Has the current global pandemic got you wondering what the best places are in the world are to isolate?
In this post, you will discover 7 of the most remote destination in the entire world. Most of these destinations would be great places to isolate from the rest of the world, but many offer incredible challenges in terms of transportation and conditions.
Continue reading to learn more about these incredibly isolated destinations!
1. Kalga Village in Parvati Valley, India
Parvati Valley is nestled between the Great Himalayan Mountain range in the Northern Indian state of Himachel Pradesh. The Parvati River rushes through this ethereally beautiful and mystical valley. Parvati Valley is bursting with giant trees, green meadows and streaming waterfalls all set against the dramatic mountain top backdrop.
It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated in this valley for 3,000 years. When he finally opened his eyes to this untouched, beautiful landscape he named it after Parvati, his consort.
There is only one treacherous road that goes into Parvati Valley. It is often closed or only running one way due to floods.
It is relatively easy to access the main hub of Kasol. But there are many other villages in the valley that are much more remote like Kalga which is only accessible by foot. The road leading towards Kalga finishes in the village of Barsheni, from there you have to cross the river and climb up a steep hill to reach the bottom of Kalga Village.
This isolated village boasts incredible views of the Himalayas in all directions. It is filled with beautiful meadows, giant pine trees and winding overgrown pathways. It is truly enchanting! There are a number of guesthouses and cafes you can hide away in and many spots for you to just sit and stare at the wonder of Parvati Valley.
2. Gobi Desert, Mongolia
The Gobi Desert in Mongolia is remote, difficult to get to and a challenge to travel in. But the adventures that take the most work are always the most rewarding! The tourism infrastructure is lacking, accommodation is limited and the roads are awful. But the challenges are more than worth overcoming to see this incredibly isolated part of the world.
You will need to get driven out to the Gobi Desert from Ulan Bataar. On the way, you can stop at the Painted Mountains of The White Stupa which is a breathtaking viewpoint and one of the most impressive sights in Mongolia.
Once you have reached the desert you can climb the highest sand dunes in Mongolia to watch the sun go down. If you have a guide who knows local nomadic Mongolians you may be lucky enough to spend some time with them in their ger (a Mongolian “yurt”).
Camp in yurts either at a campground or with a local family. Staying in a ger in the desert is the most authentic and remarkable way to spend your time in this untouched part of the world!
For a luxury option, you can consider staying at Three Camel Lodge. It takes an hour to fly to Three Camel Lodge the capital of Mongolia, to Dalanzadgad on the edge of the Gobi Desert.
From there it's a one and a half hour off-road drive to reach the 'Lodge' which is made up of around 20 traditional gers. Three Camel Lodge has luxuries that you wouldn’t expect to find in the middle of the Gobi Desert, like plumbing and electricity!
Each ger has a wood stove is in the centre and 360 views of the largest desert in Asia.
3. Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska
Gates of the Arctic is the northernmost national park in the USA and is the second largest. It is located above the Arctic circle. It receives relatively few visitors each year because of the harsh climate and remote location.
This vast landscape has no trails, roads or established campsites, it is completely in the wilderness. Gates of the Arctic is home to intact ecosystems where people have lived with the land for thousands of years.
Visitors must be completely self-sufficient when visiting this national park. You must fly or hike to the park. There are no establish services in the park and no cell phone service. The terrain is tough with tussocks, uneven ground, rocks and river crossings. You must be highly experienced in outdoor survival skills and capable of looking after your own life.
Travellers brave enough to make the effort are rewarded with beautiful mountain views, wild rivers, glacier-carved valleys and thriving wildlife like wolves, polar bears and caribou. Here there endless summer days and long winter nights shining with the northern lights. The only thing that touches this national park are the force of nature.
The Gates of the Arctic is no doubt one of the best places in the world to be truly isolated.
4. Deception Island, Antarctica
Antarctica is located literally at the bottom of the world and is easily the most remote place in the world. There are no native inhabitants to this continent, just a few research centres that are constantly in operation such as the perpetually frozen McMurdo Station. This place is home to as many as 1,200 scientists and workers during summer.
