20 of the most remote places on earth

Ever feel like leaving your life behind and going off to the most remote region of the world where no one knows your name? If you’re looking for solitude, these places have it. Check out these remote places from around the world below.

Known for its more than one thousand Moai statues, Easter Island may be famous, but it’s remote – more than 3,200km away from modern civilisation. The statues were sculpted by the Rapa Nui people from volcanic rock between 1250 and 1500 AD. The island’s three peaks, Terevaka, Poike and Rano Kau, are comprised of the same ancient lava and create a visually stunning landscape. Flights to and from Easter Island are limited, as are conveniences like air conditioning – but anyone who’s been will tell you it’s worth the trip.

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This is one of the northernmost decent-sized towns on earth. In 1950, Longyearbyen passed a law that prohibited burial in this frigid region, due to the fact that the frozen ground would mummify corpses indefinitely. There’s a running joke that it’s illegal to die in Longyearbyen; there also happens to be a law requiring locals to carry a gun for protection against polar bears. On the archipelago of Svalbard, this unique town’s 2,100 residents hail from a variety of countries. Popular outdoor activities include kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and biking.

You know a place is desolate when NASA designates it for interstellar research. The space program has tested robots, spacesuits and vehicles here in preparation for a mission to Mars. Part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, Devon is the second largest in the group and is situated within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, closer to Greenland than the heart of Canada. The barren landscape guarantees you solitude – it’s even devoid of most animal life!

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Want a true desert oasis? Plan a trip to the 2,000 years old Crescent Lake, a moon-shaped body of water in the Sahara Gobi Desert fed by natural springs. A small, isolated town sits on the edge of the water, but since shuttle buses can bring visitors to the area, it’s one of the few easily accessible remote wonders.

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Danakil Depression is a crater in northeastern Ethiopia, where surreal landscapes composed of salt, acid pools, and sulphur compound surround one of the few known lava lakes in the world. With scorching temperatures, it is the hottest place on earth, often referred to as “The Gateway to Hell.”

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Barra is the southernmost inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides. With a population barely of just more than 1,000, the 16km-long island has generous space to roam and explore. Getting there requires boarding a tiny propeller plane that lands on the sandy beach; Barra’s runway disappears with changing tides, which dictates when visitors can come and go. Needless to say, the flight is breathtaking.

Samoa is comprised of four islands, and Apolima is the smallest. Don’t let its size fool you, though. Apolima is bursting with breathtaking jungle foliage and surrounded by pristine blue water. Travellers must negotiate with local families to arrange a stay, however, and a boat ride is your only way there.

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This group of volcanic islands in the south Atlantic is a British overseas territory. While it rains a lot, the island is the perfect place to spot whales, dolphins, penguins and a diverse assortment of seabirds. Intense isolation and beauty draw those in need of refuge from the world. Only 269 people reside on the island, making it the most remote island on earth – the nearest landmass is more than 2,414km away.

When you think of remote destinations, Antarctica has to be on the top of your list. While the majority of tourism to Antarctica involves cruises to its periphery, there are opportunities for some intrepid explorers to visit the region, but strict guidelines must be followed to protect the environment and wildlife.