10 of the hardest and most remote destinations to visit in your lifetime

Ah, good old Europe. We often take it for granted, snuggling up comfortably with the idea that cities like Paris, Rome or Amsterdam are just a heartbeat away. But what happens when convenience starts to feel mundane and our souls yearn for more? When we crave discomfort, sleepless nights and the thrill of a meticulous travel plan? In essence, when we thirst for a true challenge.

That’s precisely where posts like this come in handy! Now, mind you, we could have easily compiled a list of 100 of the world’s most remote and arduous destinations, given the mind-boggling array of hidden gems scattered across our planet. However, we’ve decided to narrow it down to 10. Whether it’s due to their remoteness, budget constraints or difficulties with securing a visa, these countries and territories present a formidable obstacle to anyone seeking entry.

A quick note: I’ve carefully selected destinations that at least have some kind of tourist appeal (otherwise we’d be stuck with a list of 10 obscure villages hidden deep in the Mongolian steppe) and can be visited in relative safety, which is why I purposely left out regions like northern Mali, the heartland of the Democratic Republic of Congo or Siberia.

10 of the hardest places to visit in the world

Honorable mentions: North Korea / Libya / Syria

Now, let me mention a few honorable mentions that could easily fit among the (un)fortunate contenders on our list. What they have in common is their infamous reputation, often associated with terrorism, and the fact that they’ve been under the rule of despotic leaders of the worst kind.

However, if you have the budget for it, visiting any of these enfant terribles is not entirely out of reach, as there are plenty of specialized tour companies exclusively catering to these more audacious destinations. In fact, recurring to these companies is pretty much mandatory, as without a guided tour, your chances of obtaining any kind of tourist visa are nonexistent. On the brighter side, these places aren’t as remote or isolated as most of the inclusions on our list, being located relatively close to Europe or, in the case of North Korea, connected to China by both air and rail routes. Furthermore, given the unsettling incident where an American tourist returned to his home country in a vegetative state, I wouldn’t actively encourage anyone to pay a visit to Kim Jong-Un’s kingdom.

Tristan da Cunha

Considered the most remote inhabited archipelago on the planet, the island group of Tristan da Cunha is a British territory nestled in the vast South Atlantic, halfway between South Africa and Argentina. Despite being so small and isolated, these islands have garnered UNESCO’s recognition, with two locations distinguished as World Heritage Sites, owing to the archipelago’s pristine natural beauty and breathtaking seascapes.

However, if you’re thinking of crossing this destination off your bucket list, the real challenge is actually getting there. You’ll need to embark on a journey that starts with a flight to the far-flung city of Cape Town, in South Africa, followed by a boat ride that can stretch for about 5 to 6 days, until you finally anchor in Tristan da Cunha. Important detail: only about 3 to 4 passenger boats set sail each year, which means you’ll have to patiently wait for several months until the next vessel embarks on this voyage once again – a truly epic adventure!

Pitcairn Island

Up next, a destination that will make the journey to Tristan da Cunha feel like a walk in the park! To be honest, when it comes to remote places, the Pacific islands alone could fill up a whole list. This ocean is just so incredibly massive that if you were to travel from Sydney to Brisbane in an eastward direction, you’d spend almost half of the trip soaring over the Pacific (which is nearly as much time as it would take to cross South America, the Atlantic, Africa and the Indian Ocean combined). As such, it’s no wonder that within this vast expanse of water, you’re bound to stumble upon some incredibly isolated destination.

In order to get to Pitcairn Island, home to just 56 people who are all descendants of the same group of sailors whose ship ran ashore back in 1789, you better be ready for quite the adventure! First, you’ll need to find your way to the already remote island of Tahiti, the largest in the French Polynesia. From there, you’ll hop on an internal flight that will take over three hours to reach the Gambier Islands, which are part of the same French overseas territory. However, the Totetegie Airport is not located on the main island of the group – Mangareva – so, you’ll have to catch a boat to get there upon landing. Once you arrive in Rikitea, the main town of Mangareva, you’ll face the last leg of your journey to Pitcairn Island… a 32-hour voyage on a cargo ship that sets sail only once every three months!

Photo: Visit Pitcairn Island

Turkmenistan

Moving on from two physically remote destinations, we now come to one of the most peculiar nations on the planet, where isolation is, most of all, social and historical. Enter the fascinating Turkmenistan – a land where black cars are banned and monuments are erected to honor the eternal president’s dog! The bizarre Central Asian version of North Korea.

While there are regular flights and open land borders with Iran and Uzbekistan (as well as the sea border of the Caspian Sea), getting a visa to enter this destination independently can be quite a challenge! Currently, the only viable option for obtaining a “regular” tourist visa is to arrange a private tour, which, of course, limits your freedom and significantly increases the overall costs of your trip. However, without a tour, obtaining the mandatory invitation letter required for a tourist visa is simply impossible. As a workaround, many travelers used to apply for a “transit visa”, which could be obtained from any Turkmen embassy for a fee of 85 USD. However, it’s worth noting that the duration of the visa is determined by the ambassador and can range from 3 to 7 days. Plus, since it’s a transit visa, your departure destination must be different from your point of origin. So, if you fly to Turkmenistan from Istanbul, you’ll need to depart by land to Iran or Uzbekistan, or take another flight to a different city.

