How You Can Visit the Seven Wonders of the World

Exploring all Seven Wonders of the World is a huge bucket list achievement. Each of these iconic landmarks is a cultural kaleidoscope, shining a light on how civilisations have evolved into the countries we know today. The bragging rights to say you’ve been to all of them are pretty sweet, too!

Because they span multiple continents, visiting all seven takes some planning. Lucky for you, we’ve figured out the perfect itinerary to tick off all these destinations, which also cuts down on travel time. Let’s dive in. 🧭

What Are the Seven Wonders of the World?

If you’ve ever searched up a definitive list before, you’ve probably come across all kinds of series: the Seven Ancient Wonders, Seven Natural Wonders, Seven *New* Natural Wonders… Okay, so where do you even begin?

In this guidebook, we’re looking at the New Seven Wonders of the World, as decided by a global poll in 2007, where over 100 million votes were sent in online and over the phone.

1. Colosseum: Italy
2. Taj Mahal: India
3. Great Wall of China: China
4. Lost City of Petra: Jordan
5. Chichén Itzá: Mexico
6. Machu Picchu: Peru
7. Christ the Redeemer: Brazil

Fun fact: A common misconception is that the Ancient Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are one of the World’s Seven Wonders. When actually, this is the sole surviving Ancient Wonder of the World! 

1. The Colosseum

Where: Rome, Italy

Best for: Gladiator history ⚔️

When in Rome! Italy’s historic capital has its share of ancient ruins, but none more jaw-dropping than the Colosseum. This giant amphitheatre curves around the streets of Rome, so even if you’re only admiring it from the outside, you can enjoy loads of impressive views. 

Tickets to go inside are fiercely competitive, so it’s always best to book far in advance. The Colosseum is open from 9am until the last hour before sunset. Keep in mind that in order to access the arena floor and underground, you will need to opt for an alternative ticket over the standard booking.

An hour inside the Colosseum is ideal for soaking in the history. This iconic landmark was built under the reign of 3 different Roman emperors, starting with Vespasian (69 to 79) and finishing with Domitian (81 to 96). It feels surreal to think that gladiators, and even the emperor Commodus, once fought here in glorious combat. Are you not entertained?

Gap 360 Travel Hack: Going for an early morning or late afternoon slot is generally recommended to cut down on queue times (and to keep cool in the summer). Plus, this is when the lighting is at its best with a golden haze in the sky – get your cameras ready! 📸

2. Taj Mahal

Where: Agra, India

Best for: Sunrise shots 🌄

No journey through North India’s Golden Triangle is ever complete without exploring the Taj Mahal. The story behind it is equally epic as the architecture itself. Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, commissioned this white marble architecture in commemoration of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

The longer you stay here, the more that the Taj Mahal’s pale marble sheen changes in the light. It appears bright white under daylight, bronzed at sunset, and a pale blue under night skies. Our personal favourite? Seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise. It’s before the crowds arrive, the heat settles in, and a rosy pink hue warms the sky, casting magical colours.

You can enter the Taj Mahal from 3 different gates. If you’re planning a trip for sunrise, we recommend the East Gate as it’s the closest and typically has the shortest security line. Standard entry for foreign travellers costs around ₹1,100 (£9), plus an additional ₹200 (£1.65) to enter the mausoleum. Pictures inside are strictly forbidden.

Gap 360 Travel Hack: Optical illusions are everywhere. The Taj Mahal from the outside is perfect for playing around with perspective in photos on your phone or camera (tripods and drones are not allowed). Some famous shots include the arches of Kau Ban Mosque and, of course, right in front of the fountain!

3. Great Wall of China

Where: Northern China

Best for: Mountain views ⛰️

The Great Wall stretches across China’s northern territory for more than 13,000 miles, winding along the country almost entirely from east to west (translation: it’s huge). As the longest man-made structure in the world, it would take you around 18 months to walk across the entire thing!

Beyond breaking records, the Great Wall is where you can enjoy the most mesmerising scenery of forested hills and mountain peaks, as misty clouds drift through the sky. Get ready for views that are truly beyond words, and an epic atmosphere that feels almost as if you have stepped back in time.

History lovers will be in awe here. Most impressive has to be the fact that the Great Wall took over 2,000 years to build, spanning China’s first and last ever imperial dynasties: the Qin dynasty (221 to 206 BC) to the Qing dynasty (1644 to 1911). So it’s the oldest world wonder on our list!

