National Geographic's 2013 traveler photo contest

Best of National Geographic’s traveler photo contest

The 25th annual National Geographic Traveler Photo has taken submissions from photographers all around the world. Here's a look at some of the stunning travel experiences seen through the lens of a camera.

Every year the National Geographic invites photographers from around the world to enter its Traveler Photo Contest --with some stunning submissions.

“Our photo contest turns 25 this year, making it, we believe, the longest-running travel photo contest in the world,” said Keith Bellows, National Geographic Traveler magazine editor in chief. “In the last few years it seems as if the quality of shots has taken a quantum leap forward. The pictures increasingly reflect a more sophisticated way of seeing and interpreting the world, making the judging process more difficult. We encourage photographers to enter their work and compete against the best.”

The 2013 contest, which is open now, ends Sunday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m. The grand-prize winner will receive a 10-day National Geographic Expedition to the Galápagos for two aboard the National Geographic Endeavour.

See here for details and official contest rules.

For inspiration, have a look at some of the mind-blowing photos that have been submitted so far. It's hard to believe they all came from the same beautiful planet.