20 Best Underrated Hikes in Asia That Are Barren and Beautiful
/Unlike European counterparts where marked trails and hut-to-hut options may be the norm, over here in Asia — you get a different taste of being in the outdoors.
It can be rough, and brutal with the heat and humidity amidst the forested landscapes but it can also be barren, arid, and cold in some of the tallest mountains in the world.
The best hikes in Asia are wide-ranging from tropical rainforests rich with biodiversity and volcano hiking to some of the world’s tallest mountains in the Himalayas and steppes.
If you have experience with day hikes, overnight hikes, long distances and high elevations, Asia may just be the place for you to start hiking. There are literally hundreds of options from thick tropical rainforests to teahut trails amid the high Himalayas.
You get a combination of mountains and unique culture infused with local customs that can sometimes make hiking the best thing to do in Asia.
Here are some of the best treks and hikes in Asia as told by other travellers from different parts of the world.
Also Read: 18 Best Hikes in Europe: Wild, Offbeat and Trail-worthy
20 Best Underrated Hiking Trails in Asia
1. Goecha La Trek, India
People often think of Nepal as the quintessential Himalayan trekking destination. However, the Indian Himalayas have some equally fantastic routes, with a fraction of the number of other visitors.
One of the very best of these is the Goecha La Trek, in the northeast Indian state of Sikkim.
This fantastic trek offers truly world-class scenery. Most of the route lies within Kanchenjunga National Park, on the southeast side of Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the world's third-highest peak.
Throughout the hike, there are breathtaking views of this mountain and a number of other giant peaks.
It’s fairly challenging, taking between 7-9 days to cover 90 kilometres, much of which is at high altitude. The highest point in the trek is the Goecha La pass itself, at 4,940 metres. Be sure to take it steady and acclimatise to the altitude, to minimise the risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS).
Trekking in Sikkim is comparable in many ways to trekking in Nepal. However, there is much less infrastructure in the mountains of Sikkim.
For example, there are far fewer teahouses and sleeping huts on this route than on any of the major Nepali treks. Therefore, you will probably need to spend at least one night in a tent.
Also, you must have a guide to accompany you on the Goecha La trek. This can be organised either in the village of Yuksom (where the trail starts), or in the cities of Gangtok or Darjeeling
Sikkim is extremely biologically diverse. During this trek, as you pass through the different climate zones, you will see a great range of animals and plant life. Keep an eye out for red pandas (unbelievably cute!), monkeys, eagles, yaks, and black bears
The best time to attempt the route is either from March-May or September-November. In these months, the weather is at its best, and you can enjoy incredible views.
If you prefer to go with a guide, a recommended tour would be: Sikkim Goecha-La Trek and Tour
By Alex from Just Go Exploring
2. Panchachuli Base Camp Trek, India
Panchachuli, derived from Pandava’s ‘five cooking hearths’, is a series of five snow-peaked mountains in the Eastern Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
Dharchula is the last point of contact where you can find an ATM. From Dharchula onwards, the long line of remote villages would only bring the beauty of East Uttarakhand.
The road itself is one of the most difficult roads to ride on, especially in the rain. Two beautiful villages you can stop midway for tea or coffee can be Dar and Urthin.
Dugtu Village, being the base of the Panchachuli Base Camp Trek, is generally considered as the night’s stay. But, we went a bit further and decided to pitch the tent in Dantu. The view of Panchachuli Peaks on one side and Rajrambha and Brahma Peaks revealed in fog and clouds – that’s Dugtu for you.
From Dugtu, Panchachuli Base Camp is a 2-km hike away. The trail is well-marked and a one-directional path to the glacier frozen during wintertime.
The melted water forms narrow waterfalls along the trail. With the mountains surrounding the hushed valleys and melted glaciers, we hit this trail in awe and anticipation.
