Travel is all about discovering new places, being mesmerized by nature’s splendor and man-made wonders, immersing yourself in different cultures, savoring diverse cuisines, and returning with a suitcase full of lasting memories and souvenirs.
However, here’s the thing: our wanderlust often takes us to destinations tagged as “must-visit” by glossy travel magazines, bloggers, and the viral posts of influencers. Eventually, you might find yourself asking: What’s next?
You have wandered ancient streets, posed with the Eiffel Tower and the Pyramids, chased the most breathtaking sunsets and sunrises across continents, got hypnotized by pristine beaches and landscapes, and even braved the icy plunge into Antarctica’s lake. Now what? How do you satiate the wanderlust?
Well, the good news is that our planet brims with marvels beyond the ‘Popular’ list. Some astonishingly unusual places on Earth will make you blink twice in disbelief or make you wonder if you have stepped onto another planet. Here’s a collection of some of Earth’s strangest and most jaw-droppingly peculiar corners, guaranteed to keep the wanderlust burning bright.
Lake Natron, Tanzania
Aside from its world-famous national parks, Tanzania’s sweeping savannas also hide unique and natural wonders like Lake Natron. Nestled in the Ngorongoro District, Lake Natron is one of the most surreal and scientifically fascinating lakes on Earth, which is unlike anything you may have ever seen. Its simmering crimson waters (thanks to halophilic microorganisms and cyanobacteria thriving in its caustic depths) give Lake Natron an otherworldly appearance.
But its captivating beauty also comes with an eerie edge. The lake’s extreme, harsh alkaline environment and high pH levels make it lethal to most life forms, and mummified animals and birds can often be found in and around its shores. No wonder Lake Natron has earned the moniker: Tanzania’s beautiful, deadly red lake.
Lake Khiluk, British Columbia, Canada
Canada is no stranger to natural wonders, and if you venture northwest of Osoyoos in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley during summer, you will stumble upon one of the most enchanting and breathtaking marvels of our planet—Lake Khiluk, also known as Spotted Lake. Revered by the local Okanagan First Nations people as a mystical site with healing powers, Lake Khiluk is famous for its multi-hued, polka-dot appearance during the warmer months. The lake is highly concentrated with various minerals, and as the water starts to evaporate in summer, hundreds of briny spots in shades of blue, green, and yellow are left behind, creating a dreamy mosaic-like landscape. The Okanagan people believe that each of these colored pools possesses distinct healing and medicinal properties. In fact, the minerals from this lake are so potent that they were once used to create ammunition during World War I. Today, while the lake is fenced off to protect its delicate ecosystem, its incredible beauty can be admired from a nearby viewpoint during the summer season.
Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
There is no place on Earth as cruel and, at the same time, as hauntingly beautiful as the Danakil Depression. Famed for being one of the hottest, driest, and lowest regions on the planet, with temperatures often soaring above 50°C, the Danakil Depression is not for the faint-hearted. But for those willing to brave its extreme climatic conditions, it offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Lined with active volcanoes, simmering lava lakes, endless salt flats, Sulphur pools, and neon-hued acidic hot springs, the Danakil Depression creates an enthralling scene that defies the conventional definitions of a landscape. The region is filled with extraordinary geological formations, making the terrain look almost unreal. Visiting the Danakil Depression is like stepping onto a surreal alien planet without leaving Earth.
Kawah Ijen Volcano, Indonesia
Tucked away in East Java, Indonesia, Kawah Ijen is a riveting destination that feels unearthly. At night, electric-blue flames flicker in the darkness, creating a fairylike atmosphere around you. It may seem like pure magic, but the blue dancing flames are actually sulphuric fumes combusting at temperatures above 600°C. This rare phenomenon occurs as Sulphur seeps from the volcano’s vents and ignites upon contact with air. The result is divine-looking cascading rivers of blue fire that flow dramatically down the crater walls. To truly appreciate these hypnotic visuals, visitors must begin their hike at night. The allure of Kawah Ijen isn’t limited to its flames. The volcanic site is also home to the world’s largest highly acidic lake—a turquoise crater with a pH as low as 0.5, which is surrounded by majestic volcanic cliffs. The scenery here is sure to take your breath away.
Petrifying Well, North Yorkshire, UK
Located in the fairytale village of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, the Petrifying Well is another natural wonder that seems to be pulled straight from mythological tales, like that of Medusa, whose mere gaze could turn anything into stone. As the name suggests, Petrifying Well can transform objects like teddy bears, hats, and even bicycles into stone over time, thanks to its mineral-rich waters. Once believed to be the work of witchcraft, the phenomenon is now understood as a natural process of evaporation and mineral deposition. The well is one of the oldest tourist attractions in England, and visitors can even purchase a petrified teddy bear and other gift items from the souvenir shop here.
