Dave Stamboulis

Tips from the Top
Removed from the most famous tourist destinations in The Philippines, Ilocos Norte in far north Luzon offers everything from pristine beaches and scenery to barely-frequented cul-tural treasures.

Up on the Roof
Secreted away in the far north of Laos, Phongsaly is home to a mosaic of minority cultures and some of the most spectacular scenery in Southeast Asia.

Uncharted Heights
The fame of Nepal’s top trekking circuits precedes them. For something quieter, yet still spectacular, the Tsum Valley is heaven-sent.

Head for heights
Located near the border with Tajikistan, the Alai Valley in Kyrgyzstan offers wilderness trekking and inspiring vistas of the High Pamir

Truly remote: Tajikistan’s Bartang Valley
This highlight of the Pamir Highway features jagged peaks, a rushing river, and timeless Tajik culture

Exploring Ladakh’s Nubra Valley: Sand, Water, and Rock
From the treacherous Khardung La Pass to the idyllic Pangong Tso, Dave Stamboulis explores the many worlds of the Nubra Valley in Ladakh.

Central Asia’s Switzerland: Paradise in Kyrgyzstan
Dave Stamboulis travels through the wildly verdant Jyrgalan Valley and over the Sary Mogul River to discover a Kyrgyzstan that is quite different than one might expect.

Getting Holy in Gansu
Dave Stamboulis gets off the beaten track in China’s Gansu for spectacular mountains, high grasslands, and Buddhist reflection.