There are a number of igloo-shaped structures (commercial campsites) on the trail, in case you want to spend the night near the base camp.
by Ipsita from Nomad Enroute
Also Read: Hiking The Peaks of Balkans Trail: Along the Accursed Mountains (Self-Guided)
3. Mount Saramati, India
Mount Saramati is the highest peak in the state of Nagaland in northeast India. It has a height of about 3841 m. It is also one of the highest Ultra prominent peaks in Southeast Asia. The Saramati Peak marks the border of India and Myanmar.
Mount Saramati was not only my first high-altitude trek but also the first hiking experience of my life. It introduced us to the remote yet beautiful places of Nagaland. We also learned about the culture of the Yimkhiung Naga ethnic group.
The hike starts from the Thanamir village of Nagaland. The village is also known for its apple cultivation which we were unaware of before our visit. Apart from that, we also discovered a number of colourful orchids and flowers along the trail to the peak.
Nagaland and Mount Saramati are known for the bird species like Hornbill and Blyth's tragopan. The latter is also the state bird of Nagaland. Though we couldn't witness both during our hike to Mt. Saramati, we indeed saw a few other beautiful birds.
What I loved the most about the Mount Saramati trek were the stunning landscapes from the base camp to the Peak. We started early around 3 am in the morning to witness the sunrise from the peak. The trail from the camp is steeper and more adventurous. You could see the distant hills of Myanmar from near the peak.
Mount Saramati surely is an underrated hike and lesser-known trek in Asia. One can witness the flowers post-monsoon and snow during winters.
by Joydeep from The Gypsy Chiring
Also Read: Best Trekking Places In The Indian Himalayas
4. Jardine’s Lookout, Hong Kong
The Hong Kong dramatic skyline is famous to the world. The cityscape of Hong Kong is truly one of a kind – it’s hard to find another major international city in the world that is surrounded by so many mountains.
There are many wonderful viewpoints in Hong Kong to enjoy harbor views for free.
Take a walk along the waterfront on either Kowloon or Hong Kong Island, hop on the Star Ferry, or take a hike to the mountains and enjoy the view from above.
Many tourists may know about Victoria Peak, or the Lion Rock, however, these spots are usually crowded. To take an off-beat route, the Hong Kong Trail Section 5 connects some of the best peaks on the east side of the island and gives you a new perspective of the city’s breathtaking scenery.
The hike begins at the Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park, a retired reservoir turned into an artificial lake with boat rentals.
It’s an easy 30-minute walk uphill to the first checkpoint, Jardine’s Lookout, which offers an unobstructed view of Victoria Harbor. The route then continues to the east mountains on the island.
Mount Butler and Mount Parker are about one to two hours away and Mount Parker is the second-highest peak on Hong Kong Island.
To take it further, head north to Siu Ma Shan which leads to an observation deck on Sir Cecil's Ride Loop, or Tai Tam Reservoir, and its heritage trail covers a few historical buildings, bridges, and architectures that shed a light on the city’s colonial past.
By Knycx Journeying
5. Tung Lung Chau, Hong Kong
There are many outlying islands in Hong Kong and one of the best to explore is Tung Lung Chau.
With ferries that only operate on the weekends and public holidays, Tung Lung Chau is home to some of Hong Kong's best unspoiled nature, geological formations, and hikes.
If you somehow managed to miss the last ferry on Sunday, then tough luck! Looks like you are waiting till next weekend to get back home.
The most popular thing to do on Hong Kong island is to hike the 9-kilometer loop that takes hikers to some of the best sights on the island such as the Eagle Tooth Rock, one of the nine historic rock carvings of Hong Kong, and Tung Lung Fort.
The hike takes about 5 to 6 hours to complete, depending on your fitness level and how many times you plan on stopping to take photos (trust me, it's going to be a lot).
If you ever plan to do this underrated hike in Hong Kong, just make sure you pack a lunch or big snack.
There are a few stores that are run by a handful of residents that still live on the island. But as you can imagine, there isn't much variety and the prices are not worth what you get.
by Sean Lau from Living Out Lau
6. Mt. Mitake, Japan
A short train ride to the west and southwest of Tokyo lies a number of popular mountains, perfect for day-hikes or overnight hikes from the city.
