The 20 most inspiring travel photos of the week

EACH WEEK WE CHOOSE OUR favorite images from readers, fans, and travelers, who tag their photos with #travelstoke and post them on our Instagram account. These pictures provide a daily dose of inspiration, and challenge us to photograph the world in innovative ways.

This week, we’ve dedicated our gallery to the students at MatadorU. Here’s this week’s editors’ picks of our students finding some serious #travelstoke:

1. Image shot by Jeremy Ullmann in Kyrygzstan.

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Winding around alpine lakes in Arslanbob and riding through the snow-tipped tops of its surrounding mountains were some of the most surreal experiences of my time in Kyrygzstan. Although I was nearly thrown off rodeo-style on many occasions (right next to steep drops too), it was pretty spectacular and really makes you wonder why are westerners are so adamant that the 'stans' are so flat, deserty and dead. #travelstoke

A post shared by Jeremy Ullmann (@jeremyullmann) on Jul 8, 2015 at 3:43am PDT

2. Paul Pichugin at The Treasury at Petra, Jordan.

Seeing a few photos come through my feed from friends who are in @VisitJordan at the moment, making me miss the country, can't wait to head back there! I published a photo essay of my trip on my blog a few weeks ago, link in my profile. #VisitJordan #Travelstoke #Wanderlust #ShareYourJordan

A photo posted by Paul Pichugin (@paulmp) on Oct 1, 2015 at 9:24am PDT

3. Emma Fehon in Moorea, Tahiti.

https://instagram.com/p/7yLskWTiGF/

4. Julie and Homer Ap travel the world with their family. This was shot in Joshua Tree National Park.

Although Joshua Tree National Park sees 1.4 million visitors annually, it is easy to go hours without encountering other travelers, especially before and after park hours. Here, our two City Girls marvel at the solitude of JTNP's Box Canyon Road as sunset approaches. #hikingwithkids #familytravel #outdoorfamilies #memoriesbeforestuff #travelstoke #travelwithkids #joshuatree #joshuatreenationalpark #exploringtheglobe #mkbvacation #childhoodunplugged

A photo posted by ★Open Wide the World★ (@openwidetheworld) on Aug 10, 2015 at 9:47am PDT

5. Kristen Bor camping out Gros Ventre Campground, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

A photo posted by (@bearfoottheory) on Sep 29, 2015 at 10:13am PDT

6. Brian Lewis trekking in Flat Tops Wilderness Area, Colorado.

This is what's officially known as the "holy-shit-I'm-glad-we're-off-the-Devil's-Causeway" face. That's a narrow section of trail that's only about 3-feet wide with 100-foot drops on both sides. Sketchy with full packs on! #Colorado #doliferight

A photo posted by Brian Lewis (@brianlewismedia) on Sep 15, 2015 at 8:09pm PDT

7. Thuy Vi Gates shot UNESCO World Heritage site, Qutub Minar, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India.

Qtub Minar is a #UNESCO World Heritage site at the outskirts of #NewDelhi, #India. The intricately carved #fairytale #minaret with #balcony (379 steps!) is a stunning example of red sandstone #Mughal #architecture. The #ancient site took some 200 years to build,1193-1368. #TravelTip: Look for green parrots in the morning!

A photo posted by THUY VI GATES – Travel Stories (@traveltype) on Mar 14, 2015 at 7:20am PDT

8. Joanne Chui exploring Yathay Pyan Cave in Hpa-An, Myanmar.

One of my favourite moments in Myanmar. The Monk nodded when I asked for permission. He took a picture of me after I took a picture of him. Yathay Pyan Cave, Hpa-An Myanmar #travelstoke #travel #myanmar #burma #cave

A photo posted by Joanne Chui (@joannechui) on Sep 21, 2015 at 12:25pm PDT

9. Tara Lowry shot this in Havana, Cuba.

La Habana just can't hide her colourful past. #Havana #Cuba #projecttheworld #TPSExtreme @thephotosociety @sandisk

A photo posted by Gypsy Shutterbug (@taralowryphotography) on Aug 27, 2015 at 3:09pm PDT

