Asia
	Nepal's Himalaya
	Gunung Tahan, Malaysia
	Ladakh Range, India

Nepal's Himalaya

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Gunung Tahan, Malaysia

West Malaysia's highest mountain, Gunung Tahan, is a rocky island in a lush sea. The virgin rain forest on and around this 7,175-foot peak forms one of the world's oldest undisturbed ecosystems; indigenous flora and fauna have coexisted here for 130 million years. Along your trek to the summit, you'll encounter such unique species as Grammatophyllum speciosum, the world's largest orchid, carnivorous pitcher plants, and the Tualang tree, one of the world's tallest. Also making their home here are numerous mammals, including tigers, leopards, elephants, and the endangered Sumatran rhino, though your chances of seeing these shy beasts are slight. But take heart: It will be nigh impossible not to spot the countless colorful birds and butterflies sharing the trail with you.

This multiday excursion begins with a three-hour boat ride to Taman Negara National Park headquarters, where the route begins. The terrain is wet and demanding: You'll face seven river crossings in a day and rope climbs along a rocky ridge crest (though no technical climbing skills are necessary). Take a guide, who will help you differentiate between the pretty and the poisonous, and be aware that you're not the only people in the forest. The Orang Uli ("native people" in Malaysian) still make their home here. They are not hostile, and you probably won't see them, but chances are they'll see you. The trip typically takes ten days round-trip.

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Ladakh Range, India

The nomadic Changpas rely almost exclusively on yak and sheep herding to eke out a subsistence existence in the Ladakh range, which should give you an idea of the comfort level to expect when venturing into this high, dry desert region. An extension of Tibet's Chang Tang plains and the most remote section of the Indian Himalaya, the Ladakh is extreme high country, where the valleys, not the summits, are 14,000 feet above sea level. Some favorite destinations in the area include Lake Morari, a verdant oasis in the midst of a barren moonscape, and Stok Kangri, one of the highest of the Ladakh's peaks. Especially for urban visitors, a trek in the Ladakh is not only a chance to enjoy the landscape, but also an opportunity to interact with people whose way of life is profoundly different from their own. Take some time to acclimatize by exploring the colorful Buddhist monasteries around the city of Leh before taking to the hills, and hire a guide: Maps of the region, when they exist, are not to be trusted.

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