The most famous of these mountains is Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, and the most frequently summitted is Mt. Takao, located less than an hour from Tokyo.
Mt. Mitake is an off-the-beaten-path alternative to both of these mountain hikes, located in the beautiful Japanese countryside and still within two hours by train from Tokyo.
Mt. Mitake, like other mountains around Japan, is a Shinto pilgrimage destination and a beautiful red shrine adorns the summit.
The Musashi Mitake Shrine is a 2000-year old building that houses a wolf deity, oinu-sama, so you may see shrine visitors bring their furry friends up to be blessed!
The hike itself winds up the side of Mt Mitake, with numbered cedar trees (1 to 800) keeping you company along the trail. When I summitted Mt. Mitake, it took me about two hours and I was the only one attempting the hike. Most visitors to Mt. Mitake take the funicular, which costs 1,100 yen round-trip (~$10 USD).
From the summit of Mt. Mitake there are a variety of other side-treks to check out, including to a natural Rock Garden and to another nearby summit called Mt. Otake.
Once you've finished hiking, you can have a meal at one of the Japanese restaurants at the summit, or even stay the night in a shukubo, or traditional accommodation that once hosted Shinto Buddhist pilgrims.
by Erika from Erika's Travelventures
7. Kelimutu Volcano, Indonesia
One of the best hikes in Asia that is underrated and off the beaten path is the one to the top of Kelimutu Volcano in Kelimutu National Park. It is located on Flores Island, a 2 hour drive from Ende Airport.
Kelimutu Volcano is dormant. Located at the top is three enormous different coloured lakes that sit in massive craters formed from previous eruptions. Unbelievably, these lakes change colour all year long, reacting to the change in minerals in the water, the weather and volcanic gas.
One of my most favorite experiences ever was hiking up Kelimutu to watch the sunrise. My family of five woke at 4:00 am and reached the top in about one hour. The hike was relatively easy with a level path and gentle slope until you reached the final 100 meters.
At that point, you had to climb steep stairs. Overall, you should wear comfortable walking shoes with good treads and dress warmly. It is very cold at that time of day and elevation.
Once you reach the top, you wait for the sun to rise. As it does, the stunning lakes and their individual colors slowly reveal themselves. When we were there, one was blue, another green, and finally, one was pinkish/red. Locals believe that the blue lake is where “good” young souls go to rest.
The green lake is where “good” old souls go. Finally, the souls’ of bad people go to the reddish one. Over hundreds of years, there have been many sacrifices and ceremonies in these lakes. They continue to this day.
A recommended tour if you much prefer to go with a guide is this 7 Days Explore Komodo & Flores
by Nicole from Grow Far Grow Close
8. Bukit Lawang, Indonesia
The Bukit Lawang rainforest trek in Indonesia is a wonderful way to experience wildlife and scenery in the same hike.
This rainforest in Sumatra is becoming known as one of the best places to see wild orangutans in Indonesia, and the trek is pretty easy to do on a budget since it's still off the beaten path for most tourists.
In two treks at Bukit Lawang, we saw orangutans, gibbons, leaf monkeys, long tailed macaques, monitor lizards, giant ants, a spectacular banyan tree, and other jungle sights.
You'll need a guide to enter the rainforest, but these are easy to arrange and the trekking prices are not too expensive. There is also some basic accommodation and restaurants in the nearby village of Bukit Lawang, which sits by the riverside.
Most treks at Bukit Lawang last one or two days, and this is enough time to see lots of scenery and wildlife.
The trekking packages also usually include camping equipment and meals provided by the guides, who lead you through the forest and keep you safe.
After finishing your hike, the guides will give you the choice of walking back to town or rafting on inner-tubes, which can be a great way to see some unique views of the jungle from the outside!
Here’s a recommended tour to go with: Bukit Lawang Full Day Jungle Trek
by David & Intan from The World Travel Guy
9. Penang National Park, Malaysia
The majority of visitors to Penang visit the nearby Penang Hill to see nature. With its funicular, that one is accessible for people of all ages, and atop you’ll find many attractions that have no relation to the region’s biodiversity.
