Yellowstone
The first designated national park in the world, Yellowstone, which crosses portions of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, is a giant volcanic caldera, site of the largest amount of geo-thermic phenomena on the planet. This results in spectacular geysers and bubbling hot springs framed by the mountains, forests and waterfalls of this unique area.
Other highlights of the park include Yellowstone Canyon, whose sheer walls of yellow sandstone give the park its name.
Thanks to its protected status, the park is also home to diverse wildlife including bison, elk, pronghorn antelope, grizzly bears, wolves, jackals, wild sheep, ospreys and other fauna.
Southern Safari
Southern Safari takes you on an unforgettable journey through three countries in the south of Africa. The experience, which takes place across Namibia, Botswana and Zambia covers diverse landscapes and ecosystems: the Namib desert, the Okavango delta and the Victoria Falls.
Along the way you’ll stay in exclusive campsites, selected for their luxury and their location, often situated in remote areas and on private reserves, far from civilisation. For this reason, you’ll be travelling between them via light aircraft, a form of transport that not only allows us to land right in the heart of nature, but also affords spectacular views of the land below, giving you a sense of the size and majesty of the landscapes we’ll be visiting.
These iconic landscapes include the towering red sand dunes of the Sossusvlei valley, the enormous wetlands of the Okavango delta and one of the seven natural wonders of the world – the Victoria Falls on the Zambezi river.
The diversity of the landscapes is amply matched by the fauna that calls it home. During the safari you’ll see herds of Oryx and Springbok, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, lions, African wild dogs and innumerable other mammals and birds. Among the activities offered are hot air balloon rides, both walking and 4X4 safaris and a unique water safari via local ‘mokoro’ (dugout canoe).
Danakil Desert
Despite reaching temperatures of over 50ºC, the Danakil desert is as captivating as it is extreme. At the natural hydrothermal springs of Dallol volcano, the rock and sand gives way to red, green and yellow rock formations, transporting you to an otherworldly landscape. And while it might seem hostile to life, the area is home to the Afar people, a semi-nomadic tribe whose livelihood is based on goat farming and the salt they collect from the springs, transporting it periodically across the desert in large caravans to sell.
Any visit to the region would be incomplete without ascending the crater of Erta Ale volcano. The volcano, whose name translates to ‘the gateway to hell’ in the local native tongue, offers spectacular views of the area, as well as into the active caldera itself, whose bubbling lava continues to shape this singular, prehistoric, landscape.
One of the most extreme and fascinating areas on Earth, travelling to the Danakil requires a strong sense of adventure, and a willingness to sacrifice some creature comforts, while promising to be a true, once in a lifetime experience.
Peru
In Peru, the wonders don’t stop with a visit to the stunning inca citadel of Machu Picchu. The site, one of the world’s foremost archeologic treasures, is a door into a landscape and culture as diverse as it is enchanting.
On this Peruvian experience you’ll discover the joys of Peruvian cuisine, where ingredients used for thousands of years come into contact with the very latest gastronomic techniques resulting in some of the world’s best restaurants. But that’s not all. Here you’ll explore the vertiginous slopes of the Colca canyon, and the mysterious lines of the Nazca plain. At Cuzco, the past and the present combine in spectacular fashion, as by night the ancient inca capital transforms into a bustling town with unique nightlife.
For those with extra time, this experience can be expanded to include a visit to the world’s highest navigable body of water Lake Titicaca, or the ‘rainbow mountain’ of Vinicunca, whose sides and peaks are made up of layers in vibrant tones of pink, turquoise, lavender and gold.
Bolivia
In this country of spellbinding natural beauty, the highlights are many and varied: from world heritage sites such as Sucre and Potosi, through to the worlds’ most striking salt-flat desert; Uyuni.
Bolivia’s natural landscapes are among the most striking and diverse on Earth.
