Want to visit all seven new wonders of the world? This tour might be for you.
Contiki has created an epic 82-day round-the-world trip that takes in all the new seven wonders of the world – including the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and Machu Picchu.
The travel company’s 7 Wonders tour departs next March and visits seven countries across four continents, beginning in Delhi and ending in Rome.
Prices start from $A20,800 or $NZ22,534 without international flights.
Stops on the three-month trip are: the Taj Mahal in India; the Great Wall of China; Chichen Itza in Mexico, Machu Picchu in Peru, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Petra in Jordan; and the Colosseum in Italy. As well as visiting the monuments, travellers will spend an average of 12 days exploring each country.
The seven new wonders of the world were chosen from a list of 200 existing monuments following a campaign by Swiss philanthropist Bernard Weber in 2000. The winners were announced in 2007.
Britain’s Stonehenge, the Acropolis in Athens, Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and the Kremlin in Moscow were some of the landmarks that didn’t make the final cut.
The seven new wonders
Taj Mahal, India
India’s most recognisable landmark, the mausoleum completed in 1653 was commissioned to house the tomb of the then-Emperor’s favourite wife.
Great Wall of China, China
Running more than 20,000km from Gansu province in western China to Dandong near the North Korea border, the largely reconstructed sections outside Beijing typically receive the most visitors.
Chichen Itza, Mexico
On Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, it is one of the most well-preserved ruins in Mayan history.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Built in the 15th century, the ancient Inca citadel is above Peru’s Sacred Valley, 2530m above sea level.
Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
South America’s biggest icon is the 30m-high art deco statue of Jesus Christ on a hilltop in Rio de Janeiro, unveiled in 1931.
Petra, Jordan
The ancient city, Jordan’s most visited tourist attraction, is a collection of rock-cut caves, temples and tombs from pink sandstone.
Colosseum, Rome
The largest amphitheatre ever built, the Colosseum is an icon of imperial Rome and once hosted gladiatorial contests. It’s estimated that it once held up to 80,000 spectators.