In my experience, the best hiking fun and escape from the city is by visiting Penang National Park to the west. That’s where you’ll encounter mostly enthusiastic locals in hiking attire.
Inside Penang National Park there’s a variety of trails. The starting section is paved and accessible, but after that, you can choose how much you’ll hike in one day.
The inland trail leads to the meromictic lake and Turtle Beach. In the forest, there are many colorful butterflies that will land near or on you.
The meromictic lake – where the top and bottom layers of water don’t mix – is globally quite a rare phenomenon. Next to it is a beach where between April and August baby turtles hatch.
The coastal path leads to several beaches including Monkey Beach. When I visited, one section of the trail was inaccessible due to a landslide, so I arranged a boat from one cove to the next to continue the hike to the Cape.
From Monkey Beach, it’s a short hike up to Muka Head Lighthouse dating back to 1883. I love lighthouses, so I was happily surprised that it was possible to climb the tower and enjoy panoramas of the Strait of Malacca.
by Iris Veldwijk from Mind of a Hitchhiker
10. Gunung Pulai, Malaysia
Tucked in the southeastern corner of Kedah state, between Penang island and the Thailand border, 620-meter-high Gunung Pulai near the town of Baling is an offbeat hike in Malaysia that few foreign travellers try.
I think this is quite a mistake because Gunung Pulai is an advanced hike that feels like a climb and that will lead you to conquer fantastic views of Malaysia’s northern mountain ridges from the coast all the way to Thailand.
You’ll see Gunung Pulai, which is at the other end of this buffalo-horn-shaped ridge, and looking out west from the summit on a clear day, one can see all the way to Gunung Jerai near the coast — sometimes even up to Penang’s bridge.
First off, don’t confound this mountain with that of the same name in Johor state, southern Malaysia.
The trek, for which hiring a guide is essential, starts next to a Malay cemetery and is best tackled in the middle of the night to make it to the top in time for sunrise.
You can also hike during the day, which is best, as the karst limestone pinnacles that jut all around the trail are best navigated in the daylight — a fall here could really hurt you and break bones. I climbed at 5pm to reach the peak by sunset.
The views were beautiful, but there’s no space to comfortably set up a tent on the top, so I do not recommend overnighting unless you are ready to swing a hammock to the few trees you’ll find on the summit.
However you decide to do it, please be advised that climbing Gunung Pulai requires plenty of stamina and some training to be enjoyed. You’ll feel all of those 620 meters burning at the top of your legs for days on end, no matter how fit you are. But the views, well, are definitely worth it.
by Marco Ferrarese from Penang Insider
11. Sapa Valley, Vietnam
If you have been searching for the best underrated hikes in Asia, Sapa in Vietnam should be on top of your list.
Sapa is located of Northwest of Vietnam, beyond the clouds in a mountain town in Lao Cai Province which also includes Fan Si Pan, the highest mountain in Vietnam with a heigh of 3,142m above sea level.
The main activities during your visit to Sapa are to go on hiking and trekking and have the fascinating experience of visit the local hill tribes along the way, and even better, to experience a homestay with a local Black H’mong family.
During your hike in Sapa you will enjoy amazing views of mountains, waterfalls, rice paddies, rivers, and cross bridges where you can see local women washing clothes.
While it is possible to trek on your own, it is better to have the assistance of a local guide to guarantee a more enriching experience. When it comes to long hikes or overnight stays in villages, the knowledge of a local will come in handy.
You have an option to book a tour in advance and one of the best ways is to experience 2-Day Sa Pa Ethnic Homestay Tour with Trekking.
The best way to get to Sapa is by overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. Upon your arrival in Lao Cao station, you can take a mini-bus up into the mountains to Sapa Town, which takes approximately 1-hour.
by Paula from Paula Pins the Planet
12. Langtang Trek, Nepal
Langtang trek is a spectacular 5-day off-the-beaten-path trek in Nepal. It doesn’t see as many foreign tourists as some of the popular routes in the Himalayas e.g. Everest Base Camp trek or Annapurna Circuit.
