Landscapes in Asia
Not just some impressive caves with human record going some 40,000 years back and rock painting dating 1200 years back, but also a major site for bird nest harvesting. These swiftlet's nests are some of the most expensive food item on the globe and go for about US$500 per kilo in Hong Kong where they are made into bird nest soup. At Niah, the nests are still harvested the old fashion way where the collector climbs 60 metres up the air on thin poles to reach the nests under the cave roof. No serious safety equipment is used and fatal accidents usually happen every year. The harvest season runs from January to March and then again from August to December.
These sand dunes are some of the very little sand there actually is in this giant desert, but they are still pretty big. More than a hundred kilometres long, twelve kilometres wide, and several hundred metres high, they are sometimes called the the singing sand due to the whistling sound the blowing sand makes. This can turn into a roaring that breaks the silence of the desert, when the tall dunes avalanche.
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is probably the most accessible national park in Mongolia - but don't take "accessible" too literally, as this is Mongolia where a track of ruts is considered a road. The park is particularly known for its wild beauty with forest, streams, hot springs, and characteristic boulders. The wildlife includes bears and many rare bird species, but it's unlikely that you see any without an effort. There are plenty of tourist ger camps, where trips further into the park can be done on horseback.
This white beach that stretch out into the Bay of Bengal might not has the high status as Ngwe Saung, also called Silver Beach, to the south or Ngapali further north. This is a holiday spot for the middle class, which turn the beach into a playground at sunset. But if you stroll a kilometre north, pass coconut palms and sandy outcrop, the beach will be pretty deserted. Only swaying palms, turquoise water, and a golden stupa will disturb you there.
Ama Dablam is one of the most beautiful mountains of Sagarmatha National Park in the Himalayas. When you look at the Everest mountain range for the first time, Ama Dablam (and not Mount Everest) definitely is the most conspicuous and impressive sight. The steep snowy peak was climbed for the first time in 1961 and is among the most popular and most technically difficult mountains to climb. The characteristic double peak, (the highest peak is 6,812 m and the lower peak, 5,563 m), makes the mountain a great bearing compass when you trek to the Everest Base Camp or around the region.
Sagarmatha National Park is on the Natural World Heritage List and covers an area of approximately 1,150 km² in the Himalayan mountains. The park's mountains have heights ranging from 2,800 to 8,840 m (Mount Everest peak), and it is this area you trek through if, for example, you go to Mount Everest Base Camp. You get nothing less than a breathtaking moment when, after many hours of hard trekking - typically from the town of Namche Bazaar, you spot the first sight of the Everest mountain range and Mount Everest itself. The best time to trek in this area is in October, when you will have the best chances of fine weather and sunshine.
The Deosai plateau range from 3,500 m to 4,500 m, and is the second highest in the world. The national Park is home to both Snow leopards, Himalayan Ibex and Himalayan brown bears, though you will probably just see Himalayan golden marmots. Besides the beautiful alpine landscape, Sheosar Lake and the high altitude road pass at 4,180 m are the main attractions.
Fairy Meadows is considered by many Pakistani to be the most beautiful place in Pakistan. The lush valley is surrounded by snowcapped mountains with a gushing river at the bottom. Getting here is half of the adventure. First you take a hair rising jeep trip along a bumpy rock road, which clings to the mountain side and with deep scary drops. When the road ends you have a two hour up-hill hike ahead of you with views that just become better and better until you have panoramic views of Nanga Parbat (8,126 m). Fairy Meadows itself has a bit of Klondike feel with all the construction of new cottages and guesthouses (all made by hand in timber). From Fairy Meadows there good trekking options, one leading up the Nanga Parbat Viewpoint (3,703 m) through the settlement at Beyal Camp (3,560 m), which can be extended to the base camp (3,860 m).
Hushe Valley is the gateway to K2 (8,611 m), however you can't see K2 from the valley, but the views of the Masherbrum massif (7,821 m) are spectacular. The K2 base camp is several days' hike away, but most trekkers will spend about 14 days for the return hike to the base camp. Hushe Valley is literally the end of the road, and you will cross several wooden bridges just wide enough for your 4x4 (which is necessary). Hushe Valley will usually be visited on a day trip from Khaplu, but there are guest houses.
The Khunjerab National Park is located to the extreme north of Pakistan along the border to China. It's best known for being home to snow leopards, but the huge national park (5,544 sq. km) is the natural habitat for several endangered species, like Marco Polo sheeps, brown bear, Blue sheep, Tibetan wild ass and Himalayan ibex. Due to the high elevation of 4,000 m or more, the flora is equally unique. The high altitude road crosses the Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m) before ending at the border to China, which is an attraction of itself.