The tourism industry does not stand still, offering us more and more new opportunities. These days, marketing has expanded the concept of “tourism” to include types of recreation, which, by and large, and the tourism it is impossible to call. Now hiking in places without tourist infrastructure, is increasingly called an extreme or exotic tourism, but in the past with a guitar around the campfire on the river bank even children had a rest. So what is a real exotic tourism?
Exotic tourism can be divided into two categories. The first is sports tourism – a real subculture, in which the casual man has no place. By sports tourism includes mountain climbing, rafting, paragliding and many other types associated with extreme sports, and often with a risk to life. Such a hobby requires a large financial outlay, good physical fitness and absolute dedication to your favorite cause. Of course, you can send an amateur to conquer Mount Elbrus, but it is unlikely he will be able to reach the base camp with at least 20 pounds on his shoulders. And he does not need it, because you can get your dose of adrenaline without risking your life and not even putting much effort – because travel agencies vied with each other offering exotic tours, promising an unforgettable experience and thrills. These areas belonging to the second category of mass exotic tourism, we will focus on.
Of course, even the most ordinary trip to the sea may contain a portion of exotic adventure. What is not exotic, let’s say, scuba diving, albeit only a few meters? This can afford even a person who does not really know how to swim, although the fullness of sensations from such “diving” it is unlikely to get.
So let’s leave the idle pastime in the form of a vegetable on the crowded beaches and take a look at the programs that are offered by travel agencies in the framework of exotic tourism.
CLASSIC GENERAL
If you walk into a more or less decent travel agency and ask to pick up something “cool”, then you’ll probably be immediately offered Africa (the resorts of the Red and Mediterranean Sea are not taken into account).
In the yellow, hot Africa…
Without complicating the task, you can consider such states as Morocco, Tanzania, Kenya and a number of other developed countries in terms of tourism, where, along with new experiences traveler will get the full range of services at a high level. First of all, Africa is a wild and untouched nature.
Animals here are in their natural habitat, and sitting in a special cage, you are glad that there is one. Accommodation in the wilderness, when at night the entrance to the tent is guarded by a savage with a spear, visits to national parks to watch the migration of animals, unforgettable safaris, climbing Kilimanjaro with professional guides, paragliding flights over Victoria Falls, trips to wild tribes – here it is, the real exotic. Here you can try literally everything – from elephant hunting to downhill skiing. The sense of danger only intensifies impressions, though in fact the risk is minimal: all routes thoroughly studied by professionals, and armed and trained rangers are ready at any time to come to your aid.
On distant islands.
Do you want to feel like a Robinson and spend a few days away from civilization, sleeping under palm trees and eating what nature provides? Well, if distance is not an obstacle for you, then feel free to go to the islands of Polynesia. Of course, there are luxurious hotels, luxurious beaches and other delights of comfortable recreation, but among the hundreds of islands in the archipelago are uninhabited.
Of the 118 islands and atolls in Polynesia, there are currently 25. The main mode of transport in these places is by plane, and the cheapest is a ferry. And to get to the most remote corners, you need a lot of ingenuity and a little courage: the means of transportation can be a dingy fishing boat. The lack of these places even a hint of civilization makes staying here an exotic adventure, but the warm tropical climate allows you to easily spend a few days, even without a roof over his head.
One of the most popular uninhabited islands is Tofua, which became famous for the documentary Xavier Rossett “300 Days on the Island. There is an active volcano and the island itself is entirely covered by rainforest. There are several abandoned buildings on Tofua.
Another island, Caroline, is a real find for pioneers. It is the easternmost atoll in the Line archipelago and one of the most secluded islands on the planet: the nearest settlement (on Christmas Island) is 1500 km away.
Nukupule Island, belonging to the Republic of Tonga, is a piece of land lost in the ocean, covered with coconut palms and other tropical vegetation. Its own micro-system of reef corals, which surround the island on all sides, make it an ideal place for surfers, kitesurfers and fishermen. Located 12 kilometers from Nukupule, Lifuka Island with a small airport makes it easy to get here. And having climbed a palm tree, you can even try to get a cell phone signal.
The South is where it’s very cold
Not interested in hot countries and tropical islands? Uncontrollably attracted to the “high” latitudes? Then Antarctic tours are just for you. Tourism in Antarctica began to develop in the 60’s with the organization of sea cruises. In the 70’s on the icy continent began air travel from Australia and New Zealand. But to get here is not easy even now. International law and nature itself protect Antarctica from the ubiquitous tourists. For those who are not used to retreat, there is an exclusive opportunity to visit the Antarctic by plane, with a stay of one day. Telling the truth, such trip is not a cheap one, and you should plan it beforehand – not less than in six months.
Russian Bellingshausen station on Waterloo Island, thanks to fairly mild climate and relative transport accessibility is one of the most visited Antarctic sites. You can get here from Chile by plane or by sea. On the island you can observe penguins and seals in their natural habitat. In addition, there is an opportunity to get acquainted with the living conditions of the polar explorers and learn more about their life and work.
Atka Bay on the shore of Princess Martha is the real Antarctica. The thickness of the glacier here is more than 150 meters, and the climate is extremely harsh. The average annual temperature is around -25°C, and the “hottest” month is January, when the air gets as warm as -5°C. Hurricane winds of up to 50 m/s are not uncommon. This is where emperor penguins nest, whose social behavior is the object of increased attention of scientists and visitors to Antarctica. In addition to emperor penguins, seals, Adelie penguins, polar petrels, and flying predators – Antarctic skuas – are found in Atka Bay. The rugged beauty of these places will not leave anyone indifferent, and the hardest part of visiting Atka Bay is getting yourself to board the plane that will take you away forever.
But if you decide to go all the way, then your way is to the South Pole, that is where the Earth’s axis “comes to the surface”. The thickness of the glacier here reaches 2810 m, and the distance to the nearest sea shore is 1300 km. In 1956 at the South Pole was founded American polar station – a complex complex, designed for human survival in particularly harsh conditions (the lowest temperature recorded here is – 82.8 ° C). It is believed that the South Pole has the cleanest air on the planet, so the area is an important site for monitoring and investigating background levels of natural and anthropogenic atmospheric constituents. Throughout the South Polar summer the station receives groups of visitors – members of private expeditions and representatives of non-governmental organizations. These visits are most often organized by private companies, which provide transportation services, logistical support, and guides. No additional permits are required to access the area, but advance notice of the visit is required.
There are enough unusual and inaccessible places on earth, which, if you want and some persistence can be visited. True, it will cost much more expensive than vacationing in many luxury resorts. However, there are other types of tourism, which, with a relative budget, are no less exotic.