While these are definitely time-consuming, they’re little more than nagging hurdles for those eager to explore one of the most peculiar cities in the world (Ashgabat), witness the mesmerizing “Gate of Hell” at the Darvaza Crater, or visit the ruins of the legendary Persian city of Merv.

Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Without a doubt one of the most underrated tourist destinations in the world, Ethiopia is a real hidden gem, just waiting to be explored. In fact, its civilization is so rich and ancient that, when European colonizers got there, Ethiopia already had its own society and form of government, which certainly helps explain the fact that this is the only African country to have never been colonized! That’s why so many African nations bear the colors yellow, green and red on their flags, in order to pay tribute to the Ethiopian resistance, a true symbol of pan-Africanism.

For those fortunate enough to visit this incredible country, one of the must-see’s (besides Lalibela and the Omo Valley) is the Danakil Depression, located in the north of Ethiopia. This desert, known for being the hottest place on Earth, is a fascinating sight. One where volcanic landscapes, salt lakes and bubbling geysers create a mesmerizing and otherworldly experience, as if you’ve stepped onto a different planet, where no life is sustained. Funny enough, and despite its inhospitable setting, this region is also famous for its archaeological finds, including the famous Lucy, the oldest human remains ever discovered, estimated to be over 3 million years old!

However, reaching the Danakil Depression is no easy feat, as visitors need to take an internal flight to Semera, followed by a several-hour 4×4 journey across the desert. Unless you have a connection in Semera who owns with a four-wheel-drive, you’ll likely need to rely on a tour operator. Unfortunately, after recent conflicts in the nearby Tigray region, accessing this remote area has become more challenging, since it used to be possible to fly directly to Mekele and start your visit from there (Mekele is absolutely off-limits nowadays). As a result, beginning your journey in Semera means a longer desert trek, and therefore additional costs for your tour. As an example, a two-day visit can easily amount to around 300 USD per person.

Eritrea

Let’s now turn our attention to Ethiopia’s neighboring country: the enigmatic country of Eritrea! Against all expectations, this place stands out as truly one-of-a-kind, with no other nation quite like it. You see, this small African country has a fascinating history of Italian colonization, leaving behind an interesting cultural and architectural legacy (think 70-year-old Art Deco cinemas and monumental catholic churches). Take a stroll through the capital city of Asmara, and you’ll find yourself transported back in time, to a place where dusty, unpaved streets are adorned with a fleet of vintage Fiat cars from the 1950s, while every corner café serves up authentic Italian espressos and cappuccinos brewed in old coffee machines. Besides, if you’re craving mouthwatering pizzas, pastas and lasagnas, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find Africa’s finest right here. It’s as if time has stood still in Asmara, making it a true haven for nostalgic souls who long for the charm of the 20th century. It’s like Cuba – but in the Horn of Africa!

However, much like other destinations on our list, Eritrea is governed by a group of highly paranoid leaders, making it a near-impossible task to secure a visa independently. So, the best option, once again, is to rely on a trusted tour company, since local authorities aren’t keen on allowing foreign tourists to venture through the country all by themselves.

Socotra Island, Yemen

Even though you can now explore the southern region of mainland Yemen, albeit with the tedious requirement of having a guide by your side, the truth is that the country is still caught up in a devastating civil war. However, things are way calmer when we talk about the Island of Socotra, which, despite being a part of Yemen, remains physically untouched by the conflict.

Be that as it may, getting to Socotra can put a serious dent in your wallet. First of all, even though the island enjoys relative peace, the same rule applies as on the mainland: no guide/tour, means no visa for you! Then, you need to make sure to sort out a way to get there. Currently, there are only two international flight routes to Socotra, one from Cairo with Yemenia (round trip: 1130 USD, with a layover in Aden); and the other from Abu Dhabi with Air Arabia (round trip: 860 USD, direct). Besides the fact that these flights operate just once a week and tend to fill up well in advance, it is not possible to book your tickets online, meaning you’ll have to go in person to the airline’s counter and show a copy of the visa arranged by the tour company. Now, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to save a few bucks, there’s a cement cargo ship (supposedly) departing once a week from Salalah, in Oman. The journey may last up to 4 days, there’s no guarantee of departure or return dates, there is no food or drinking water aboard and the overall conditions are absolutely terrible… But hey, if you’re up for the challenge, you can snag a passage on that ship for just 100 USD, which might help compensate for the hefty cost of your tour!

Bhutan

By now, we’ve all heard about this mystical land tucked away in the mountains. Whether because of its alluring remote landscapes, untouched ancient customs or the widespread novelty of measuring the Gross National Happiness instead of GDP, Bhutan has somehow captured the attention of many avid travelers. However, despite not being as repressive as some other destinations, it remains one of the world’s most secluded countries, forever shrouded in secrecy.

