalayas’ altitude, or Amazon’s jungle each pose unique risks. Always register your plan with the guide, and leave your itinerary with a consulate or trusted contact. In Ethiopia or Chad deserts, know where the nearest military or NGO clinics are. Even in places like Yellowstone (Grand Prismatic) or Cappadocia (balloon rides), accidents happen – basic insurance should cover park incidents, too. Bring a personal first-aid kit tailored to heat (oral rehydration salts), altitude (Diamox), and insect prevention.
Travelers often combine nearby “alien” sites. For example, a “Mars in a Week” South America: fly into La Paz (Bolivia), acclimatize, then Uyuni–Siloli loop (salars, deserts), onward to Atacama Desert (Chile) for salt lakes and geysers, ending at Santiago. Or a Fire & Acid Ethiopia tour (Ethiopia): Addis Ababa to Mekele; 3-day Danakil trek (Erta Ale, Dallol); back to Addis. In the US, a 5-day Utah-Arizona trip could link Bryce Canyon (hoodoos), Capitol Reef (striated cliffs), and Moab (red arches) for a “Rocky Alien Road Trip.” The key is clustering geographically to minimize internal flights. Map out national parks and reserves: for example, combining Socotra (Yemen) with Horn of Africa tours (though politics make this rare). Always factor in travel times: high elevations and off-road drives are slow. Season planning is crucial (e.g., don’t do the Upper Atacama in peak summer).
Traveling to earth’s extremes demands extra precautions. This section covers altitude, toxic hazards, water safety, drone regulations and other checklists.
Many “alien” sites lie at high elevation: Salar Uyuni (3650m), Atacama Plateau (4000m+), Pamukkale (100m, low), Danakil (below sea level, no issue altitude). For anything above 2500m, acclimatize gradually. Ascend no more than 500–1000m per day once above 2500m, and include a rest day if needed. Watch for Acute Mountain Sickness (headache, nausea, fatigue). Over-the-counter acetazolamide (prescription) can help, plus ginger for nausea. Stay hydrated (dry air increases dehydration risk). Consider portable altitude testers (finger pulse ox). If symptoms worsen (severe headache, confusion, swelling), descend immediately – evacuation by jeep or carried stretcher may be necessary. Note: some analog sites (Antarctic fieldwork, Andes passes, Himalaya sides) might require portable hyperbaric chambers in rescue kits if doing research work.
Places like Dallol and some volcanic craters emit sulfur gases (H₂S, SO₂) that can cause headaches, coughing, or worse in enclosed spaces. Always stay on open ground where winds can disperse gas. A simple bandana or surgical mask can filter dust or mild fumes. At high heat (Danakil summer or Death Valley), heatstroke can occur in minutes. Wear breathable clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, and take breaks in shade (if any). Use sunscreen (SPF 50+). Trick: pour water on forearms or napkin on the neck to cool down (like the Afar guide did with a “desert shower” in [69†L1168-L1170]).
Not all alien waters are drinkable. Never drink from acid or alkaline pools. Even seemingly benign pink lakes (most are safe to soak in, but immune-challenging). The Livescience piece notes some pink lakes turned less pigmented after rains (Lake Hillier), but toxicity wasn’t the issue. Still, eschew swimming in Dallol or Danakil pools (pH<0, 100°C). If snorkeling or kayaking (like at Namibia’s coastal pans or Chile’s geysers), avoid mucous membrane contact. In coastal islands (Socotra) ensure you have treated water. If traveling in the backcountry in high-altitude deserts, carry purification tablets or filters for streams (check resources about local water quality).
Rules vary widely. Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, most US parks ban personal drones. China requires national permit. Europe is gradually allowing recreational drones with restrictions. Specific notes for our sites:
– Permitted: Often Kazakhstan or Namibia have relatively drone-friendly parks (check local law). Bolivia’s Uyuni is public land so drones can be used if controlled. Drone use in Antarctica requires approval by national program.
