Trekking

Nepal

Mountainous Nepal is filled with well-trodden circuits such as the Annapurna and Mount Everest treks, but the restricted former kingdom of Mustang, opened to the public in the early 1990s though visited by few tourists, is home to the country's most stunning scenery. Mustang is one of the least studied areas of Nepal; and it rose to prominence in the 15th-16th centuries when salt from Tibet and grain from India were traded throughout the area. While the daily hikes are moderate to strenuous, the promise of spectacular virgin landscapes and congenial people, both Nepalese and Tibetan, make each incline worth it. Here are a few highlights of Mustang:

Highlights include a flight over the world's deepest gorge, which falls 19,685 ft between Annapurna I (26,545 ft) and Dhaulagiri (26,795 ft), in order to reach the trailhead at Jomsom; and a visit to the former capital of Mustang, Lo Manthang. The city's walls are still intact, as are a few temples, but the most recent draw to the area is the discovery of at least 12 caves filled with Buddhist frescoes that date back to the 13th century. Clients also have the opportunity to visit a school that teaches traditional Mustangi ways.

Have tea and snacks with the Tibetan people of Nepal, who have lived here for centuries given Mustang's proximity to Tibet. In Yamda La, travelers come upon Tibetan-influenced villages with teahouses and temples where visits with the local people are encouraged. In fact, Mustang is the only place where traditional Tibetan culture continues as it has for centuries, uninterrupted by political turmoil.

Myanmar (Burma)

The Chin State in northwest Myanmar offers a wealth of trekking opportunities in a land few have explored. The majority of the residents here are Chin tribal people, although there are 44 different tribes in the Chin State. The Chin women are famed for their tattooed faces, a tradition that began when they put ink on their faces to avoid being chosen as concubines by the Burmese kings.

Possible treks include:

A three-hour trek to a far-flung Kyardor village, home to the remote Munn Chin tribe. Participate in the Lun Yu festival, where sizable stones are pulled by locals in feats of strength, and chickens and pigs are sacrificed for a huge feast. Take part in a massive celebration, with plenty of rice wine and dancing to make for a most memorable evening.

A four-hour trek (or two-hour 4WD trip) through many traditional Munn Chin tribal villages, a beautiful area often covered in rhododendrons. Meet many local families, and talk with people (through translators) who have never seen or spoken to foreigners.

A hike to the Chi River, which is followed by a strenuous three-hour trek up to Aye. The route takes you first through fields of farmland and then through cool and pleasant pine forests. Upon arrival in Aye, clients are invited to have a cup of rice wine, which warms tired limbs after a big hike. The people still keep to traditional ways of life, which include the smoking of tobacco pipes, the inheriting and wearing of pure gold earrings by the men, and facial tattoos on the older women.

The summit of Nat Ma Taung, also known as Mt. Victoria. Mt. Victoria is 10,018 feet high and the national park that it sits in is home to 159 species of bird, including five indigenous species. Given the varied elevations in the park, tree species are equally plentiful; the combination of flora and fauna here affords clients plenty of unique photo opportunities.

Bhutan

The fairytale kingdom has peaks and valleys of unspoiled terrain, which offer prime trekking opportunities throughout the country.

The month-long Snowman Trek is one of the most famous circuits in the world. Hikes are 4-8 hours per day; the route beigns at Drukgyel Dzong, a Buddhist monastery located a short drive from Paro, and ends in Nikachu Chazam. This challenging expedition, which can be anywhere from 20-30 days, depending on routing, occurs at mostly high altitudes, and includes unforgettable sights such as rhododendron forests, pristine river valleys, Buddhist temples, and rare wildlife such as the Himalayan griffon, Himalayan blue sheep and bearded vultures.

In the Punakha Valley, hike along banks of the Mo Chhu River through terraces of rice, chilies and cabbage, to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, a ten-story monument that houses paintings by the Queen of Bhutan. The chorten offers views across the Mo Chhu and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond.

Hike or mountain bike through the Phobjika Valley, one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan. Visit the villages of Gogona and Khotokha, which pass through meadows, and forest of junipers, magnolia and rhododendrons. Guests have the opportunity to see the statuesque black-necked cranes and other wildlife such as barking deer, fox and Himalayan black bear.

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