Everyone loves a trip to somewhere new and exciting... but what about dangerous? Travel writer Pól Ó Conghaile takes a look at some of the world's most dangerous destinations - that are actually still worth visiting.
Mount Everest, Nepal
At 8,848m Everest is the world's tallest mountain and the subject of a new movie set in 1996, when 8 climbers died in an unexpected storm.
Over 4,000 have climbed the mountain, with some 250 deaths. Today roughly 90pc of the climbers on Everest are guided, many without basic climbing skills, according to National Geographic.
How much does it cost? Permits, flights insurance, Sherpa hires (one per climber), guides and supplies range from $25k-$65k.
A cheaper (and safer) option is to trek to Base Camp. The trek follows in the footsteps of the great mountaineers, passing through Sherpa country and small Nepalese villages, before reaching Everest Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier. Trekkers also get the opportunity to climb Kala Pattar (5,545m) for a breathtaking view of the highest mountain on Earth.
The 16-day trip departs from costs from €1455pp, excluding flights but including accommodation and most meals. See exodus.co.uk.
NB: Bad weather isn’t confined to the Himalayas. Preparedness and an honest assessment of your own fitness and ability are essential on hiking holidays – many popular walks/climbs in Ireland included.
Korea's demilitarized zone (DMZ)
The DMZ separating North and South Korea is one of the last relics of the Cold War and a place Bill Clinton described as “the scariest on earth”. It’s the most heavily armed border on earth, a place lined with barbed wire, landmines, watchtowers, electric fences, soldiers and tanks.
Several tour groups run trips from Seoul, taking visitors 70km north from around €40 (see visitkorea.or.kr for details). I visited several years ago, having my passport checked four times as we entered Panmunjom and the Joint Security Area. Young soldiers stood guard, expressionless. Our tour even took us into an ‘infiltration tunnel’ discovered beneath the DMZ.
At Dora Observatory, I peered into North Korea through a viewfinder. In the distance was the surreal city of Kaesong, with a golden effigy of the Dear Leader visible. Closer still are the empty apartment buildings of Kijong-dong, the so-called propaganda village of the 38th Parallel. Lights are turned on and off in the empty apartment buildings every day.
An American solider acted as our guide in the Joint Security Area, leading us into the Military Armistice Commission building (MAC), before instructing us not to “speak with, make any gesture towards or in any way approach or respond to personnel from the other side.” The border runs right through the little blue hut – with its negotiating table and guard in aviator shades.
The DMZ was ushered into being through a 1953 peace treaty signed by Pyongyang, the UN and Beijing. The plan was for it to have been replaced within months. 62 years later, it’s still here.
Visiting North Korea: Travel is allowed, with strict limitations. Trips are mostly booked through specialised tour companies, and visitors must join a pre-planned tour with two North Korean guides. Journalists need not apply! There are flights from Beijing and KL, and trains from Beijing too.
Bolivia's road of death
The 61km stretch leading from La Paz to Coroico in Bolivia gained notoriety when the Inter-American Development Bank christened it ‘the world’s most dangerous road’ in 1990s - when 200+ lives were lost on it per year.
It is beautiful, varying between Alpine and rainforest as it drops and falls by thousands of metres along winding bends, but also extremely precarious. Sheer drops, single-lane width (mostly 10 feet), lack of rails combined with fog, dust and rain make it a very scary experience…
You can watch a Top Gear attempt on the road on YouTube. In recent years the road has also grown popular with mountain bikers…
Trolltunga, Norway
Trolltunga is one of the most spectacular scenic cliffs in Norway. Hovering 700 metres above a lake near Bergen, the hike takes 8-10 hours return and is possible when snow melts from mid-June until mid-September.
The ledge owes much of its popularity to selfies (The Huffington Post has called it "The Scariest Instagram Spot on Earth"), with visitors posing for dramatic photos on the edge, or with feet dangling over the edge. It hit the news recently after a 24-year-old Australian student fell to her death. Numerous rescues are required in season, according to tour guides.
If you go, consider carefully whether you have the requisite fitness and bring the right equipment. Plan carefully and start early in the day. There is no mobile phone coverage along the route. You will need sturdy hiking boots, extra clothing and be prepared for bad weather. Bring map and compass, food and drink. Weather can change quickly.
A note on selfies
Mashable ran a story recently pointing out that 12 people have died so far this year taking selfies, but only 8 have been killed by sharks.
A 66-year-old tourist from Japan recently died after falling down some stairs while trying to take a photo at the Taj Mahal in India. Last month, a man in Spain was gored to death by a bull while taking a selfie at the annual bull running festival in the town of Villaseca de la Sagra.
JO’BURG / SOUTH AFRICA
The townships of Cape Town and Jo’Burg are one of the quintessential tours for visitors, but they should never be undertaken alone. Jo’burg regularly ranks on ‘world’s most dangerous cities’ lists. Car jackings, thefts, township violence and assaults are all higher than normal here.
Most advice is common sense. Ask local advice, keep money and expensive cameras and phones covered, travel in recognised groups.
The DFA advises travellers to South Africa to “exercise caution”. Latest warnings highlight “an outbreak of xenophobic violence in South Africa in recent days… directed against nationals of other African countries who are resident in South Africa, mainly in townships in and around Durban and Johannesburg, and a number of deaths have been reported.”
No-go areas and notable Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice
Syria: ‘If you’re currently in Syria, we strongly advise you to leave immediately while this is still possible. We cannot guarantee that the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Damascus will be able to remain open for much longer.’
Iran: ‘If you’re planning a trip to Iran, we advise you to exercise caution… We strongly advise against all travel to the regions bordering Pakistan in the province of Sistan and Baluchistan, the border with Afghanistan in Khorasan Province and the border with Iraq in Khuzestan and Ilam provinces because of the persistently dangerous security situation in these areas.’
South Sudan: ‘We advise against all travel to South Sudan, including the capital Juba. Anyone thinking of travelling to South Sudan should reconsider their travel plans and not to travel at this time.’
Tunisia: Tunisia’s tourism ministry recently announced that one million fewer people had visited the country between Jan and Sept of this year than the same period in 2014. The DFA is still advising against non-essential travel.
Listener's photo from the DMZ
After yesterday's programme a listener got in touch with the following photo. This image was taken with the North Korean Guard by Margaret.
