The most famous missing expeditions in world history. The most unusual journeys in the world The most unusual expeditions

Do you want to feel like a pioneer of uncharted lands, visit those corners of the country that you read about in geography textbooks? Do you want to make your vacation bright or give an unusual vacation to schoolchildren? Go on expeditions around Russia: impressions, natural beauty and much more await you.

An expedition is a journey of a tourist group, usually along a route remote from civilization.

Usually such a trip lasts at least a week.

In the process, tourists gain new knowledge - about the nature of their native land, about the peoples and their customs, and learn to survive in the wild.

Forget five star hotels. You will spend the night in tents that you set up yourself, swim in mountain rivers and streams, overcome passes and mountain roads.

Advantages of the expedition:

• Opportunity to explore remote corners of Russia;
• Open the mind;
• Get new skills;
• Many expeditions include rafting on mountain rivers, climbing, etc.;
• Admire the pristine nature and breathe in the fresh air;
• An opportunity to completely take a break from the bustle of the big city (in some expeditions to the Far North mobile communications are not available).

Unique landscapes that you have never dreamed of

Going on an expedition to Russia is an opportunity to feel like a traveler from the books you loved in childhood and youth, and no danger will threaten you. Among the most popular routes:

• Expedition to the mountain peaks of the Subpolar Urals.
• In a week you will visit 7 mountain peaks and walk along mountain plateaus.
• Accommodation - in the base tent camp, three meals a day, the menu of which is agreed upon with the participants.

Expedition to the Putorana plateau. You don't have to go to Norway to admire the fjords. In the northern part of Russia there are no less picturesque ones.
Not far from the base you will see animals listed in the Red Book. And the route will run along winding paths, beautiful mountain rivers and lakes.

Have you dreamed of visiting the ends of the Earth? An expedition to Cape Dezhnev will provide you with such an opportunity.
Excursions to Chukotka settlements, the opportunity to see a live whale and swim in a key spring are not the whole list of adventures.

The Commander Islands can hardly be called a tourist destination.
Only the most desperate, armed with camping equipment and accompanied by a guide, get here.
Unusual landscapes and rare animals, a visit to the only settlement on the islands, and an acquaintance with the history of the region await you on this expedition.

Stock up on warm clothes and a hiking backpack; leave formal suits and evening dresses for city parties.
Your trip will be completely safe if you follow all safety rules. In addition to the guide, the group is accompanied by qualified instructors. The necessary equipment is provided. The only thing you need to take with you is warm clothes and a desire for adventure.

Our world can be endlessly amazing and beautiful. And in order to be convinced of this, sometimes it is enough to take just one single step. Truly magical and bewitching beauties can be found in almost every corner of our planet. After all, most of them are hidden away from established tourist trails.

In our article today, we decided to present to your attention a selection of the most beautiful and, which for one reason or another usually fall out of sight of modern Belarusian tour operators. Their names are rarely pronounced with aspiration, like, for example, the names of Paris or Barcelona, ​​and the existence of most of them can only be learned by chance, as if there is something reserved and mysterious about these routes. But precisely because of this, such unexplored directions only become more valuable and attractive. After all, such unusual travels and allow us to fully understand how multifaceted and amazing our planet can be.

1. Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)

Salar de Uyuni is a huge prehistoric lake located in the southwestern part of Bolivia. However, this place resembles a real lake (in the traditional sense of the word) only from November to March, when, due to rain, the salt honeycombs are covered with a thin layer of water, constantly glistening in the sun. At such hours, the Salar de Uyuni becomes like a giant mirror, reflecting the endless heavens. And this makes the border between the two worlds almost indistinguishable. Thick Bolivian clouds suddenly appear right under your feet. And the surrounding landscapes lose all connection with reality. That is why Salar de Uyuni is often called a place frozen between heaven and earth. After all, no language in the world has enough words to convey all the enchanting beauty of this place.

In the absence of rain, the salt marsh turns into a huge desert, covered with white salt instead of yellow sand. And in places where drying water still manages to make its way up through a thin salt crust, small cone-shaped volcanoes are formed that look like playing pieces, arranged in the correct order on a huge chessboard.

Another attraction of the salt marsh is the famous steam locomotive cemetery, located in the vicinity of Uyuni. Once upon a time, all the trains assembled here were part of a large project to mine minerals and valuable minerals in the desert. To carry out industrial work, a railway was built from Chile to Bolivia. However, the economic value of the project turned out to be insignificant. And Indian tribes began to frequently attack the railroad and the trains following it. As a result, already in the fifties of the 20th century, the road was closed, and suddenly the trains, which turned out to be unnecessary, were left to rust in the middle of the desert.

