Galapagos Islands

For the traveler who's seen it all and done it all, who feels a bit blasé about discovering the world, Natural World Safaris recently proposed a new kind of venture. The 111-day tour will cover 12 countries, multiple continents, and bring the participants close to some of the world's most magnificent endangered species. The only catch? It's $1 million for two people. The trip includes plenty of luxuries, including first class flying to and from the destinations and occasionally helicopter flights. According to Will Bolsover, the managing director, the moneyassists the endangered animals that travelers will see, with 10 percent of the fee going toward conservation projects, reported CNN. For those who blanch at the price tag but yearn for up close encounters with wildlife and the natural world, explore some of the tour's stops in the following pages.

Since Charles Darwin first explored and wrote about the species that populated the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador, the islands have been known as a living museum. Although the islands have a fascinating history, having been a haven for both pirates and whalers,their real allure is the wildlife that has lived there for thousands of years. The archipelago is composed of 20 islands, some that have remained uninhabited. Visitors might see everything from giant tortoises and iguanas to the myriad species of birds Darwin observed in developing his theory of evolution by natural selection, says UNESCO. Tourists can snorkel, hike, sail and meet with locals while exploring one of the most unique island chains in the world.

NEXT: One of the most rapidly warming places in the world

Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctica has one of the harshest climates in the world, colder than any other continent and the largest desert. But it's also one of the most at risk from climate change, with some of the oldest ice in the world now beginning to melt, reported LiveScience. As long as the continent remains intact, visitors can trek to the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the most accessible regions. According to the British Antarctic Survey, the peninsula is a habitat for plants and invertebrates and a breeding ground for birds and marine mammals. Visitors to the region might see Weddell seals, Emperor penguins, Humpback whales, Minke whales and Hourglass dolphins, says the World Wildlife Fund. But travelers should hurry to get there; the Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet is one of themost rapidly warming places in the world, says Antarctic Glaciers.

NEXT: A hidden gem of Kenya

Laikipia Plateau

Home to some of our earliest ancestors, the Laikipia Plateau is located near Mount Kenya on the edge of the Rift Valley in Kenya. The region is less well-known than other safari spots, says Fodors, meaning the park is relatively free of game vehicles. The area has been a success for its conservation efforts and for promoting a sense of community among those who live on the ranches. The Kenya Tourist Board suggests visiting Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, where zebras, giraffes, buffalos and elephants live, or the Ol Pejeta Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

NEXT: The land of lemurs

Andasibe and Ranomafana National Parks

The island country of Madagascar is one of the most diverse environments in the world, having split off from the Indian subcontinent 80 million years ago and from Africa even earlier. More than 600 new species were discovered in a recent decade, reported The Guardian, including 41 new mammals. Both the Andasibe and the Ranomafana National Parks make it their mission to promote conservation of the diverse species across the country and educate locals and visitors. Ranomafana National Park was built in a town known for its hot springs and for being the location where the golden bamboo lemur was discovered, says Stony Brook University. Visitors to the park can look for 12 species of lemurs in the trees and swim in the clear waters of the Namorona River.

The Andasibe National Park, located farther north on Madagascar, is made up of two protected areas that are filled with 14 species of lemur, 51 species of reptiles and several endemic fish species, says Madagascar National Parks. Wild Madagascar recommends looking particularly for the Indri, a lemur that looks almost like a panda.

NEXT: Orphaned orangutans and pygmy elephants

Danum Valley and Sepilok

Borneo, the third largest island in the world and home to three countries, is filled with a vast array of cultures, wildlife and ecosystems. For naturalists who want to see the best of the island's flora and fauna, the Danum Valley in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve is a must-see. The forest is so thick that it has never been permanently settled, says Lonely Planet, but it's filled with wildlife, from orangutans to flying squirrels and pygmy elephants. For those more interested in orangutans than any of the other species on the island, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center cares for orphaned orangutans and other species such as gibbons, Sumatran rhinos and sun bears, says Orangutan Appeal.

NEXT: Royal Bengal Tigers in the night

Kanha and BandhavgarhNational Parks

Rudyard Kipling drew much of his inspiration from India's wilderness, penning The Jungle Book and other famous stories and poems. But Kipling is hardly the first or the only outsider to be enthralled by the dense forest and quiet ferocity of the Bengal tiger. Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park are two of India's protected stretches of wilderness that are home to tigers, and other rare species like swamp dear. According to Garhwal Himalayan Expedition, one of Kanha's most striking features are the grassy meadows where animals are easy to spot. Visitors may also see leopards, sloth bears and the Indian wild dogs, says the park website.

Bandhavgarh is an area rich in history, with a fort in the center of the reserve that was once the seat of the rulers of the Rewa State, says Project Tiger. Today the park is known for its high density of tigers. Travelers coming to Bandhavgarh can take a Jeep tour through the park to view the wildlife, or explore the old fort and the nearby 10th-century Jwalamukhi Temple, says the park's website.

NEXT: Northern lights and polar bears

Churchill

A polar bear walks on the shoreline waiting for the Hudson Bay to freeze over Nov. 13, 2007 outside Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. Polar bears return every year to Churchill feeding on seals and remaining until the spring thaw. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Polar bears might be the most well-known of all species affected by climate change, and one of the best places in the world to see them in their natural habitat is Churchill, a town on the western shore of the Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada. Countless tourists have visited the area to see the natural sub-Arctic splendor, including a 100-year-old woman. Besides being the polar bear capital of the world, Churchill is a perfect place to see beluga whales, watch the northern lights, go hiking and try adventure kayaking. According to the town's tourism site, the 1,000 residents meld tradition with modern technology to keep their heritage alive while enjoying the comforts of the 21st century.

NEXT: Free-ranging black rhinos

Palmwag Concession

Home to the largest free-ranging population of black rhinos in Africa, the Palmwag Concession in Namibia offers a one-of-a-kind desert experience. The concession also has freshwater springs that support populations of hyenas, elephants, gemsbok, kudu, lions and elephants, says Wild Eye Destinations. At the entrance to the concession is the Palmwag Lodge on the Uniab River. The lodge offers a swimming pool, guided walks, and game drives to look for the animals roaming the concession.

NEXT: Giant river otters and hyacinth macaws in the wetlands

Pantanal Wetlands

View of the Pantanal from the Cidade de Pedra viewpoint in the Chapada dos Guimaraes national park, Mato Grosso state, western Brazil on January 30, 2011. (YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/GettyImages)

The Pantanal Wetlands are 10 times the size of the Florida Everglades, fed by tropical rains and stretching across Brazil. Four specific areas of the wetlands are protected by UNESCO, but the entire area is a valuable habitat for countless animals. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the wetlands are home to giant river otters, jaguars and hyacinth macaws. Tourists can enjoy exploring the region by canoe or boat, by plane, by foot and by horseback, says Brazil.org, and they might see everything from tropical Amazonian rainforest to savannah landscapes.

NEXT: Home of the great mountain gorillas

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is a famous haven for mountain gorillas, the elusive black species made famous by the work of Dian Fossey. The park was also the base for Fossey's work and is home to five volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains. In addition to trekking gorillas, there are plenty of other hiking tails through the forest, says Expert Africa. The Rwanda Development Board describes some of the groups of gorillas who live in the park, including the Susa group that was originally studied by Fossey.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: 13 of the World's Last Wild Places