Langtang trek is a challenging route that requires good acclimatisation. The total ascent on the trek is 4000 m. Kyanjin Ri, 4600 m is the highest point of the route. It’s a linear trek that starts and finishes at the small village of Syabrubesi, 120 km north of Kathmandu on the border with China.
The trek can be done independently, with a guide/porter, or in a group. Here’s are recommended 8 day tour to go for!
The trek offers a great combination of cultural experience, beautiful scenery, and diverse wildlife. Even experienced hikers will be impressed with the Langtang trek.
The diversity of the landscape on the Langtang trek is incredible; the route starts at tropical lush green forest with hummingbirds and monkeys and finishes in mountain peaks covered in snow and home of the elusive snow leopard.
On the way hikers stay at rustic guesthouses and get a chance to experience Nepalese culture and learn about local traditions and ways of living.
Traditional regional food such as sucuti (dried yak meat), momos (dumplings), dal bhat, and Tibetan tea (black tea with yak butter) are served in tea houses on the trail. For a unique cultural experience, hikers can extend the route by 3 days and visit Tamang Village.
by Alya from Stingy Nomads
13. Gokyo Lakes Trek, Nepal
Everybody knows Mount Everest and the trek to Mount Everest Basecamp attracts thousands of trekkers every year. Few people know that just around the corner is an even more spectacular trail to a number of clear turquoise blue mountain lakes.
The Gokyo Lakes trek may be less famous, but offers more beautiful mountain sceneries in a more quiet part of the Sagarmatha National Park.
The trail starts at Namche bazaar. The major town in the Solukhumbu district and a great place to acclimatize for a few days.
Namche is already at 3440 meters and is a cultural center for the local Sherpa people. Other nearby Sherpa villages such as Khumjung, Kunde and Thame are easy to visit on a day trip from Namche bazaar.
From Namche bazaar the trail to the Gokyo lakes is easy to follow and the distances you walk each day are relatively short. When you fly into Lukla you should count on 14 days to hike up to the Gokyo lakes and back.
The biggest challenge is the altitude that you will definitely notice the closer you get to the lakes. The Gokyo Lakes are above 5000 meters and form the highest freshwater lake system in the world. They are fed by the Ngozumpa glacier that you can see from the top of Gokyo Ri.
As you get higher you will see the landscapes change from lush and green rice paddies to a barren rocky landscape and snow capped mountain peaks. It’s a very biodiverse area as well.
I was lucky enough to see wild marmots, mountain goats as well as the colorful Himalayan monal. Even if you are less lucky you will for sure meet the local Sherpa people with their yak, donkey and horse caravans on the trail.
A recommended tour worth checking out is the Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes and Cho La Pass. You get an onslaught of views from Everest as well as 8,000 meter-plus mountains from the top of Gokyo Ri.
By Ellis from Backpack Adventures
Also Read: 15 Best Treks In Nepal
14. Altai Bogd National Park, Mongolia
Hiking in Mongolia is for adventurers looking for remote experiences, where getting to the trail is an adventure in itself.
But with challenge comes reward, and the magnificent landscape is well worth the difficult access.
With such a massively vast and open scenery, Mongolia offers an infinite number of hiking opportunities, from the tundra north of Lake Khövsgöl, the steppes of the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, or even the dunes of the Gobi desert, all within reasonable reach from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital and main travel hub.
On the other side of the country, the Westernmost region of Mongolia is surrounded by Russia, China, and Kazakhstan and is home to the stunning Altai mountains.
With glacier-fed rivers, lakes of deep turquoise colours, snow-covered peaks, the Altai mountain range, and especially the Altai Bogd National Park, is a prime destination for experienced hikers wanting to explore where few do.
In the local language, Tavan Bogd Mountains translates as the ‘5 Saints”, thanks to the five peaks located in the park, all over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).
