the Napali coast in Kauai, Hawai'i
Aerial picture of the Sossusvlei Desert, Namibia
an aurora seen over Haukland Beach in Lofoten, Norway
snow covered trees in the Riisitunturi National Park, Finland
the Bahariya Oasis in Egypt
steam rising in the Icelandic Highlands
alpacas on the Rainbow Mountain, Peru
Aerial picture of Icelandic river flow
sled dogs in Greenland
Aerial picture of an underwater shipwreck in Key West, Florida
sunrise over Lake Yamanaka near Mt. Fuji, Japan
Aerial picture of geese and frozen lake in Verona, New Jersey
a kayaker on the river in Kobarid, Slovenia
the firefall at Yosemite National Park
the Huangshan mountain range, China
hikers on Huayna Potosi, Bolivia
sunset in the Faroe Islands
a wild horse seen near Shiprock in Northern New Mexico
zebras at sunset in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Henningsvær village, Lofoten Islands, Norway
a snowy landscape near Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona
a temple on a cliff in Taroko National Park, Taiwan
a hiker near Segla Mountain, Norway
sunset near Lago di Limdes, Dolomites, Italy
camels walking near the Giza pyramids, Egypt
waves at Stokssnes beach in Iceland
two elephants tussling in Ngorongoro, Tanzania
steam rising from Sogi No Taki waterfall at dawn in Kagoshima, Japan
saguaro cacti and snowy mountain peaks in Arizona
waterfalls near Luang Prabang in Laos
Tulpar Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan
a wave crashing in Honolulu, Hawai'i
lenticular clouds near Mt. Fuji, Japan
Moraine Lake at sunrise in Banff National Park, Canada
a deer in a snow covered forest in Banff National Park, Canada
Stokksness Mountain in Iceland
a church near Braies, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italya
a church near Braies, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italya
a rainbow and clouds over mountain peaks in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile
1 of 40
Napali Coast, Kauai, Hawai'i"One of my best friends invited me along for his first helicopter ride. I had seen Kauai from above before, but this time was very different. The experience was very emotional and special when shared with the right people. This might be my favorite photograph I have ever taken. Leaning out the door of a helicopter, above the most beautiful place on earth."
Photograph and caption by Lace Andersen, 2019 National Geographic Travel Photo Contest

40 epic landscapes to inspire your next trip

Our favorites from this year’s photo contest take you from mountain peaks to sunny shores—and everywhere in between.

BySarah Polger
April 19, 2019
Captions were written and submitted by the photographers to the 2019 National Geographic Travel Photo Contest.

Sparkling lakes, mountains shrouded in clouds, and surreal landscape views are among the stunning photo entries in the 2019 National Geographic Travel Photo Contest. Travel the world through contest photographers’ eyes and immerse yourself in the wonder of their outdoor experiences from around the globe.

Think you have the winning photo? Be sure to enter before May 3 at 12 p.m. EST, for a chance to win up to $10,000.

FREE BONUS ISSUE

Go Further

Animals

Environment

History & Culture

Science

Travel