To preserve their unique way of life and minimize foreign influences, the Bhutanese authorities have made visiting the country an expensive affair, requiring travelers to be accompanied by a government-accredited guide. These guides or agencies will take care of the visa process, submitting a carefully planned itinerary (alongside other necessary documents) to the government’s online portal in advance, for a modest processing fee of 40 USD. However, the cost of tours is where things get steep. While prices may vary depending on the chosen itinerary and quality of the accommodations, the government has set what they call the “Minimum Daily Package”, stating that travelers must pay a minimum of 250 USD per day (200 USD during the low season). While it’s true that this amount covers transportation, meals, cultural activities and accommodation, it’s still undeniably on the higher side. Besides, this is just the minimum cap, so it’s fairly common to come across even pricier tour options!

To make matters worse, flights to Bhutan are also considerably expensive. Since only two Bhutanese airlines (one public and one private) are authorized to operate flights to/from the country, competition is virtually nonexistent, allowing airlines to charge whatever they see fit for tickets. Finally, it’s also worth noting that you can only fly to Bhutan from five select countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand and Singapore.

Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan

Despite also being governed by a rather eccentric leader, Azerbaijan is quite accessible when compared to most destinations on our list. There are plenty of flights to Baku (some of them even operated by low-cost airlines), the visa fees, which you can conveniently obtain online, are quite reasonable (25 USD), and you don’t need to worry about hiring guides or joining tours. It sounds like a paradise! Yet, here’s the thing that not many people know. Turns out there’s a little Azerbaijani territory called Nakhchivan that’s completely separated from the rest of the country! Still, it’s not just the fact that they are disconnected that poses a problem, it’s what lies in between! If you take a look at the map, you’ll see that there’s a strip of Armenian land dividing Nakhchivan from Azerbaijan. Yes, Armenia, Azerbaijan’s arch-nemesis! As a result, foreigners can’t simply travel overland from Nakhchivan to Baku, since the only possible route forces you to make a detour through Iran, whose visa process is also far from straight-forward.

So, the only option you have is to hop on a flight between Baku and Nakhchivan City. Thankfully, Azerbaijan Airlines offers several daily flights, with fares capped at around 35 USD (70 USD round trip) for foreign citizens. Anyway, it’s still an additional flight to catch, one more ticket to buy and another schedule to remember. On top of that, since tourism is practically non-existent in Nakhchivan, you’ll only find a handful of hotels scattered throughout the territory, most of which seem to have remained untouched since the Soviet era (at Western prices though!). Plus, there is no public transportation to the more remote areas of the exclave, where the main attractions are located. Your best bet is to rely on taxis and pay the “foreigner fare”, so be prepared to allocate a bit more of your budget for that. But hey, it’s a small price to pay for the chance to explore the Machu Picchu of the Caucasus!

Antarctica

The final frontier, the edge of the world. Especially popular among seasoned travelers who have already explored every corner of the globe, Antarctica is the ultimate piece of the puzzle for those who have seen it all. Unfortunately, this is also an experience only the well-off can pay… we’re talking about big bucks here! After all, the only way to set foot on this icy continent is by joining a maritime expedition, and even the shortest trips (6/7 days) start at a whopping 5000 USD per person! For longer or more luxurious journeys, well, the sky is the limit, with packages that can easily go over 20.000 USD. And that’s not all – you still need to factor in the cost of flights to Punta Arenas (Chile) or Ushuaia (Argentina), where these ships depart from.

The expeditions typically include all meals for the duration of the trip, the presence of knowledgeable guides and speakers to enrich your experience and transportation as outlined in the program. For the “express” itinerary, and in order to save the 48 precious hours it takes to sail across the Drake Passage (one-way), a 2-hour flight from Punta Arenas directly to King George Island, which is just 120 km off the coast of Antarctica, is also included.

Easter Island, Chile

Finally, we come to what is perhaps the most popular destination on our list. I mean, who hasn’t seen that iconic image of those magnificent monolithic statues lined up by the sea? Whether it’s the outstanding natural beauty, the rich cultural heritage of the Rapa Nui people – including those fascinating Moai statues – or simply an insatiable curiosity, the truth is that the isolate and remote Easter Island has become a strangely popular destination.

Unfortunately, getting there is no piece of cake. Not only will you have to make your way to Santiago de Chile, in itself a pretty expensive journey, but you’ll need to follow that up with a 5-hour flight to the famous island. The prices for this second flight (round trip) can vary between 700€ and 1200€, although if you’re lucky and flexible, you might stumble upon some occasional deals in the 400€ range. But hold on tight because there’s more to consider. From eating out (expect to spend around 20 USD per meal if you don’t want to exclusively rely on empanadas) to getting around the island (car rentals starting at >100 USD per day or multiple taxis/private tours), finding accommodation (>100 USD per night for a mid-range double room), paying national park fees (80 USD) and hiring a mandatory guide for certain activities (40 USD per day, per person), it all adds up faster than you’d expect!