Some of the world’s most remote destinations are havens of tranquility and solitude, offering peace, quiet, and the purest air.
These destinations offer the luxury of disconnecting from screen glare and reconnecting with nature and oneself.
The important question: where do you want to go? Perhaps this guide will offer up places you were not aware of….
Hoh Rainforest
When you think of the word “rainforest,” you may imagine hiking in Costa Rica or paddling along the Amazon River. However, just a few hours away from Seattle is one of the world’s most extraordinary and stunning rainforests. Hoh Rainforest, located within Olympic National Park, is a remarkably dense and lush area covered in moss, where rainfall can reach up to 14 feet annually. This rainforest is considered one of the most surreal locations in the Lower 48 states and even globally, making it an ideal destination for a digital detox.
Within Hoh Rainforest, there is one campground that provides 72 sites, mostly primitive. Individuals seeking additional conveniences will discover the closest hotels about an hour away in Forks town. Among these options, Kalaloch Lodge stands out as an excellent choice. This lodge has been a prominent establishment on the Olympic Peninsula for over a century. In its construction, the lodge utilized milled lumber sourced from immense driftwood logs that had been washed ashore on the nearby beaches of Kalaloch Creek.
Lesotho
Dominated by the Drakensberg and Maluti mountain ranges, tiny Lesotho can claim to be the world’s highest country – even its lowest point, in the so-called Lowlands, stands at around 1400m (4593ft) high. While hiking or trekking on a sturdy Basotho pony through this sparsely populated mountain kingdom, you’re more likely to meet a shepherd clad in a traditional Basotho blanket than the tourist crowds of South Africa, which fully encircles Lesotho. In 2019, just 800,000 international tourists explored its exhilarating 3000m(9840ft)-plus passes, compared with the 15.8 million who visited South African highlights such as Table Mountain and the Blyde River Canyon.
The backpacker lodges in the former British protectorate, which are managed by the community and are usually located in the mountaintop trading posts that were previously used by remote villages with thatched rondavel huts, are still relatively unknown to travelers. Despite Prince Harry’s involvement in the country, where he worked with AIDS orphans during his gap year and co-founded the charity Sentebale, this rugged country is not commonly included in typical sub-Saharan travel itineraries.
Canyon Point
When considering the possibilities, one would find it challenging to envision a more humbling, awe-inspiring, and tranquil encounter than being present in the center of a desert. The ideal setting for such a retreat is provided by Southern Utah, with Canyon Point positioned at the convergence of five national parks, which encompass Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Zion.
Staying overnight in the desert no longer requires living rough like a Bedouin. In the Utah desert, Amangiri offers a literal oasis. A short drive away from this exquisite luxury resort is the newly opened Camp Sarika. Situated amidst a surreal, Mars-like landscape spanning 600 acres, this tented camp provides an ideal opportunity for a digital detox while enjoying five-star accommodations and amenities. Exclusive to the camp are just 10 guest rooms, each featuring canvas tops and equipped with fire pits, private plunge pools, luxury bedding, and designer interiors. Additionally, the camp offers a top-notch wellness center, an on-site restaurant, and direct access to breathtaking hiking trails for those guests who wish to venture beyond their rooms.
Tetouan
The white buildings of Tetouan, situated on the Rif mountainsides, hold a strong allure. Unlike the throngs of people who flock to the blue-washed streets of nearby Chefchaouen, those in the know venture a bit further north to Tetouan to avoid the crowds. Phoenicians established a port in this city, and remnants of the Roman era can be seen on the surrounding hillsides. Over the centuries, Tetouan has acquired a cosmopolitan atmosphere due to the influx of immigrants. Jews and Moors who fled 15th-century Spain found refuge here, alongside Ottoman-era Algerians escaping from the French. From 1912 to 1956, Tetouan served as the capital of the Spanish Protectorate in northern Morocco.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has been named one of the “50 Places of a Lifetime” to visit by National Geographic Traveler. Covering more than one million acres, this untouched wilderness in northeastern Minnesota has remained largely unchanged since the melting of North America’s glaciers. Offering 1,100 lakes and 1,200 miles of canoe routes, it is a dream destination for paddlers. Whether you choose to spend a long weekend or a whole week exploring, simply launch a kayak or canoe into the water and embark on your adventure. For those in search of absolute solitude, the remote lakes of Adams or Boulder are highly recommended, as encounters with other individuals are highly unlikely.
If you prefer accommodations with solid walls and running water, you will have to search in other places. To enter the wilderness area, Ely is the primary location as it provides various accommodation options and outfitters for reserving kayaks, canoes, and other equipment. For a luxurious stay in a delightful cabin by the lake and convenient access to Boundary Waters, consider checking out Deer Ridge Resort.
Con Son
Con Son, a coral-fringed island off the coast of southern Vietnam, is where the mountains crash into the sea. It is one of the 16 volcanic islands and islets that make up the Con Dao archipelago. In comparison to the bustling market towns of the Mekong Delta across the water, Con Son feels like a completely different world. With a population of approximately 7000 inhabitants, the 52-sq-km (20-sq-mile) island is home to vast untouched forests, lakes covered with lotus flowers, and deserted beaches that are surrounded by casuarina trees.
The importance of nature is highlighted by the presence of wildlife on the island. The sands provide a nesting ground for endangered sea turtles, and just off the coast, there is an abundance of marine life and shipwrecks. In addition, the island is a habitat for over 80 species of birds and is home to the long-tailed macaque, which can be seen on island excursions. However, despite the idyllic tropical setting, Con Son has a bleak history. During French rule and the American-backed regime, the island prisons were a living hell for countless prisoners who endured suffering and death. The former prisons and cemeteries now serve as poignant memorials to those who were victims of these atrocities.
Nagaland
For many years, Nagaland was considered the farthest point in India that was known to the public. It possessed a captivating quality as a final frontier, surrounded by mist-covered mountains and dotted with tribal villages. Due to bureaucratic restrictions from the colonial era, it remained out of reach for travelers. Over the past decade, these travel barriers have gradually diminished, but the knowledge of this transformation has been slow to spread. In 2019, less than 6000 foreign visitors had the opportunity to explore Nagaland, in stark contrast to the overwhelming 1.6 million who journeyed to Rajasthan. If you desire to experience a version of India reminiscent of its pre-mass tourism era, there is no need to look any further than Nagaland.
Formerly referred to as headhunters, the diverse tribal cultures in Nagaland continue to preserve numerous captivating pre-colonial customs. While most communities have officially embraced Christianity, animistic practices like adorning houses with buffalo skulls persist. It is conceivable to spend several weeks in Nagaland without encountering any other tourists. Traveling is time-consuming and can be physically demanding, but opting for village homestays allows for a profound immersion into the lifestyle of this captivating Indian state.