It was only in 2006 that the Bolivian government suddenly remembered the old locomotive cemetery again, deciding to turn it into a kind of open-air museum. Now they're like that unusual travels The famous salt marsh and the old locomotives resting in its vicinity attract thousands of people to Bolivia. I wonder what the Bolivian Indians think about this?

1. Lake Bled (Slovenia)

Despite the fact that Slovenia is located relatively close to our homeland, the resorts of this tiny country remain a real “terra incognita” for Belarusian tourists (especially in comparison with the cities of nearby Croatia, Italy and Montenegro). The magical Lake Bled is no exception, surrounded by the Julian Alps and surrounded by hundreds of legends associated with the ancient history of the local castles. You won’t find the usual crowds of tourists in this place. And the local air, saturated with the magical smell of the mountains, is still filled with a ringing silence. And it is this amazing atmosphere of privacy, coupled with the magical beauty of the local landscapes that makes these lands truly magical and an unusual place to travel.

However, Lake Bled is a place that cannot be called boring. In addition to many first-class hotels, there are dozens of sports centers in these parts, offering tourists a wide range of all kinds of entertainment (from kayaking to hang gliding over the enchanting mountain slopes).

In winter, there are several ski resorts in the vicinity of the lake. In addition, the convenient location of the city of Bled makes it a convenient starting point for subsequent trips around Slovenia. Just a few tens of kilometers from the lake is the capital of the country - Ljubljana, as well as the famous Triglav National Park, the mystical Škocjan Caves and another picturesque reservoir - Lake Bohinj.

1. Tien Shan (Kyrgyzstan)

When you talk about Kyrgyzstan, even some fairly experienced travelers begin to wrinkle their noses contemptuously: “What could be interesting in this country?” However, in fact, far and near Kyrgyzstan is a country that can present tourists with many pleasant surprises. What is the majestic and enchanting mountain region of the Tien Shan worth, with its amazing cold beauty of crystal lakes, snow-covered slopes and endless fields overgrown with unusual grass and strange flowers? Everything in this place is imbued with an exciting spirit of adventure and a fabulous atmosphere of romance. It’s not for nothing that the legendary “seven-thousandth” mountain Pobeda Peak was once considered one of the most impenetrable mountains throughout the entire territory of the former Soviet Union.

Besides, unusual journey in the Tien Shan is also a great opportunity to go in pursuit of the fabulous Santa Claus. It would seem, what does he have to do with it? I answer: the whole point is that several years ago, Swedish scientists from the Sveko company, having calculated the speed of rotation of the earth, the distance to the largest cities and comparing other geographical and demographic factors, found out that it was on the territory of Kyrgyzstan that the optimal “take-off and landing” should be located. » base of the legendary fairy-tale character. Otherwise, he simply will not be able to fly around the entire globe in one night.

1. Rhine River Valley (Germany)

The Rhine River Valley is probably one of the most famous and popular routes on our list. unusual places to travel. Thousands of European tourists follow it every year. However, despite this, among Belarusians and travelers from other CIS countries, this region of Germany still remains rather little known.

And this fact seems to be a completely blatant misunderstanding. After all, it is here, in the Rhine River valley, that you can feel the spirit of real Germany. In these parts, tiny villages dotted with half-timbered houses coexist with proud castles looking out over the world from the heights of the coastal slopes. High mountains, covered with green forests, give way to picturesque valleys and famous vineyards...

That is why the Rhine River Valley is considered one of the most amazing places in all of Germany. After all, even the most beautiful cities of this country can hardly compare with the quiet charm of the local nature.

1. Cappadocia (Türkiye)

When we talk about trips to, we usually mean a fun and noisy holiday at one of the southern resorts of the Turkish coast. However, far from major tourist centers, this country is transformed in the most amazing way. Proof of this is Turkish Cappadocia - a unique natural region, famous for its unusual natural landscape and a huge number of cave cells, crypts, monasteries and temples, the history of which dates back to the birth of Christianity.

In addition, it is in this place that the oldest (!) underground cities in the world are located. The most famous among them are the settlements of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, which stretch many kilometers deep into the rock formation. These cave cities were found by archaeologists in the sixties of the last century. And since then, these places have been the object of constant study for dozens of scientists.

Among other things, Turkish Cappadocia is also one of the most popular aeronautics centers in the world.

In short, by going to these places, you guarantee yourself the most unusual journey in life.