In addition, the Tavan Bogd mountain range is considered sacred, and many burial mounds and petroglyphs are scattered through the park, evidence of human presence through millennia. Still today, yurts and yack herds testify to the strong traditions within the park.
The park can be explored by foot or horses, following an unmarked trail that crosses the park from one side to the other. The trek takes about eight days by foot, covering roughly 100 miles (160 km). You could opt for a hike with a guide as well on a day trip.
Though the trail itself is not challenging as it goes through gently rolling hills, for the most part, the extreme remoteness of the park and the destination itself makes it challenging and is best approached with experience and proper trekking gear.
By Patricia from Ze Wandering Frogs
Also Read: 10 Best Doable Mountains To Climb In The World
15. Wuyi Mountains (Wuyishan), China
The Wuyi Mountains (Wuyishan) in China's Fujian province is is an incredibly scenic area filled with dome-shaped mountains, cliffs, caves, crystal clear rivers, forests and tea gardens.
Even though the area has UNESCO status for its biodiversity (it protects the largest intact forest in China and one of the most extensive subtropical forests on earth) and cultural importance to Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, these mountains remain blissfully off the beaten path.
There are hikes and walks to keep you busy for weeks without getting bored.
If you have time for only one, make it Tianyou Peak. This peak is the most popular hike in Wuyishan National Park, and the views from the summit are drop-dead gorgeous.
More than 800 steps are carved into the sheer cliffside, and it's an almost vertical ascent. But fear not: there are regular spots to take a break and admire the breathtaking view along the way.
You'll be rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the Nine-Bend River snaking its way through the national park before reaching the summit.
Besides climbing the park's numerous peaks, you must also take a bamboo raft down the Nine-Bend River. Boatmen will punt you along the nine-kilometre stretch of river, and it's spectacular. You'll float under cliffs rising straight from the river, go over a few exciting rapids, and you can spot shoals of fish following the raft as you make your way downriver.
by De Wet & Jin from Museum of Wander
16. Gubeikou Great Wall, China
The Gubeikou section is one of the most isolated parts of the Great Wall in Eastern China and is divided into a fully restored eastern part and an unrestored wild western part.
It is located in Miyun district, about 120 kilometres northeast of downtown Beijing, further outside of the city than the very touristy Badaling and the fully restored Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.
You will not find shops, local vendors, or tourist facilities on the unrestored, rough, wild western part of the Gubeikou Great Wall. Breathtaking views and a beautiful landscape await you.
You will hike between six and eight kilometres and this will take approximately three to four hours. At the beginning of the hike, you will climb up a dirt trail before you will reach the actual Great Wall.
There, you will encounter many watchtowers, some in good condition and others that are almost ruined. One of the watchtowers has a hole in the roof so you have to be careful not to burst in. A part of the trail leads through a pine forest but mostly you will have amazing views of the Great Wall that stretches over mountain ridges.
Some parts of this section of the Great Wall are well-preserved others are steep and dilapidated. Sometimes you have to hike next to the wall but most of the time you can walk on the wall itself. Overall, the hike is moderate and manageable for reasonably trained people.
If you are looking to experience an off-the-beaten section of this monument, you will probably love the wild western part of the Gubeikou Great Wall.
by Vanessa from Travelling Colognian
17. Mount Geumjeongsan, Busan, South Korea
Busan is one of South Korea’s most popular and unique cities to visit. And even if there’s a ton of things to do there, most people don’t know about the beautiful hikes around the city.
Starting from Beomeosa Temple, you can hike Mount Geumjeongsan. A short hike with a big payoff!
This first part of the hike will take you to Geumjeong Fortress. A huge fortress wall that stretches out as far as the eye can see up the hill and into the beautiful mountainous landscape.
The hike up Mount Geumjeongsan mainly goes through a beautifully lush forest, following a small creek most of its length. And just like most hikes in South Korea, expect to run into a few people eager to say “Hello”. If you’re feeling cheeky, answer back with “annyeong haseyo”. They love it!
