Itinerary: Natural Wonders

You'll arrive in Lima, Peru, a fantastic jumping off point for exploring. Peru is FAMOUS for Machu Picchu, called the "Lost City of the Incas" and considered as one of the world's most spectacular archeological sites. It's located on a ridge among the Andes Mountains almost 8000 feet above see level (and you thought Denver was high). It was built in 1460 and occupied for 100 years.

Trek to the foothills to experience the Amazon first-hand! Listen closely and you'll hear macaws, parrots and toucans.

Head out from Rio toward Buenos and you'll encounter the natural phenomenon that is Iguassu Falls. It's so massive that you can visit it from both sides of the border (much larger than Niagara Falls - in case you're wondering). The falls are incredible to just look at and you can access them from both sides. The falls are also great for rock climbers and water sport enthusiasts.

From here you can head on down the road to Buenos Aires - Argentina's cosmopolitan capital. Feel the love of the big city as you enjoy a browse back through your pics so far. BUT! Make sure you have plenty of space on your memory card cuz next stop is Australia, home of the Great Barrier Reef and Outback.

An arrival in Sydney puts you in the territory of New South Wales, so you're in the bottom right corner of the country.

From here you have 70 beaches, including the famous Bondi Beach. The famous Blue Mountains, which are just west of Sydney and home to 7 national parks and a conservation reserve.

Diving officianados will want to head north to the territory of Queensland to experience the Great Barrier Reef(pictured). It's the world's largest single structure made by living organisms and you can actually see it from outer space!

Hikers and climbers will want to head northwest to Northern Territory where you'll find the Outback. The most famous icon of the Outback is Uluru (name given by the Aborigines). Ayers Rock is the English name.

You'll find the ruins of Angkor among forests and farmland north of Great Lake and south of Kulen Hills. There are more than 1,000 temples ranging in size from a pile of rubble to the magnificent Angkor Wat, meaning "City Temple."

Angkor Wat is designed to look like Mount Meru, the home of Hindu gods. Strangely, the temple faces west, something no other temples in Angkor do.

The most famous pyramids are found in Giza (about 15 miles southwest of Cairo). The Great Pyramid (Pyramid of Khufu), Pyramid of Khafre, Pyramid of Menkaure, the Queen's Pyramids, and the Great Sphinx. The Giza Necropolis has been a site popular for tourists since "forever" and was listed during ancient times as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It's the only one remaining in existence.

You'll find pyramids scattered among 10 other cities including Abu Rawash, Zawyet el-Aryan, Abu Sir,  and Saqqara. Just head down the Nile and you'll find them.

After landing in Johannesburg, you can head northeast to Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in the country. You'll get up close and personal with elephants, giraffes, hippos, black rhinos, and lions in their natural habitat!

Head due north from there to the Zambia-Zimbabwe border to experience the thunderous Victoria Falls! It's believe to be the largest sheet of falling water in the world and home to the most diverse and easily seen wildlife of any major falls in the world.

The "Natural Wonders" itinerary crosses 3 continents and explores 7 countries!

Ask your STA Travel advisor about how long you want to stay at each stop and they'll help you with what all you'll do and where you'll stay.

The airfare for this itinerary is $3464 plus taxes and fuel surcharges. STA Travel guarantees the lowest student ticket prices!