10. Image shot by Sasha D Gupta at a school in Ladakh, India.

At Diskit monastery in Ladakh, in a school run by an NGO, I stumbled upon this reluctant student. His eyes and mind were more on my lens than his books and his mischievous antics had me in splits. Ladakh, meaning, "the land of high passes", lies at an altitude of above 9000 feet in the Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is a harsh terrain, with around 230 sparsely populated villages.Local and international NGOs run around 900 schools in this area, a commendable feat. #ladakh #india #travelstoke @katiescottaiton

A photo posted by sashadg (@sashadg) on Oct 16, 2014 at 2:09am PDT

11. Image shot by Jeremy Ullmann in Petra, Jordan.

It will take a lot for me to forget this guy from Petra, Jordan. It was luckily one of those times that I did not forget to take a hundred photos of one subject, as even a year and a half later I'm still discovering different shots which are worth posting #travelstoke

A photo posted by Jeremy Ullmann (@jeremyullmann) on Sep 9, 2015 at 1:43pm PDT

12. Doree Simon in the Cape of Goodhope, South Africa.

https://instagram.com/p/7ZAS2byJZp/

13. Ibra Cetindemir captures the recent eclipse in Mount Rainier National Park.

This image is from last night's eclipse. It is composed of 12 different images stacked together. I used that technique in order to display the different phases of the eclipse in one single image it was a cold night, but thankfully my friends brought some fire wood and marshmallows! #astrophotography #travelstoke #landscape #moon #lunareclipse #pnwonderland @natgeocreative

A photo posted by Ibra Cetindemir (@ibraphotog) on Sep 28, 2015 at 2:22pm PDT

14. Image shot by Jimi James Frazier Garland getting in deep at The Grand Canyon.

Getting in deep at The Big Ditch (aka The Grand Canyon) while trekking with @aoaadventures. There's not a bad view on this classic hike that traverses the diverse swath of ecosystems that bring this Natural World Wonder to life. The 24-mile trek can be done as a stout one day challenge, a great multi-day backpacking experience, or a full service holiday with the hospitality offered at the historic Phantom Ranch. #TheWest #ColoradoRiver #USA #DesertDweller #theoutbound #savetheconfluence #visitAZ #GrandCanyon #goguided #hike #exploremore #outside #backpacking #rei1440 #findyourpark #travelstoke

A photo posted by Jimi James Frazier Garland (@frazier_far_out) on Oct 6, 2015 at 4:54pm PDT

15. Nicole Thorton shot this over Mount Snowdon, Wales.

The best seat in the house. This is the epic view on the road to Snowdon. | #snowdonia #snowdon #travelstoke @katiescottaiton

A photo posted by Nicole Thornton (@escapeartistnyc) on Sep 16, 2015 at 6:03am PDT

16. Rachel Kristensen chasing the sun on Waterfowl Lakes in Banff National Park, Canada.

Chasing the sun. We paddled into the sunset on Waterfowl Lakes. The breeze was mighty chilly, scaring everyone but us crazies away. But having an empty lake all to ourselves made the golden rays uninterrupted and the waters buttery smooth.

A photo posted by Rachel Kristensen (@meandertheworld) on Aug 14, 2015 at 1:41pm PDT

17. Katie and Scott Bray hunt Aurora Borealis in Nellim on the shore of Lake Inari in Inari, Finland.

It's October 1st! The start of the elusive aurora borealis season! I can't wait to see all the lights in my feed. Happy hunting!! #finland #lapland #northernlights #aurora #instagood #beautiful #auroraborealis #winterwonderland #twowayfaryingwanderers #travel #travelstoke #natgeotravelpic #wanderlust #travellife #theglobewanderer @katiescottaiton

A photo posted by Katie and Scott Bray (@twowayfaringwanderers) on Oct 1, 2015 at 7:59am PDT

18. Candid photo of Nikki Vargas taken by @maxwhittaker at Mono Lake, California.

https://instagram.com/p/8bpwfjBW27/

19. Joanna Kalafatis walking on the cobblestone streets of the small town of Areopolis in Greece.

Walking on the cobblestone streets of the small town of #Areopolis in #Greece. The summer sun gives the stone town a beautiful glow. #travelstoke @katiescottaiton #visitgreece #mani #discovergreece #nomad #wanderlust

A photo posted by Joanna Kalafatis: Lose the Map (@losethemap_) on Sep 22, 2015 at 3:43am PDT

20. Sharon Lewin shot this in Bagan, Myanmar.

https://instagram.com/p/8sYSFEGlWR/