Sounds of Nature

Imagine it’s just after 7am on a Sunday, and you’re snowshoeing in the Finnish wilderness. The only sounds you hear are roe deer walking through thick primaeval forest, the cawing of early-rising crows and the flapping of a crane’s wings on a serene lake nearby. Our Finland adventures reconnect you with nature, taking you from the heart of Oulanka National Park to sweeping canyons in Nuuksio National Park and islands across the Finnish archipelago.

Coined the City of Seven Hills, Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, impresses with colourful streets and historic landmarks. This soundbite transports you to Torre de Belém, where the sea meets its eastern wall. Once a ceremonial gateway for Portuguese explorers, it stands as a testament to the country’s maritime power. With us, you can wander through Lisbon, visit the wine cellars of Porto, or walk alongside flower-lined levadas in Madeira.   

Hear the thumps and whacks of Muay Thai boxing, a traditional combat sport known as the ‘art of eight limbs’. This energetic track takes you inside the old town of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand as two fighters display their power and technique against each other. Aside from Muay Thai, you can visit the landmarks of Bangkok, see the waterfalls of Erawan National Park and dive deep into the beloved street food scene. 

Far from bustling Paris, perhaps in the empty grounds of a historic chateau, France comes to life at night. Hear the rustling of deer, owl hoots and wind moving through ancient pine and oak trees. On our trips, you can experience the same wonderful nature sounds for yourself, whether you’re trekking past alpine meadows and tree-lined trails on the Mont Blanc Circuit or wandering through hushed beech forests in Corsica.   

Futuristic Tokyo may be, but this ultra-modern metropolis still values the sounds of nature, even if a little innovation is needed. Step in: ‘bird chirping’ traffic lights. The sounds you’ll hear provide Tokyoites with a momentary respite from the urban cacophony. On our adventures, you’ll take in the highlights of Tokyo alongside venturing elsewhere, to trek along the Kumano Kodo or visit other captivating cities, such as Kyoto and Nara.  

This soundbite honours adumu, a traditional jumping dance performed by the Maasai tribe in Kenya. Part of eunoto, a long-observed coming-of-age ceremony, the men perform this dance to prove their agility, stamina and power. With Exodus, you’ll meet the Maasai people and enjoy game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park and the Masai Mara grasslands where you’ll search for white rhinos, cheetahs and more.  

Far from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City lies Hòa Bình. This is hill country – a place filled with picturesque reservoirs, paddy fields, thick jungles and remote hill tribes. Here, they’ve swapped the drone of motorbikes for the chorus of wildlife at dawn. Experience it for yourself in our traditional homestays in Sung and Da Bai Village during one of our country-spanning adventures in Vietnam.  

This clip was recorded in Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, a mausoleum dedicated to the Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Auliya. As the melody continues, hear the worshippers walking around the dargah during Eid Milad-ul Nabi (which celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad). Discover similar acoustics during our guided Indian tours, whether you’re exploring the highlights of Northern India or cycling through Rajasthan. 

Transport yourself to Kalk Bay Harbour, which embodies the raw beauty of Cape Town’s False Bay. Listen to the waves crashing, the snorting of seals and the clanging of tools as fishermen tend to their boats. On our adventures, you’ll visit the region’s most atmospheric harbours including Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay and the seaside town of Hermanus, where you may be able to spot southern right whales from the coast in season. 

Dawn in the depths of the Costa Rican rainforest hits different. These soothing sounds are taken from the cloud forests of Savia Monteverde. Hear the mesmerising combination of falling rain droplets and distinctive bird calls. But birdlife isn’t the only sound you’ll hear on our adventures. With trips to Tortuguero, Manuel Antonio National Park and Savegre Cloud Forest, you may hear and spot howler monkeys, caimans, sloths and more!  

Italy is known for cinematic piazzas, and one of the most famous is St Mark’s Square in Venice. This immersive soundbite allows you to effortlessly weave between tourists, buskers and waiters, while seagulls hover overhead. During our Italian adventures, you’ll visit some of the country’s finest squares, from St Mark’s Square in Venice and the Piazza della Signoria in Florence to the lesser-known piazzas in Locorotondo and Cisternino in southern Italy.