We have all followed with envy the exploits of our national astronaut, Thomas Pesquet... If space makes you dream, you should know that our good old planet Earth also reserves some nice surprises for those who travel through it. Deserts of salt, lakes of a thousand colors... All these landscapes could be part of a science fiction movie, but they are real! To make you dream, Petit Futé has found ten unrealistic sites that seem to come straight from another planet.
N°10 - Socotra, the extraterrestrial island
Between Ethiopia and Yemen, the archipelago of Socotra is the ideal alternative to a trip to Mars! Untouched for 6 million years, it shelters an intact biological heritage unique in the world. Classified as a "biosphere reserve" since 2003, the islands - 4 in total - are overflowing with plants that are more than 20 million years old. More than 30% of the flora of the archipelago is endemic and very surprising!
N°9 - The Atacama Desert, Mars on Earth
Nestled between the Atacama ocean trench and the Andes Mountains, the Atacama Desert in Chile is extremely arid. So much so that many international astronomical observatories have settled there: it is here, in particular, that NASA tested its small vehicles before sending them to explore Mars! The earth cracked by the heat, the rocky expanses and the red sand give this desert incomparable Martian looks!
N°8 - Skaftafell, this white paradise
After the hot, the cold... the very cold! The national park of Skaftafell is one of the most spectacular sites of Iceland. On more than 4 800 km2, ice caps follow one another, among them, the Vatnajökull, the biggest in the world. However, this landscape is not totally immaculate! There are birch forests and impressive basaltic organs that color the surroundings. You were dreaming of another world? Let's go to Iceland!
N°7 - Dallol, a strange beauty
In the north-east ofEthiopia lies Dallol, a hydrothermal volcano unique in the world. As sumptuous as it is dangerous, Dallol, with its sulphur fumes and moody geysers, rejects human presence in its vicinity. This puffy dome covered with a 2,000 m thick layer of salt seems to come from another world... Scientists claim that it would be the image of our planet, 3.5 billion years ago!
N°6 - Grand Prismatic Spring, an extraterrestrial pool
Located in the Yellowstone Park in the United States, Grand Prismatic Spring is a pool of hot water, even burning, since the temperature can reach 70 °C! Over 100 m in diameter, it amazes visitors with its splendid colors, due to the presence of pigmented bacteria on the edges of the water. It is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. A little bath?
N°5 - Huanglong national park, the valley of the yellow dragon
In the extreme north of Sichuan stands an exceptional natural reserve: Huanglong. Lost at more than 3,000 meters above sea level, these splendid turquoise water pools descend along the yellow limestone to offer a soothing and almost lunar atmosphere to the place. Once you arrive at the top of the Huanglong valley, you will discover the most sumptuous of the pools: the eye of the dragon. The water changes from turquoise blue to emerald green in five different shades... It's magical!
N°4 - The glowing cave of Waitomo
Can you imagine, a glittering cave of lights, totally buried underground ? Impossible? No, under the North Island in New Zealand is the Waitomo Cave! It is the main attraction of the region. Here, no need for a flashlight because, like stars in the sky, colonies of glowworms have taken possession of the place to make it totally fantastic! The caves can be visited on foot, by boat or by rafting: the experience is unforgettable.
N°3- Retba, the pink lake
The Paris-Dakar fans will recognize it since it is here that the arrival of the mythical race took place: the Retba lake is one of the most visited sites in Senegal. This lagoon of 3 km2, 35 km from Dakar, owes its sumptuous color to a microorganism present in the water in the form of red pigment. Extremely salty, this lake makes the happiness of the visitors who float without problem during their bathing! It is also the largest salt resource in the country.
N°2 - The river of a thousand colors
35 km south of Aracena, in Andalusia, the mines of Riotinto (or colored river) owe their name to the river which crosses them, of orange red color. It is by passing through this mining area that the water takes this remarkable blood color because it absorbs the minerals loaded with pyrite. This science-fiction site is visited aboard a real 19th century mining train, probably to convince us that we are indeed on Earth... and not on Mars!
N°1 - The salar of Uyuni, salt to the infinite
Located on the high plateaus of the southwest of Bolivia, at 3 668 m of altitude, the salar of Uyuni is the biggest salt desert of the world. It was once part of a gigantic prehistoric lake before becoming this salty expanse of 12,500 km2, the equivalent of two French departments. The immensity of the scenery is fascinating and it is even possible to sleep in a hotel... made of salt too!
