WWF Travel Blog

The Greal Wall of China © Michel Gunther / WWF-Canon

We recently took a look at the top UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves that we’ll visit on tours in 2010. But what about UNESCO’s more famous designation, the honor of World Heritage Site?

Unlike a World Biosphere Reserve, which is a protected areas demonstrating a balanced relationship between man and nature, a World Heritage Site is a place of great cultural or physical significance. It could be as small as a monument or an archeological complex or as grand as a mountain or an entire city. UNESCO has designated 890 of them in 148 countries around the world.

WWF tours include quite a few World Heritage Sites. These are among the top 10:

Surtsey, Iceland: This volcanic island was formed from 1963 to 1967 off Iceland’s southern coast. It’s been protected from the start, providing scientists with the opportunity to study a pristine place as the plant and animal life from its infancy.
Cruise to Surtsey during our Viking Saga cruise

The Great Wall, China: The Great Wall was built more than 2,000 years ago by the first emperor of China during the Qin Dynasty to protect the Chinese Empire from invaders. At more than 5,000 miles long, it is one of the largest construction projects ever completed and is visible from outer space.
Visit the Wall during our China for Families tour

Volcanoes of Kamchatka, Russia: This volcanic region not only has a high density of active volcanoes, but also possesses a variety of types and a wide range of related features. The world’s largest known variety of salmonoid fish as well as sea otters, brown bears and Stellar’s sea eagles make this beautiful area their home.
Journey to Kamchatka during our Northern Ring of Fire cruise

Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, Mexico: Nearly all major oceanographic processes that happen in the planet’s oceans are present in the gulf, according to UNESCO, providing “extraordinary importance” for observing marine and coastal processes. WWF and its partners concur, working together to study and protect the region’s biodiversity.
Voyage on our cruise, Baja California: Among the Great Whales

Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: Kathmandu Valley is the political, commercial and cultural center of Nepal. Seven groups of monuments and buildings represent the strong artistic heritage of this region. Three cities lie within the valley: Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and the capital Kathmandu.
Visit Kathmandu Valley during our Nepal Trek

Komodo National Park, New Guinea: Approximately 5,700 giant monitor lizards live on a batch of volcanic islands including some in New Guinea. They grow to 10 feet and weigh up to 300 pounds.
Walk through Komodo National Park on our Papua New Guinea to Bali tour

Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania: Rising majestically above the African plains, the 20,000-foot Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa. This inactive volcano provides stunning views of the surrounding plains, which host numerous mammals.
Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with WWF

Gunung Mulu National Park, Borneo: Located in the state of Sarawak, Gunung Mulu is the most studied tropical karst area in the world, according to UNESCO. The park houses the largest known cave chamber in the world as well as an astounding diversity of plant and animal species.
Explore Gunung Mulu on our Wild Borneo trip

Taj Mahal, India: An immense monument made of white marble, the Taj Mahal was built in Agra as a tribute to Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite wife. Beginning in 1631, it took 22 years and 20,000 workers to complete.
 See the Taj Mahal during our Wild India expedition

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador: Six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador and surrounded by open ocean, this volcanic archipelago straddles the equator. Due to its isolation, unusual wildlife developed on the islands and inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution following his 1835 visit.
Visit the Galápagos Islands with WWF’s travel partner

Learn which UNESCO Biosphere Reserves WWF visits in 2010