Our world might feel like a smaller place today, but some remarkably remote, pristine places to visit still exist. From the beautiful Patagonia to the views of the turquoise glacier-fed waters here are some of Earth’s most unspoiled spots.
Check them out for more information and start to see our world through photos!
Patagonia, Chile/Argentina
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.
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The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
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.
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Namibia
Opposing southwest and north winds have sculpted the Namib Desert’s colossal vivid-red sand dunes, which are the world’s tallest and oldest. Visit at sunrise and it’s likely you won’t see another soul.
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Oman, the Middle East
Northern Oman’s dramatic scenery includes rugged mountains and unique landforms like the limestone Bimmah Sinkhole with its dazzling turquoise water.
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The Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula is an isolated, virtually uninhabited, frozen landmass. If you’re seeking solitude, you’ve come to the right place. Don’t forget that you can only visit in the Antarctic summer between November and March.
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Albania
Picture-perfect Albania is a hugely overlooked country in southeastern Europe only just finding its feet with tourism. It has a dazzling coastline and rugged interior, and for now, visitors to beauty spots like dazzling Koman Lake share it only with in-the-know locals.
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The Irrawaddy Delta, Myanmar
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.
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Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada
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.
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Guyana, South America
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.
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Ethiopia
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 color 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, traveling here can be a challenge.
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The Ifugao rice terraces, the Philippines
The hotspot is Banaue, but for a more off-the-beaten-track experience take the newly paved road to Mayoyao, some 24 miles away. Here, the giant steps are scattered with pyramid-shaped native houses and domed burial tombs. There’s no wi-fi and only a couple of small guesthouses.
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Kyrgyzstan
Those up for a challenge should hike to Ala Kul lake, 11,482 feet above sea level in the Tian Shan Mountains. Your muscles might well ache after the hard climb, but the views of the turquoise glacier-fed waters, set against the snowy mountains, pays dividends.
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