Gap 360 Travel Hack: Did you know that you can go tobogganing at the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China? Once you’re ready to go, hop on a sledge and fly all the way back down! It’s the perfect way to finish off this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

4. Lost City of Petra

Where: Southwest Jordan

Best for: Desertscapes 🏜️

Ready to feel like Indiana Jones? The Lost City of Petra is about to top your bucket list, promising rosy sandstone ruins carved into the cliff edges, gaining new swirling shades of colour as the day passes by. Only one word can capture its rugged beauty: magic.

You may have guessed from the name, but much of this world wonder remains shrouded in mystery. Little is known about the ancient Nabatean civilisation, which called this city home, before the Roman Empire annexed its kingdom. 

Only around 15% of Petra is believed to have been excavated, with archaeological discoveries as recent as 2016. Who knows what else is out there? Still, the small fraction we have access to is pretty mind-blowing!

Gap 360 Travel Hack: Jordan can get very hot, so we recommend opting for breathable and lightweight long layers. You’ll also want to bring a water bottle.

5. Chichén Itzá

Where: Yucatán, Mexico

Best for: Mayan ruins 🌴

At Chichén Itzá, it’s easy to visualise what life may have looked like centuries ago. Ancient ruins almost come to life before your eyes, from towering pyramids against a backdrop of jungle, to stone engravings and a giant ball court (yep, Chichén Itzá is full of surprises!).

You’ll find stunning Mayan ruins dotted throughout Central America, but none are more iconic than this archaeological site. Chichén Itzá is estimated to have been founded around the 6th century AD, although how the city came to its end is still unknown.

Chichén Itzá is popular at all times of the day, although arriving early is generally recommended for cooler weather and lighter crowds. Fun fact: you could even time your visit for the spring or autumn equinoxes, where you can spot a shadow illusion that looks like a giant serpent crawling up the pyramid steps.

Gap 360 Travel Hack: With so much history to uncover here, going with a local guide is highly recommended so that you can get the full picture of what you are looking at. They have all the best stories and know all the most impressive spots!

6. Machu Picchu

Where: Andes, Peru

Best for: Trek or train 🥾

Machu Picchu makes you feel wanderlust. That famous view of ruins cascading across emerald hills, surrounded by a ring of Andes mountain peaks, is reason enough to start booking your trip to Peru. Let alone the journey you can take to get here, aboard one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, or legendary treks.

Putting it simply: Machu Picchu is an architectural masterpiece. Its citadel stone blocks are woven so tightly together that you can’t even fit a knife blade through the cracks. We have only just scratched the surface of everything to know about the Inca Empire. With no evidence of a written language, Machu Picchu’s origin, purpose and eventual abandonment are guesswork. 

But all these mysteries only make Machu Picchu more exciting to explore. And it’s always fun to guess what Machu Picchu could have been used for during its peak, or what kind of stories may have unfolded between these walls.

Gap 360 Travel Hack: Consider how you want to travel to Machu Picchu. Trekking along the Inca Trail is most popular and will need to be booked in advance due to a limited number of permits each year for conservation. You can also opt for the less-visited, but just as jaw-dropping, Lares Trek, or skip the hiking and take the train!

7. Christ the Redeemer

Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Best for: Ocean views 🌊

You can spot Christ the Redeemer from almost every corner of Rio de Janeiro, whether you’re chasing waves by Copacabana Beach or deep into the bustle of city life. This unmissable icon parades from the peak of Corcovado Mountain, with its hands outstretched as a symbol for peace. 

Christ the Redeemer is by far the youngest of the New Seven Wonders, with construction only starting in 1926, before eventually coming together in 1931. It was also made during the height of the Art Deco era, making it the biggest sculpture in the world built in this style.

Did you know that Christ the Redeemer is often struck by lightning on stormy nights? Almost invisible rods have been added to the sculpture since its final construction to help preserve it.

Gap 360 Travel Hack: When riding the train up Corcovado Mountain, you’re going to want to opt for the right side. Here you can enjoy the absolute best views of Rio – including Sugarloaf Mountain!

The Best Route

Planning to tick all Seven Wonders of the World off on a single journey? Here’s how you can cut down on travel costs, journey durations and make the most out of your time in each destination.

The best way to work through this bucket list itinerary is to start in Europe, before moving on to Asia for India, China and Jordan. Then it’s just 3 more to go! Mexico, Peru and Brazil are split across the Americas, so you can work your way down. 

Fancy giving it a go yourself? Our Wonders of the World multi-trip combo includes 7 awesome group adventures, plus free time in between to do some independent exploring (... or maybe even tick a few more countries off your bucket list, seeing you’re already on that side of the globe!).

So there you have it! Or if you’re searching for more inspiration, take a look at our group trips today. 🗺️