That’s the case for Claire Ramsdell who runs the The Detour Effect blog which offers tips, itineraries, and stories on self-guided hiking, solo backpacking, car-living, road trips and location independence. She’s been traveling solo for years, but since turning 30, she’s been straying from her usual style: “I’ve been intrigued to find out about some unique trip styles that tour operators are beginning to offer,” she tells me. “For instance, there are group trips you can join to archaeological sites around the world where the trip leader is a university professor who specializes in that destination.”
She feels guided trips can help travelers reach inaccessible places. “For instance, one region we traveled to in Kyrgyzstan required driving a treacherous, winding mountain road, and I rarely feel comfortable renting my own car in those situations.”
The idea of wide open destinations, free of the tourist hordes, is a popular one, harking back to a more adventurous, explorative age. With the rise of Instagram and TikTok travel content creators, adventurous places like Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Namibia have become bucket list staples for those looking for a wild, lesser-known challenge.