Deep in the remote Himalaya mountains lies an architectural treasure that’s constructed in a seemingly impossible location. On the edge of a cliff some 3120 metres above sea level, the Paro Taktsang Buddhist temple complex, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, is as sacred as it is awe-inspiring. Be prepared to hike for approximately 2-3 hours to reach the site.

A whole new world awaits adventurous tourists willing to make the trip from Africa’s mainland. Home to a plethora of isolated communities, the Masoala peninsula is teeming with wildlife that’s like nowhere else on Earth, nestled amongst 2300sqkm of rainforests and deserted beaches. This is a kaleidoscopic landscape with sandstone canyons, limestone cliffs and mighty baobab trees.

Few travellers know that just beyond the famous ruins of Machu Picchu lies another fascinating lost Inca city known as its “sacred little sister”. Perched 3050m up, the ancient masterpiece of Choquequirao, or Cradle of Gold, features temples, stairways, plazas and terraces, minus the tourist crowds. It’s currently only accessible via a five-day hike, however the government plans to construct a road and cable car.

One if the most remote settlements on the planet, you’ve almost made it to the “edge of the world” upon arriving in this icy adventure-land. Along with dog sledding and kayaking, you’ll also find the world’s greatest fjord system and the biggest national park. There are just 452 residents, many who live in brightly coloured homes that make for a dramatic contrast against the snow-covered landscape.

This infinitesimal island located more than 3600km from the mainland of Chile has long lured adventurous types with its enormous moai monoliths. It’s believed the lost civilization of Rapa Nui used the series of over 900 statues – some of which tower up to 9m high – to signal locations where fresh water was available. In an attempt to preserve the unique spirit of the UNESCO-protected site, the number of tourists had recently been limited.

Freycinet National Park, Cradle Mountain, Bay of Fires, Port Arthur, MONA and the gastronomic extravaganza at Bruny Island. While it may be Australia’s smallest state, Tasmania has a lot to offer visitors. However, perhaps the most enchanting attraction is the chance to witness the otherworldly extravaganza that is the Aurora Australis, or the “Southern Lights”.

This otherworldly island is captivating as it is morbid. Home to a flooded caldera, this desolute landscape surrounding it is dotted with abandoned huts. They are the remains of the Hektor Whaling Station, a bloody reminder of a time whales were slaughtered in their thousands. After soaking up the horrid history, visitors can dare to enjoy a dip in the calm, geothermally heated waters nearby hundreds of thousands of penguins.

Far from the wild nightlife of Kuta or the well-trodden beaches of Seminyak lies a place so special that is has become known as “the real Bali”. Often forgotten by tourists, the remote temple of Pura Luhur Batukaru is a sacred, secluded sight located on the slopes of the inactive Mount Batukaru volcano. Surrounded by lush rainforest and enveloped in serenity, it’s a picture-perfect sight.

Located at the north-western edge of the enormous Gobi Desert and surprisingly now accessible via a shuttle bus, the Crescent Lake was once a thriving oasis on the ancient Silk Road. These days it remains a magical albeit diminutive sight, and one could be forgiven for mistaking the half-moon shaped fresh water spring and nearby pagoda nestled in the sand dunes for a mirage.

Formed millions of years ago in a series of volcanic eruptions, the Galapagos archipelago is famous for its unusual wildlife such as its giant tortoises, flightless cormorants and marine iguanas and is a virtual “melting pot” of species. Located 1423km west of mainland Ecuador, the diversity here even inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution following his visit in 1835.

If you’re up for a challenging trip than look no further than the “Gateway to Hell” in northern Ethiopia. The hottest place on Earth, it’s a lonely, vast and surreal landscape full of active volcanoes, salt plains, sulphur lakes, caves and barren mountains. The dramatic scenery continues to the rim of Ertra Ale, which is home to one of the longest lava lakes on Earth.

If you’re up for a challenging trip than look no further than the “Gateway to Hell” in northern Ethiopia. The hottest place on Earth, it’s a lonely, vast and surreal landscape full of active volcanoes, salt plains, sulphur lakes, caves and barren mountains. The dramatic scenery continues to the rim of Ertra Ale, which is home to one of the longest lava lakes on Earth.

This intriguing UNESCO world heritage site is an archipelago that’s currently far off the tourist trail and is a place where brutality, faith and beauty collide. It’s home to a formidable fortress complex inside the Solovetsky Monastery, where exile, torture and murder occurred. It’s also a land of stunning sights; the Beluga Cape towards the west is the only place where visitors can see beluga whales from the coast.

You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped onto another planet when visiting the mesmerizingly peculiar Yemen destination known as “Alien Island”. Believed to have been the original location of the Garden of Eden, it features dragon’s blood trees and pink desert roses. While there were approximately 3000 visitors a year by 2013, tourism has ground to a halt since war broke out in Yemen, and sadly Socotra is facing an uncertain future.

Wild and wonderful, Yellowstone spans three states from Wyoming to Idaho and Montana and is home to awe-inspiring sites such as the Morning Glory Pool, Old Faithful geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring. Deep in the south-eastern edge of the park, accessible by a week-long hike, is the most remote place you’ll find in all the states of America. Here you’ll be sharing the land with wolves, grizzly bears and lynx.