The most difficult path is the most rewarding. Photo by Lee Litumbe.
For the intrepid traveler, there is no greater thrill than having the chance to explore a destination seemingly untouched by tourism. Or at least people in your social circle.
Make 2016 your year of magical thinking about travel.
Explore a few of our favorite, remote, path-less-chosen destinations.
Located on the island of Sumba, a 40-minute flight from Bali, it is off the radar of even the most well traveled.
Read more on Fathom: A Little Piece of Paradise in Indonesia
Okunoshima, also known as Rabbit Island, may be the cutest place on Earth. With no fear of humans or natural predators, teams of furry little creatures are more than happy to jump in your lap, snack from your hand, or crawl on top of you.
Read more on Fathom: Rabbit Island Is the Cutest Place on Earth
To see the shifting sands, mountains, and gravel plains of Namibia extend the entire length of the horizon, right from the comfort of your car, is pretty incredible.
Read more on Fathom: Namibia Called. She's Ready for Her Close-Up
A visit to the Southern Gobi Desert provides the quintessential vision of Mongolia complete with open steppe and yurts galore. Days are filled riding camels trekking sand dunes, visiting dinosaur digs, and setting up camp for the evening.
Read more on Fathom: Mongolia. It's Easier Than You Think
As we watch in silence, insects buzz past my ear, birds sing from the treetops, and raindrops begin to fall, pattering against leaves overhead. The calls of a larger troop of chimpanzees prompts two to scamper off to join them, which we take as our cue to follow.
Read more on Fathom: Follow that Chimp! Tracking Primates in Uganda
And of the many things to see and do, my favorite is Souq Waqif (translation: "standing market"), an open-air working market and dynamic public space that covers about four blocks at the heart of the city close to the Corniche, the curving road along Doha's seafront.
Read more on Fathom: Shopping, Smoking, and People-Watching in the Best Souk in the Gulf
Elephants are placed in safe sanctuaries like Tented Camp (a retreat of lofty and luxury tents along a winding brick path in the thick bamboo forest of Thailand), where guests can learn to communicate, ride, and feed them.
Read more on Fathom: Love in the Time of Elephants
Walk the arteries of cavernous geological formations where the Mediterranean Sea meets white chalk cliffs at the northernmost part of Israel.
Read more on Fathom: Exploring the Grottoes and Gardens in Northern Israel
When cycling Nepal’s majestic mountains in Besisahar, some narrow parts of the track run parallel to a cliff, with a wild and raging river directly below. Spectacular, granite slopes look like congealed lava. Pastures are filled with horses and yaks, villages with children playing bows and arrows, old ladies circumambulating whitewashed stupas.
Read more on Fathom: Bikepacking the Annapurna Circuit
We make every effort to ensure the information in our articles is accurate at the time of publication. But the world moves fast, and even we double-check important details before hitting the road.
