the treasury lit by candles in Petra, Jordan

Borobudur Temple at sunrise in Java, Indonesia

the Parthenon and the Acropolis in Greece, Athens

the ruins of the citadel of Sigirya, in Sri Lanka

tourists go on special tracks around the lake in Plitvice Lake National Park, Croatia

a park ranger gives a cave tour to boy scouts in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau in Provence, southern France

the Avenue of the Baobabs in Morondava, Madagascar

a woman sweeping in Amber fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge at back, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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Peru: Machu PicchuGet a reverse angle on Machu Picchu from the 8,920-foot summit of Huayna Picchu, the looming peak in all those memorable images of the Inca site. Only 200 hikers a day are permitted to make the two-hour round-trip trek. Go slow while descending the notoriously steep “stairs of death” near the top.

Photograph by Jim Richardson

15 Iconic Adventures Worth the Effort

These world wonders are worth the trek.

ByMaryellen Kennedy Duckett

April 26, 2017

When asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, English mountaineer George Mallory famously replied, “Because it’s there.” For those of us who need a little more motivation, we’ve chosen 15 celebrated places—including Machu Picchu, Pisa, and Provence—worth the trek or climb. Whether you’re a Sunday stroller or a Sherpa, you’ll find an adventure to match your stamina. The ultimate reward waiting at the end? An inspiring perspective on the world.

Maryellen Kennedy Duckett lives, writes, and drives the backroads in East Tennessee where she wakes up curious every day. Follow her on twitter @mekd.