The Most Beautiful Remote Destinations Worth The Trek

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.[slideshow:1167]

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.

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.

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: the island is exclusive—they only let 400 travelers on at any given time to preserve the environment and atmosphere.

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 enough of a crowd to warrant a few hotels on the edge of the flat, made almost entirely of salt.

Click here to see the six other Beautiful Remote DestinationsWorth the Trek