We human beings are a funny species! We possess an insatiable desire to seek out places that have never been discovered before. Exploring and seeking out lands is very natural to us. Over the 1000s and millions of years of human activity and history, marks have been left by explorers and those who dare on every place on the map of the world! No place has been left undiscovered.
- Humans are naturally curious explorers.
- Every region shows evidence of Exploration.
- Seeking the unknown is in our DNA.
Right from the deepest oceans to the hidden, unknown underground caves, one can feel the effect of human activity everywhere. All undiscovered places are not a piece of cake by any means! Plenty of locations still exist where human civilization exists, but these locations are not easy to locate or even travel to! Zero modern amenities exist in these places!
- 🌊 Human activity touches even remote areas.
- 🚫 Most places lack amenities or accessibility.
- 🧭 Exploration remains a daunting task.
Let’s take a close look at these 10 most Isolated Places at the End of the Earth!
Palmerston Island
Palmerston Island is a paradox! While it sounds like a fancy high-end island owned by a Wealthy Mogul, it’s actually a small island home to a total of 62 people!
Fun Fact: 59/62 people are direct descendants of a mysterious man – William Marsters!
It’s nothing like your modern cities, in case you are wondering! If you are a shopaholic, bad news for you! There are 0 shops or markets as there is no money-based system!
What you will appreciate about Palmerston Island is the warmth with which the residents greet you! On landing @ Palmerston, you are welcomed wholeheartedly in their personal homes!
It’s not all bad. Silver Lining: 2 adorable telephones + 6 hours of electricity. That’s not too bad for an island, eh?
- 59 out of 62 are descendants of one man!
- No money, no markets — pure barter system.
- Only two phones & 6 hours of electricity.
Supai Village, Arizona
If you are ready to take an 8-mile rugged hike or horseback ride, then you will be rewarded with a warm welcome @ Supai Village, Arizona. Supai Village isn’t very crowded, despite its proximity to the Grand Canyon!
Havasupai is a treat for lovers of natural beauty! Havasupai translates to “People of the Green Blue Water.” It is blessed with 4 incredible waterfalls that are found along Havasu Creek!
Total Population: 208
Fun Fact: Mail is received with the help of a mule!
- Only accessible via Mule, horse, or foot.
- Home to Havasu Falls — a turquoise wonder!
- Mule delivers mail!
Oymyakon, Russia
With an out-of-the-blue name like Oymyakon, you will be greeted with extremes here! Remote and very, very cold (Coldest), it holds the record for still being inhabited. Average temperatures here plummet to – 58 degrees. How to reach? Flight from Moscow- Yakutsk and/or Magadan @ 560 miles away. Finally, a Road trip on a scary and treacherous drive on “ Road of Bones” to Oymakon.
Be prepared! You are warned ahead of time! There is 0 running water (See: -58 Degree temperature) use an outhouse instead. No crops can grow, thanks to the extreme cold! Say goodbye to vegetables!
Hint: If you are a vegetarian, we suggest you avoid this trip!
Total Population: 500 residents
- Coldest inhabited place on Earth!
- No running water — outhouses only.
- No vegetables — too cold for crops!
Pitcairn Island, British Overseas Territory
If you have heard the story of “Mutiny of the Bounty”, Pitcairn Island is at the center of this!
The location was settled in 1790 by mutineers! The mutineers got lucky as they discovered the remains of a Polynesian Establishment from eons ago.
A solid Part of the British Overseas Territory, Pitcairn Island is 3300 miles from New Zealand! Tourists regularly visit this place, but rarely does anyone settle here. Spooky? Maybe!
Total Population: 50
- Settled by ship mutineers.
- Located 3300 miles from New Zealand.
- Only 50 residents today
Siwa Oasis, Egypt
Ever heard of Cleopatra’s Bath? This historically famous place is part and parcel of Siwa Oasis, Egypt! Sparsely visited by outsiders, it is a 5-hour bus ride from Cairo.
The upside, you ask? Amazigh Culture and Language are very well preserved thanks to the isolated location of Siwa Oasis!
