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In the Pavlodar region of northeast Kazakhstan, horsemen drive their herd to a corral where they'll spend the night. Kazakhs must guard their animals at all times against horse thieves (a time-honored tradition in Kazakshtan) and predators like the steppe wolf. Pastoralists have lived in this region of Kazakhstan for at least 5,000 years. Archeologists have discovered the oldest-known remains of a domesticated horse at a site located about 100 miles from where I took this picture.
Photograph by Ryan T. Bell, National Geographic Your Shot

81 Captivating Travel Photographs From Around the World

Check out top travel contest photos and get inspired to join the 2018 Travel Photographer of the Year contest.

ByDelaney Ross
February 26, 2018

Awe-inspiring landscapes, towering cities, and unforgettable cultural moments are some of the scenes entered to the 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest. Curious which picture took grand prize? Explore the 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year winners gallery.

Ready to join the competition? The 2018 Travel Photographer of the Year will begin April 2. See last year's winners and prepare to enter to win up to $10,000!

Editor's Note: Captions provided by the photographers.