Have you ever woken up to the sound of a volcano erupting in the distance, or opened your eyes to see an orangutan swinging through the trees just metres from where you’re lying? Times when you’re completely disconnected from emails, social media, and the endless ping of notifications are rare. Too rare for many of us, yet they’re there for the taking.
That’s what off-the-grid travel is all about. Not just escaping Wi-Fi (though that’s brilliant too), but immersing yourself in places so removed from everyday life that you can’t help but be present. And let me tell you, after spending years chasing these experiences, they’re worth every minute of planning.
The thing is, these hidden gems are getting noticed. What were once secret spots whispered about by hardcore travellers are now trending for 2025. People are desperate for authentic experiences away from the masses, which means capacity is limited and popularity is growing.
I’ve curated six absolutely stunning bucket-list adventures that blend raw nature with unique activities. From sleeping in geodesic domes in Canada to watching a volcano erupt in Guatemala, these are the trips that’ll give you stories to bore your friends with for decades – or simply treasure for yourself for a lifetime.
1. Sunnd Nordic Eco Resort, Northern Ontario, Canada
The first time I stepped into one of Sunnd’s geodomes, I nearly gasped. Floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Lake Superior, surrounded by forests that seem to go on forever. At night, with no light pollution, the stars were so bright I could see the Milky Way without even trying.
What makes Sunnd special isn’t just the location – it’s how thoughtfully designed everything is. The wood-fired hot tubs (absolute heaven after a day of hiking) are heated using fallen timber. And the guided tours to ancient Indigenous pictographs taught me more about the area’s heritage than any museum could.
I spent three nights there, and will always remember waking up to mist rolling over the lake. One morning I spotted a moose drinking at the shoreline, completely undisturbed by my presence. That moment of connection with nature is what keeps pulling me back to places like this.
It’s ideal for solo travellers or couples who want to disconnect but still have cozy amenities (no roughing it required). And while it’s not dead cheap, the experience justifies every penny.
My advice is to book directly through Sunnd’s website rather than comparison sites – you’ll often get better rates. And do it early, especially for summer and autumn, as they’ve only got a handful of domes and they fill up quickly.
2. Darwin Ranch, Gros Ventre Wilderness, Wyoming, USA
Imagine rustic log cabins nestled in a Wyoming valley so remote you need a 4×4 just to reach it. That’s Darwin Ranch, where I spent what might have been the most transformative week of my life one summer.
Each morning began with freshly baked bread and locally roasted coffee before heading out for fly fishing in crystal clear streams. I’d never been on a horse before, but by day three, I was confidently trotting through alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers. The guides were brilliant – patient with beginners like me but also happy to challenge more experienced riders.
What I loved most was the evening meals. After a day in the wilderness, everyone – guests and staff alike – gathered around a huge wooden table for family-style dinners with food grown in their own gardens. The conversations flowed as easily as the local wine, and I made friends I still keep in touch with.
It’s not a budget option at around £575 per night all-inclusive, but for that you get accommodation, activities, and absolutely incredible food. It’s perfect if you want adventure without sacrificing comfort.
You’ll need to book 6-12 months ahead for summer spots. Trust me on this – I tried to extend my stay while I was there, and they were fully booked for the next two seasons.
3. Pater Noster, Sweden
There’s something utterly otherworldly about staying on a tiny Swedish island where your only coordinates are longitude and latitude. Pater Noster sits on a craggy rock in the North Sea, and getting there is half the adventure.
I spent three nights there last September, and the first thing that struck me was the silence. Not just quietness – pure silence, broken only by waves and seabirds. My accommodation was minimalist in that gorgeous Scandinavian way, with sheepskin throws and huge windows framing the endless sea.
Days here aren’t about doing – they’re about being. I spent hours just watching the water change colour with the sky. Went fishing with the keeper and caught mackerel that we grilled for dinner. Read half a novel in a single sitting because there was nothing to distract me.
It’s the perfect place for solo travellers needing headspace or creative types looking for inspiration. I came home with more writing done than in the entire previous month in London.
