After more than a decade of diminished tourism due to civil unrest, today Nepal is firmly on the path to lasting peace. Fly to Lukla, whose airstrip is one of the world’s most thrilling, and set out on a four-day, three-night high-altitude trek, staying in Yeti Mountain Home lodges. Alternatively, charter a private helicopter for flightseeing around Mount Everest and other eight-thousanders (8,000-meter peaks), with multiple landings including Everest Base Camp. In Dhulikel, on the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley, a new Dwarika’s opening in early 2012 will complement its award-winning sister property in the capital.

The buzz about Bhutan is building to a crescendo, helped no doubt by the fairytale wedding of the Buddhist kingdom’s photogenic young royal couple in October.  Just a 75-minute flight from Kathmandu, this traditionally isolated Himalayan nation, which famously measures its progress in “Gross National Happiness,” is already home to five Amanresorts lodges, the Taj and COMO hotel groups, with the latter’s second Uma property coming to Punakha this spring. A new airport, only the second in the land, is also slated to debut soon in far-flung Bumthang, opening up Bhutan’s eastern reaches to intrepid travelers.

From the arid hills of Kashmir to the lush tea fields of Darjeeling, northern India offers a vast swath of varying terrain and experiences. Near Darjeeling, in the shadow of Kanchenjunga, the planet’s third tallest peak, sits the charming old Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim, wedged among neighbors Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. From there, hop west for a spa retreat at Ananda or sublime hiking around Oberoi Wildflower Hall. Continue on for high-altitude treks in Ladakh and finally wind down in the lake town of Srinigar, an old Raj hill station dubbed “paradise on earth” by India’s 17th-century Mughal emperors. 

Descend from the Tibetan Plateau to neighboring Yunnan, China's southwestern most province, a place of stunningly beautiful landscapes and more than 20 ethnic minority groups. Highlights include authentic interactions with local residents like the Yi and Naxi people, the latter a matriarchal culture with distinctive dress, cuisine and other customs. Stay at the circuit of four Songtsam lodges (a fifth will open in 2012), award-winning boutique properties featuring Tibetan decor and art, with locations in Shangri-la (formerly Zhongdian) and Meili near the Tibetan border and other secluded spots. 

The recent opening of St. Regis Lhasa has brought true five-star accommodation to the heart of the Tibetan capital. It’s perfect for exploring the former seat of the Dalai Lama and also trips to Tsetang, Shigatse or Yamdrok Lake. Remote Lands’ special spiritual experiences include private meditation with an esteemed Rinpoche and a private merit-gaining chod ceremony with 30 to 40 chanting monks. On longer trips, trek to the Tibet-side Everest Base Camp or, even more remote, fly to the new airport in Ngari to explore the ancient kingdom of Guge, including cave frescoes that have attracted UNESCO notice.