1. Troy (Türkiye)

The semi-legendary ancient Greek “polis” is another reason to go to Turkey from now on. For many years in a row, the city of Achilles and other ancient heroes, glorified in legends, was considered only a figment of the imagination of the great Homer. However, about 140 years ago, a self-taught German archaeologist named Heinrich Schliemann practically proved that some legends have a very real historical basis. Since then, the legendary Troy, the remains of which are now located in the area of ​​Hisarlik Hill, seven kilometers from the Dardanelles Strait, has become one of the main historical treasures of modern Turkey. And Heinrich Schliemann himself, who, among other things, also found the legendary “Priam’s treasure,” went down in history as one of the world’s most successful adventurers, as well as the founding father of the so-called “field (practical) archaeology.”

1. Kamchatka (Russia)

Wild, majestic, rebellious Kamchatka is the region where the heart of real Russia beats. Here, among sleeping volcanoes, bubbling geysers and crystal lakes, you can feel like a real traveler, finding yourself somewhere at the very edge of the world. This place is home to a mind-boggling number of national parks, biosphere reserves and unique conservation areas, many of which are included in the UNESCO list of natural and cultural heritage. Is this not enough to call Kamchatka one of the most fascinating and unusual places to travel on our entire endless planet?

In addition, Kamchatka is the habitat of many rare animals, including Kamchatka brown bears, which have long become a symbol not only of this peninsula, but of all of Russia as a whole.

In addition to getting to know living and inanimate nature, a trip to Kamchatka can be interesting thanks to its numerous active recreation centers. Alpine skiing (including extreme helly-skiing), snowmobiling and dog sledding, swimming in thermal springs, as well as rafting, diving, kayaking and much more - all this makes the Kamchatka Territory a very interesting place to relax. It’s not for nothing that these places are so often called Russian Iceland.

1. Ksamil Beach and Vlora (Albania).

The Albanian seacoast is probably one of the most underrated tourist regions in Europe. In these parts, the Adriatic Sea shimmers with turquoise, and the majestic mountains, frozen at the very horizon, remain amazingly beautiful and picturesque. The best examples of this are resorts such as Ksamil Beach and Vlore. The first is a very small but very colorful town, nestled on the southern coast of Albania. The second is a larger city, however, even here, due to the relatively small number of tourists, the beaches remain surprisingly clean and picturesque.

The mild Mediterranean climate, low prices, abundance of fruit, as well as the amazing beauty of the local nature - all this makes the Adriatic coast of Albania a place truly worthy of the attention of tourists.

In addition, Albania is a country with a rich history and culture. Here, on a relatively small piece of land (comparable in size to the Mogilev region), there is a huge number of ancient monasteries, fortress bastions and ancient buildings that this country inherited from the Greek and Roman conquerors.

Mosque in the city of Korça

A striking example of this is the ancient city of Durres, located just two hours from Vlora. Over its long history, this region has become a stumbling block for many European nations. Just think: over 2,500 years, this town managed to be part of the Bulgarian, Greek, Turkish, Byzantine, Italian, Kerkyra, Corinthian and, of course, the Albanian state.

Wouldn't it be interesting for you to see an ancient city for which so many ancient peoples fought? What is not the route for unusual journey?

1. Patagonia (Argentina)

Patagonia, which also often includes the more famous Tierra del Fuego archipelago, is an absolutely unique place. Wild mountain landscapes, crystal glaciers, picturesque fjords and endless plains of frozen land that have not changed their shape since the birth of the first people - all this natural diversity cannot be compared with anything else. When you get to these regions, it’s as if you find yourself in a parallel reality. Here, right on the beaches, you can find colonies of penguins and elephant seals, and on the slopes of the high Andean mountains you can see thousands of bonfires that local Indian tribes burn at night.

In addition, it is in these parts that the famous Cave of Hands is located, which is already 90 centuries old! Add to this unique nature reserves, national parks and uninhabited islands that still retain their primitive prehistoric charm - and you will understand why these regions can safely be called one of the most amazing and interesting places on our planet.

Yes, of course, to get to Patagonia you will need a lot of effort and financial resources. However, once you are in these parts, you guarantee yourself the most unusual journey In my life. After all, how could it be otherwise if we are talking about the real edge of the Earth!

1. Curonian Spit (Lithuania/Russia)

The Curonian Spit is a thin strip of land stretching for one hundred kilometers along the Lithuanian coast and separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic basin. In fact, this place is a long series of sand dunes and pine forests growing right in the middle of the endless sea. There is no usual bustle here, and the surprisingly clean air is filled with the smells of pine needles, salty waves and amazing crystal silence, which in this place seems almost endless.

