Go birding around the Putao Valley. While only 127 species have been recorded so far, it is believed that many more unidentified species make their home in the lush Alung Dung valley. Known species include the Great Hornbill, Collared Myna, Collared Treepie, Brown Dipper, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Silver-eared Mesia, Red-faced Liocichla, White-bellied Yuhina, Burmese Shrike and Green-backed Tit. In addition, the region boasts a wide range of butterflies, and over 523 species of orchids & rhododendrons.

After a scenic hike, visit an ethnic village in the vicinity. Because of the region’s proximity to India and China, a highly diverse tribal community exists, with Kachin, Shan, and even Naga people living within the area. After meeting with the locals and speaking with them about their lifestyle, browse the local market and see some of the handiwork of the villagers for sale.

Trek through the wilderness to visit Fort Hertz, one of the most isolated British fortresses in the history of the Empire. During World War II, Fort Hertz was cut off from the outside world for months after the Japanese occupied Burma; amazingly, it remained in British hands, and became one of the main bases for resistance to the Japanese occupation.

Explore Hkakabo Razi National Park, home to Hkakabo Razi, Southeast Asia’s highest mountain. Part of the southern reaches of the Himalayas, the summit at 19,295 feet is one of the region’s main attractions for intrepid mountaineers, but the park itself is rich in wildlife and flora, and an exceptional place for exploring the natural beauty of the land. The park is mountainous and mostly filled with broad-leaved rainforest, but its close proximity to the alpine peaks has led to exceptional biodiversity, much of which has yet to be discovered.

True to the original meaning of its name, Hkamti Long is still a place to find natural reserves of gold; the area provides work for panners, which remains one of the region’s most lucrative jobs.

Climb Phogun Razi. Located by the Myanmar–India border, Phogun Razi’s peak lies at 11,433 feet, making it a suitable trek for those wishing to scale the Himalayas. The trek will take you out of the subtropic rainforest and into a semi-deciduous forest, a notable change in climate as well as flora and fauna. From the peak, admire the lush valley and the distant mountains lining the horizon.

Go whitewater rafting on the Nam Lang River. A full day’s trip will take you through the mountains north of the hotel and into the exhilarating rapids that pass through them. Enjoy the pristine water rushing past you as you navigate technical rapids through tight bedrock canyons; once the danger has passed, enjoy your leisurely float downstream, which will drop you off at the foot of your hotel.