– Illegal without permit: Ethiopia bans drones except with special government permission. Jordan prohibits drones except military. Socotra (Yemen) certainly requires permits (if you can even visit!). Canada’s national parks require special permission. If in doubt, leave the drone at home or hire a certified pilot.
Ethical note: Drones can disturb wildlife (e.g. nesting birds near lakes) and other tourists. If you do fly, keep it low (under 200 ft usually), away from crowds, and never in restricted zones. Always bring extra batteries and practice safe operations in advance.
Beyond logistics: when visiting fragile “alien” ecosystems, tread lightly and respect local communities.
Many of these places are under pressure. Socotra, for example, has limited carrying capacity; guides ask travelers to follow marked trails to protect its unique flora. In Namib Desert, camp only in designated areas to avoid disturbing wildlife like desert elephants or ostrich. In China’s Danxia and similar parks, stick to boardwalks; some formations are much older than humans and can be worn away by foot traffic. Avoid peak weekend crowds at popular sites (if possible, visit Grand Prismatic in early morning before buses arrive, or do Pamukkale at dusk). For very remote parks (Antarctica, McMurdo Valleys), only licensed operators run tours (no wild camping on the glaciers).
Socotra’s environment is extremely delicate. The iconic trees grow slowly. As UNESCO notes, Socotra’s biodiversity has evolved in isolation and is now “highly vulnerable.” Therefore, visitors must follow all rules: do not cut plants (not even for fire); do not feed or disturb animals; carry out any trash. Support conservation efforts by paying any extra park fees and considering a small donation to local conservation projects (like the Socotra Conservation & Development Program). Engage with communities: Socotri people still live in semi-nomadic style, herding goats. Show respect by dressing modestly in villages, and asking before photographing people or customs.
Some landscapes are sacred to indigenous peoples. For instance, there are Aboriginal sites near Wilpena Pound (Australia) that should not be photographed. The Afar in Danakil consider some salt pans holy; permission for photos is wise. Always check: “Is this a protected reserve?” “Are we on tribal land?” Park signage or guide advice is key. Never remove artifacts (fossils at Patterson Lakes) or culturally significant objects (rocks in Cappadocia for making art). If planning a drone shot, double-check with local guides — certain shrines (Buddhist temples, Maori marae, etc.) are out-of-bounds from above or even in photos.
In all these environments, practice Leave No Trace principles: carry out all waste, stay on trails, minimize noise. Fragile soils (salt flats, desert crusts) can be permanently scarred by vehicles or even footpaths. Use eco-friendly sunscreen to protect thermal pool microbes. Eat locally to support small communities (avoid chains). Avoid plastic water bottles by packing a reusable filter. If travelling by 4×4, refill at designated points – unreclaimed fuel leaks can poison soils. And finally, share your experiences ethically: tag the location responsibly (no exact coordinates of rare plants), and encourage others to respect these places.
For many readers, capturing these scenes is a high priority. This section gives gear lists, camera tricks, and tips for getting those “I’m on Mars” shots.
Popular alien destinations often have prime stargazing. Altiplano deserts (Uyuni, Atacama, Namib) are among the world’s clearest skies. To get star fields: set your camera on manual focus (to infinity), use f/2.8–4, ISO 1600+, and 15-30s exposure. Compose with a foreground (a saltlake horizon or silhouetted rock) and use a cable release to avoid shake. For Milky Way: aim for moonless nights (check lunar calendar). Apps like PhotoPills can tell you the Milky Way’s position relative to landmarks at any time – use that to align with a geo-feature (say, Salt Flats reflecting stars).
If you want star trails (for example, to show the rotation above Sossusvlei dunes), use a sturdy tripod and leave the shutter open for 30+ minutes. A battery grip or external power helps here.
Use red-light on your headlamp so as not to ruin night vision or disturb nocturnal wildlife. Carry spare batteries for cold nights (batteries can die in near-freezing desert temps).