From the awe-inspiring beauty of its mountain ranges and the world’s highest navigable lake – Titicaca, as well as the largest and highest altitude salt flat in the world in Uyuni, the country hosts some of the most photogenic locations imaginable. But life in Bolivia isn’t limited to the wilderness, observing how its human inhabitants have adapted to and exist sustainably within this majesty is almost as inspiring as the views. From the fishermen who continue to make their living on Titicaca, through to the agricultural importance of the Andean valleys and yungas, witnessing thousands of years of sustainable living makes Bolivia the perfect choice for those looking for an out of the ordinary destination.
Planeta Azul has selected the best possible accommodations at each stage of your Bolivian adventure. And while you won’t want for luxury elsewhere on the trip, it’s worth bearing in mind that at the Uyuni salt flats, the rudimentary infrastructure means that in this location, you’ll be lodging in guest houses. However, we’re sure that any creature comforts you sacrifice will more than be made up for by being placed right in the heart of the extreme natural beauty of this unique site.
For those looking for adventure and authenticity, a country relatively untouched by tourism and where thousands of years of culture live alongside astounding natural beauty, a Planeta Azul experience in Bolivia is the perfect choice.
Africa’s Camelot
Los viajes en el Norte de Etiopía son un recorrido a través de los lugares arqueológicos más importantes del país. No tenemos duda que Etiopía fue una de las grandes sorpresas que nos llevamos hace ya muchos años cuando exploramos por primera vez este increíble país del Cuerno de África. Poca información era la que existia por entonces y el encontrarnos con el gran patrimonio arqueológico y cultural, además de un paisaje que nada tenía que ver con las pocas imágenes que llegaban por televisión en los años 80, fue sin duda todo un descubrimiento.
El viaje por el norte de Etiopía nos lleva desde el Camelot de África, Gondar, donde te sorprenderán sus castillos medievales del siglo XVII, hasta las espectaculares iglesias excavadas en roca de Lalibela, pasando por las míticas Cataratas del Nilo Azul y las ruinas del Palacio de la Reina de Saba.
Thailand
The beating heart of Thailand is Bangkok, a world class city that joins tradition and modernity seamlessly. Here, you’ll find some of the most ornate and beautiful temples in all of Southeast Asia, as well as experiencing the unique street life that gives the city its one of a kind atmosphere. Central to this of course is Thailand’s world-famous cuisine, and Planeta Azul offers the chance to spend a day sampling, and learning to cook some of its most iconic dishes. Just another way that this experience will stay with you when you get back home.
Bangkok is also home to one of the world’s most peculiar and charming street markets: the floating market. After navigating the city’s canals by motorboat, you’ll approach the market; an endless mass of tethered boats, each doubling as a stall hawking their wares.
During your visit, you’ll also make an overnight excursion out of the city, to visit the spectacular Erawan falls. Here the cascading water forms pools, perfect for bathing, and for getting refreshed before heading back to the city – or further afield.
This experience can be extended or combined with the Cambodia experience.
Ethiopia
Formerly known as Abyssinia, the opening up of Ethiopia in recent years has led many to reappraise this endlessly surprising country in the horn of Africa. In Ethiopia you’ll discover a country of jaw-dropping landscapes, villages stuck in time and distinctive architecture, relatively untouched by mass tourism. Across a range of ecosystems – from the leafy, green northern part of the country fed by the Blue Nile and its tributaries, to the stark geological beauty of the arid south – Ethiopia combines cultural riches, ethnographic discovery and unequalled natural beauty like no other country we’ve visited
The journey begins in the country’s center and capital city, Addis Ababa before heading to the Omo Valley, home to villages of semi-nomadic tribes who maintain their traditional customs. From there, we’ll visit the Blue Nile Falls, a natural wonder that contrasts perfectly with the man-made marvels of Gondar, with it’s 17th century castles, and the World Heritage site of Lalibela with its incredible churches, carved out from the mountainside.
Planeta Azul is only too happy to take you on a one of a kind journey through a truly one of a kind country.