Travel Award Editors’ Picks of August 2025

“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.”

Following the results of our Travel Award, judged by world-renowned National Geographic photographer Michael Yamashita, our editorial team is delighted to feature some of the most exceptional entries that didn’t make the final selection but impressed us greatly with their creativity, artistry, and skill.

From camels crossing a frozen blue lake in Mongolia, to women in vibrant saris carrying clay pots of water along a riverbank at daybreak, its surface reflecting the magnificent Taj Mahal; children playing in the streets of Havana, to a lone man urging his buffalo across a stone bridge set against the dramatic karst hills of Guangxi, these remarkable images embody the beauty and diversity of our world and are, without question, thoroughly deserving of the spotlight.

Congratulations to all the featured artists.

“Odyssey of the frozen nomads” - Mongolia, 2025
In Mongolia, I followed the Kazakh nomads during their winter migration. Here, a caravan of camels crosses a frozen lake, a powerful image of resilience and harmony with an unforgiving nature. © Alessandro Bergamini
“Nizwa Market” - Nizwa, Oman
Low shutter speed exposure of the local markets of Nizwa, Oman come to life every week. The bazaar is divided into many themed areas, such as cattle trade, crafts, fish, meat, fruit & vegetables, textiles, dates and much more. © Andy Yee
“The Colors of Heritage” - Jodhpur, India. 2025
In the labyrinthine blue alleys of Jodhpur, this portrait becomes a living tableau of Rajasthani identity. Dressed in vivid red and adorned with traditional jewelry, the woman sits poised on the stairs, her expression calm yet resolute—an embodiment of grace and strength. Opposite her, the men, marked by elaborate mustaches and ceremonial attire, stand as guardians of cultural legacy. Each figure, positioned in quiet harmony within the striking blue architecture, reflects the layered stories of gender, tradition, and generational pride. This image captures more than color and composition—it evokes the dignity of a people whose heritage lives not just in monuments, but in their posture, fabric, and gaze. © Daniel Garzon
“Path” - Madagascar
Framed by the towering silhouettes of ancient baobab trees, a wooden cart drawn by oxen carries two boys along a dusty road in western Madagascar. © Antonio Alexandru
“Fanjing Mountain ” - Guizhou China
Fanjingshan is one of the most beautiful places in China. It looks like it comes from a fantasy movie, but it’s a real place. This area is renowned for its rich biodiversity. It is home to numerous endemic plant species, rare animals like the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey, and over 2,000 species of plants. This site is revered as a holy mountain in Buddhism and is home to numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. It is often referred to as the “Buddhist Kingdom on the Clouds.” I return to Fanjing occasionally, and although it’s pretty touristy, it still retains its spiritual charm. Fanjing (Guizhou) - June 2025 © Fabio Nodari
“Water Bearers of Agra” - Agra, India
Three women, draped in vibrant saris, carry clay pots from the river at daybreak, with the Taj Mahal watching silently behind them. This daily ritual bridges the rhythms of life with the enduring presence of history. India, 2023. © Erhan Coral
“The man and the buffalo” - Guangxi Province, China, 2025
A farmer pulls a water buffalo across the stone Huixian Bridge in the picturesque valley surrounded by karst limestone hills characteristic of the area, Guangxi Province, China, 2025 © Daniele Bellucci
“A kora for the karma” - Kathmandu, Nepal
For the Buddhist community, Boudhanath stupa in the Kathmandu valley is one of the holiest places in the world. In the heart of this Tibetan neighbourhood, a continuous flow of energy is created by all people walking in circles clockwise, around this iconic white pagoda. Under the benevolent gaze of this compassionate, blue-eyed golden face, People do their daily “kora”(at least 3 circles) to wash out their impurities and create a positive karma for the future. The future of this life and the others to come… A highly spiritual place located in the middle of a lively neighbourhood that simultaneously goes on with its everyday, common activities. © Florence Lepavec
“Reef guarian” - Malaysia, 2024
An old Bajau laut man sitting in his boat over the reef near Semporna, Sabah state, Malaysia 2024 © Gilles Auroux
“Fleeting” - Landmannalaugar, Iceland.
Fleeting snow during the 2025 summer in Landmannalaugar, Iceland. © Jack Johnson
“Kambala bull race” - Mangalore, India
A man on a wooden surf board is drawn by two bulls racing at full speed through muddy water. The race is held near Mangalore, Karnataka in southern India. Taken in 2025. © Jens Benninghofen
“Untitled” - Havana, Cuba, 2024
This photo shows children playing in the streets of Havana. Despite the poverty, their laughter and energy fill the scene, showing the joy and resilience of everyday life in Cuba, 2024. © Martina Atanassova
“Connecting Faith” - Prayagraj, India
The grandeur of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj is unmatched, and the 30 pontoon bridges installed this year are a testament to the meticulous planning and dedication to hosting millions of devotees. These floating bridges, an increase from 22 in 2019, span the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, facilitating the seamless movement of pilgrims. Each bridge is a lifeline, uniting faith and logistics, offering millions a safe path to their spiritual journey across the holy Sangam. © Shreenivas Yenni
“World Of Ice” - Harbin, China
The Harbin International Ice and Snow festival is an annual winter festival that takes place in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, and is now the largest ice and snow festival in the world. © Mikael Wardhana
“Hand Game” - Varanasi, India
I captured this moment on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi, India: a group of women, absorbed in an intimate gesture, grooming their faces. I was fascinated by the harmony of colors, the elegance of their postures, and the strange choreography of hands and arms, to the point that it became hard to tell who they belonged to. © Theo Garcia

Published September 18, 2025 - Congratulations to all selected artists: Alessandro Bergamini, Andy Yee, Daniel Garzon, Antonio Alexandru, Fabio Nodari, Erhan Coral, Daniele Bellucci, Florence Lepavec, Gilles Auroux, Jack Johnson, Jens Benninghofen, Martina Atanassova, Shreenivas Yenni, Mikael Wardhana, Theo Garcia,

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