Best for Trekking
The Himalayas is the undisputed home of trekking in the Indian subcontinent and while challenging hikes abound for the intrepid traveler, there are an array of shorter walks to choose from which are just perfect for a stroll through the region’s spectacular scenery. So if tackling the Annapurna Circuit whets your appetite or wandering through Bhutan’s rice paddies sounds more like your cup of tea, we’ve compiled the very best hikes in the region for explorers and amblers alike.
Considered one of the most dramatic treks in the world, the Annapurna circuit is a spectacular hiking route in Nepal's Himalayas. The Ker and Downey Lodges are the ideal base to rest travel weary feet. Offering hot showers, comfortable beds and delicious authentic food along the trekking route, the lodges are located manageable distances between each other confirming them as ideal pit-stop after a day's trekking. Home comforts are a welcomed sight after a day on the trail and a wonderful antidote to a day in the great outdoors.
Bhutan's dramatic scenery lends itself perfectly to hiking. The Butterfly Trail is a one hour walk which passes through some of Bhutan's most incredible landscapes. Journey past rice paddy fields, watch as local life plays out in front of your eyes and soak up the incredible views across the Mo Chu Valley on this fantastic walk in Punakha. Combining the hike with a visit to Khansum Yulley Temple makes for a wonderful day out in Bhutan's rural heartland.
The Knuckles Mountain Range in Sri Lanka is a forest clad massif, home to an astoundingly diverse ecozystem. Trekking through the Knuckles Forest Reserve on the Corbett's Gap Viewpoint track is a fantastic 6 hour trek which takes you through low forests, past waterfalls and across mist shrouded cloud forests. The extraordinary views which await on every peak and at every turn are well worth the climb and the hike is a fantastic way to get off the beaten track in Sri Lanka's Hill Country.
The Himalayas are famed for their incredible hiking trails and Ladakh is no exception. The landscape is defined by jagged peaks, clear blue skies, rainbow colored prayer flags, and beautifully preserved gompas making it the perfect terrain for an outdoors adventure. This incredible corner of the planet is a mecca for hikers looking for serious walking trails in the Himalayas. During the summer months, the Ultimate Traveling Camp opens its doors in Ladakh providing the ideal base for a walking getaway in the mountains.
The Tiger's Nest Monastery is a spectacular sight to behold. Clinging on to the very cliff side where it is said that Buddhism was first brought to Bhutan, the Tiger's Nest Monastery is a site of incredible significance in Bhutanese culture. Taking the hike up to the monastery is challenging, and best done before the heat of the day sets in, but the 2 hour climb is worth the exertion as the temple is revealed on the final section of your ascent. It is a truly jaw dropping sight as the monastery seems to defy gravity above the Paro Valley.