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MYKU’s Top 10: The world’s most outrageously remote places (and how to get there)

MYKU’s Top 10: The world’s most outrageously remote places (and how to get there)

Dreaming of traveling again? Believe us, we’re right there with you.

With Summer right around the corner, we’ve been spending time planning that perfect first trip we will take once the ban due to COVID19 is lifted, but as of now, most holiday plans are still uncertain. 

No reason not to plan a bit ahead and explore where you want to go next. In our last post, we explored how you can have fun on a budget, including staycations (Read all about it here), but today we are taking you on a trip to some of earth’s most remote places!  

Today’s world may seem hyper-connected and somewhat smaller, but beware, there are still a few breathtaking places around that take great effort to get to! (And may not have internet!)

You can start your trip today by picking your favorite destination and plan that future trip (We need goals right?!) – Enjoy and bon voyage! Don’t forget to send us a postcard.

Tristan da Cunha, UK overseas territory

 © Tristan Da Cunha Government

10. Tristan da Cunha, UK overseas territory

    We had to start with this one, as TdC is officially the world’s ‘most remote inhabited island’. It’s in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 2,000 miles away from the coast of South America and 1,700 miles from South Africa. Be prepared for the journey! There is no airport on the island, the only way to get there is by a 6 to 7-day boat ride from South Africa. Once you arrive, there’re no restaurants or hotels on the island, but the roughly 300 people on TdC may be happy to advise where to stay or accommodate you (We do recommend you fix that before you go…)

    Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

      © Annie Spratt

    9. Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

      Beyond the challenge of its remoteness, mastering how to pronounce Ittoqqortoormiit correctly is tough to begin with (Apologies for being insensitive). Once your pronunciation is superb, you’re good to go to visit the most isolated town, located along the eastern coast of Greenland. Hop on a helicopter from Sermersooq’s Nerlerit Inaat Airport and get ready for a breathtaking trip into a snowy, endlessly wide part of the world. Your only companions will be seals, walruses, narwhals and polar bears. Human interaction may occur with some of Ittoqqortoormiit’s 450 residents, possible at the town’s only grocery store. Make sure you pack your favorite snacks before the trip, we are not sure they got it at the store in Ittoqqortoormiit.

      Oymyakon, Siberia

        © Maarten Takens

      8. Oymyakon, Siberia

        Not cold enough yet? Then you must visit Oymyakon in Russia, the world’s coldest permanently inhabited place. With record lows of – 67.7C (-89.9F) it sure sounds like a place to visit. Located in the Siberian Artic, it is often too cold for planes to fly there, so make sure you bring your driving license, as the only way to get there from the nearest city is a 2-day drive (Pack enough thermos flasks of tea). We don’t know about the hotel or grocery store offering in Oymyakon, but rest assured that its inhabitants will have some great homemade liquor to warm you up once you arrive (Don’t drink and drive!)

         Kerguelen Islands, Somewhere in the Indian Ocean

        © F. Lebouard

        7. Kerguelen Islands, Somewhere in the Indian Ocean

          If you’re looking for somewhere more remote, this is the choice for you! 2,100miles from Madagascar (the nearest inhabited place), the only way to get to the Kerguelen Islands is by ship, which only runs 4 times each year (!), so make sure you plan your trip in advance and bring all you need as your stay will last a minimum of 91 days. The Kerguelen islands are French Overseas Territory, but don’t expect finding bistros or boulangeries here, the only people around are less than 100 scientists and researchers (French though) who study the islands. Besides, the islands have no original inhabitants.

          Socotra Island, Yemen

          © Fahd Ahmed

          6. Socotra Island, Yemen

          Great news, this place has an airport! But before you get too excited, once you arrive, there are only a few modest guesthouses on the island. Don’t fret though, you’ll forget quickly about that, exploring the breathtaking flora and fauna of the island. Due to its isolated location, 700 species of Socotra’s plants and wildlife can only be found here and nowhere else in the world. Highlight of its flora is without doubt the endemic tree species ‘Dracaena cinnabari’ also known as dragon's blood trees, which will make you think of landscapes of faraway planets. Exploring the island in general feels like you have traveled to another planet. Sadly, the political situation of Yemen does not make it safe or possible for tourists to visit at all times, so be sure to check the political situation before you go.

