7 Documentaries For Travelers That Are Worth Watching 

by Emma Wilson

Cinema has the power to transport you to another era. The epic-old and modern-day romcoms, dramas, and comedies recount classic journeys and destinations recalling actual travel experiences. Travel documentaries are undoubtedly inspirational and may pinch you to plan your next travel adventure to one of the captivating destinations you saw on Netflix. 

Thanks to the internet, you can watch travel shows and documentaries at the press of a remote. The streaming docuseries are making travel lovers explore the world at their fingertips. The sound effects and the camera lens bring details of the travel sites with such precision, you get a nail-biting experience from your living room couch. Here are some selective travel documentaries for your visual entertainment and delight. 

1. Cher And The Loneliest Elephant 

Released: April 22, 2021 (Earth Day) 

Storyline: “In captivity for 35 years and alone for nearly a decade….” These are the scroll credits in this heart-warming wildlife documentary showing the rescue efforts of a captive Sri Lankan-born elephant named Kaavan by pop singer Cher. Kaavan sent as a gift token to the Pakistan president's daughter got confined to the Islamabad Zoo. Over 4 lac signed petitions on Twitter, and Change.org kicked off Kaavan’s freedom plan that took five years. The five-tonne Kaavan has shifted to the Cambodian wildlife sanctuary.      

The moving story of a giant rescue focused on the disturbing trauma, neglect, and maltreatment of an elephant and many such animals that happen every day. Think of sited caravans for sale hired to accommodate the film crew. The film also shows the power of celebrities in animal advocacy. 

2. My Octopus Teacher     

Released: 2020 

Storyline: 

This uplifting documentary won the Oscar for the Best Documentary Feature at the 2021 Academy Awards. The plot centers on an unexpected friendship between a filmmaker and a wild octopus in a South African kelp forest. There is something curious about the marine animal octopus that attracts the filmmaker to visit the same spot every day and build an affectionate bond with the octopus. 

The beautiful imagery in this 1.5-hour documentary portrays an intriguing connection between humans and under-sea creatures.   

3. Magical Andes 

Released: 2020 

Storyline: If you are eager to know about the natural gems of South America, then the Magical Andes is one of the best travel documentaries to check out. These docuseries, a production of Luis Ara and Alexandra Hardorf, get you close to the magical landscape of the South American Andes Mountains range. 

Watch in rapt attention not only the longest mountain range in the annals of history but also get a closer view of the lakes, forests, wildlife, volcanoes, deserts, and other creations existing in the Andes region. The stunning imagery of Bolivia’s Aconcagua desert, the lush mountains of Ecuador and Colombia, and the ancient Peruvian cultures are unmissable.  

4. Chasing Coral 

Released: 2017 

Storyline: Winner of Sundance Film Festival Audience Award, the Netflix documentary Chasing Coral captures the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the world, and how its conservation is a pressing need.   

Corals are a fundamental part of our enormous ecosystem as long as our environment allows them to. Ocean warming and climate change are posing as man-made enemies of the Reef. The documentary uses advanced camera equipment and time lapses to convey the worsening of the undersea coral from colorful vibrancy to barren wastelands. It is a warning sign of how our natural wonders can get endangered in few years. 

5. Frozen Planet 

Released: 2011 

Storyline: This BBC creation is an award-winning seven-part series focusing on the lives in the Arctic and the Antarctic. Epic in scale, the docuseries take you closer to the polar regions, portraying the jaw-dropping beauty of the rare parts of the world. David Attenborough has done the narration.    

Frozen Planet is an ambitious documentary showing never-seen-before visuals of killer whales in the Arctic ice, the challenges faced by Arctic wolves and polar bears, and global warming affecting the polar regions. The carefully handled aerial photography didn't interfere with the Arctic animals. The crew spent 134 hours filming under the ice and 840 hours in snowstorms to get jaw-dropping footage.   

6. Samsara

Released: 2011 

Storyline: Filmed entirely on 70 mm in 25 countries, five continents for five years, Samsara explores a sharp contrast between man and nature. Samsara signifies the ‘wheel of life’ interpreted as birth, death, and rebirth. One of the best travel documentaries to date, Samsara explores spirituality in a visually breath-taking way. This is one unforgettable journey that transports you to scared grounds, natural wonders, disaster zones, and industrial sites. There is no dialogue and descriptive text but an infusion of music and images to make you see the mundane world and encourage your inner interpretation. 

7. Departures 

Released: 2008 

Storyline: This adventure travel television series is a creation of Andre Dupuis and Scott Wilson. The story is about two international travelers, Wilson and Justin Lukach, who set off on a travel expedition to discover unforgettable experiences. This award-winning travel series showcases epic landscapes and unforgettable cultures, memorable friendships, and disappointments.  

Everything about this fascinating program is an eye-opener–from the beauty and wonder of Bali beaches, icebergs off Greenland to trekking on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Nearly thirty countries around the world have featured in this wanderlust series.  

The Bottom Line 

These are some of the best travel documentaries to awaken the travel bug in you. Till such time, the international tourist sectors get back to normal, ditch watching your usual sitcoms for these nail-biting travel chronicles.