In 2000, the Curonian Spit was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. And nine years later, the international Foundation for Environmental Education included the local beaches in the list of the cleanest and most comfortable coastal areas on the planet. Experts from the popular guidebook Lonely Planet also contributed to the popularization of this place, calling the pine forests and sandy beaches of the Curonian Spit one of the most beautiful places in the Baltic states. Since then, thousands of tourists have visited these areas. However, even despite this, the Curonian Spit has not lost even a tiny part of its natural charm.

Despite the fact that the population of the spit is only a few thousand people, these parts have not only their own coastal villages with all the necessary infrastructure, but also their own unique attractions. The mystical Mountain of Witches, dotted with dozens of wooden idols, the unique “Dancing Forest”, the remains of the Kopgalis fortress with the Maritime Museum located here, as well as the Klaipeda Dolphinarium and the Museum of Fishing Boats, located right in the open air. In a word, the Curonian Spit is a place that clearly proves that interesting and unusual places to travel can be found just a few hundred kilometers from your home. After all, every corner of our planet is capable of presenting many pleasant surprises to those travelers who truly know how to appreciate true beauty.

Roald Amundsen and the search for the Northwest Passage. Amundsen was born into a family of Norwegian shipowners. Despite his mother's promises to become a doctor, Roald joined the family business after her death. His first expedition was the Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897-1899, where he was Adrien de Gerlache's first mate. The first independent expedition led by Amundsen aimed to find the Northwest Passage (presumably connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the north) in 1903. This elusive passage has been the target of many explorers since 1539. It was then that Cortez instructed Francisco Uloa to sail along the Baja Peninsula in California. Amundsen began his journey with six crew members on a 47-ton steel sealhunter ship called Ioa. The journey began in the Baffin Sea, the movement began decisively, but then the team settled down for the winter, disappearing from public view for two whole years. During this time, Roald became friends with the Eskimos, learning a lot from them. The Norwegian learned how to survive in the eternal cold by learning to use sled dogs and wear skins instead of woolen jackets. At this time, Amundsen also managed to make several scientific notes on magnetism. The expedition then headed around the southern coast of Victoria Island and along the northern coast of Canada and Alaska. From the coast of this state, the last stage of the expedition began, 800 kilometers inland to the town of Eagle City, where there was a telegraph. From here Amundsen announced his success to the whole world on December 5, 1905. Having spent the winter there, the traveler arrived in Oslo only in 1906. Amundsen saw the separation of Norway from Sweden, reporting his achievement for all of Norway to the new king, Haakon. But Amundsen did not stop in his desire for new discoveries, becoming the first person to reach the South Pole and one of the first to fly over the North Pole by air.

Hernan Cortez and the fall of the Aztec Empire. Hernán Cortés was born in 1485 in Medellin, in what was then the Kingdom of Castile in Spain. He entered the University of Salamanca when he was fourteen years old, but soon became tired of his studies and returned to Medellin. At this moment, news about the discovery of Columbus came to the country. Cortez quickly assessed the prospects of conquering new lands and in 1504 he left for the New World. The Spaniard planned to become a colonist on the island of Hispaniola (now the island of Haiti). It was there that he registered as a citizen upon arrival. In 1506, Cortés took an active part in the conquest of Haiti and Cuba and was rewarded with real estate and Indian slaves. In 1518 he led an expedition to Mexico. But the Spanish governor, fearing competition from Cortes, canceled the campaign. This did not stop Cortez; he still set off. In February 119, he was accompanied by 11 ships, 500 men, 13 horses and several cannons. Arriving on the Yucatan Peninsula, Cortes burned his ships, thus cutting off his way back. Here the explorer met with Jeronimo de Aguillare, a Spanish priest who survived a shipwreck and was captured by the Mayans. Over time, he became Cortez's translator. In March, Yucatan was declared a Spanish possession, and Hernan himself received 20 young women as tribute from the conquered tribes, one of whom, Malinche, became his mistress and the mother of his child Martin. The woman became not just a concubine, but also a translator and adviser. The Spaniard quickly won over thousands of Indians who were tired of Aztec domination, promising them independence. When Cortés entered the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, in November 1519, he was greeted by Emperor Montezuma II. He considered Cortez to be the incarnation and messenger of the god Quetzalcoatl. The abundance of golden gifts and wealth around turned the Spaniard’s head, and the authorities decided to return their obstinate explorer. When Cortez learned that a group of troops was heading towards him from Cuba, he left part of his troops in Tenochtitlan, and he himself went to the Valley of Mexico City. When Cortes returned to the city, a rebellion broke out there. In 1521, the Aztec troops were suppressed, and their entire empire was conquered. Until 1524, Cortes ruled all of Mexico.

