Travel used to mean a complete escape from the stresses of real life; no phone signal and no WiFi meant no work emails still pinging into your inbox on your mobile, no checking the news over dinner and no constant social media scrolling. Now though, with almost everyone owning a smartphone and WiFi available even in many of the most far-flung and remote destinations, it’s increasingly difficult to truly relax and disconnect on holiday.
If the temptation to check the latest headlines, share that hilarious travel encounter on Facebook or post that perfect shot on Instagram is too much to resist when on holiday, then it’s time to plan an off-grid retreat. These trips to off-the-beaten-track destinations have plenty of places to stay which are free of phone signal and WiFi, giving you a much-needed chance to switch off, relax and reconnect with the world around you.
Canadian Arctic
If you truly want to disconnect from the modern world and immerse yourself fully in nature, then there is no better place to do so than the wilds of the Canadian Arctic. Our seven day Polar Bears & Glaciers of Baffin Island tailor-made trip spends six nights in a premium safari camp on the northeastern edge of Baffin Island. Get back to nature with days filled with wildlife spotting, glacier visits, hikes, ice fishing and kayaking. With absolutely no WiFi and intermittent phone signal at best, this is a true break from the modern world, and the scenery and wildlife are so spectacular you won’t even notice that you haven’t checked your Facebook feed.
Kyrgyzstan
When you’re constantly connected to the digital world, ironically you can start to feel disconnected from those that surround you in the real world. People in Kyrgyzstan are renowned for being some of the friendliest people on the planet, so it’s the perfect destination to spend time engaging with the people around you and making new friends away from the distractions of social media. Our 15 day Kyrgyzstan Explorer tour spends 11 nights in homestays, yurts and wild camps far from modern technology, and you are sure to be welcomed by the nomads we meet and the people we stay with. Explore the wild grassy steppes, dramatic mountain passes and azure lakes of this stunning country, and learn more about traditional ways of life unchanged for hundreds of years.
Oman
If you are looking to escape not only modern technology but also the hustle and bustle of city life, then where better to retreat to than the solitude of the desert? Rub al Khali literally means the Empty Quarter, and you’re unlikely to encounter more than a few nomads and a lot of sand in this Omani desert. Our 11 day Oman Desert Adventure spends five nights in peaceful wild camps in the Wahiba Sands, on deserted beaches and in the Empty Quarter. Climb to the top of magnificent red sand dunes, swim in the warm Arabian Sea and spend evenings around the campfire gazing at clear starry skies.
Namibia
Get back to nature and be wowed by the landscapes and wildlife of Namibia on our 14 day Namibia: Sands of Time tour. Spend nights wild camping under vast starry skies where you can appreciate the clarity of the constellations away from the light pollution of our modern cities, experience the awe of seeing the Big Five in Etosha National Park and admire the stark beauty of Dead Vlei, far from the distractions of everyday life.
Pakistan
Immerse yourself in a culture where modern technology is almost completely absent on our Hindu Kush Adventure. Spend time staying with the Kalash people, learning about their way of life, and explore the stunning Kalash Valley on a series of walks. Take in the breathtaking scenery as you travel along the Karakoram Highway and enjoy this time away from the frantic modern world.
