11 Remote Destinations Perfect for Ultimate Adventure Getaways
If you’re tired of the tourist spots and you’re ready to leave the familiar comforts of the well-traveled behind, you may be ready to find a getaway that’s off the beaten path. It’s not just about getting away from crowds, but getting to the untouched, often rugged beauty of places that feel like another world.
There’s more to the allure of these isolated places than their remoteness, however. Topping the list are regions you can explore where you can go on thrilling hikes as well as experience cultures that have not been contaminated by mass tourism or other attractions. If you’re seeking a getaway that feels like somewhere in the middle of nowhere, consider these 11 places might be your next trip.
Svalbard, Norway: A Polar Paradise
Svalbard is halfway between Norway and the North Pole, and as close to the Arctic as you can get without taking a research vessel. Thousands of years of tundra, towering glaciers, and polar bears and reindeer running up and down mountains make for a truly mesmerizing escape. For example, adventurers can take dog sled rides over the ice, visit ice caves, and, more excitingly, even check out the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, an internationally famous agricultural preservation site. Svalbard is a dream come true for those looking for a taste of polar wilderness.
Bhutan: The Last Shangri-La
This gorgeously photographed Himalayan kingdom, the stronghold between China and India, is proud both of culture and environmental sustainability. You can trek through the mountains, or visit sacred sites such as Tiger’s Nest Monastery, and get some of the most spectacular views in the world, as well as see one of the last untouched cultures in the world. Traveling in Bhutan is a refreshing and adventurous experience, as Bhutan has focused on happiness and spiritual well-being.
Patagonia, Argentina: Nature’s Playground
The area of Patagonia, spanning the southern tip of South America, is one of the world’s last great wilderness frontiers. Breathtaking experiences await at every turn with its windswept plains, massive glaciers, and towering peaks. Patagonia is an adventurer’s paradise and whether you’re hiking, climbing, or just gawking at the jagged mountains and pristine lakes, you’ll have fun. Torres del Paine National Park is a magnet for visitors, but there are endless trails to explore and the freedom to make your own way.
Socotra Island, Yemen: The Land of Alien Trees
Socotra Island is an unlikely natural wonder often described as one of the most alien-looking places on Earth. Other than the illustrious dragon blood trees, which resemble something out of a science fiction movie, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has otherworldly landscapes. Socotra has pristine beaches, towering cliffs, and caves with rare plant and animal species, and you can feel like you’re discovering a new world.
Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park: Safari Bliss
If you’re a wildlife or savannah buff, the Serengeti is one of the world’s most remarkable safari experiences. It’s home to the famous Great Migration and you can see millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles. There are grassy plains that stretch on the landscape, with scattered acacia and baobab trees everywhere to photograph, or as well marvel at nature’s beauty.
Mongolia’s Gobi Desert: A Vast, Untamed Wilderness
The Gobi Desert might not be the most obvious of adventure destinations, but reaching this vast, remote infinite stretch of land means total solitude. The Gobi is a desert, unlike any other, and home to famous Mongolian horses and ancient Buddhist monasteries. You can go on camel treks over the sand dunes, see the various historical sites that helped keep the Silk Road flowing, and stay with nomadic families in their traditional ger tents to experience it.
New Zealand’s Fiordland: Fjords and Rainforests
Fiordland National Park in New Zealand boasts short rainforests, spectacular cliffs, and amazing fjords. No matter if you’re kayaking through Milford Sound or hiking through the Kepler Track, there’s a magic to the stillness of this place. With dolphins and seals as well as rare birds, the park is a nature lover’s paradise. It’s also remote and ruggedly beautiful and has an air of peacefulness that’s perfect for those who want to disconnect from life.
Nepal’s Upper Mustang: A Himalayan Kingdom Trek
Upper Mustang is a less traveled region in Nepal that brings one of the most authentic trekking experiences in the Himalayas. Tibetan culture, ancient monasteries, and dramatic landscapes make Mustang rich. Mustang is one of the ‘Last Forbidden Kingdoms’. The trek passes through high-altitude deserts, old caves, and traditional villages where you can see, in their pure form, the best of cultural and natural beauty.
Greenland: The Best of Arctic Exploration
There is so much more to Greenland than ice. The island is huge and boasts an incredible landscape of towering glaciers and giant icebergs as well as remote coastal villages seemingly frozen in time. Pristine fjords can be kayaked, the tundra can be dog sledded and visitors can as well immerse themselves in the rich and enduring Inuit culture. Few places in the world allow you to feel like a true wilderness in a vast and untouched environment, but Greenland provides such an opportunity, it is a remote and very thin population.
The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador: A Wildlife Lover’s Dream
Charles Darwin’s discoveries in the Galápagos Islands are often associated with the Galápagos Islands, but there is much more to the Galápagos Islands than that. These islands are home to an astounding variety of wildlife – giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies and offer a front-row seat to some of nature’s most fascinating creatures. Also, there are fascinating experiences and views ranging from the straddling sea lions on a snorkeling, excursion to trekking active volcanoes and to exploring one of the island’s distinct ecosystems. The Galápagos is an experience you won’t forget.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia: Diving Into Paradise
Raja Ampat is off the coast of Indonesia; A diver’s paradise. It has crystal clear waters, beautiful coral reefs, and unparalleled marine biodiversity and is considered to be one of the best places to dive in the world. The fish and coral species range, amounting to more than 1,300 and 600 species, respectively, make this remote archipelago a marine haven. Apart from diving, the secret lagoons, pristine beaches for tropics lovers, and tiny, remote islands untouched by mass tourism are other attractions.
Iceland’s Highlands: Untouched Landscapes
Iceland’s Highlands are as remote as you can get. It has volcanic craters, hot springs, and wide open desolate landscapes perfect for those looking for great adventures in nature. It is no walk in the park, but when you arrive you’ll see a raw untouched landscapes that can’t be found anywhere else. The best ways to experience this striking region are hiking, off-road driving, and camping in the wilderness.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.