Charles Darwin's Voyage on the Beagle. Charles Darwin was born in 1809. Even before attending school, he developed a keen interest in natural history and collecting. While studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh, Darwin quickly realized that this field was not for him. Instead, he became interested in taxidermy under the tutelage of John Edmonstone, who had accompanied Charles Waterton on his journey through the rainforests of South America. In his second year of study, Darwin joined the Plinian Scientific Society, becoming a member of the group for the study of natural history. There he began to study the classification of plants and animals. Darwin's father, dissatisfied with his son's studies, decided to transfer him to study at Cambridge. An important role was played by a letter from John Henslowe, a friend of Charles and a professor of botany. He proposed Darwin's candidacy as a free naturalist for the captain of the Beagle, Robert Fitzroy. Charles immediately accepted the offer to participate in a two-year expedition to the South American coast. The journey began on December 27, 1831 and lasted almost 5 years. Darwin spent most of his time examining geological specimens and collecting natural history collections. At this time, the ship itself was exploring the coast. The expedition route ran from Portsmouth, England to St. Jago (now Santiago), Darwin visited Cape Verde, Brazil and Patagonia, Chile and the Galapagos Islands. Then there was the south coast of Australia, Cocos Islands, Cape Town and South Africa. During the expedition, Charles did not use any clear instructions. However, in his work he used the works of several famous geologists and naturalists. After all, during his time at the university, Darwin was influenced by Robert Grant, William Paley (The Proof of Christianity), John Henslow, Alexander von Humboldt (Personal Narrative) and John Herschel. During his travels, Darwin became acquainted with thousands of species. When the scientist returned home and tried to catalog his collection, ideas began to form in his head that served as the basis for the fundamental work “On the Origin of Species” and the entire theory of evolution. This work became decisive in the life of the scientist, placing his name in history.

Ferdinand Magellan and the first trip around the world. Magellan was born in 1480 in Sabroso, Portugal. When the boy was only 10 years old, his parents died. Little Fernand became Queen Eleanor's page. Already in his youth, the future navigator visited Egypt, India and Malaysia. But Magellan’s projects did not please the royal family, and in 1517 he, together with the cosmographer Faleiro, offered his services to the Spanish crown. At that time, the Treaty of Tordesillas divided the New World between Portugal and Spain. Magellan calculated that the border Moluccas islands belonged to the Spaniards, offering them his services in finding a way to them. The expedition was approved by King Charles V, and on September 20, 1519, Magellan left the country with 5 ships. The crew included 234 men from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and France. Initially, the expedition's route lay in Brazil, and then along the South American coast to San Julian, in Patagonia. They spent the winter there, and there was also an attempted rebellion. Part of the team demanded to return back to Spain. Magellan harshly suppressed the rebellion, executing the leader and shackling his accomplices. In September 1520, the expedition discovered the Strait of Magellan. By that time there were three ships left. The South Sea was called the Pacific Ocean by the navigator because there were no storms on it. After the landing on the island of Guam, a grueling raid to the Philippine Islands followed. Magellan sailed there in the spring of 1521. The Spaniard decided to subordinate the local lands to the crown and got involved in an internecine war between the two local tribes. Ferdinand Magellan himself died during the battles. The survivors were forced to scuttle one ship, and another one turned back. Only the Victoria with 18 survivors under the leadership of Captain Juan Elcano, a former rebel, reached Spain on September 8, 1522. Interestingly, this is not how Magellan's voyage was planned. In principle, a trip around the world could not have a commercial effect. Only under the threat of attack by the Portuguese did Victoria continue to move west.

Travels of Marco Polo. This researcher is the earliest on our list. But it was he who inspired many of his followers to new geographical discoveries. Marco was born in Venice probably in 1254. Both his father, Niccolo, and uncle Matteo were wealthy merchants who traded with the Middle East. When Marco was born, his father was away; they saw each other only 15 years later. The family was reunited for two years in Venice, after which the merchants traveled to China in 1271. They were sent there with letters from Pope Gregory X to Kublai Khan, whom the elder Polo had met during a previous expedition. The journey took us through Armenia, Persia, Afghanistan, the Pamir Mountains, along the Silk Road through the Gobi Desert and all the way to Beijing. Such a long journey took three whole years! Marco Polo spent the next 15 years of his life as a Chinese government official, serving as both Khan's ambassador and governor of the city of Yangzhou. With the help of Khan and his servants, the merchant learned the Mongolian language. The Italian also conducted several expeditions to areas of China, India and Burma that were hitherto unknown. In 1291, the khan gave one of his princesses in marriage to the Persian Ilkhan, and allowed the Polo family to accompany the delegation. The Italians spent time in Sumatra and Ceylon and returned to Venice through Iran and the Black Sea. The further history of the researcher’s life is little known. He participated in the war with Genoa and was captured in 1298. While in captivity, Polo met the writer Rusticiano, who helped the merchant write down stories about his travels. The published book, known as The Travels of Marco Polo, became one of the most popular in medieval Europe. It should be noted that the Italian’s discoveries would not have been possible without his father and uncle, who had already paved the way to China by establishing contacts with the Great Khan.

