Looking for a digital detox? Desperate for some well-needed peace and quiet? Or, just feel like getting away from it all? We’ve scoured the earth to find the remotest places in the world for your next adventure! By Disha Kansal
1. Cape York Peninsula, Australia
The northernmost point of Australia, Cape York is a peninsula that’s swimming with crocodiles. The peninsula was called Carpentaria Land by Abel Tasman, who charted the west coast in 1644. It was renamed by Captain James Cook in 1770. However, it’s a great place to go fishing for sport. The land is owned by five indigenous communities, who also manage its tourism industry. Cape York is about a 28-hour drive from Cairns, and renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle is a must.
2. Siwa Oasis, Egypt
Because Siwa Oasis is so isolated in the middle of Egypt’s Western Desert, the inhabitants’ Siwi language and Amazigh culture have been preserved. It’s not a common stop for tourists, but those who brave the desert can enjoy locally-grown dates and olives, swim in Cleopatra’s Bath mineral spring, and stay at the famous desert eco-lodge built out of mud and salt. Siwa Oasis is extremely fertile and supports thousands of date palms and olive trees. The export of dates and olive oil provide the chief source of income, supplemented by basketry.
3. Supai, Arizona
In Supai, Arizona, the mail is delivered by a mule. A remote village in the southwestern branch of the Grand Canyon, the village is only accessible by helicopter, horseback or an eight-mile hike. Supai is the tribal center of the Havasupai, which means, ‘people of the green blue waters’, a reference to four waterfalls along Havasu Creek that are popular with tourists. Save some energy for the trek down to the even more secluded Mooney Falls. At night, look up: there are no lights for miles, just an inky, star-saturated sky. And, congratulate yourself for completing a trip most only dream of.
4. La Rinconada, Peru
The saddest town in the world La Rinconada sits three miles in the air in Peru’s mountainous Puno province, making it the highest city in the world. The town has no running water or sewage system, and nearly 68% of the population lives below the poverty line. Getting there is not easy. La Rinconada is a six-hour ride from the nearest city on unpaved roads with no regular buses. Your best bet is to hitch a ride. There is nothing positive about La Rinconada, and its residents remain trapped in their isolated village, which serves as a perfect metaphor for their near-enslavement in the town’s gold mines.
5. Changtang, Tibet
Known as ‘the roof of the world’, Changtang’s altitudes range from 4,000 to 9,000 feet. The 990-mile stretch of land across the Tibetan Plateau is home to nomadic people called the Changpa. Wildlife like snow leopards and yaks thrive in its cold, arid climate. Most of Changtang Plateau is now protected by nature reserves consisting of the Changtang Nature Reserve, the second-largest nature reserve in the world. Since the reserves have been established, there has been a good increase in the numbers of endangered species. The protected areas stretch across parts of Tibet, Xinjiang and Qinghai. You need a permit in order to enter, which can cost several thousand dollars, but it’s accessible via the Leh Airport, Udhampur Railway Station, or driving from Manali or Srinagar.
Related: Make A Wish At These Destinations: Bucket-List Material!
