10 best national parks in the world

Posted on: Sep 25, 2023 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

10 best national parks in the world

Published on September 25, 2023. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Given how rapidly we humans are expanding, a visit to a national park can be enchanting and even spiritual to some. A natural park allows countries to preserve natural beauty and along with flora and fauna. If you are someone who loves nature, it would only be sensible to visit the best national park in world. Here is a simple guide for the same.

Best national parks in the world

1. Torres Del Paine

Torres Del Paine in Chile offers sublime views for anyone who enjoys nature at its best. Torres Del Paine has the distinctive Cordillera Del Paine, that has been worn down by glacial erosion over the years. It is a paradise for hikers and every year a lot of people from across the globe flock to the Cordillera Del Paine. The majestic centrepiece is surrounded by lenga forests, pampas, and ice fields.

October to April is an ideal time to visit the national park for trekking. And the W circuit is one of its most popular attractions. The 80-kilometre trail takes usually four to five days and it is around the legendary massif.

2. Komodo National Park

Situated in Indonesia, the Komodo National Park might be the best national park in the world. Simply because it is one of the few places on the planet, where you can get up and close with Komodo dragons, which are the largest lizards on the planet. The park is spread across three islands which are volcanic by nature, Komodo, Padar, and Rinca.

Apart from the stunning Komodo dragons, the national park has a lot of other attractions as well. The mountains have a green cover and are surrounded by a sea that is turquoise in colour. You will also find a lot of amazing marine creatures such as dolphins, sea turtles, whales, dugongs, and manta rays. Do not forget to buy travel insurance before your next trip to Indonesia to safeguard your trip.

3. Vatnajokull

Vatnajokull National Park in Iceland is one of the most stunning places that one can set foot on. It is easily one of the best national parks in world. The stunning volcanic region covers approximately 14% of Iceland and it has a couple of active volcanoes. Vatnajokull is famous for its foaming waterfalls, ice caves, glacial lagoons, and glaciers on which you can hike.

And their easy accessibility from the Ring Road in Iceland makes it even more convenient. In 2008, the park was created by combining Jokulsargljufur and Skaftafell National Parks. Thus, making it the largest National Park in Europe. If you want to hike on the glaciers, the summers are ideal for visiting Iceland and winters will give you access to the ice caves.

4. Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park is one of the more stunning national parks in world, located in South Africa. The national park is massive at 19,485 square kilometres and is located aptly to allow you to view wildlife. Animals such as lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos make up the main resident list of the national park.

And you will be able to find 137 other species of animals and more than 500 species of birds. It is recommended that you opt for a guided drive through the national park, to make the most of it.

5. Fiordland

There are hardly any doubts about the natural beauty that New Zealand has access to. And as hard as it might sound, Fiordland National Park somehow manages to outdo New Zealand's inherent grace. It first became a reserve in 1904 and became a national park in 1952. If you are someone who enjoys rugged fjords, lakes, waterfalls, mountains and forests, Fiordland will ensure you have a field day.

You can even visit the Doubtful Sound. The fjord is only accessible by boats and you can witness penguins, fur seals and bottlenose dolphins. Considering that New Zealand can be a bit expensive, opting for international travel insurance can be quite sensible. Any sort of delays, cancellations and medical emergencies can be easily taken care of.

6. Plitvice Lakes

The Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia also makes it to the list of best national parks in world. The national park is known for its stunning crystalline terraced lakes and there are about 16 of them. Water flows through limestone and chalk and creates natural dams, caves, lakes, and beautiful forests surrounding it. Some common local animals include bears, rare bird species and wolves.

7. Galapagos

The Galapagos is a volcanic archipelago that is about 1000 miles off the coast of Ecuador. It is no surprise that the place is on the bucket list of many individuals across the globe. Even Charles Darwin found inspiration for his theory of evolution by looking at the flora and fauna of the Galapagos. The national park has some stunning wildlife as well, in the form of giant tortoises, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, etc. The national park is heavily protected and can take some effort to reach but it is worth it.

8. Calanques

The Calanques National Park in Southern France is picturesque, to say the least. It has incredible beauty and diverse landscapes. It is located between Cassis and Marseille and is the only European national park that comprises sea, land, and even urban area. There are multiple entry points to the National Park, from the fishing town of Cassis, from Les Goudes which is often known as the end of the world, from Sormiou during the winters and from Luminy University, if you are planning to hike.

9. Timanfaya National Park

The Timanfaya National Park in Spain is one of the best attractions in the country. The landscape which looks stunning and is eerie at the same time, attracts over a million visitors every year. About 300 years ago the area was at the receiving end of almost 6 years of continuous volcanic eruptions, which turned the fertile land to barren.

10. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park in the USA became the first national park in the world in 1872. If you are looking for the best national park in the world, Yellowstone National Park might just be the one. The park is a geothermal wonder and has more than 60% of the geysers in the world. The lakes are stunning to look at and are full of colours as well. Whether you take a hike or a boat trip, you will come across wildlife such as elk, moose, bison, and grizzle bear.

Why travel insurance is important?

Since most of these locations are outside India, it is recommended that you opt for international travel insurance. And here are some reasons why.

1. The plan will cover expenses if you fall sick or need medical attention during a trip.

2. The plan will compensate for any loss of baggage or delay in flights or even last-minute cancellations.

3. If a traveller meets with an accident, the policy will compensate for the disability or the death of the insured.

4. The plan also covers the loss of documents such as passports.

Choosing family travel insurance is a safe way to make sure that everyone has adequate coverage for a trip to the best national parks in world.

Conclusion

The above list covers some of the most stunning national parks in the world. If you are planning to visit any of them, buying a travel insurance plan is only sensible. By paying a small premium, you can protect the entire trip.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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