This hike is around 4 hours long round-trip. Be sure to bring snacks and water, because there’s nothing around. The hike is quite easy - no need to bring gear or bulky hiking shoes, sturdy running shoes will do.
This is not a touristy hike, which is why it’s so lovely. Most of the (very few) people we saw were locals. Other than the breathtaking view of Busan, our favorite thing about this hike is the cats we befriended on the journey. At the summit, expect to run into a dozen of cats, some of whom are very friendly!
This underrated hike in Asia is easy, with amazing views, friendly locals and cats. What more could you ask for!
by Carine & Derek from WeDidItOurWay.com
18. Phu Chi Fa, Chiang Rai, Thailand
While visitors to Thailand are mostly drawn to the beaches of southern Thailand, domestic travellers often go the opposite way, travelling north into the mountains.
Partly it’s to escape the relentless heat of the lower lands as the temperatures are much more amiable in the mountains where it is known to even reach freezing at the highest climbs of Doi Inthanon (another trek worth considering).
However, one of the more popular treks is at Phu Chi Fa mountain in Chiang Rai province, which really is a simple climb for most people (around 1km, 20 mins).
But this trek is done in the dark for most visitors, to reach the peak before sunrise to witness the famous “sea of mists” which flows between the borders of Thailand and Laos.
This means (around) a 5AM start to the morning with accommodation in the area offering drop-off at the start of the path leading up.
There are also some great overnight options including camping/glamping sites, homestays with hill tribes, and hostel options.
Most people will continue to the top of the mountain for sunrise, however, some of the better views are found just lower down overlooking the outcrop of the top cliff face of the mountain.
After sunset most people will descend but it is also worthwhile checking out some of the lesser known paths along the border with some amazing views over both Thailand and Laos.
by Allan Wilson from Live Less Ordinary
19. Lenin Peak Base Camp, Kyrgyzstan
Bearded mountaineers and amateur climbers are seen thronging this part of the mountains as they shared tales of successful feats and how their interest in mountaineering sort of snowballed from one adventure sport to another.
Lenin Peak is located in the Trans-Alay Range of the Pamir Mountains between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Most ascent routes are on the Kyrgyz side as the access is easier and making it one of world's easiest 7,000m summits.
It was 7 days into the end of the season during the end of August and there was no chance of meeting uppity mountaineers basking in the glory of the feats, the kind that you may find on Mt. Everest.
Rather, we met humbled souls who were working their way up and wondering if they are worthy of summiting Lenin Peak before they attempt to think of higher peaks.
We climb through slopes and scraggly hills into the foothill of Lenin Peak Base Camp. You can also continue further up to Travellers Pass at 4,150m and see massive glaciers of what lay underneath the Lenin Peak.
A great way to explore the Alay mountains is this 8 Days Trekking in Kyrgyzstan: Alay Mountains Adventure. This is not too intense and a perfect mix of hiking with a lot of stops to soak it in!
Also Read: 10 Surreal Hikes In The Tien Shan Mountains
20. Big Almaty Peak, Kazakhstan
Located at an altitude of 2,511m on the upper side of the Almaty canyon, the lake is a major source of drinking water for the region. Like the vast majority of lakes in the Tien Shan mountains, the lake appeared as a result from number of earthquakes.
There are three main peaks which can be seen from the end of the dam: the Councils Peak (4317 m), Ozerny Peak (4110 m) , Tourist Peak (3954 m).
The park is home to snow leopards, Central Asian lynx, Tian Shan brown bears, Siberian ibexes, bearded vultures and golden eagles. The park also grows apple trees which bears a lot of importance to the origins of where ‘Almaty’ comes from.
I couldn't believe how whitewashed the landscapes were and never knew the steppes that most of us know about in Kazakhstan were completely varied — the switch between dry arid landscapes to the Tien-Shan mountains is a reminder of the precise location of where Kazakhstan is.
It felt like we were treading past the world’s best secret mountains in a remote place.
Also Read: Hiking The Big Almaty Lake and Peak In One Day: Kazakhstan's Blue Lake
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