The Most Beautiful Remote Destinations Worth The Trek

We're now well into 2014 and there isn't much left on earth that hasn't been poked, prodded and probed by the human race. Aside from the deepest depths of the ocean, there aren't many places left that are total and complete mysteries.
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It's a small world and it seems to be shrinking all the time.

We're now well into 2014 and there isn't much left on earth that hasn't been poked, prodded and probed by the human race. Aside from the deepest depths of the ocean, there aren't many places left that are total and complete mysteries.

Combine this knowledge of the planet with the reach of the internet and there aren't many limits on what the average person can explore while parked on their living room couch. Should they wish to explore in person, air travel is now an affordable option for much of the population and travel information is widely available.

Lord Howe Island—Australia
Australia—home to breathtaking natural beauty, amazing accents and spiders bigger than your face. Its charm is undeniable, but just getting to the mainland of Australia from the U.S. takes about 24 hours. Those looking to check out Lord Howe Island, or “the last paradise,” will need to take another two hour flight to the island. But be warned: it’s not easy to set foot on the island—they only let 400 travelers on at any given time to preserve the environment and atmosphere.Photo Credit: http://imgur.com/Click Here to See More Most Beautiful Remote Destinations Worth the Trek
Salar de Uyuni—Bolivia
Formed by changes in prehistoric lakes, these Bolivian salt flats are the largest and most famous in the world. The far-flung site is far from major cities but still attracts many tourists, so there are several hotels on the edge of the flat, made almost entirely of salt.Photo Credit: © Flickr / Tomas Rawski
Cook Islands—New Zealand
That desktop picture of the pristine white sand beach met by clear azure waters had to come from somewhere and now we know it was the Cook Islands. The series of 15 tiny islands is essentially out in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean—so far, in fact, that it formed its own country, but is still protected by and tied to New Zealand. Travelers from the U.S. hoping to set foot on this real life slice of paradise will need to endure several layovers and an average travel time of 30 hours, one way. The excruciatingly long travel time is apparently worth it though, the islands see more than 100,000 travelers each year and tourism is their main industry.Photo Credit: © Flickr / james mcashanClick Here to See More Most Beautiful Remote Destinations Worth the Trek
Torres del Paine—Chile
The Cordillera del Paine is a small group of mountains and the centerpiece of the Torres del Paine National Park. The subject of many stunning photographs and some of the best hikes in all of Chile, the park attracts roughly 150,000 visitors to its remote wilderness each year, the majority of which are foreigners.Photo Credit: © Flickr / Frank Kehren
Amazon Rainforest—Peru
Home to one of the largest and most complex ecosystems in the world, the Amazon Rainforest is a marvel that has captivated scientists, travelers and movie audiences for decades. The forest still full of mystery and stunning scenery is no walk in the park to traverse. Not only will travelers need a series of vaccinations (hepatitis, yellow fever and typhoid, to name a few) but there are also about a dozen other safety concerns—everything from the foreign animals to finding your way. A guide is strongly recommended.Click Here to See More Most Beautiful Remote Destinations Worth the TrekPhoto Credit: © Flickr / Geoff Gallice

With scores of tourists now traversing sites that were once nearly desolate, what is the adventurous explorer left to do? One somewhat obvious answer: go where others either can't or won't go. We've rounded up eight of the most beautiful remote destinations on earth, guaranteed to be spectacularly beautiful, well preserved and still somewhat mysterious. If you've got the time, funds and an explorer's drive, check out these remote destinations.

-Diana Gerstacker, The Active Times

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