Travels of Livingston and Stanley. Dr. David Livingstone was a missionary sent to Africa in 1841. He decided to explore the inner world of the continent when it suddenly turned out that the mission in Kolobeng, where he worked, was closing. It was Livingstone who first discovered Victoria Falls and became one of the first Europeans to make a transcontinental journey through Africa. Then the Englishman’s attention was drawn to the source of the Nile, the mystery of which is already more than three thousand years old. His journey began from Zanzibar along the Ruvuma River to Lake Malawi and then to Ujiji on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. By that time, Livingston was left practically alone, most of his cargo and medicines had been stolen. No wonder David got sick. But he stubbornly moved on, discovering lakes Mveru and Bangweulu. By the end of March 1871, the Englishman reached the Lualaba River, believing that its source was the source of the Nile. But unable to travel further, Livingston returned to Ujiji, where he discovered that all his fresh water supplies had been stolen. Although it was no longer possible to travel further, Livingston’s discoveries became priceless - no one had ever climbed so deep into the heart of Africa. By that time, rumors about the disappearance of Livingston's expedition and his death filled Europe and America. This information attracted the attention of a young American journalist, Henry Morton Stanley. Born in Wales and orphaned as a child, he moved to the New World at the age of eighteen. The young man began working for merchant Henry Stanley, and when he died, he took his name and joined the Confederate army. After the end of the Civil War, Stanley became a journalist, working for the New York Herald newspaper. It was this publication that financed the expedition to find the Livingstone expedition launched in Zanzibar. Stanley followed the path of his predecessor, facing many of the same problems - desertion and tropical diseases. Stanley found Livingstone ailing at Ujiji on October 27, 1871. The Englishman stood among a group of Arab slave traders, and the journalist greeted him with the phrase that later became famous: “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Stanley's expedition numbered about 200 experienced porters, most of whom fled or died along the way. At the same time, Stanley flogged those who refused to go further. But Livingston walked along with freed slaves, twelve sepoys and two faithful servants from previous journeys. It was they who delivered the body of the explorer who died in 1873 to the coast, from where it was delivered to England.

Lewis and Clark. Expansion to the west. In 1803, America turned its attention to the West, to Louisiana. The American government did not really know what lands had previously been acquired from France. That is why President Thomas Jefferson instructed Congress to allocate $2,500 for the expedition, which was prepared just a few weeks after the deal was completed. The exploration was to be led by Army Captain Merriweather Lewis, who chose William Clark as his partner. In May 1804, 3 sergeants and 22 soldiers, as well as volunteers, translators and slaves - a total of 43 people - set off with them. The expedition began moving up the Missouri River, then wintered with the Mandan Indians. In the spring, the path lay in the upper reaches of the river, then the continental divide was crossed. Lewis and Clark crossed the Rocky Mountains to find the Columbia River. Fort Claptsop was built at its mouth. Walking along the river, the Americans reached the Pacific Ocean. On their way back from the Rocky Mountains, the group split into three parts, reuniting later and returning in triumph to St. Louis. The city greeted them on September 23, 1806 as heroes. The 28-month journey proved that there was an overland transcontinental route. Lewis and Clark brought with them a lot of information, including a map of their route, descriptions of Indian culture, and observations of the environment. On their journey, the brave Americans were not spared the help of the indigenous people. So, a young Indian woman from the Sacagawea Shoshone tribe, who carried her young son on her back for thousands of kilometers, decided to go with them. Her knowledge and relationships with people greatly determined the success of the mission.

