Devin Jacobs
Many love the idea of independent travel—there’s nothing quite like exploring the world on your own terms. But let’s face it; some spots are just better (and smarter) to take on with backup. Maybe it’s a remote hiking trail where help is hours away or a city where local knowledge makes all the difference. Before you book that solo ticket, check out these destinations where having a travel buddy is practically a must.
The Catacombs of Paris, France
Under The City of Love lies a haunting maze of bones and tunnels that stretches for miles. Though marked paths guide most visitors, the Catacombs’ uncharted areas tempt the curious, leading to countless stories of explorers losing their way. A guided tour keeps you safe and helps you learn the chilling history woven into every corner.
Death Valley National Park, USA
Stretching across California and Nevada, Death Valley is aptly named for its perilous beauty. Here, the scorching heat can dehydrate you within hours, from which you’ll find no succor in its barren terrain. Tourists face grave risks if vehicles fail or paths disappear. Usually, a partner can mitigate this by ensuring help in this unforgiving expanse.
The Amazon Rainforest, South America
The Amazon is a world of wonder and mystery, but its challenges are as big as its reputation. With over 2.7 million square miles of dense jungle, it’s easy to get lost in this unending forest. Add sudden rainstorms and elusive predators like jaguars, and going alone isn’t just risky—it’s reckless.
Mount Everest Base Camp, Nepal
At dizzying altitudes, every step to Everest tests the limit of human resilience. Altitude sickness can strike suddenly, making it dangerous for hikers who lack immediate support. Joining a group or hiring a Sherpa ensures medical needs are met promptly to allow you to focus on the breathtaking views.
Venice Canals at Night, Italy
Venice’s charm doesn’t fade after sunset, but the quiet canals and dimly lit alleys take on an eerie stillness. The city’s winding paths, often unmarked, make it easy to lose your way. Strolling with a friend or partner converts the experience into a shared wonder instead of the potential anxiety of “Where do I go.”
The Darvaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan
Known as the “Door to Hell,” it has been burning continuously in the Karakum Desert since the Soviet accident birthed it. The heat and remote location make this site both mesmerizing and menacing, best managed with companionship to ensure someone’s there to watch your step—literally, to prevent you from falling into its depths.
Tsingy de Bemaraha, Madagascar
This stone forest’s jagged formations demand precision with sharp edges that leave little room for error. It’s the isolation that increases the high risk of injury it already poses for lone explorers, especially during rain. Accompanied by a partner or guide, you’ll be much safer while decoding its fascinating biodiversity and alien-like terrain.
The Grand Canyon, USA
Over 250 rescues are conducted annually due to sudden dehydration or disorientation on deceptively simple trails. Its breathtaking vistas lure adventurers year-round, but extremes demand respect. Sure, solo trips sound poetic, but having company provides safety and adds shared awe to this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Himalayas’ Spiti Valley, India
A favorite among bikers and road trippers, Spiti Valley draws thrill-seekers with its dramatic landscapes and winding roads. Yet, its isolation brings challenges—thin air at 12,500 feet, freezing nights, and minimal cellular connectivity. While solo travelers often bond with fellow adventurers en route, starting with a group is still wise.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Stretching to the horizon, Salar de Uyuni dazzles with its surreal beauty. Its vastness, however, confounds navigation, particularly for those on their own who risk disorientation—especially during the rainy season that turns the ground into a mirror. With proper guidance, however, the salt flats become safer while retaining the magic of the experience.
The Okavango Delta, Botswana
Crocodiles, sudden floods, and tricky terrains make Okavango a thrilling but risky adventure. Not to mention its remoteness. Exploring with others who know its whereabouts ensures safety and allows you to truly enjoy the rich wildlife and hidden gems of this developing natural wonder.
Pamukkale’s Thermal Pools, Turkey
People in awe of the dazzling terraces of Pamukkale forget the caution it also demands. Slippery paths, especially around the hot springs, can result in serious falls, particularly dangerous for visitors accompanied by no one. Companions provide safety and a shared appreciation of this natural marvel’s ethereal beauty.
Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
In the silence of Chornobyl’s exclusion zone, history feels hauntingly alive, and while its radioactivity is overstated, there are still off-limits areas posing hidden dangers. Licensed guides mitigate these risks while revealing this once-thriving city’s gripping narrative, from its tragic evacuation to its eerie, overgrown streets.
The Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctica’s icy layers test every traveler, with extreme cold and hidden crevasses adding to the danger. So, it makes sense to count on a team’s collective skills, equipment, and knowledge to ensure survival. They’ll also protect you from the sudden storms and shifting ice that is otherwise not easy and often leave adventurers stranded.
Devil’s Pool, Zambia
At Victoria Falls’ edge, Devil’s Pool offers exhilaration few dare attempt, with the wise attempting with a guide by their sides. Misjudging the currents or slipping on wet rocks can turn fatal, especially during the rainy season when water levels rise unpredictably, something a local guide will be familiar enough to warn you about.
The Wave, Arizona, USA
This sandstone marvel looks like a scene straight out of a painting, but it’s no easy hike. Faint, unmarked trails and scorching heat have tested even experienced trekkers. It becomes obvious that having company is not just smart but also the best way to safely and wholly enjoy this breathtaking desert gem.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
Reaching Angel Falls requires plodding through dense jungles and fording swift rivers, exposing hikers to heightened risks from wildlife and the environment. This is the reason why most travelers appoint local guides who can reveal safe paths and hidden stories to make the journey as remarkable as the falls themselves.
The Old City of Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem’s Old City is a stunning mix of history and culture, with its bustling markets and ancient streets. But its maze-like alleys can feel confusing without someone to share the experience. Exploring with a companion makes it easier to soak in the beauty without feeling lost.
The Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Alien in its beauty, the Danakil Depression is a very inhospitable place for the unwary and best traveled with local experts capable of ensuring your safety and providing insights into the region’s geological wonders. Here, the searing heat adds to the toxic gases and bubbling lava pools to demand caution.
Machu Picchu’s Inca Trail, Peru
The Inca Trail’s beauty comes with steep climbs and thin air, which bring the trekkers risks such as altitude sickness and navigation errors. These troubles are easily kept at bay with a group for safety and camaraderie to enrich the journey through this ancient wonderland with shared stories.