Many alien sites have movie credits. Doing background research on famous films can enhance the journey. Wadi Rum’s use in Hollywood is well-documented; you might even find filming plaques at shooting sites (locals sometimes mark where stars stood). If a site is a private reserve (like Fly Geyser or some Australian pink lakes), the landowner may require a media permit to film. For public areas, a film permit might be needed if crew size is large (e.g. for documentaries or commercial shoots). In national parks, always check the park’s filming policy. Even serious vloggers with a tripod and interview can be asked for a permit in many parks.
What if you’re not just a traveler, but a sci-fi science nerd? This section explains how scientists actually use these places to prepare for space, and how enthusiasts can participate.
Rocks and climates of Earth often serve as testbeds for planetary missions. In Chile’s Atacama, NASA and ESA have run field trials of Mars rovers and drills, because its soil chemistry is so Mars-like. In Antarctica’s Dry Valleys, instruments like Mars microphones and metal detectors were tested as early as the Viking landers. Even mini-sats and atmospheric balloons have been flown in these analog environments to simulate other planets’ conditions.
For a space enthusiast, many institutions offer public-engagement at analog sites. For example, the NASA Hub for Int’l Robot Challenges (HIRC) once held competitions in the Atacama for Mars-vehicle prototypes. Volunteers (citizen scientists) can join planetary science field camps – e.g., each year there’s a project called “EURO-Planet” that seeks volunteers for glacier and desert geology surveys. Keep an eye on organizations like the Planetary Society, which sometimes co-hosts such excursions.
Historically, astronauts themselves trained in Earth analogs: Apollo crews practiced in volcanic fields (Hawaiian lava) or underwater (simulating zero-G). In future, astronauts to Mars may train in the Utah desert or Namib to simulate dust storms. For now, space agencies occasionally let students send experiments to analog stations (like sending microbes in Atacama in a can, or designing gear).
Astrobiology is the study of life in extreme conditions – precisely what many alien landscapes offer. Scientists studying Dallol and Danakil look for microorganisms that can survive acid, heat and salt – organisms which might exist on Europa or Mars. A 2019 Nature study of Dallol reported no life in its most extreme ponds, setting the record for the most habitable-evident-absent environment on Earth. Yet in salt pans nearby they found halophiles. These studies imply strict limits for where life could thrive on, say, acidic Enceladus vents or Mars brines.
Travelers can connect with astrobiology by sampling (ethically and legally!). Some tours include talks by geologists explaining local extremophiles (e.g., Yellowstone tour guides often discuss thermophiles in hot springs). Citizen-science projects exist: if you visit Lake Tahoe, you can join a NASA initiative that compares Tahoe’s mountain algae to Martian algae. In Iceland, the NASA-funded “MAVEN” project invites tourists to test UV-sensor apps (for example, how UV at high latitudes affects microbes). In some cases, one can bring home harmless extremophile cultures (kalanchoe spores from hot pools, etc.), but check regulations: soil and water transport is strictly controlled to avoid invasive species.
If you’re a serious fan or budding geologist, here are ways to plug in while you travel:
– Data Collection: Apps like iNaturalist let you document flora and fauna. By photographing and uploading (e.g. a dragon tree in Socotra), you contribute to global biodiversity records. Some projects specifically seek data from remote areas: eBird monitors high-altitude bird migrations, and iStations record water quality.
– Plastic and Microplastics: Even alien sites get pollution. Volunteers in Antarctica or desert sands can gather microplastic samples for university studies (remember the Antarctic study finding plastic in table salt?). If you hike in Socotra or Atacama, collect any trash you find and report via Clean Up App.
– Geological Observations: NASA’s Moon and Mars mapping efforts welcome images of volcanic or karst terrain; you can simply geotag photos and upload to citizen-science portals. For example, the Mars analog National Geographic feature solicited amateur drone shots of Earth’s deserts (with metadata) to compare to Martian or orbital imagery.