The temperatures in Antarctica are extremely cold. Tourists can only visit Antarctica during the warmer summer months of October to March. The only way to reach Antarctica is by boat or a flight from Southern Chile.
Deception Island in Antarctica is possibly the most remote tourist destination in the world. It is an active volcano located in the South Shetland Islands. Deception Island is famous for its deserted whaling and research station which was abandoned decades ago due to volcanic eruptions. The remanents of boats and boilers are still there today.
The only way to reach this eerily beautiful island is to take an Antarctic cruise. You can jump off the ship and enjoy the barren, icy land and visit the remains of the research centres. If you’re lucky you might get to see some chinstrap penguins and warm up in a natural volcanic bath.
5. Socotra Island, Yemen
Socotra Island is part of the Republic of Yemen. This island 350km away in the Arabian Sea and feels untouched by modern civilisation. Socotra is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places in the world. The island's population of just 60,000 in an area of 3,796km makes it barely inhabited. There are only 3,000 visitors per year.
The island is home to a large population of the endangered dragon blood trees, with UFO-like tops and bright red sap making this island feel like you are on another planet. It takes around 800 years for the trees to grow to the size you see in Socotra. It is also full of small villages, towering sand dunes, deserted pristine beaches, clear seas and deep canyons.
Socotra has gained notoriety as being almost impossible to visit. There are some planning logistics you must work through to get there. The airport is almost out of operation due to conflict in Yemen. There is one flight a week from Yemen to Socotra but it is not available online. You have to buy it in person with proof you have a visa to visit Socotra. It is possible to get all of these logistics sorted out by travelling with a tour. But it is well worth the effort so that you can witness one of the most mind-blowing spots on Earth.
6. Alert Nunavut, Canada
Alert is a small village located in Canada on the tip of the Nunavut territory 800km below the North Pole. This village is considered to be the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world! There are a whopping 5 permanent residents! Alert is also one of the most inhospitable places to live in.
Temperatures here get down to minus 40 degrees Celsius, in summer the sun never goes down and it winter it never rises. Peak temperatures in summer are just a couple of degrees above freezing. The land here remains completely frozen for 10 months of the year.
540km south is the nearest populated place, which is actually in Greenland. The nearest town to Alert in Canada is a small fishing village over 2,000km away and the nearest major city like Quebec is over 4,000km away. It is difficult to get a flight into this remote town due to weather conditions.
Alert is home to a military base as well as a weather station and literally nothing else!
7. La Rinconada, Peru
La Rinconada in Peru is high inaccessible, making it one of the most remote locations in South America. It is a small mining town in the Peruvian Andes, located 17,000 feet above sea level. This makes is the ‘highest’ city in the world.
La Rinconada has stunning, desolate landscape and is perched on a permanently frozen glacier. It is only possible to reach this city in the sky by a truck which has to travel on treacherous and winding mountain roads. It takes days to reach the city, this combined with severe altitude sickness and poor living conditions make this a very difficult place to stay for long.
With a lot of preparation, it is possible to plan a trip to this village as a tourist. It is best to slowly ascend to La Rinconada over a number of days so that you can climatise to the altitude. Keep in mind that once you arrive the town lacks basic amenities like running water and electricity due to it’s isolation, so go prepared! To reach the town you can either hitch a ride on a truck or rent a car. But be warned the roads are incredibly dangerous.
There are 30,000 inhabitants who are almost all involved in mining gold which is extracted from beneath the ice.
Would You Dare To Visit Any Of These Destinations?
There you have a list of 7 of the most isolated places in the world!
Would you be brave enough to travel or to even live in any of these incredible places?
If you are you should definitely take a St Christopher pendant with you!
Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travellers and is said to have protected against the bubonic plague and even toothache.
Wearing a Saint Christopher charm is a request for his blessings and good luck. People believe that he will help to ward off evil and misfortunes such as accidents, robberies and poor health when you are travelling.
Good fortune and health are much needed when travelling to remote and dangerous locations!
Off The Map has an incredible range of unique and high-quality St Christopher pendants to choose from. These beautiful, quality pieces are crafted to last beyond the journey, bringing luck to world adventurers and travellers wherever they roam.
Happy trails!
