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As great as tourist hotspots can be (after all, there is a reason they are so popular!), you can get a lot out of exploring places more off the beaten path if you know how best to do it.
There are plenty of remote destinations that require some getting to, but once you are there, you know you are experiencing something incredible and rare!
Here are five top tips for exploring these remote destinations.
5 Tips for Exploring Remote Destinations
Keep Your Eyes Peeled
When exploring a remote destination, you never know what you are going to come across, and that’s part of the appeal!
If you head to the unforgiving environment of Antarctica for example you will be greeted by a cold that you will never have experienced before, and in fleeting moments, may be lucky enough to spot elephant seals, penguins, and whales!
When exploring somewhere a little more off the beaten track you can’t always be certain of what you’re going to see, that’s one of the secret pleasures. However, make sure you keep your eyes peeled at all times, so you don’t miss anything.
For the budding photographers out there, this means not watching everything through your phone camera!
Ensure Your Safety
One important aspect of exploring remote destinations is staying safe; whether that’s in the hotel room you choose or having researched a reliable and trustworthy company to lead your daytrip.
Make sure that someone knows where you are at all times, and check in with them regularly so that they can keep track. It doesn’t mean that you’re any less independent, but in the event that things go south you’ll have someone who can act immediately to aid and assist, or even attempt to locate you.
Know who to call in case anything goes wrong, from the emergency services in the country to your insurance provider. All being well, you won’t need to use either of these numbers, but it’s better to be on the safe side.
Join a Tour
While remote destinations might not be tourism-centric, that doesn’t mean there won’t be tours offered.
Remote locations are typically the most challenging to navigate and explore on your own, so organized tours are a great way to explore with someone who already knows the area.
It is more likely that tours in these type of locations will be offered by small groups of locals, rather than many competing companies, which is even better as you will be able to enjoy more of a personal experience.
You also know that the money you’re spending is going straight into supporting the local economy as opposed to large corporations. If you can’t find a tour company, buddy up with a local and ask them to show you the sights instead.
Read Reviews
When it comes to tourist experiences, everyone has an opinion and you can’t even mention visiting somewhere like Paris without everyone throwing their thoughts at you.
If you’re heading someone a little more remote, however, you might have to dig a little deeper to find reviews but they should be really useful.
Tips such as the time of year to go, or where to find the best spots can make all the difference to the success of your trip. If you can’t find travelers who have come before you, see if you can connect with locals who may be willing to chat over social media.
Make the Most of It
It sounds obvious, but it’s really important to soak it all in.
This is unlikely to be a place that you will come back to, and you’re being given an opportunity to see somewhere that most people won’t have been able to, so really make an effort to be in the moment.
Take lots of pictures for the memories but be present, too — it’s a delicate balance. Make a commitment to disconnect so you’re not distracted by your laptop or phone … your friends will be equally as excited to see your photos after you get back.
So what are you waiting for? Now is the time to book a trip to Socotra in Yemen, Madagascar the Andaman Islands or Greenland!
Take a break from the tourist-heavy destination and take a risk on somewhere more remote. Have you ever been on a remote trip? Comment below with your top tips!
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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.
Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.
13 Comments
This is really an awesome post very informative and helpful thank you for sharing with and keep sharing.
Glad it was helpful Zahid, happy travels :)
Keeping your eyes open is key Meg. Loving these tips.
We had to have our head on a swivel in a remote Costa Rica jungle a few years ago. Bullet ants and poison dart frogs were a dime a dozen and also we wanted to see toucans, parrots, sloths and monkeys, all of which blended into the jungle, and required some patience to spot.
Absolutely Ryan, and Costa Rica is definitely a country to keep your eyes peeled at all times … almost need a second set in the back of your head to catch everything, the wildlife there moves so quickly! I loved my time in CR, I would go back in a heartbeat :)
The most remote island in the world is Easter Island or Rapa Nui as the locals call it.
We had a wonderful time there on our around the world trip visiting 15 countries in 10 months.
My tip would be speak to the locals – you’ll find out so much more about the culture, traditions and history than any guide book can tell you
Do you know how the 5 ton Moai walked across the island?
So glad to hear you had a wonderful time in Rapa Nui David; we were there a couple of years ago now, and I agree, it’s one of the most incredible places.
Excellent tip on speaking to the locals, you really do learn so much more and gain a lot deeper insights. I’ve found that people from these remote regions often take a great deal of pride in their home, and really go out of their way to make sure you’re enjoying your time :)
Did they roll the Moai across the island, and that’s why there are now no longer any trees, because they made massive stretchers and wheels to transport them?
Antarctica is a place that doesn’t quite seem like a destination yet- despite the cruise line offerings.
You’d be surprised how many rural locations in the US would qualify as remote especially with the admonition of watching one’s back at all times.)
Agreed on Antarctica, I think it could also be due to the fact that international treaties regulate the amount of tourism they allow, so it keeps the numbers low, and the continent still relatively remote.
Interesting point on rural USA, fascinating idea to really dive into remote locations within an otherwise popular country!
Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, the Yukon, most of Alaska… where do I begin? :-)
Remote destinations are always so incredible!!
Meg Jerrard Oh, totally agree. I’m excited for, someday, Guyana now too!
I also use GoogleEarth to see pics from others. It really helps to get a lay of the land and what to expect. I never go anywhere without doing my GE research! I recently used it to find the best route to Lac Assal Djibouti and it saved me some major headaches.
Really clever way to go, my husband uses GE a lot too and swears by it, it’s how he plans pretty much of of his hiking, and checks out a neighborhood before booking hotels. Amazing tools we have now!