Photos of the Week: 7/11/2019: The world might feel like a smaller place today, but some remarkably remote, pristine places to visit still exist. From the glaciers in Patagonia to the sand dunes in Namibia, here are some of Earth’s most unspoiled spots – and the practical details that will get you there.
South America’s vast Patagonia region is as off the beaten track as it gets. The destination is part of the adventure and the challenging and meandering Carretera Austral (Chile’s Route 7) through northern Patagonia is 770 miles of wild and remote road.
Photo by Guaxanim / Shutterstock
The Galápagos is an isolated group of islands 605 miles off the west coast of Ecuador. Famous for being the place that inspired naturalist Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species, the diversity of wildlife here is mind-blowing.
Photo by: Jess Kraft / Shutterstock
Visitors keen to spot Africa’s “Big Five” (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and African buffalo) should head off-road to the wilderness of Etosha National Park. Wild Dog Safaris organizes guided or self-drive safaris in this stunning wildlife sanctuary.
Photo by Pixabay /CCO
The Middle East is a top destination for intrepid travellers and Oman should be first on your bucket list. The charming low-slung capital of Muscat is a port city with incredible architecture, including Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (pictured), Muttrah Souq and the Royal Opera House.
Photo by Pixabay / CCO
The Antarctic Peninsula is an isolated, virtually uninhabited, frozen landmass. If you’re seeking solitude, you’ve come to the right place. Get in touch with Adventure Life to arrange a remote expedition (and don’t forget that you can only visit in the Antarctic summer between November and March).
Photo by: Robert McGillivray / Shutterstock
Stupendous landscape aside, one of the joys of visiting Albania is taking in its traditional towns. UNESCO World Heritage Site Berat is a wonderfully timeless town in central Albania where Ottaman houses line the hillside beneath the fourteenth-century citadel.
Photo by: Pixabay / CCO
The limited infrastructure on the peninsula means it’s worth traveling with an organized tour, and visitors need to apply for a permit beforehand. An expedition cruise is a great way to navigate the area – Wildfoot offers a 12-night trip that includes bear spotting, geysers and tundra hiking. The local airport, Elyzovo, has connections to Moscow and St Petersburg.
Photo by: JERoss
The nine tributaries and the maze of smaller creeks that make up the Irrawaddy Delta cover over 3,800 square miles. The watery expanse is dotted with trading ports, ancient temples, markets, mosques and mangroves.
Photo by: Pandaw Expeditions
To experience a slice of nature on steroids, visit Vladimir Eco Reserve on Graham Island’s mid-west coast. Hike through mossy rainforests among towering trees with nine-foot-wide trunks. In a bid to protect this rugged wilderness, activities are strictly limited to walking and photography. To safeguard the fragile marine life, boats need a permit to land.
Photo by DestinationBC/ IanHolmes
For more of nature’s bounty, head afterwards to magnificent Kaieteur Falls. Some 30,000 gallons of water cascade over the 820-foot drop, making it one of the world’s highest waterfalls. Explore offers an 11-night Guyana expedition, which includes flights, accommodation, most meals and a tour leader.
Photo by: AntonIvanov/Shutterstock
Dallol’s sulphur springs take the eerie lunar landscape a step further. Here, steam spits out from openings in the Earth’s crust and chemicals released by the hot springs colour the rocky mineral deposits yellow, orange and green. Be prepared to swelter as this is one of the hottest places on Earth. Without a well-trodden tourist route, travelling here can be a challenge, but Wild Frontiers offers a 15-day Ethiopia trip (flights to Addis Ababa must be booked on top).
Photo by: GenadijsZ/Shutterstock
Until recently the rice fields have only been accessible by a 10-hour bus journey. There’s now an hour-long flight from Clark to Bagabag – from there it’s another hour to Banaue. Audley Travel’s 16-day Highlights of the Philippines itinerary includes three nights at Banaue.
Photo by: Suriya99/ Shutterstock
Kyrgyzstan is often overshadowed by its neighbours, China and Uzbekistan, but the advantage is that it remains a little-visited destination for tourists. A stopping point on the Silk Road – the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean – it’s a country with breathtakingly wild mountains, flower-filled valleys and welcoming people.
Photo by: Pettitts
This is truly remote – local guides will take you up the river using motorised dugout canoes. Don’t expect shops, restaurants or much electricity, and do expect to sleep in traditional village houses, using pit toilets. This isn’t luxury, but that’s the joy of the experience.
Photo by: Michalknitl/Shutterstock
In Rize Valley, you’ll find Five Flower Lake. Its shallow waters are so impossibly clear (you can see for 130 feet underwater) and blue, it isn’t surprising locals consider it to have holy properties. Visit Jiuzhaigou in late September to mid-October to see the stunning autumn colours reflected in the glassy surface.
Photo by: Sahachatz/ Shutterstock
STILL HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS STILL THIS KIND OF BEAUTY IN OUR WORLD THAT IS STILL UNTOUCHED BY HUMANS. WITH THAT IN MIND, IT WOULD BE NICE TO GO TO ONE OF THESE PLACES TO SEE SOME OF THESE PLACES BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DISCOVERS THEM.
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