Top 6: World’s Most Iconic Sunrise Spots

Majority of the natural tourist places in the world will have something to boast about, some attraction they are very proud of. With that main tourist attraction, tour organizers, safari operators, hotels, and resorts lure us. For example, sunrise and sunset are the two most photographed tourist attractions in the world.

We also love to watch sunset and sunrise. In addition, it is easy to capture the natural phenomena in our camera.

Generally, to watch the sunrise and sunset, the ideal vantage points are mountain peaks, seafronts, high towers, and treetops that offer an uninterrupted view of the horizon.

If you ever plan your trip to the following places in the world, plan for a view of the brilliant sunrise that will just sweep you off your feet. You will be truly happy that you got up early, reached the vantage viewpoint and captured the first golden-red rays of the sun first in your eyes and then in your camera.

• Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
• Masai Mara, Kenya
• Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Surfers Paradise, Australia
• Canyonlands National Park, Utah
• Grand Canyon, Arizona
• Easter Island, Chili
• Southern Ocean Lodge, Australia
• Great Wall of China, China
• Fiji
• Bryce Canyon, Utah
• Machu Picchu, Peru
• Wadi Rum, Jordan
• Tulum Mexico
• Oia, Greece
• Angkor Wat, Cambodia
• Merzouga, Morocco
• Morocco’s Atlas Mountain, North Africa
• Eyjafjörður, Iceland
• Mount Haleakala, Hawaii
• Mountain Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
• Mount Fuji & Lake Shojiko, Japan
• Great Pyramid, Egypt

This list of best sunrise observation points was compiled after reading just 4 posts from as many reputed travel sites that I read regularly.

I have attempted to write briefly about 6 of the best sunrise spots below. If you have something to appreciate or dispute, please feel free to do so through the comment form at the end of this blog post.

Sun Rise at Haleakala National Park, Hawaii

Did you notice the first sunrays hit the rock under your feet? Did you notice the sky turn grey immediately followed by the sun trying to peep over the horizon? Brilliant sight-isn’t it?

Ah, Hawaii, the ultimate dream destination for us has something for every one of us including, volcanoes, tropical jungles, vast beaches, and hidden waterfalls that are spotted only by film directors.

There are about 10 national parks in Hawaii, Haleakalā National Park is one of them and the most attractive of all. Haleakalā volcano is located on Hawaii’s Maui island.

The volcano is dormant now but still, it attracts thousands of tourists who are thrilled to see the cool crater now and they also can watch the stupendous sunrise from the volcano’s peak.

The best spots to watch the glorious sunrise from the Haleakalā national Parks are the Leleiwi and Kalahaku overlooks.

Sunrise at Masai Mara, Kenya

One of Africa’s best places to have a close encounter with the real wild animals, the Masai Mara National Reserve is located in Kenya’s Rift Valley Province. This best wild animal watching reserve is found close to the Tanzanian border.

You would often have seen a photo of a giraffe in silhouette, standing tall near a tree with no leaves and the sun is rising in the backdrop. That place is Masai Mara and probably, the tall Giraffe would be the first to see the sunrise before you and a reptile standing between your legs waiting to see the sun’s first rays with you.

Try to hire the services of a few Masai men to show you around the reserve.

They are adept at spotting the big cats by their footprints on the earth.

Sunrise from Mountain Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

From the height of 19,000 feet, the scintillating Kilimanjaro Mountain offers the best observation point to watch the sunrise from the horizon. Do you know that there are three dormant volcanoes the Kilimanjaro Mountain hosts? They are called:

• Shira
• Mawenzi
• Kibo

The major attraction of Mount Kilimanjaro is these three cooled-down volcanoes. The added attraction is the sunrise.

Sunrise at the site of Great Pyramid, Egypt

It will be breathtaking to watch the sun emerge from behind the huge Great Pyramid at Giza, Egypt. This is the oldest pyramid in Egypt and also the largest. Can you imagine its size when I tell you the Great Pyramid’s base covers an area of 55,000 sq.mt? Is it possible to walk around the Great Pyramid at Giza in one day?

Watching the sunrise behind the Great Pyramid is highly recommended. You will take part in one of most spectacular natural events from one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Sunrise from Behind Mount Fuji & Lake Shojiko, Japan

Ah, Japan is the land of the morning sun and which place in the world is more ideal than Japan to capture the first rays of the sun on a new day?

The beautiful mountain you see in the image is Japan’s Mt. Fuji which is really a volcano, an active one, boss!  The crater of Fuji volcano is at an elevation of over 12,000 feet! Image your reaction when you watch the sunrise from such a vantage point.

Mount Fuji is not far off Tokyo; it is only 100 km away.

Sun rise from Bryce Canyon, Utah, U.S.A

Canyons are great places to watch the sun emerge gently over the horizon. From Bryce Canyon in Utah, U.S., you have an uninterrupted over a vast wilderness of rock formation. If you find yourself standing in a vantage viewing platform, you will scream with delight when the sun comes out.