Glamp Near These Amazing Natural Wonders

When it comes to experiencing the world’s most amazing natural wonders, most travelers come and go, spending only a short amount of time taking them in. But that’s not because they don’t want to spend more time, it’s because by the end of the day, they have to get back to a distant hotel or camp.

But what if you could stay nearby, perhaps even in eye shot of some of the world’s most amazing natural wonders? What if you could cut out the travel time and actually spent some quality time in the presence of nature’s most beautiful sights? It’s possible at these five glamping destinations.

1. Ayers Rock – Australia
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Where to Glamp: Longitude 131

Australia is full of luxurious places to glamp, but few boast as privileged a location as Longitude 131. Nestled in the country’s wild outback, Longitude 131 sits in shadow of Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock), a scared site for the region’s indigenous people.

The camp, with its 15 luxury tented rooms, brings an unparalleled level of comfort to the unforgiving setting and serves as a perfect jumping off point to explore the area’s many wonders.

2. Grand Canyon – United States
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Where to Glamp: Grand Canyon Under Canvas

Just 40 minutes away from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, Under Canvas’ new Grand Canyon location offers the region’s most luxurious wilderness accommodations.

In addition to day trips to the Grand Canyon, activities like whitewater rafting, horseback riding and zip-lining can all be arranged and found nearby. Back at camp, the canvas tents located within a 56-acre Ponderosa Pine forest and feature king beds and wood-burning stoves.

3. Mt. Fitz Roy (Patagonia) – Argentina
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Where to Glamp: Patagonia Eco Domes

Every nature lover and seeker of natural wonders has a trip to Patagonia high on their bucket list.

To sleep in eyesight of the region’s most famous mountain, Mt. Fitz Roy, booked an eco dom at Patagonia Eco Doms. This intimate, wild retreat features just 11 doms, each of which has its own bathroom and unique mountain view.

Nearby, famous treks and even more stunning vistas await.

4. Victoria Falls – Zambia
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Where to Glamp: Tongabezi Lodge

The awe-inspiring and impressive Victoria Falls is one of Africa’s most famous natural wonders.
To stay as close as possible without skimping on comfort, rest your head at Tongabezi Lodge. Hidden away on the banks of the Zambezi River, just upstream from the mighty falls, Tongabezi is comprised of six private houses and six river cottages that transport guests to a wild yet refined world.

In addition to trips to Victoria Falls, once-on-a-lifetime dining experiences, whitewater rafting, sunset boat rides and safari day trips can all be arranged.

5. Northern Lights – Norway
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Where to Glamp: Holmen Husky Lodge

The northern lights can only be viewed in a select few places around the world. Northern Norway is one of those places.

For a winter trip to remember, and a chance to see the majestic northern lights, head to Holman Husky Lodge. During the day, you’ll get to know and dogsled with the lodge’s team of Alaskan Huskies across beautiful arctic terrain. At night, you’ll retire to a custom, insulated teepee, each which feature a small wood-burning stove and unique floor to ceiling windows.

Main Image Photo Credit: Tongabezi Lodge – Victoria Falls

Innovative Glamping Essentials

Check out these 6 Innovative products to enhance your next glamping experience helping you to stay connected, creative, and incredibly organized when you’re off on your next glamping adventure.

Tardisk
Tardisk

Mac owners, get ready to fawn over the best thing invented for the person whose computer is always full – just like me. Tardisk seamlessly permanently converts your computer into double the available storage. Next time you head out into nature, you can leave that extra hard drive at home and travel a little lighter with Tardisk.

Hyper USB
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If you want to leave your computer behind all together and love traveling light and simply using just your iPhone to capture your adventures, you’ll want to make sure you’re backing them up. The Hyper USB (available in 8-64 gigs) has a lightning connector for your iPhone or iPad, making safe storage an easy option.

Prynt
Prynt

If you want to capture those memories and see them on paper right away, you’ll want to purchase Prynt, a travel size device you plug your iPhone into which turns your smartphone into a printer. All you have to do is attach the phone and viola!

Goal Zero Solar Panel
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If you’re off glamping, it’s likely wherever you’re heading off to has lots of sunshine and little or no outlets for plugging in. Get a Goal Zero Solar Panel, it’s an earth friendly way to stay charged up throughout the day.

Pela Case
Pela Case

Why not bring a phone case out into nature that dissolves right back into it. Pela Case is an iPhone case made to be fully biodegradable back into the earth.

Wool + Oak Duffle Suitcase
Wool + Oak

Last but not least, here’s what you should pack all of it in. The rise of creative crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have made it easier for innovative, well designed products to actually make it to market. I came across one that knocked my socks off last month – the Wool + Oak Duffle Suitcase. I don’t think I’ve seen a better duffle out there. Including three compartments, two built in shoe pockets, 13 utility pockets, and an attachable toiletry kit, these bags ship in September just in time for fall glamping.

Watch their witty video here on how it all works.

Enjoy Ancient Japan with Modern-day Comfort

Japanese culture has a quiet elegance and understated grace that captures anyone it touches. Though it is easy to appreciate, the culture is much more difficult to experience first hand. These aren’t a people who over-share, and the typical two-week vacation isn’t enough time to get into their inner circle. Unless, of course, you stay at the Kaya Villa’s thatched cottage.

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The cottage is located in the quaint village of Miyama, which provides a needed contrast to the modern cities of Japan. Rice paddies and thick forests cover the mountains that surround this community. And while the amenities are very modern, the cottage’s story is anything but.

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Thatched roof history dates back 5,000 years and is congruent with the history of Japan itself. But now that Japan is enthusiastically welcoming outside influence, and young people flood into cities, the villages and farms that fed Japan are dwindling along with their way of life. This is the old way of life, the way of tea ceremonies, hidden shrines, farming, and yes, thatched roof villages. The core of this way of life is living off the land, in harmony with the land, in a sustainable and clean way. As I listened to the Kaya Villa team discuss the ancient way’s dedication to sustainable living, it started to sound shockingly familiar. You only need to search #CleanLiving to know this old way is a very modern ideal.

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But what is most incredible is that something so rich in history and morality could feel so good. The cottages are warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and their unobtrusive and organic structure means you’re experiencing nature without all the hassle. The cottage walls are built of cedar, which exude a heavenly scent you could swim in. And the cedar bathtub doesn’t hurt either. As you lay in bed, listen to the nighttime chorus literally sing you to sleep, breath in the rich cedar smell, and commend yourself on your #CleanLiving.

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If you can tear yourself away from the cottage, the community of Miyama will welcome you and, even better, share their world with you. A bike ride is the first step, and as every gardener in town bows, smiles, and waves at you, it’s ok to feel like you’re part of the family. Walk up to the village shrine, take a picnic by the river, or even a swim in the perfectly clear water. Your time wouldn’t be complete without a cooking class from Sachiko and Toyoko, two ladies who will make you want to move to Miyama and be adopted by them (if not for their warm hearts, then for their amazing cooking!). Work off the fabulous Japanese cuisine with an easy hike through the Japanese forest, and learn nature’s secrets from a local guide. But leave time for yoga with Junko Saito, the renowned Japanese instructor who is as ruthless as she is gentle. In the evening, watch the sunset over the rice paddies from the cottage’s porch while you grill up a well-deserved dinner of delicious local produce.

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The Kaya Villa offers a connection to the Japanese culture about which many will only read and dream. This connection isn’t just a glimpse, but an immersion, and with a comfort and welcome to make you wonder if you didn’t once live here in a past life. You’ll learn to pace your current life a beat slower, smile to strangers a bit kinder, and the quiet grace which exudes from the Japanese will imprint itself on your heart forever.