Breathtaking photos: Travel Photographer of the Year

Lionesses walking with an adorable cub in the Masai Mara, a sea gypsy spear fishing on the Andaman Sea and the Northern Lights over Kirkjufell in West Iceland have been captured by a group of talented photographers for the Travel Photographer of the Year 2013 awards.

The winning images from the international awards are now on show in a superb, free-to-view exhibition at London's Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), running until Sunday, August 17th. The photos capture the beauty of the world through the eyes of professional and amateur photographers.

Entrants from almost 100 countries submitted their stunning photos to be recognised by one of the world's most prestigious photography awards. But it was British photographer Timothy Allen who clinched the top-prize of Travel Photographer of the Year 2013 by capturing the re-plastering of the mud mosque in Djenne, Mali.

According to the Independent, judges praised Allen, from Tonbridge, for his "consistently high standard", and "noteworthy" black and white imagery which they said was "engaging and well placed".

The photos are both breathtaking and varied, featuring sweeping landscapes and cityscapes, as well as beautiful wildlife and cultural traditions.

Entries for the 2014 Travel Photographer of the Year awards close on October 1st.

Browse some of the amazing entries from the Travel Photographer of the Year 2013 awards below.

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