We suggest you hop on the bus, as you will be richly rewarded with a luxurious opportunity to swim in Cleopatra’s Bath—a well of luxurious mineral spring. To excite your taste buds, you have absolutely delicious locally-grown olives and dates as well! And finally, there is an eco-lodge, made of mud and salt!
Simply wonderful!
- Swim in Cleopatra’s mineral spring.
- Taste local dates & olives.
- Stay in eco-lodges made of salt & mud.
📖 Source: Lonely Planet on Siwa Oasis
Socotra Island, Yemen
It is an unusual island with a fairly high population for an island. The first road on Socotra Island was built in 2011!
Fun Fact: 800 rare plant species, not found anywhere in the world, call Socotra Island their home!
What makes these plants special is that they have a highly unusual appearance! ⅓ of which cannot be found anywhere in the world!
How to reach? 400 miles from the capital of Yemen, it has a highly tropical desert climate! Take a direct flight from Sanaa! Ta-da!
Total Population: 40,000
- Unique biodiversity.
- The first road was built only in 2011.
- isolated yet heavily populated (40,000).
Tristan da Cunha
Fiery and Volcanic, this remote and distant island is still home to a sweet 258 people! Tristan da Cunha is unlike other isolated islands as it has benefited from having stores, schools, churches, and, of course, a solid hospital!
Electricity is still a dream here, but gas power is to the rescue! Tristan is named after its discoverer – Tristan. A man who has never visited this island even once! Take a 1,732-mile boat ride from Cape Town to visit this gorgeous island!
Total population: 258
- 1,732 miles from Cape Town.
- Has schools, hospitals, and churches.
- No electricity — gas-powered everything.
Utqiagvik, Alaska ( Barrow)
If you are looking for an Island Close to a city, this might be your dream come true!
Utquiagvik, Alaska, is different from islands, due to its population being 4429, closer to that of a small town/city.
Archaeological evidence suggests one thing: People have existed here since 500 AD! Warm weather is mixed well with the cold here – 3 months of warmth(36F with 65 days of bone-chilling cold@ @ 3F)
Natural gas is the preferred choice of home heating for its lovely residents! Phone, radio, cable, and the internet are all readily available! A super island if you ask us.
Do visit!
- 65 days of extreme cold.
- Homes are heated with natural gas.
- Access to radio, TV, and the internet.
Total Population: 4429
La Rinconada, Peru
A tough one! La Rinconada is located high in the Andes Mountains! @ 16000 feet, it holds the record of the highest human habitation. The most pleasant location? Maybe not!
Scaling such great heights, you are bound to experience Altitude sickness, headaches, nausea, and short breath! Scary but true!
Fun Fact: A lot of people settled here solely due to the Gold Rush(2000). Unfortunately, no gold was found, but people still settled here and still call it home! Plus 1!
How to reach here? : 6-hour ride from the closest city will get you here.
Total population: 50,000
- The highest human habitation on Earth.
- Watch out for altitude sickness.
- Attracted settlers despite no gold.
Bantam, Cocos(Keeling) Islands
Isolation has been a true friend for those who reside on this delightful island! Located about 1,700 miles from Perth, Australia, isolation helped the religious and oral practices of the natives thrive!
Isolated it may be, but the area is a tourist delight! The residents wholeheartedly welcome tourists! Efforts to provide fun activities, surfing, and kitesurfing are fully available!
How to reach here? Flights- twice a week from Perth.
Total population: 600
- Offers surfing and kitesurfing.
- Religious traditions remain intact.
- Accessible via bi-weekly flights from Perth.
📖 Source: Australian Government – Cocos Islands Tourism
Conclusion :
Many, many surprises lie within the forts of these wonderful, undiscovered islands, to say the very least! These islands are beautiful places in their own right. It is a true joy to discover these places and learn more and more about them! As you discover more, you enrich yourself with a heritage never experienced before. You gain different perspectives and broaden your horizons!
🌟 And speaking of breathtaking — if you’re ready to turn heads without leaving your own home, don’t miss our 10 Beauty Hacks To Make You Look Like A Million Dollars. Discover simple, effective tips that bring out your inner glow — no passport required!
