Highlights of Himalayan Frontiers

Below are some of the major travel highlights for Himalayan Frontiers. For more in-depth attractions of each country on this route, click on the country names below or select a route to see the highlights on this section of the journey. Click on the icons below to focus on specific types of features (click again to return to all).

In-depth highlights: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal


Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Trekking opportunities of Himalayan Frontiers

Everest
One of the world's classic trekking destinations is in the Khumbu Valley of the eastern Himalayas underneath the towering peak of the world's highest mountain - the incomparable Mount Everest (8848 metres). Located in Sagarmatha National Park, this area comprises several dramatic mountain peaks in addition to Everest, glaciers and deep valleys formed by tributaries of the Dudh Kosi which flows southwards through Lukla (2,800 metres), the base for exploring the park. This is the home of the Sherpa people, with their unique culture based on the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, which can be encountered in the town of Namche Bazaar with its Sherpa Museum and Visitor Centre and the famous and sacred monastery at Thyangboche. Trekking options in the park range from moderate introductory trails to the classic trek to Everest base camp and the challenging ascents of mountains like Mera and Island Peak. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Sagarmatha National Park

Everest

One of the world's classic trekking destinations is in the Khumbu Valley of the eastern Himalayas underneath the towering peak of the world's highest mountain - the incomparable Mount Everest (8848 metres). Located in Sagarmatha National Park, this area comprises several dramatic mountain peaks in addition to Everest, glaciers and deep valleys formed by tributaries of the Dudh Kosi which flows southwards through Lukla (2,800 metres), the base for exploring the park. This is the home of the Sherpa people, with their unique culture based on the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, which can be encountered in the town of Namche Bazaar with its Sherpa Museum and Visitor Centre and the famous and sacred monastery at Thyangboche. Trekking options in the park range from moderate introductory trails to the classic trek to Everest base camp and the challenging ascents of mountains like Mera and Island Peak.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Sagarmatha National Park

Annapurnas
The Annapurna Range of the Himalayas Mountains is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal. The area offers spectacular views of some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, including Annapurna I, II and II, Dhaulagiri and the fish-tail peak of Machhapuchhare. It is also a culturally rich region, with mountain villages of a diverse group of Hindu and Buddhist peoples. From a base in the picturesque town of Pokhara, trekking options range from moderate introductory treks to the long circuit around the Annapurnas and a route to the incomparable Annapurna Sanctuary.

Annapurnas

The Annapurna Range of the Himalayas Mountains is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal. The area offers spectacular views of some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, including Annapurna I, II and II, Dhaulagiri and the fish-tail peak of Machhapuchhare. It is also a culturally rich region, with mountain villages of a diverse group of Hindu and Buddhist peoples. From a base in the picturesque town of Pokhara, trekking options range from moderate introductory treks to the long circuit around the Annapurnas and a route to the incomparable Annapurna Sanctuary.

Everest Base Camp (North Face)
Everest Base Camp (North Face) A drive and trek to Everest Base Camp in Tibet provides spectacular views of the north face of Everest and the neighbouring Himalayan peaks. From the Friendship Highway just after Shegar, a dirt road takes you 85km to Rongphu, over the Pang La pass at 5,120 metres which offers a superb panoramic view of the peaks of Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Gyachung Kang and Makalu. The monastery at Rongphu (4900m) provides a stunning view of the north face of Everest as its colour changes with sunset. From here you can trek or take a pony cart to base camp, where there are great close up views of the Everest, a small hill decorated with hundreds of colourful prayer flags and a memorial to Mallory and Irvine's climb in 1924.

Everest Base Camp (North Face)

A drive and trek to Everest Base Camp in Tibet provides spectacular views of the north face of Everest and the neighbouring Himalayan peaks. From the Friendship Highway just after Shegar, a dirt road takes you 85km to Rongphu, over the Pang La pass at 5,120 metres which offers a superb panoramic view of the peaks of Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Gyachung Kang and Makalu. The monastery at Rongphu (4900m) provides a stunning view of the north face of Everest as its colour changes with sunset. From here you can trek or take a pony cart to base camp, where there are great close up views of the Everest, a small hill decorated with hundreds of colourful prayer flags and a memorial to Mallory and Irvine's climb in 1924.

Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China One of the Wonders of the World and one of the most extraordinary structures ever created, the Great Wall of China is truly a must-see for every traveller. Building walls to defend China from invasion was a strategy dating back to the 8th century BC, but it was under the first Emperor Qin Shi Huang from 220BC that the separate sections were restored and linked to form one structure stretching 5,000km from the Jiayuguan Pass in the Gobi Desert to Shanhaiguan on the east coast. Much of the original work on the Wall was completed during the Qin and Han dynasties up to 220AD but it was revived and extended during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) due to conflict with the Mongols. Over a million workers were involved in its construction and many died with the effort. Today the Wall, partially ruined, stretches across mountains, plateaus, grassland and desert over nine provinces, though only one-third of the original remains. There are several sections of the Wall that can be walked along, allowing you to appreciate the breathtaking nature of the construction and how it integrates into the surrounding landscape. UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Great Wall

Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China

One of the Wonders of the World and one of the most extraordinary structures ever created, the Great Wall of China is truly a must-see for every traveller. Building walls to defend China from invasion was a strategy dating back to the 8th century BC, but it was under the first Emperor Qin Shi Huang from 220BC that the separate sections were restored and linked to form one structure stretching 5,000km from the Jiayuguan Pass in the Gobi Desert to Shanhaiguan on the east coast. Much of the original work on the Wall was completed during the Qin and Han dynasties up to 220AD but it was revived and extended during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) due to conflict with the Mongols. Over a million workers were involved in its construction and many died with the effort. Today the Wall, partially ruined, stretches across mountains, plateaus, grassland and desert over nine provinces, though only one-third of the original remains. There are several sections of the Wall that can be walked along, allowing you to appreciate the breathtaking nature of the construction and how it integrates into the surrounding landscape.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Great Wall