Throughout history, human-made marvels like Machu Picchu, the Pyramids, the ancient city of Petra, and the Great Wall of China have captivated our imaginations. However, our planet also plays host to natural phenomena that, with the precision of clockwork, present breathtaking experiences, some occurring only once in decades.
While the Grand Canyon in the USA and the Iguazu Falls in Brazil are accessible year-round, specific destinations beckon you to synchronize your visits with nature’s timetable. This article highlights time-sensitive places and once-in-a-lifetime natural events to explore in 2024.
Monarch butterfly migration
Every year, millions of monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles from as far as Canada to central Mexico. It’s a long journey for such a tiny insect, and every day, they may fly more than 100 miles as they escape harsh winters in the north. They fly as high as 800 to 1200 feet, which means you won’t see them in the sky with your naked eye. However, you can catch these orange-winged marvels as they rest and feed on nectar-bearing plants.
Most people visit their wintering colonies in Mexico, but these butterflies have several migration stops in Ontario, Texas, Iowa, Virginia, Florida, and more. This journey is the first and last migration for every butterfly, but surprisingly, migrating monarch butterflies live a whopping eight to nine months. In contrast, monarch butterflies born in the summer live for only 2 to 6 weeks.
Northern lights
Experts say that 2024 will be a good year for the northern lights. Usually, to see this natural phenomenon, people need to travel further north to places like Alaska, Iceland, or Norway. However, this year, the lights will be the strongest they have been in about 20 years, and people further south in places like Northern California, Arizona, New Jersey, and southern Spain may see them.
You can get more detailed predictions from the University of Alaska’s Aurora Forecast website.
The Great American Eclipse
The total solar eclipse is a spectacular natural wonder that will occur on April 8. It will be bigger and more dazzling than the last one in 2017 since this eclipse will run diagonally across North America and cover more cities. It will also be longer, lasting up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds in some areas.
Prime viewing locations span from Mazatlan and Piedra Negras in Mexico, across the U.S. from Texas to Maine, and into Canada’s Sherbrooke and Niagara Region. To witness this celestial event, get more information and buy your glasses as soon as possible.
Eternal Flame Falls in New York
In Western New York, an otherworldly spectacle awaits at Eternal Flame Falls, where natural gas seepage ignites to create a flickering flame behind a waterfall. Dating back to the Upper Devonian period, this flame, despite its name, is not perpetual; it is occasionally extinguished by water or wind, only to be reignited by visitors. So, if you plan to hike the area, bring a hiking pole and a lighter — it may be your turn to keep the Eternal Flame burning.
Hanami in Japan
Each spring, Japan is adorned in shades of pink and white as cherry blossoms burst into full bloom. Hanami, which translates to “flower viewing” in English, is a long-standing tradition where friends and family gather for celebrations and to appreciate nature’s beauty mirrored in the cherry blossom.
The fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms (sakura) only lasts for a week or two, and this resonates with Japanese philosophy regarding the transient nature of our natural world — it reminds us of life’s fleeting moments. Plan your visit around the end of March and join the Japanese in celebrating the Hanami festival.
The Moskstraumen Whirlpools in Norway
The Moskstraumen Whirlpools, celebrated in ancient lore by Norse poets and the renowned Greek explorer Pytheas, have also captured the imagination of literary giants like Edgar Allan Poe, Jules Verne, and Herman Melville. Off Norway’s Lofoten archipelago, these formidable whirlpools, at their peak in July and August, are a marvel of nature, shaped by the unique underwater topography and winds. Local tour offerings provide an immersive experience into the Moskstraumen tides and whirlpools, complete with encounters with the region’s diverse marine life and bird species.
These natural wonders offer unique experiences that underscore the importance of timing your travels to nature’s rhythms. They reward the adventurous with memories to last a lifetime.