Sir Edmund Hillary and the first successful conquest of Everest. Edmund Hillary was born in Auckland, New Zealand on July 20, 1919. At the local university he studied mathematics and science. Edmund then took up beekeeping, climbing several peaks in his spare time with his twin brother. At the outbreak of World War II, he decided to join the Air Force, but withdrew his application before it could be considered. But soon, thanks to the call, Hillary nevertheless joined the Air Force as a navigator. In 1951 and 1952, as part of British intelligence officers, he explored the approaches to Everest and Cho Oyu. In 1953, Hillary decided to climb the highest peak in the world. At that time, the road to Everest from Chinese Tibet was closed, and the Nepalese government allowed only one expedition per year. In 1952, the Swiss failed due to bad weather; the next year it was the British's turn. The head of the expedition, Tom Hunt, created two teams for the ascent. Hillary was in the same group with the experienced Norgay Tenzig. In total, the expedition had 362 porters, 20 guides and about 4 tons of cargo. The first attempt to conquer the peak was made by Bourdillon and Evans, but they did not reach the summit due to a breakdown in the oxygen supply system. On May 28, Hillary and Tenzig with three companions began their assault on Everest. The overnight stay took place at an altitude of 8500 meters, from where the brave climbers continued their journey together. On May 29 at 11:30 am local time, the pair reached the top. They stayed there for only 15 minutes. During this time, they took pictures, left a chocolate bar as an offering to the gods, and hoisted a flag. The first person to greet the heroes was George Lowe, Hillary's best friend. He went up to meet the couple with hot soup. For their efforts, Hillary and expedition leader Hunt received knighthoods from the Queen, and Tenzig was awarded a medal. Hunt became a life peer, and Hillary received many awards and lifelong recognition. Hillary's feat would not have been possible without the participation of Norgay Tenzing, a Nepalese Sherpa. He was born in 1914 and had extensive experience in Himalayan expeditions. He has already taken part in 6 previous attempts to conquer Everest. Norgay initially joined the expedition as Sherpa leader, but when he saved Hillary from falling into a crevasse, he was seen as an ideal climbing partner.

Christopher Columbus and the discovery of America. This explorer, one of the most famous in the world, was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451. Columbus's father was a weaver, the young man had to continue this business. But in 1472 the family moved to Savona, and Christopher himself began to take part in sea voyages, enlisting in the Portuguese merchant fleet. Perhaps as early as 1474, during correspondence with the astronomer and geographer Toscanelli, Columbus thought about finding a sea route to India through the West. However, for a long time this project was not in demand. Only in 1492, Columbus, with the participation of King Ferdinand II of Spain and Queen Isabella, was able to equip the expedition. On August 3, 1492, three ships left the harbor of Palos - the Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta. They visited the Canary Islands, which belong to Castile, and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean for five weeks. And then at 2 o’clock in the morning on October 12, 1492, the sailor Rodrigo de Triana saw land from aboard the Pinta. The found island was named San Salvador, it was one of the Bahamas. Columbus further discovered the islands of Espagliola (Haiti), which was similar to the lands of Castile, and Juan (Cuba). During the expedition, Columbus met the Arawak Indians, whom he initially mistook for poor Chinese. Returning to Spain, he kidnapped about 25 of them, only seven survived. Columbus returned to Palos on March 15, 1493 and was appointed admiral of the Sea-Ocean and governor-general of all already and future lands found. Subsequently, Columbus made three more voyages to the New World, increasingly adding to the map of the modern Caribbean. In his search, Columbus had practically no like-minded people, because his ideas were quite strange for the Western world. Only Columbus’s mistake was that, while looking for Asia, he found a new continent, although he convinced the Spaniards of the opposite. In his assessment of the project, Columbus used the works of Marco Polo, Imago Mundi and Ptolemy’s estimates of the Earth’s circumference.

Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon. Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. At an early age the boy became interested in airplanes. On his sixteenth birthday, Armstrong received a pilot's license, and in the basement of his house he was even able to build a wind tunnel. In it he conducted experiments with airplane models. After attending Purdue University for two years, he was called to active duty, flying 78 combat missions during the Korean War. Upon returning from the war, Armstrong earned a degree in aeronautical engineering. Then there was a position as a test pilot at NASA. In September 1962, Armstrong became America's first civilian astronaut and began his training in Houston, Texas. Neil was a reserve pilot for Gemini 5 and flew into space on Gemini 8 in 1966. Armstrong was noted for being able to troubleshoot the aircraft and regain control of the aircraft, making an emergency landing just 1.1 miles from the intended landing site. The astronaut began to prepare for the flight on Gemini 11, but was selected for the team preparing for the flight to the Moon. In January 1969, it was Neil Armstrong who was chosen as commander of the Apollo 11 mission, which was supposed to deliver earthlings to the satellite. At 9:32 am on July 16, 1969, a crew consisting of Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin Aldrin took off from the Kennedy Space Center. The successful journey to the moon took four days. The team landed on the Moon on July 20 and was broadcast around the world on radio and television. At 10:56 p.m., Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon. His phrase: “That’s one small step for a man, but one giant leap for all mankind” - immediately became famous. Armstrong and Aldrin spent two hours on the lunar surface, collecting soil samples, installing a television camera, a seismograph and a US flag. Such a great achievement by Armstrong and Apollo 11 would not have been possible without the help of a team of hundreds of assistants on Earth at Mission Control. Someone was responsible for the operation of each unit of the vehicle. They were all managed by the Flight Director, Gene Kranz, who also managed Gemini 4 and the odd Apollo mission. It is to Kranz that the crew of Apollo 13 is primarily grateful for their return home.