           Coober Pedy

          © https://southaustralia.com/travel-blog/best-places-to-stay-in-coober-pedy

          5. Coober Pedy, Australia

          G’Day mate! It’ll be a while before you run into someone in Coober Pedy as 80% of its 1800 residents live underground! Famous for its opal mining industry, the city’s landscape features scarce vegetation and scorching hot temperatures year round. Most residents have built their homes in underground dwellings to escape the heat. Visiting Coober Pedy, you can experience this first hand as many hotels offer underground accommodation. The city is located in South Australia, a full day’s drive from Adelaide.

           Door to Hell, Turkmenistan

          © Tormod Sandtorv

          4. Door to Hell, Turkmenistan

            Yes, you read correctly, this place is really called ‘Door to Hell’ (how inviting right?!).

            It’s a 230ft wide crate in the middle of the Karakum desert that has been burning for the last 40 years. Now before you start worrying if the Apocalypse is near, don’t panic, there’s an explanation for this. Russian scientists, searching for oil here in the 70s, accidentally hit an underground methane reserve while drilling, which led to the forming of the crater. As the dangerous gas was released into the air, the scientists decided to light up the whole thing (because why not…) to burn off the methane. ‘Door to Hell’ has remained lit ever since as the methane continues to be released, keeping the fire alive. Sounds like a must-see? Beware, there are no roads leading to the ‘Door to Hell’ (lol), and there is nothing around, all there is, is this burning hole in the desert ground.

            Palmerston, Cook Islands

              © NASA

            3. Palmerston, Cook Islands

              Welcome to the South Sea Paradise. Palmerston boosts pristine beaches and azure blue waters and, get ready, two telephones only. If staying connected is a must for you, this may be not the best place for you. Internet is only available for 4 hours per day (forget IG stories) and supplies are delivered only a few times each year. All islanders you will meet here are related to each other, all descending from one Englishman, named William Marsters. When Mr. Marsters arrived at Palmerston in 1863, he went on to have 4 wives and 17 children (clearly, there wasn’t any internet at all back then to pass the time). To get to Palmerston, embark on a 2-day sailing trip from Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands. To get to Rarotonga, you’ll take an eight day boat trip from Tahiti, making it 10 days of travel in total to get to this piece of heaven on earth.

              La Rinconada, Peru

                © Hildegard Willer

              2. La Rinconada, Peru

                Want to get high? Mind you, we are talking about visiting La Rinconada, the highest city in the world (altitude…), located in the Peruvian Andes. At 3.2miles above sea level, it is officially the world’s highest permanent settlement. Most of its inhabitants came here during the last 30 years to work and find their luck in gold mining nearby. Given its altitude, hypoxia is a significant health issue amongst inhabitants. Not enough, the city lacks plumbing and sanitation system. The water available is contaminated by mercury due to the ongoing mining practices. If you’re not convinced yet, getting to La Ronconada, requires a six-hour ride from the nearest city, traveling on unpaved roads. As there are no regularly running busses, hitchhiking is the most common way to get around. Despite all the challenges, the fact that you might be the only one amongst your friends who visited the world’s highest city gives you superior bragging advantages.

                Marble Caves, Patagonia, Chile

                © Pablo Heimplatz

                1. Marble Caves in Patagonia, Chile

                We really shouldn’t pick any favorites, but if we’d had to, this would be it! Located along the border of Argentina and Chile, lies the remote glacial lake ‘General Carrera’, this is where the marble caves can be found. Formed over the last 6,000 years, the caves boost bright colored walls in all shades of blue, surrounded by azure waters. Technically not marble, these walls have been eroded by crashing waves which formed a breathtaking marble-resembling stone surface. Once you manage to get to the remote Aysén Region, where the lake is located, you’ll need to get on a kayak to paddle to the caves.

                 MYKU Carrara Marble

                Nature’s natural wonders have been fascinating to mankind since the dawn of time. MYKU celebrates these unique treasures by encapsulating them in our timepieces. Dreaming about the Marble Caves? Explore our timepiece collection featuring famous Carrara Marble here.