In short, treat your trip not just as a vacation but as a field study – share high-quality data. Many science institutes even offer certificates for field observations. A quick example: while hiking in Grand Canyon (US), participants helped NASA test a camera to differentiate shade/moisture regimes – earning them a small stipend. Similar opportunities may pop up in specialized tours (astronomy nights in Atacama sometimes have Q&A with scientists).
Below are sample travel plans geared for different trip lengths. Each itinerary strings together several “alien” locations in a logical route. Adapt these ideas to your budget, time, and entry points.
Alternative: Start in Salta, visit Salinas Grandes (smaller salt flat, pilgrims site), then head north to Uyuni via San Pedro, then combine with Atacama.
Bucket-List Extension: A side trip to the Simien Mountains or Bale Mountains (ethiopian highlands) adds wildlife and different “other-earth” scenery (gelada monkeys, jagged peaks).
This loop hits several easy-access sites in western USA:
– Day 1: Las Vegas → Valley of Fire State Park (NV): red Aztec sandstone “firewave”. Continue to Zion NP (UT) for evening stroll.
– Day 2: Zion scenic drive: Weeping Rock, Emerald Pools. (Not that alien, but beautiful). Afternoon drive to Bryce Canyon NP: see hoodoos from overlooks at sunset.
– Day 3: Sunrise at Bryce (to avoid crowds), then head to Capitol Reef (UT) via Grand Staircase. Late afternoon drive to Moab, UT.
– Day 4: Arches NP: Balanced Rock, Delicate Arch hike. Canyonlands Island in Sky for infinity overlook (moon-like mesas). Evening in Moab.
– Day 5: Arches morning or Monument Valley (AZ/UT border) – view for free from highway (famous “Totem Pole” spire). Return drive via Route 66 or through Sedona’s red rocks on the way back to Vegas or Phoenix.
This loop avoids extreme hikes, is family-friendly (lots of short walks and car-time), and includes some of the most iconic “alien” scenery in the American Southwest.
For ultimate bucket-listers, one could do a planet-themed world circuit, loosely:
1. North America (7d): Grand Canyon (AZ), White Sands (NM), Death Valley (CA), Joshua Tree (CA) – all surreal deserts.
2. South America (10d): As above “Mars in a Week” plus salt lakes of Argentina (Salinas Grandes, Lake Titicaca).
3. Africa (7d): Namibia (Sossusvlei/Dead Vlei) and then Ethiopia (Danakil as above).
4. Asia (5d): Socotra (if safe) or Cyprus’ salt lake and stalactite caves; Pamukkale & Cappadocia in Turkey.
5. Oceania (5d): White Desert (Egypt, if willing), plus New Zealand’s Moeraki Boulders and Rotorua’s geothermal fields (Hot Springs).
6. Polar (5d): A cruise to Antarctica’s dry valleys / Svalbard glaciers / Iceland’s lava fields or Arctic circle parks.
Time to zigzag is tight; you’d need near-continuous travel or multi-stop flights. Most will pick 1–2 continents.
Visiting remote alien places can be costly. But savvy planning can stretch a budget.
Generally, guides add 20–40% to costs (their fees + extras like fuel). Public transit vs private 4×4: public is cheaper but rarely available in remote zones (except maybe Mexico desert, Morroco Sahara). Hitchhiking not recommended in Sahara, Danakil, etc.
As noted, get comprehensive travel insurance. For Asia/Africa deserts, include medical evacuation ($2–5 million coverage). For water-based alien sites (e.g. scuba in cenotes of Yucatán), ensure diving coverage. If renting ATVs or horses (like in Wadi Rum), consider liability waivers and insurance. Visa costs can be non-trivial: e.g. Yemen/Iran visas are tough; US citizens, plan ahead for Chinese permit if visiting Danxia.
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