We’ve all seen footage of Earth from space – that humbling, faraway view of our little blue and green planet – but few of us Earthlings have experienced this phenomenon firsthand. It’s said that when astronauts go into orbit and look down on Mother Earth, they experience a life-changing sense of perspective and mental clarity, coined the ‘Overview Effect.’ Described as a cognitive shift in awareness after seeing our planet free of borders and boundaries, the Overview Effect is the uncanny sense of understanding the big picture. With space tourism, or ‘Astrocations’, set to be the next big trend in travel, we may one day be able to enjoy the Overview Effect for ourselves, but it will be a while before this exciting new style of travel enters the mainstream, so we’ve made it our mission to find some experiences that can mimic that effect. From diving the depths of our oceans to climbing great heights and losing yourself in remote wildernesses, these trips all promise to challenge your perception of yourself, the world and your place within it.
Reconnect With the Natural World in Namibia
Namibia has one of the lowest population densities in the world, so it’s entirely feasible to lose yourself (metaphorically) and cast off from the modern world. Travel through the vast Namib Desert to the Damaraland Region, where you can spend a few nights at a remote mountain camp set in the foothills of the Grootberg massif. Explore the remote wilderness on foot, with only the basic necessities and an expert local guide to show you the way; it's the ultimate opportunity to reconnect with the natural world and enjoy a small taste of the Overview Effect. You'll have the chance to try your hand at ancient bush skills - from learning how to make a fire from scratch to identifying animal tracks – and there are ample wildlife-spotting opportunities including lions, cheetahs, rare desert-adapted elephants and black rhinos.
Enjoy Some Peace and Quiet in Rural Ladakh, India
Ladakh is one of the hero destinations of our Pin Drop Travel collection - a portfolio of tranquil holidays designed to meet the growing demand for peace and quiet in the wake of the pandemic. On a 12-day trip into the very north of India, eschew the ever-present noise of the modern world for traditional rural life. Venture deep into the mountains and seek out authentic Tibetan Buddhist communities. Highlights of the trip include a three-day trek and sharing sunrise prayers with the Buddhist monks of Thiksey monastery; learning the basic tenets of Tibetan Buddhism as you meditate with Buddhist monks; joining the locals for a Bhutanese puja (ceremony); and being introduced to a mystical Indian oracle to witness her communicate with the spirits.
Explore the Alien Landscapes of Antarctica
The fabled white desert of Antarctica is a truly alien landscape, the vastness and evolution of which is a stark reminder of the earth’s fragility. Spend time on an expedition vessel and enjoy the wondrous wintery views as your captain expertly pilots your ship through ice-filled fjords and along the coastline of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. During the day, leave the expedition vessel and make landfall in the dinghies. Accompanied by your expert guides, visit spots which show off the best of the Antarctic environment from enormous glaciers and ice shelves to penguin colonies and beaches covered with elephant seals. Come evening, enjoy lectures and presentations from the experts on board, as well as the spectacular views from the ship's lounge which may just leave you feeling like you’ve experienced a touch of the Overview Effect.
Discover Pristine Underwater Ecosystems in Tahiti
A pristine coral reef, stretching two miles off the coast of Tahiti, has recently been discovered as part of a global seabed-mapping mission led by UNESCO. At depths of 30 metres, the reef appears to be undamaged by pollution which affects shallow-water reefs. The discovery is a wonderful reminder of how much lies beneath that has yet to be explored. Under the expert guidance of our diving specialists at Original Diving, set off on a 21-day diving adventure around the idyllic islands of French Polynesia. Declared a Marine Mammal Sanctuary in 2002, it offers protection to 16 different species of whales and dolphins. Snorkel with humpback whales in the waters around Moorea - one of the few spots on earth where this is possible - discover the abundant fish life and coral in Tikehau and dive the Tiputa Pass in Rangiroa, one of the most famous dive sites in the world which is home to bottlenose dolphins, eagle rays and great hammerheads. Finish the trip in Fakarava, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that has been protected for more than 40 years, creating a healthy ecosystem which is home to plentiful marine life, including jaw-dropping numbers of grey reef sharks.