World Wonders I

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Best by month | World Travel Maps

These wonders of the ancient world will become overpriced and wildly overcrowded during the Christmas holidays [Dec 20th-Jan 5th], Easter holidays [one or two weeks on either side of Easter day], and, unless the weather's unbearable at this time, also during the summer holidays of late July/Aug.
Tip: when you visit one of these sites, plan to stay until sunset if you can. Not only will the light be great for pictures [think colour and shadows], the temperature cooler and the locals more relaxed, but the humungous package tours will have gone, leaving you in cool, wonderful tranquility. Or get up really early. p.s. and don't forget the mosquito repellent!

More tour operators offering travel to the countries with the best ancient wonders can be found in our listings here: World Wonders Tour Operators

Machu Picchu, Peru ['Lost' Inca city], picture top left. Stupendously beautiful ancient wonder built by the Incas on a hilltop surrounded by virgin mountains. No roads go there. Walk or train only. According to Japanese researchers in 2001 Machu Pichu is built on very loose, ex-landslide soil, currently slipping off the hilltop at the rate of 5 inches per year and is in great danger of suddenly tobogganing all the way to the bottom, so if you're interested at all, get moving!
Hike the incredible Inca Trail if you can, 3 days, 22km over the mountains. Porters are a worthwhile option. Otherwise the train from Cuzco [aka Cusco] means arriving late at Machu Picchu and leaving early. Stay one night if possible [there is one hotel beside Machu Picchu, or for tough, impecunious travellers a village a few kms away, downhill].
Best: April-June, Sept-Nov. OK July, Aug [winter]. Avoid: Dec-March [rain]. See Machu Picchu Pictures | Peru Travel Guide | Peru Map

Bagan [Pagan], Burma [Myanmar], picture top right. 2,500 17thC pointy buildings - temples, pagodas and stupas - in 16 sq. miles of dry, flat rural landscape. Incredibly beautiful, world-beating 360 degree views from some structures and lovely unspoilt people. Unfortunately Bugbog has discontinued promoting Burma/Myanmar as a holiday destination while the repression and detention of its people by the ruling 'State Peace and Developement Council' continues. See Amnesty International

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt. 'Man fears time, yet time fears the Pyramids' [Arab proverb] The Great Pyramid is the oldest and only wonder of the seven wonders of the ancient world still standing.
In the desert beside Cairo and a few metres from the Sphinx, the three Giza pyramids are much bigger and older thanMexico's Chichen Itza, though less shapely and without the jungle city ambience.
The Giza pyramid area is open only 8am-4pm. Rent-a-camel/horse. Go inside a pyramid. There's lots to do in Cairo, especially the magnificent Egyptian Museum, excellent shopping at Khan el Khalili market, more older pyramids a short drive down the Nile at Saquara and a ton of mosques.
Best: Oct-May. Otherwise seriously hot. Pyramid Pictures | Egypt Travel Guide | Egypt Map

Petra, Jordan. 'A rose-red city half as old as time.' This massive complex of temples and monuments carved loningly out of solid multicoloured rock is unlike anything else in the world. A trip would be wasted with less then 2 days walking inside magical Petra. Car access is usually without problems from Israel. Maybe visit Lawrence of Arabia's Wadi Rum [south of Petra] or the Roman ruins of Jerash [north of Amman] while you're there?
Best: March-June, Sept-Nov. Avoid: winter [cold] & summer [hot]. See Petra Pictures | Jordan Travel Guide | Jordan Map

Angkor, Cambodia. Khmer temple/urban complex that was one of the most capital capitals in Asia in the 9thC-14thC. Now 400 sq km. of stunningly carved, world beating wonders, including Angkor Wat.
Needs several days; Angkor Wat and pinky Banteay Srei [25km away] for awesome carvings, Angkor Thom for huge style and imposing faces, Ta Prohm for jungle tangled temples, and another 40 great ruins await you. Don't stray off tracks, there are still mines around.
Local infrastructure, i.e. the town of Siem Reap, is improving and there is a good range of hotels. Take $US! Phnom Penh is worth a couple of days, the little developed, white sand beach at Sihanoukville is pretty and uncrowded, and the Ream National Park has lots of activities.
Best: Dec- Feb. Avoid: April [extreme heat], Sept, Oct [heavy rains, impassable roads]. Angkor Pictures | Angkor Travel Guide | Cambodia Travel Guide | Cambodia Map

World Wonders Tour Operators offering travel to the countries with the best ancient sites are here:
World Wonders Tour Operators

To view the best wonders of the world for each month according to the local climate go to:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec