The archipelago is located 350 km off the northeast coast of Brazil, is of volcanic origin and consists of 21 islands. Its total area is about 20 km. 18 km of the territory is occupied by a single island with the same name – Fernando de Noria. The rest are home to numerous birds, reptiles and endemic species. The highest point is Morro do Pico Mountain (323 meters).

The largest island of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago

• The island’s largest facility is the airport, and the local economy is based on eco-tourism. Therefore, all the necessary infrastructure is well developed. However, you won’t find luxury five-star hotels here – tourists are accommodated in modest guesthouses that organically fit into the environment without disturbing it;
• Fernando de Noronha pays considerable attention to preserving the environment, which is the focus of the local government’s policy. Just over 460 guests can stay here at a time. At the same time, they have to pay a progressive tax, the amount of which starts from $14 and increases with each day of stay;
• The only settlement on the island is Vila dos Remedios (population about 3 thousand). There is no reason to stay there for a long time – the monotonous architecture consists of colorful one-story houses standing on a hill, and the roads are broken or covered with ancient stone in some places. In the center there is a historic palace, which is hardly a palace. The most popular object is the post office. There’s always someone nearby using unvarnished Wi-Fi – there’s no other free connection to the outside world;
• The main attraction on Fernando de Noronha, for which tourists come here, is excellent diving with the richest underwater world. Here you can see not only sea turtles, but also dangerous moray eels and sharks, friendly dolphins, huge lobsters, and clumsy octopuses. Snorkeling, beach recreation, fishing, bird watching, hiking and boat trips are also popular here.

A brief history

Europeans discovered the Fernando de Noronha archipelago in the early 16th century. And in 1503, it was described by Amerigo Vespucci, who took part in an expedition exploring the coast of Brazil. The largest island, as well as the archipelago itself, was named after one of the sponsors of this event. The Dutch, British, French, and Portuguese attempted to colonize the island. In the early seventeenth century, the latter built military fortifications and founded settlements on the island.

During the Second World War, an airport and a prison for political prisoners were built here. During this period, massive deforestation began; now the authorities are planting new trees.

In 1988, a significant part of the archipelago became the territory of the National Marine Park, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.

What tourists need to do on the Fernando de Noronha archipelago

• Go diving. This place is considered one of the best in the world for this entertainment. The visibility of its turquoise depths reaches 50 meters, and the abundance of marine life invariably leaves the best impressions;
• Take a walk through the ruins of Forte dos Remédios, which have been preserved since the colonization of the island by the Portuguese. From the top, where they are located, breathtaking views of the neighborhood and the village of Vila dos Remedios open up;
• Visit the ancient church Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, built in 1772. The facade of the building needs restoration, but in the surrounding landscape it only adds a special flavor;
• Take first-class photos against the backdrop of the Morro do Pico mountain. This is one of the main local natural attractions;
• Eat plenty of seafood. The food in local restaurants is excellent, the interiors are cozy, and the service is top-notch;
• Enjoy your vacation on the beautiful beaches. They are considered the best in Brazil. Warm water, fine sand, gentle entrance, palm trees and privacy – all this attracts vacationers here.

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Spread over 720 square kilometers of mountainous terrain, the landscape of the reserve is known for its beautiful cascading waterfalls and clear, clean lakes, virgin forests.

The valley was declared a national park in 1982, deforestation was stopped to ensure the preservation of the reserve, and work was done to open the park for tourism. Local residents, unable to cultivate the land, because of the ban, sell their own handmade products, which are also of great interest to tourists.

Rich vegetation, beautiful scenery, unique wildlife attract more and more tourists to the Jiuzhaigou Valley every year to admire and enjoy the splendor of wildlife.
It is impossible to describe the beauty of the national park, being in a mountainous area, here the vegetation of the mountainous and temperate zones is combined. The deciduous forests are indescribably beautiful, especially in the fall.

The leaves are transformed and cast in all the colors of autumn – yellow, red, orange, green. It is this time of year that is most visited by tourists and artists. It is impossible to describe in words or with a brush the fabulous, untouched purity of the nature of this picturesque corner, which captures and creates a feeling of an unreal world. Unique species of trees and plants can be found here, including varieties of bamboo and rhododendrons. The great panda and the golden snub-nosed monkey, whose number is rapidly declining, are under special protection. The valley also attracts many species of birds – their number reaches about 140.

The landscape of the valley was formed as a result of glacial, hydrological and tectonic activity. No less important are the changes that have occurred in the earth’s crust due to earthquakes. Fractures in the mountain chain were formed, and rock layers consisting of carbonate rocks formed three gorges, which are called valleys because of their large size. Together, they form a Y-shaped figure, with the Zijie and Jiechawa gorges converging from the south and forming the Shuzheng Gorge in the center, which stretches north to the mouth of the valley. The valley is a part of the Yangtze River system and one of its sources, the Jialingjiang.

The rock strata consist of dolomite, limestone, shale and sandstone, the composition of which affects the quality of the park’s more than 108 beautiful lakes. The Tibetans call them “haizi”, which means “son of the sea” in the local language. Many lakes stretch throughout the park, they are very vulnerable, formed as a result of the accumulation of rock fragments held together by carbonate sediments, and have acquired original shapes. The water in the lakes has a high content of calcium carbonate, which is the reason for the purity and transparency of the water, the naked eye can see the bottom sediments in shallow lakes, The most unique feature is the color of the lakes, they shimmer with green, blue and blue colors, each lake has its own unique color.

All the nature that surrounds the lake is reflected in its mirror-like surface. In some places, the lakes are interconnected by beautiful cascades of waterfalls, where a stream of water flows between the trees and then falls down with pearl splashes. In some places, it is so calm that all nature is clearly reflected as in a mirror.
Nature has painted this fabulous place like a magician. To see these beautiful places, tourists travel quite a long way, crossing the gorge on tourist buses. But since the lakes are located between dense forests, part of the way is covered on foot, along trodden paths or on gatyas (log decks). In each of the gorges you can find lakes of different shapes, colors, and depths.

In the Zhijie Valley, among the virgin forest, there is a favorite lake of swans and ducks, which is called Swan Lake. It is followed by a small Grass Lake with intricate plants woven into various patterns. The surprisingly shallow Bamboo Lake, up to 6 meters deep, became famous thanks to cinema in 2002. The original Panda Lake, with its unique combination of green and blue water color, from which a stream flows with a beautiful three-stage waterfall from 78 meters high. Lake of Five Flowers with a transparent bottom, so clean that you can see the branches and trunks of trees that have fallen into the lake.

The surprisingly calm Mirror Lake, which reflects all of nature. And finally, the sloping, wide, stepped Pearl Shoal, with calcite deposits, over which water flows in a thin layer, which then turns into a waterfall. Falling from a height of 28 meters, it was named the Pearl Falls.

In the second valley of Tsechava, the gorge has high walls and by going down the paths, you can see the deepest (up to 103 m) and largest Long Lake, 7.5 km long, in the palm of your hand. In contrast, the lake, which was named Five-Color Pond because of its small size, is characterized by rich, colorful underwater vegetation and is one of the most remarkable of all the lakes in the valley. There are also lakes here that fill and empty depending on the time of year. These are three consecutive lakes called the Seasonal Lakes.

In the third valley of Shuzhen, tourists can admire the most beautiful, widest mountain waterfalls – Nozhilan Waterfalls, which fall at the junction of gorges from a height of 20 meters and have a width of 320 m. Also, a chain of 18 and 19 lakes formed by glaciers separated by natural dams that have formed over time looks great. Some of them have received names such as Tiger, Rhino, etc. The Sleeping Dragon Lake, with a depth of 20 meters, is one of those transparent, shallow lakes that is notable for its lime deposits, which are shaped like a reclining dragon. The Reed Lake is especially beautiful in the fall, when the reeds growing in the water turn yellow and a turquoise stream of water zigzags through them. And finally, the Beautiful Pool, which stands out for its original travertine pools.

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Ngong Ping 360 and the Big Buddha

Lantau’s main attraction is the 34-meter high Tiantan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha, which sits atop a hill. What is the best way to get there? By taking the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, which goes up from Tunchun to Ngong Ping Village and will give you amazing views of Lantau Island, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Big Buddha. The climb up this road takes 25 minutes. All cabins are air-conditioned, and you can also sit in the so-called “crystal cabins” with a transparent floor. The upper station of the cable car is a ten-minute walk from the beginning of the staircase, which consists of 268 steps leading up to the base of the statue. At the end of this staircase you will not only get a breathtaking view of the green Lantau Mountains and the vast South China Sea – from here you can also admire the Pow Lin Monastery with all its colorful murals. After descending the stairs, you can visit it.

Wisdom Path

Stroll another 10 minutes from the foot of the Big Buddha steps and you’ll find yourself at Wisdom Path, which traces a series of 38 wooden steles (upright monuments) containing verses from the centuries-old Heart Sutra – one of the world’s best-known prayers revered by Confucians, Buddhists and Taoists alike. These steles display the Chinese version of the prayer, based on the calligraphy of famous contemporary scholar Professor Jao Tsung-I, and are arranged in an ∞ pattern, which represents infinity. Professor Jao’s calligraphy and painting masterpieces are incorporated into the design of the commemorative plaque and the site map displaying his biography and academic achievements. Find out more about Professor Jao and his work at Jao Tsung-I Academy.

Tunchun Fortress

This well-preserved fortress was built in 1832 and has an interesting history. When the British took control of Hong Kong in 1898, the fortress was abandoned. During the Second World War, it was occupied by Japanese troops, then housed a post office and then a college. Today, this fortress is a monument to a bygone era, and there are even six cannons and Chinese arcades preserved here. If you’re a real history buff, you can also visit the nearby Tunchun Artillery Fortifications.

Chung Sha and Pui O Beaches

If you want to relax on a sandy beach, there are two options in Pui O Village: Chun Sha Beach and Pui O Beach, both of which stretch along not the most visited stretches of coastline. Pui O is farther away than the second beach, Chun Sha. It is a three-kilometer stretch of white sand and is one of the longest beaches in Hong Kong. Here you can try your hand at water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing and kiteboarding. Chung Sha Beach is popular among those who come to Lantau for a day. It is practically packed on weekends and holidays, so if you want to get a good spot, you need to get here early.

Discovery Bay

Many expats are used to hitting Lantau land right here at Discovery Bay (or DB for short). This is where the life of the otherwise very relaxed island just pulsates. There are tons of things to do here, from watching the yacht club regattas on the waters of Discovery Bay to shopping at the Independent Artisans and Merchants Fair, held in Discovery Bay Square every second Sunday of the month. Or you can simply sip wine over a good lunch at D Deck, Hong Kong’s largest alfresco restaurant, which offers 180-degree views of the sea. Still close to the bay is Hemingway’s, which has a varied vegetarian menu – this place is extremely popular with Discovery Bay tourists.

Lantau Trail

The 70km Lantau Trail stretches along the length of the island, taking in some of the most memorable views and unspoiled nature. The route is divided into 12 sections varying in difficulty. Some of them are quite challenging, so it’s no surprise that this trail forms a significant part of the route of the annual TransLantau Super Marathon and remains a popular destination for hikers and trailrunners. Don’t miss the opportunity to climb Sunset Peak at 869 meters. It is the third highest point in Hong Kong.

Tai Ou Fishing Village

Tai Ou Village dates back to the Ming Dynasty and is filled with historical and cultural heritage sites. It was originally inhabited by the Danjia people who established a community of fishermen who built their houses on stilts over the tidal flats. This village should definitely be included in your Lantau Island sightseeing plans. Boats float on the canals between the houses, filling the place with a special flavor. This is not the only thing that deserves a post on your Instagram account. Some of the enterprising locals have turned their houses on stilts into restaurants and cafes, including Solo, which serves a variety of teas, coffees, and homemade pastries.

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Nordfjord

The Nordfjord welcomes you with a picturesque strip of coastline, high mountains and the largest glacier you will find on mainland Europe: Justedalsbreen. This fjord will lure you with all sorts of activities, such as

• a cruise on the fjord itself, during which you can enjoy its spectacular beauty;
• a ride on a speedboat;
• hiking and sightseeing trips that will show you the magical mountains, islands and forests, as well as surprise you with waterfalls, ancient buildings and the highest peak in Norway, Skåla;
• excursions to the Justedalsbreen glacier;
• water skiing, rafting and canoeing;
• fishing for the most avid fishermen;
• downhill skiing.

Hardangerfjord

As one of the longest fjords in the world, Hardanger Fjord in Norway is known primarily for its picturesque hiking trails and fragrant orchards. This region offers the following activities:

• cruise and kayaking on the beautiful fjord;
• Sightseeing trips, during which you will see the most beautiful places of the fjord;
• Hiking and biking, which will allow you to see many natural wonders, such as, for example, the most impressive waterfall in Norway, Vøringsfossen;
• Hiking to the Folgefonna glacier;
• an excursion to Trolltunga, a huge rock with an incredibly picturesque view.

Lysefjord

Having a relatively smaller size than many other fjords in Norway, Lysefjord is a narrow 42 km long fjord located near Stavanger. It is one of 13 regions in Norway that has been designated a Sustainable Destination, making it ideal for environmentally conscious travelers. Here you can do the following:

• climb the square Preikestolen plateau, or Preacher’s Chair, which will give you an adrenaline rush as it rises almost 600 meters above the huge fjord;
• go to Mount Kjerag, which is a popular place for photography, rock climbing and skydiving, called base jumping;
• Explore several ancient sites in the Lysefjord region, such as the prehistoric rock paintings in Solbakk, which date back to 500 BC;
• go on an excursion to Ryfylke, where you can visit a reconstructed prehistoric settlement.

Sognefjord

The Sogne Fjord, or King of the Fjords, is Norway’s deepest and largest fjord, famous for the scale and spectacularness of its scenery. The main channel stretches 204 km inland, and small scenic arms such as Aurlands Fjord and Neroi Fjord stretch north and south. Popular activities in the area include the following:

• a cruise along the magnificent Neroi Fjord, the narrowest and most impressive branch of the Sogne Fjord;
• a trip to the Viking settlement in Gudvangen;
• visit the oldest wooden church in Norway in Urnes;
• a trip on the panoramic Flom railway;
• visit to the Stegastein observation deck overlooking the Aurlands Fjord;
• traveling to the Justedalsbreen glacier;
• Hiking and cycling along picturesque trails.

Geirangerfjord

Many people consider Geirangerfjord to be the most beautiful fjord in Norway. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and perhaps the most amazing fjord on the planet. Geirangerfjord, famous for its deep blue waters, high mountain peaks and waterfalls, is a place where you can admire incredibly fabulous landscapes. You will find many interesting activities in the area:

• the Geiranger Skywalk observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level;
• a sightseeing cruise around the fjord to see its indescribable beauty and its famous waterfalls (for example, the Seven Sisters), whose waters plunge directly into the fjord;
• excellent fishing with professional guides;
• canoeing and rafting;
• Hiking through some of Norway’s most spectacular landscapes;
• downhill skiing.

Every year in Norway, a huge number of tourists go on cruise ships to explore the breathtaking fjords and their cozy bays. Head to this Scandinavian country on one of our tours and see for yourself how beautiful and fascinating the fjords and their surroundings are in Norway.

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