1 | Machu Picchu
Crown of Inca Land: The First Glimpse by Hiram Bingham
A gripping tale of exploration from 1911—how adventurer Hiram Bingham, expecting nothing more than a few agricultural terraces, scaled precipitous slopes and struggled through dense jungle to first come upon the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu.
The Salkantay Trek by Dan and Audrey Scott
From the foot of a hulking great glacier, along barren and rocky mountain trails, skimming the fringes of lush, green Peruvian jungle, and up giant Inca staircases—this is the story of our trek to the atmospheric and misty ruins of Machu Picchu.
Lofty Ambitions of the Inca by Heather Pringle
Rising from obscurity to the heights of power, a succession of Andean rulers subdued kingdoms, sculpted mountains, and forged a mighty empire.
The Inka Trail Trek by David and Lori Baxter
Machu Picchu far surpassed our expectations. The city is so vast and so complete it defies imagination. Trekking the holiest segment of the 'Inca Trail' to reach the city at sunrise on the fourth day, we explored many impressive ruins along the way.
The Wonderful Lost City of the Inca by Karen Reis
To get to Machu Picchu there are two ways: the first one is to take a train at Ollantaytambo. The other one is the adventurous way. The Inca Trail is the track the Incas themselves built and it is a four day walk to arrive in Machu Picchu. Of course we chose the adventurous way!
2 | Angkor Wat
Lotus Sunrise at Angkor Wat by Trey Ratcliff
Deep in the jungles of Cambodia I discovered secret caves and forgotten shrines, enshrouded in roots. There are hundreds of tiny nooks, old broken stone doors, lost hallways, and mysterious carvings peeking out of the overgrowth.
The Wonder of Angkor Wat by Candace Rose Rardon
Sharing the experience of Angkor Wat aglow at sunrise with elbow-jutting, neck-craning crowds was somehow a communal testament to its wonder. Later, as I sketch the temple, birdsong fills the air and there is barely a cloud in sight.
Angkor Wat on Two Wheels by Anna Krahn
It would seem impossible to see something different from the millions of tourists, something untouched. Yet despite the fact that Angkor Wat is Cambodia's most famous tourism destination and as such, receives well over a million visits a year—it can be done.
Alone at Angkor Wat by Jeff Johns
Angkor Wat is the single largest religious complex on Earth and it would take weeks to fully explore its endless ruins. This is the story of how I watched the sunrise, all alone, amongst the temples of Angkor Wat.
3 | Petra
The Incredible Lost City of Petra by Ken Kaminesky
When I think back to my trip to Jordan, some of it seems like a dream. Did I really get a chance to see the Lost City of Petra, the newest member of the family of Wonders of the World? Good thing I had a camera with me to prove it, as Petra is one of the most spectacular places on Earth.
Petra — By Day, By Night by Aligail King
Strawberry stone columns nestled between a tear of jagged darkness, clouds of purple-pink dust thrown into spirals, hanging in the heat-soaked air. Petra was both overwhelming and atmospheric, and I felt as though I was uncovering an ancient legend.
The Myth, History, and Mystery of Petra by Shannon O’Donnell
A journey through the passageways and open spaces of Petra, with a close look at the myth and history of the Nabataen civilization and the rise and fall of this ancient city.
Enchantment and Romance by Keith Jenkins
Located deep in the mountains of southern Jordan, Petra is an awe-inspiring monument to mankind's ingenuity and craftsmanship. By night Petra transforms into what must be one of the most magical and romantic places in the world.
Poem For A Rose Tinted City by Claire vd Heever
Deep in the desert of Jordan we roamed, In a rose tinted city named Petra, borne from stone. Three hundred years before Christ it was built, The Nabataeans mastered carving, the heat did nought but wilt.
4 | Taj Mahal
Train to the Taj Mahal by Hank Leukart
Surrounded by hordes of frantic travelers, baffled by bureaucratic idiosyncrasies, I attempt to purchase a train ticket to Agra. On the journey, I discover that Indians tend to take pity on clueless Westerners. The next day, at the Taj Mahal, I am entranced by the sunrise and a beautiful French woman.
Discovering the Love Story Behind the Taj Mahal by Leora Novick
The story of eternal love and everlasting despair gave an otherworldly color and whole new perspective to my experience at one of the world's greatest architectural wonders.
After the Taj Mahal by Suzanne Roberts
The day after a trip to India's most famous tourist destination—what's right and what's wrong and what it is that fills the space in between. Later, I will be ashamed that I didn't just pay the extra money and have the boy sew up the tear in my sandal.
A Godly Dance at the Taj Mahal by Trey Ratcliff
Barefoot on cool marble, I watched as the faithful coiled in long lines and snaked their way around the complex, waiting patiently in the 95 degree heat. Later, away from the huddled masses, I wandered into the wilds and outskirts of the Taj Mahal.
5 | Great Wall of China
The Great Wall at Badaling by Dave and Deb
Blue skies and beauty on a crisp December morning, while exploring the incredible feat of engineering that is the Great Wall of China.
Immensity of the Great Wall by Trey Ratcliff
Walking from tower to tower, looking at the sinuous wall as it snakes over the mountains, I finally found an extremely remote section that is far enough away from civilisation to stay pure. Overgrown with vegetation, the wall has crumbled away in the past thousand years.
6 | The Acropolis
Closer to the Heavens by Michael Turtle
Up the steep slippery marble stairs you climb, the weight of years of expectation heavy upon you. Then the beauty of the Acropolis finally reveals itself. Up here you feel displaced from the minutiae of everyday life. There is a spirituality here that neither time nor cynicism can destroy.
7 | Easter Island
Ancient Wonders of Rapa Nui by Irene and Rick Butler
This dot of tranquility, with soft rolling grassy hills, and rugged coasts rising in isolation from turquoise seas left us much to ponder. I need only to close my eyes to be carried on gentle tropical breezes back to the beautiful people of Rapa Nui and the indelible grandeur of the moai.
8 | Hagia Sophia
Haunting Light of Hagia Sophia by Sherry Ott
Golden light reaches into the archways and corridors of this architectural, historical wonder—streaming through windows and from chandeliers. Sometimes things are just beautiful—and you don't have to know why.
9 | Colosseum
Down in the Dungeons by Stephanie Yoder
Exploring behind the scenes at the Colosseum, down in the dungeons, you can imagine how the waiting gladiators would have heard the other fighters thumping overhead and the blood-crazed roar of the crowd.
10 | The Pyramids
Impressions of a Trip to Sakkara and Giza by Jen Bianco
No trip to Egypt would be complete without seeing the Pyramids. They are absolutely the one "must see" if you visit the country.
If these stories have left you drunk on wonderment—go ahead and tweet this post, @mentioning any friends who you think would also enjoy these adventurous tales.
A version of this post originally appeared over on the Maptia Blog, and all of the hand-drawn goodness was created by Ella Frances Sanders, now our Illustrator-in-Residence at Maptia.
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