Booking through their website gives you the best rates, but be prepared to be flexible with dates – there are only nine rooms, and the weather conditions sometimes mean arrivals must be rescheduled.
4. Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala
One winter, I found myself huffing and puffing up the side of Volcan Acatenango in Guatemala, questioning all my life choices. But then night fell, and across the valley, Volcan Fuego began erupting – spewing bright orange lava into the dark sky every 20 minutes like clockwork.
I’m not going to lie, the 4-hour hike up was challenging. My quads were screaming, and the altitude had me taking breaks every few hundred metres near the top. But camping on the side of an active volcano, watching nature’s fireworks display while huddled around a campfire with newfound friends… worth every laboured breath.
The sunrise summit push was another challenge – a 5am wake-up call to climb the final stretch in the dark. But standing above the clouds as dawn broke over the landscape, with volcanoes poking through a cotton wool blanket of mist, was one of those moments that stays with you forever.
This one’s brilliant for budget travellers – tours run between £50-£100, including guides, equipment, and meals. Book through OX Expeditions in Antigua if possible; their guides are incredible and safety-conscious.
And for heaven’s sake, take warm layers! It gets so cold at the summit – I had five layers on and was still shivering.
5. Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo
Gliding down the Kinabatangan River at dawn, I held my breath as our guide cut the boat engine. There, just metres away, a wild orangutan was building its nest for the night, methodically bending branches into a comfortable bed.
Borneo’s wildlife encounters aren’t like your standard safari – they’re intimate, up-close, and often unexpected. During my three-day riverboat tour, I spotted proboscis monkeys with their comical noses, pygmy elephants bathing at the shoreline, and hornbills soaring overhead.
The eco-lodges along the river are basic but comfortable, with mosquito nets and cold showers that feel amazing in the humid heat. What they lack in luxury, they make up for in location – my balcony literally hung over the water, where I could watch crocodiles swimming past while sipping my morning tea.
This experience is perfect for wildlife lovers and photographers. The guides are passionate about conservation and know exactly where to find animals without disturbing them.
Book through Borneo Nature Tours at least three months ahead, especially if you’re travelling between March and October. And don’t scrimp on time – give yourself at least three days to really experience the river’s rhythms.
6. Mar y Aventuras Kayaking, Sea of Cortez, Mexico
There’s nothing quite like paddling your kayak onto a deserted beach, knowing you’re the only humans for miles around. The Sea of Cortez in Mexico is one of the most biodiverse seas on the planet, and exploring it by kayak was an adventure I didn’t know I needed.
I joined a five-day expedition with Mar y Aventuras, camping on different beaches each night. During the day, we paddled through turquoise waters, stopping to snorkel with sea lions and tropical fish in what felt like our personal aquarium. Our guides knew every hidden cove and were brilliant at spotting wildlife – we saw dolphins, manta rays, and even a whale shark on my trip.
The best part was how accessible it felt. I’d never kayaked like this before, but after a thorough safety briefing and technique lesson, I was confidently navigating the gentle waves. And while the camping was basic, falling asleep to the sound of waves just metres from your tent is pure luxury in my book.
This adventure is brilliant value, with 5-day trips running £500-£800 including equipment, guides, and all meals (freshly prepared fish tacos on a beach? Yes please!). October through April offers the best weather – I went in November and it was perfect.
Time To See The World Off-Grid
If you’re feeling inspired to disconnect and have a proper adventure, here are my hard-earned tips:
- Always book directly with operators where possible – you’ll often get better rates and more flexibility if plans change.
- Small groups make for better experiences. I found trips with 8-12 people hit the sweet spot of social interaction without feeling crowded.
- Most of these destinations book out 6-12 months ahead for peak seasons, so start planning now for next year.
- Pack thoughtfully – I froze on Acatenango because I underestimated how cold it would get, and my camera died in Borneo because I didn’t have a proper waterproof case.
- Choose operators with good sustainability credentials. The places I’ve mentioned all work hard to minimise their environmental impact and support local communities.
There is no point in waiting to see the world at its best. Pick one adventure from this list and start planning today. Your off-grid escape is waiting – swap your screen time for stargazing, wildlife encounters, and stories you’ll be telling for years to come.