Photographers from around the world are sharing their unique and mesmerizing images in an attempt to take the top prize in the 2014 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest. Across an expanse of locales, the contest aims to capture the world through the lens of its explorers, offering a glimpse into some of the most remote and beautiful areas of the globe.
Below are a selection of some of the amazing shots from Nat Geo's competition, which you can see more of here. If you think you've got the camera skills to beat them you can enter the contest yourself by June 30th, which is still plenty of time to abandon everything and hit the road.
"While everybody else is busy packing up at the end of the day, 20-month-old Isabella decides to take one last dip in the tidal pool in Southbroom." Location: Tidal pool, Southbroom, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Photo and caption by Jörn Dannheimer / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.
"Last february, I walked a 12 km track to Chugchilan village, surrounded by unexpected dense clouds of fog. After four hours of breathtaking landscapes I finally arrived to my destiny. Asking for a bus to get back, a local explained me that there was no bus coming by that day anymore. Disappointed and exhausted I started walking along the quiet and foggy highway. It seemed to disappear into the nowhere. Suddenly out of the white background a motorcycle appeared and slowed down on my side. Even if my way back was freezing cold and I was soaked in water I was very happy and pleased to get back." Location: Quilotoa, Ecuador, South America.Photo and caption by Alessandro Bo / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.
"In south of Ethiopia I find Karo Tribe in Omo Valley.. a lots of children playing together!! making foots together someone set in the center!!" Location: Karo Tribe - Omo Valley – Ethiopia. Photo and caption by Hesham Alhumaid / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.
"Clew Bay Pipe Band Piper playing at the Achill Island, Ireland Saint Patrick's Day Parade." Location: Achill Island,County Mayo Ireland. Photo and caption by Glen McClure / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.
"Photographers taking part in a photography tour on the Lofoten Islands in Norway, pull over on the side of the road to take a photo of their first ever Aurora Borealis after spotting it from their tour bus." Location: Rystad, Lofoten Islands, Norway. Photo and caption by Mark Gee / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.
"A boy looking at a trail of ants, dwarfed by the magnificent redwood forest." Location: Redwood national park, California, USA. Photo and caption by Tal Shahar / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.
"This photo, taken at the 'end of the world' swing in Banos, Ecuador, captures a man on the swing overlooking an erupting Mt. Tungurahua. The eruption took place on February 1st, 2014. Minutes after the photo was taken, we had to evacuate the area because of an incoming ash cloud." Location: Banos, Ecuador.Photo and caption by Sean Hacker Teper / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.
"Mea Shearim, ultra Orthodox district of Jerusalem. Newly married, Aaron and Rivkeh after the wedding ceremony are to stay together for the very first time, alone. Their marriage was arranged by families. 18 years old candidates confirmed the choice in result of the one meeting only. Since then until the wedding day they were prohibited to meet or even talk." Location: Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, Israel. Photo and caption by Agnieszka Traczewska / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.
"Heliskiers make fresh tracks on a powder run in the Bugaboos, B.C., Canada." Location: Heli-skiing Bugaboos, Purcell Mountains, Canada.Photo and caption by Bradford White / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
"Women from Barsana village, home of Krishna's lover, Radha, come to Krishna's village, Nandgaon, during the Lathmar Holi celebrations. During Lathmar Holi, the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon with wooden sticks in response to their teasing. The men use shields to protect themselves, all done in good humor." Location: Nandgaon, UP, India.Photo and caption by Anirudha Chakraborty / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
"Beautiful head dress and face paint of the Highlands of Papua New Guinea." Location: Papua New Guinea.Photo and caption by Wylda Bayron / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.
"Very impressive architecture attract me...when a women was sweeping the floor, I took the picture." Location: Jaipur, India.Photo and caption by Raymond Liu / National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.