Embark on thrilling adventures reminiscent of Indiana Jones at these 11 incredible destinations

The famous line that perfectly captures the essence of Indiana Jones is delivered with a stoic expression, halfway through the renowned 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark. Tired, bruised, and weathered, the archaeologist-adventurer declares, “It’s not the years… It’s the mileage.”

Over the course of five films and 42 years, Indiana Jones has accumulated quite the mileage. Apart from fedoras and the charismatic Harrison Ford, one of the franchise’s most iconic visual motifs is a map featuring a red line traversing oceans and continents, representing Dr. Jones’ exploits as he unearths treasures, engages in romances, and confronts adversaries using various modes of transportation such as boats, planes, bikes, and even submarines.

The latest cinematic installment, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, is poised to inspire a new generation of adventurers, following in the footsteps of its predecessors.

“Imagine how much less enchanting the world would be if you didn’t feel like there was a realm of adventure and discovery beyond your own neighborhood or city streets?” ponders Albert Lin, a National Geographic Explorer, scientist, and host of Lost Cities with Albert Lin. “When I was a child growing up with Indiana Jones, those different worlds were showcased. And these places truly exist. There’s a city built into the cliff walls of Jordan. There are mummies in the mountains of Peru. There are chambers beneath the Egyptian desert.”

However, many of the locations depicted in the five-film series are not precisely where they appear. Due to political considerations, logistical challenges, and the intricacies of shooting, innovative location scouting was required. As a result, an array of often unexpected destinations can be found scattered across the globe.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

The “jungles of Peru” were actually filmed on the Hawaiian island of Kauai in the United States. The dramatic Kalalea Mountain provided the initial shot for the film. Other locations in the vicinity, such as Huleia National Wildlife Refuge and the historic Kipu Ranch near Puhi, stood in for the territory of the Chachapoyan warriors.

Kauai, also known as the “Garden Island,” boasts lush and unspoiled nature that is best explored through hiking trails and boat excursions.

PHOTOGRAPH BY FRANS LANTING, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

The Egyptian street scenes, including the now-famous sword fight that never transpires, were actually filmed in the Tunisian city of Kairouan, often referred to as “little Cairo.” Kairouan is renowned for its carpet making and historic mosque.

(For Star Wars enthusiasts, here are eight must-visit locations.)

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Contrary to its billing, the Club Obi Wan was not situated in Shanghai but rather in Macau, an island often referred to as the “Las Vegas of Asia.” The film’s opening scenes, set in a monsoon-soaked and neon-lit environment, were shot in Macau. After nearly 500 years as a Portuguese colony, Macau became a Special Administrative Region of China in 1999. It features flamboyant architecture and a glitzy gambling culture.

Although the story is set in India, the production shifted to Sri Lanka for The Temple of Doom due to concerns about potential cultural stereotypes (a critique echoed by contemporary viewers). A tea plantation near the central city of Kandy in Sri Lanka was transformed into the rural village depicted in the film, which has since become the site of the Ceylon Tea Museum. The climactic rope bridge scene was filmed near the Victoria Dam on the Mahaw

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More about adventure

• National Geographic: Explore the World Like Indiana Jones
• Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Official Trailer
• Yale University
• Kauai, Hawaii
• Macau Tourism
• Petra, Jordan
• Sri Lanka Tourism
• Venice Tourism