Challenging yet rewarding: 5 hard-to-reach destinations

Sometimes travellers choose the path of least resistance, where transport is easy, and foods are convenient. However, there are other travellers who would rather ‘risk it to get the biscuit’ and embark on destinations that are hard to access but worth the challenge.

These five hard-to-read destinations are worthy of your travel bucket list.

1. Pitcairn Island

The Pitcairn Island is one of four volcanic islands in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, comprising the sole British Overseas Territory. There are only 50 residents on the island, no proper harbour, and no airfield, meaning the only way to visit is via boat. Rafts collect passengers and deliveries from the boats. If ocean conditions are bad, passengers and deliveries must return another day.

2. Chiribiquete National Nature Park

Three tribes live in Chiribiquete National Nature Park within the Colombian Amazon. It is Colombia’s biggest national park and the world’s biggest tropical rainforest national park. Globally, it is one of the most biodiverse regions, and the landscape is spectacular. However, visitors need to be granted a scientific license to visit or permission from National Parks and the Air Force to fly over it.

3. Tristan da Cunha

Tristan da Cunha is an island between the South Atlantic Current and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. It is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world and is a hotspot for land and ocean biodiversity. Before planning your trip to this beautiful island, you need a police clearance certificate and permission from the Island Council. Further, the only way to get to Tristan da Cunha is via a ship that departs from Cape Town.

4. El Mirador, Guatamala

El Mirador, one of the most remote areas in Guatemala, has ancient Mayan ruins and gorgeous green jungles to explore. It’s an adventurer’s paradise, as the best way to get there is an out-and-back five-day hiking trail. The only other way to get to El Mirador is via helicopter.

5. Kerguelen Islands