These days, most travel plans are restricted to popular cities, beach visits, cruise sails, and various other tried and tested avenues. But, unbeknownst to many, there are various remote, inhabited places in the world that promise unique adventures and allow travel enthusiasts to explore the beaten path. Since such destinations are often cut off from the rest of the world, one might have to prepare beforehand to deal with unexpected challenges like extreme weather conditions.
1. Tristan da Cunha – United Kingdom
This destination lies about 2,000 miles from the shores of South America and about 1,700 miles away from the nearest coast – South Africa. Tristan da Cunha currently has a population of less than 300. Furthermore, for travelers looking to visit the archipelago, the only option is a seven-day-long journey by boat, as there are no airports on the island. Also, there are no hotels, so tourists must rely on guest houses for food and accommodation. Also, trips must be planned months in advance since travelers can visit only after their request is approved by the Island Council.
2. Longyearbyen – Svalbard, Norway
Situated about 650 miles south of the North Pole, Longyearbyen is one of the most remote inhabited places in the world. Also known for being the northernmost settlement on Earth, Longyearbyen has nearly 2,500 people living there. Surprisingly, the number of polar bears outnumbers humans, in the range of 3,000. Given the dangers associated with the local polar bears, tourists are advised to carry weapons to defend themselves against challenging situations that may arise. Besides the polar bear sightings, tourists can also look forward to witnessing the northern lights, exploring ice caves, trying snowmobile riding, and more. For people traveling by plane, it would take about three hours to get to Svalbard airport from the Norwegian capital of Oslo. From the airport, one can take a taxi to Longyearbyen, which takes around 10-15 minutes and costs around $18.26.
3. Outer Hebrides – Scotland
Currently home to about 26,000 people, this island chain is an exquisite combination of culture, history, and natural beauty. Stretching for about 130 miles, Outer Hebrides is flush with cliffs, sandy beaches, and wildlife. One can reach the larger islands of the Outer Hebrides easily via ferry rides or causeways. This remote location is home to over 100 islands, most of which are sparsely populated. And if one wants to visit the most remote of them all, North Rona, one would need to book a chopper to get there. The Outer Hebrides hosts various marine creatures, birdlife, and a variety of plants, making it the perfect destination for wildlife enthusiasts to explore.
4. Changtang, Tibetan Plateau – Tibet
Nicknamed the “Roof of the World,” the Tibetan Plateau is home to Changtang, one of the largest high-altitude regions on Earth. It is located four miles above sea level. Many elements, including the Himalayas, surround residents here, and its population is restricted to a few hundred thousand nomads belonging to the Changpa community. Even they find living here challenging because of the extremely cold winters. When summer comes around, it is short-lived and often accompanied by sudden thunderstorms and hailstorms. The nomads of Changtang also share this region with wildlife like the Tibetan antelope, snow leopards, black-necked cranes, and brown bears. Furthermore, this region is declared a protected area under the Changtang Nature Reserve, one of the largest land nature reserves in the world.
5. Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica
Interestingly, this remote destination is situated on a drifting ice sheet at around 2,800 meters above sea level. The Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station is one of the most isolated research outposts worldwide. Nearly 200 people have been living here since the research station was built here in 1956. But, the temperatures can dip to as low as 90°C, making it challenging to live here.
6. Dallol, Ethiopia
This Ethiopian town has an average daily temperature of about 34.6°C. This makes it one of the hottest places on Earth. Dallol is officially considered a ghost town, mainly because the people do not live there full-time. This is because the extreme climatic conditions in Dallol don’t make it easy for locals to thrive. Temperature hardly goes below 23°C. If planning to visit, one has to be mindful of the acidic hot springs, sub-aerial volcanoes, and salt formations.
7. Oymyakon – Russia
Situated in the far east remote corner of Siberia, this Russian destination holds the record for the coldest inhabited location on Earth. This region’s record low temperature was observed in 1924, around −71.2 °C. The region is currently home to around 500 people, who rely on fur trading and ice fishing for a living. Winters can be challenging, with the sky remaining dark for about 21 hours daily. In summer, which is still cold, it gets dark for just three hours a day. If one plans to travel here, one should note that the harsh winters make it impossible for planes to land there. So, one would have to drive over two days from the closest major city.