The most unusual journeys in the world are considered to be flying into space and conquering the North Pole. How else can you creatively relax within our three-dimensional dimension? Find out everything about unusual travels on Earth and beyond.

Travel to the North Pole

The Russian climate is not particularly warm, but many romantics dream of visiting the “refrigerator of the planet,” the North Pole. You can get to the pole from Russian Murmansk.

A legendary icebreaker with the most stern crew will rush to the Top of the World, 90° north latitude, under gusts of heavy winds. You can enjoy barbecue right on the century-old ice. For the bravest people, they organize a swim in the coldest ocean on Earth. On the way back, you can visit the islands of the archipelago, admire the bizarre shapes of the majestic ice floes and get acquainted with Arctic birds, walruses and mighty polar bears.

Such a trip will be uncomfortable, even a little dangerous, but the impressions and emotions from the cold pole will never cool down.

Modern Russian travelers

The most unique person on the list of outstanding Russian travelers is Fyodor Konyukhov - writer, artist and priest. He was at the North Pole three times and conquered four more extreme points of the planet:
- Southern geographical;
- Pole of relative inaccessibility in the Arctic Ocean.
- Cape Horn.

Konyukhov is the first Russian to complete the Grand Slam program (South and North Poles, Jamalungma, also known as Mount Everest). He completed five circumnavigations of the world, and in 2014, the wanderer completed a swim across the Pacific Ocean in a light rowing boat.

Another non-standard personality is Vitaly Sundakov. This researcher searches for unsolved problems in a variety of scientific fields and finds innovative solutions. Author of several books, photographer and journalist. Vitaly calls ufological expeditions to underwater caves his most unusual adventure. Now Sundakov is studying the fauna of the Galapagos Islands and making a film about the problems of Darwinian views.

Bicycle traveler Vladislav Ketov left St. Petersburg in May 1991 and rode along the perimeter of all continents. The pilgrim made money by painting portraits in the squares of large cities. His expedition is dedicated to solving environmental problems of the planet.

Space tourism

Exploring the Earth and conquering the poles and peaks is very exciting, but seeing infinity with your own eyes is fantastic. The conquest of space began in the middle of the 20th century. But the first space tourist took off in 2001. The flight took place from the legendary Baikonur site and cost $20 million. Over the past years, the level of safety has increased and spacewalks have become possible. And the price of such an excursion is now 10 million higher.

It’s not just the huge amount that can be an obstacle to such an expedition. Preparing space tourists takes a lot of time. But the flight may not take place, it all depends on the health of the traveler.

The dream of infinity and stars will be expensive, but according to people who have been in space, it is worth it.

Travel to the most interesting place on the planet

There are a great many beautiful and interesting places. Even in your own town you can find an unexplored corner. Here are ten of the most interesting places on planet Earth.

Papua New Guinea is an island of pristine nature. But you should go there for the most incredible cave in the world, Esa'ala. Locals call it the “Cave of Swallows”; the depth is about 376 meters. They say that from the bottom of this cave the Gods speak and reveal the secrets of existence.

Turkmenistan can surprise you with an incredible crater of seething flames. Otherwise, this miracle of nature is called “The Gates of Hell”. The deep pit, for 40 years now, has been breathing fire tirelessly. This is burning gas, which they tried to extract in this area back in the 70s.

There is an “island of creepy dolls” on the Techulo River in Mexico. It is all “decorated” with old toys. This idea came to the mind of an old man who settled on the island after a divorce. The spirit of a drowned girl began to come to him, and it was for her that the elder collected creepy dolls. This expedition is definitely not for the faint of heart.

The Galapagos Islands can definitely be called the most interesting place on the planet. After all, the most unique representatives of flora and fauna live here, which you will not find anywhere else on Earth.

Participation in the expedition to the sunken Titanic is an incredibly exciting journey. The legendary ship has been lying on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean for the second hundred years. Mysteries and mysteries surround the history of this ship.

Fans of extreme tourism prefer to go to Kamchatka

North America is blessed with many natural wonders. But Thor's Well, in Oregon, is, according to National Geographic magazine, the most incredible place. A stone funnel, several meters deep, during storms turns into a natural fountain of incredible beauty.

New interesting places on Earth will be constantly discovered, so there is an opportunity to learn and study. You can, for example, visit the Mauna Loa volcano. .
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