Landscapes in Asia
Nanga Parbat is the 9th highest mountain in the world and the second highest in Pakistan after K2 (8,611 m). The name means "naked mountain" due to the bare slopes, but its nickname is "Killer Mountain" due to the many deaths of climbers and sherpas. It was first climbed in 1953 (one month after the first ascent of Mt. Everst), but was first climbed during winter in 2016.
Rakaposhi (7,788 m) is "only" the 27th highest peak in the world, but it has the longest unbroken slope on the planet. From the viewpoint at the Karakoram Highway at 1,950 m the peak is 11 km away, but the rise in altitude is almost 6,000 meters, which you have uninterrupted views of. At the foot of the snow covered peak runs Ghulmet glacier, which feed the gushing river below. There are a couple of cafés and shops at the viewpoint.
The Shandur Pass lies at 3,738 m and is part of the Gilgit-Chitral road. On both sides the road is a rocky and bumpy 4x4 track. Strangely, it's here you find the world highest polo field at the pass, which is still used for matches (Chitral used to win, because their horses are used to the high altitude).
This waterfall doesn't have a name. It's a three tier waterfall, which lies next to the Gilgit-Phander road a bit north of Ghizer. The small parking area is a 5 minutes 4x4 drive from the road, and from there it's a 10 minutes light hike.
The main reason to come to El Nido is the mesmerizing archipelago right of the coast in Bacuit Bay. The jagged limestone islands offers high vertical walls, stunning white beaches, and hidden lagoons, while the azure waters is home to vibrant coral gardens and - with luck - manta rays and whale sharks. The amount of day tours offered seem to be as plentiful as the number of islands, but you can hardly go wrong. Since one tour "only" takes you to 4-5 places, you might have to do several tours, if there are some specific places you absolutely must see, which could be Pasandigan Beach (picture), Snake Island, one of the lagoons, or Helicopter Island.
Bali Beach is one of the possible stops on a day tour from El Nido to Bacuit Archipelago. It's one of the less visited of the many picture-perfect beaches with white sand and fringed by tall coconut palms. You might even get this deserted paradise all to yourself (and the rest of your tour group). There are natural pools in the black rocks at the south end. The water here is tub warm, but you have to make the bubbles yourself.
It's a beautiful 2.2 km (oneway) coastal walk from the pier in Sabang to the waterfall. First, you pass the fishermen houses, but soon the stone trail snakes along the wild rocky shore. The waterfall is not particularly high (about 15 m in total), but there are several natural pools. The bottom basin has been enforced with concrete to create an infinity pool with refreshingly cold fresh water right next to the crashing waves of the sea. There is an entrance fee.
You will probably see plenty of pictures of Snake Island, when looking for island tours. Snake Island is named after a natural sandbar, which snakes between two island. It's truly as spectacular in real, as it's in the pictures. There is also a viewpoint a short hike up. The primitive bar is popular no matter what time of the day. As Snake Island is used as lunch spot, it can get crowded.
This extraordinary underground river is part of a 25 km long cave system, whereof 8.2 km is a river. To add to its uniqueness, the river also outflows directly into the sea. You can only visit on a tour and those will "only" venture 3 km into the river. But it's truly spectacular to be paddled through the darkness with only the boatman's headlamp to point out rock formations, stalactites, stalagmites and bat colonies. The Underground River, which official name is Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, is not just an UNESCO World Heritage Site, but was also voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The tours are well organised, but by doing it from Sabang, and not Puerto Princesa or El Nido, you can be one of the first in the cave.
Taroko National Park with Taroko Gorge is one of Taiwan's major sites, especially for nature lovers. Though most visitors come by car or bus and just enjoy the winding roads carved into the steep walls of rock, there are plenty of trails for the more active. Some trails venture off into the lush mountains, crossing high suspension bridges and passing through small hidden villagers that have been there since the original inhabitants, the Atayal people, inhabited the mountains. The place is best explored with your own vehicle (rent a scooter at Hualien train station), but can be done by public bus and a bit of hitchhiking.