RING RING RING! At home, most of us are jolted awake by a familiar, malicious alarm clock every morning. It can be a bit jarring—to say the least—to be one moment, happily in slumber, and the next, suddenly conscious and confused. If you’re smart, you might use a more relaxing sound to nudge yourself awake instead. But even a relaxing jingle can get stale if it’s coming out of your iPhone every day. Hear us out: the best sounds to wake you up can’t be found at home. You’ll need to travel to find them. Explore our pick of the wildest, most relaxing, and unique sounds to wake up to from all around the world.
The Best Sounds to Wake You Up
Yes, traveling is all about the culture, food, language, natural wonders, etc. but one of the most incredible parts of any travel experience is the opportunity to listen to things you don’t have at home. Maybe that’s the sound of a parade moving through Panama City, or wind chimes rustling outside your treehouse window. Paying attention to the sounds around you can take your travel immersion to the next level.
Our list of the best sounds to wake you up across the globe might give you a sense of where you want to travel next. For the best experience, find yourself in a quiet space (or make use of your handy-dandy noise-canceling headphones) and listen to all the sounds. Maybe even close your eyes and imagine what it might be like to wake up to these sounds, instead of your annoying alarm clock.
If you’re looking for adventure, we can take you where you want to go. Explore the Travel Yogi yoga adventure offerings for your next big trip.
1. Horses On a Ranch In Iceland
Adorable, curious, independent, intelligent, and loveable, Icelandic horses are low-key the best horses on the planet. Not even kidding. When it comes to horses, there’s a general consensus that Icelandic horses are just better than all the other ones. Maybe that’s because Icelandic horses are one of the oldest breeds in the world (thank you Vikings for bringing them to Iceland in the 8th century!). Maybe it’s because they are the strongest breed of horse, ever. Or, maybe it’s just because they are friendly and love people. Regardless, you have to go to Iceland and meet one of these special fluffy love bugs.
Of course, there’s more to do in Iceland than pet horses, or let them wake you up. Voyage with the Travel Yogi Iceland Yoga Adventure and you’ll explore waterfalls, relax in the Blue Lagoon, and experience geysers as you’ve never witnessed before.
2. Tortoises Eating in Galápagos
Galápagos tortoises weren’t named after Galápagos Island. Say what? It was actually the island that was named after the tortoise! If that doesn’t show you how important these fellas are, their sheer size will. Galápagos turtles are the biggest tortoises in the world, and most of them live over 100 years. The longest-living Galápagos tortoise lived to be 176 years old! Okay, also, these tortoises can go over a year without eating, and sleep up to 16 hours a day. Crazy.
If you just can’t wait to be awoken by the sound of a Galápagos tortoise munching on grass, sign up for The Travel Yogi’s next Galápagos Yoga Adventure. You’ll spot sharks, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, penguins, and you’ll even swim with sea lions.
If you just can’t wait to be awoken by the sound of a Galapagos tortoise munching on grass, sign up for The Travel Yogi’s next Galapagos Yoga Adventure. You’ll spot sharks, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, penguins, and you’ll even swim with sea lions.
3. Crested Oropendola Singing in Panama
Who doesn’t love being awoken by the sounds of birds singing? Especially if they are crested oropendolas in Panama. Fun fact, these blackbirds build extremely intricate nests usually 100 feet above the ground. The nests can be five feet long and only suspended by a few strands of grass. Also, female crested oropendolas like to steal nesting material from other birds. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do to provide for your fam.
Panama is filled with more than crested oropendolas. The Travel Yogi’s Panama Yoga Adventure will bring you to snorkel mangroves, watch sea turtles swim, and enjoy unparalleled sunsets.
4. Elephants In Kenya
Elephants in Kenya aren’t just majestic, plant-eating, friendly giants. Their poop contains seeds that grow when it rains, making them a vital part of the ecosystem. Elephants can also be, kind of human-like. When two elephant friends are reunited, they’ll do a little dance. When one elephant is sick, the rest bring them food.
The best way to experience the natural beauty and wildlife of Kenya is with safaris, but without the safari crowds. But how?! The Travel Yogi has her ways. Check out our Kenya Yoga Adventure for 10 days of life-changing experiences.
5. Geckos In Bali
Cute, quick, little, and packed with bizarre sounds, geckos are such cool little beings—and absolutely everywhere in Bali. Watch one of them hop around and you’ll notice that their toes are very sticky and help them attach to seemingly every surface. We checked, and geckos can stick to literally anything in the world, except for dry Teflon. So cool. Also, they can detach their tails and regrow them. And they don’t have eyelids, so they clean their eyes by licking them.
Join the Travel Yogi on the Bali Yoga Adventure and you’ll discover green rice terraces, beautiful hillsides, ancient and magical energies, and the healing waters of temples and oceans.
6. Prayer Wheels In Bhutan
Prayer wheels are everywhere in Bhutan. They work as follows: Each prayer wheel has a scroll of mantras in it. A person will spin the wheel to recite the mantras (without having to speak them aloud or in their head word-for-word). Each spin counts as another recitation of the mantra, so if you really need a certain mantra in your life, you can spend focused time on that prayer wheel.
With The Travel Yogi, stay at an active monastery, raft rapids, get to know monks, and explore ancient fortresses. Sign up for the Bhutan Yoga Adventure.
7. Chatter At a French Market
The idea of a “farmers market” in the U.S. is a bit of a revival of a tradition that we’ve mostly lost in our country. In the good old days, local markets were where people shopped almost every day. In France, they didn’t have to revive the local farmer’s market, because their market tradition never died. In some spots in France, you can find a market any day of the week, filled with local produce, more cheese than you can count, and veggies—even in Paris!
Travel with us to France and you’ll wander through medieval villages, drink lots of wine (and find out why French wine is so good), and eat the best pastries, ever.
8. Howler Monkeys In Mexico
If you just listened to that recording, we are sorry. You might have nightmares. If you do, blame us. We should have warned you that howler monkeys make very scary noises. To be honest, this sound might not be ideal to wake up to, but it was a fun one to throw in, no? These monkeys are often considered to be one of the loudest land mammals, with their cries audible up to 3 miles away. But don’t worry, they don’t want to eat you. Howler monkeys primarily eat leaves.
Travel to Mexico with the Travel Yogi and you’ll explore Mexico’s rich cultural history, eat ceviche on a secluded beach, explore a bat cave, and discover a Mayan ceremonial ground, among other, really cool things that may or may not involve howler monkeys.
What Wild Sounds Will You Find Next?
That’s it, folks. Our list of the best sounds to wake you up across the globe. Whether you’ll opt for a frightening awakening with the howler monkey in Mexico, or the pleasant sounds of Icelandic horses being cute in Iceland, you’ll always wake up best with the Travel Yogi.