The Outside Trip-Finder: Asia and the Pacific

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INDIA: Rafting The Brahmaputra

The Route: A 23-day expedition, with an 11-day run on a hundred-mile stretch of Class III-V whitewater through forested gorges, starting just south of the Tibetan border.

When To Go: November

Difficulty: Strenuous

Travel Advisory: The output of the Brahmaputra is greater than that of the Colorado River; participants must be strong swimmers schooled in self-rescue techniques.

High/Low Points: Punching through the 15- to 20-foot standing waves of Prayer Flags Rapids. Taking no less than five flights and an entire week to get to the put-in.

Luxe Factor: Camping

Outfitters / Departures / Price
Destination Himalaya / 2 / $2,675
Mountain Travel-Sobek / 1 / $4,750
Steve Currey Expeditions / 2 / $4,750

Classic
INDIA: The Great Thar Desert Camel Safari

The Route: A seven- to 22-day odyssey by jeep and camel across the vast, sunbaked northwestern state of Rajasthan, past tribal villages, sixteenth-century forts, and walled cities.

When To Go: December-March, October

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Travel Advisory: Tensions run high at the border between India and Pakistan; call the U.S. Department of State's Citizens Emergency Center at 202- 647-5225 before you go.

High/Low Points: Seeing wavering flashes of color rise from the horizon as nomads cross the desert. Finding out how ornery your camel is--and walking beside him for half the trip.

Luxe Factor: Camping; Tourist hotels

Outfitters / Departures / Price
Destination Himalaya / 2 / $2,850
Himalayan Travel / 15 / $1,025
Journeys International / Weekly / $1,095
Karakoram Experience / 2 / $2,350
Turtle Tours / 2 / $2,495
Wilderness Travel / 2 / $3,295

INDONESIA: Mountain-Biking Sumatra

The Route: A 14-day pedal from Medan to Padang through dense jungle and volcanic highlands, with visits to an orangutan reserve, Batak villages, and Indian Ocean beaches.

When To Go: May

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Travel Advisory: You'll need to bring your own mountain bike (most airlines fly bicycles free as a second piece of baggage), as well as a basic tool kit.

High/Low Points: Starting each morning's pedal with a steaming cup of the world-famous local coffee. Making the brutal three-hour crater-wall climb from the shores of Lake Toba.

Luxe Factor: Rustic lodging; Tourist hotels

Outfitters / Departures / Price
VeloAsia / 1 / $2,175

INDONESIA: Hiking Irian Jaya

The Route: A 17- to 24-day journey on foot through the southern coastal lowlands to Dani, Yali, and Asmat tribal villages and by boat to Cenderawasih National Marine Reserve.

When To Go: April-October

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Travel Advisory: Break the ice with the Dani people by giving them hugs; they consider this appropriate behavior and are known for giving tourists farewell embraces that last five minutes.

High/Low Points: Sharing a traditional pig roast with the Dani tribe. Sharing a traditional feast of seggo grubs, which look like giant maggots.

Luxe Factor: Camping; Rustic lodging

Outfitters / Departures / Price
Bolder Adventures / 3 / $3,995
Ecosummer Expeditions / 2 / $2,695
InnerAsia Expeditions / 1 / $3,095
Outer Edge Expeditions / 3 / $3,563
REI Adventures / 3 / $2,700-$2,990
Turtle Tours / 4 / $3,150

NEPAL: Trekking To Mustang

The Route: An 18- to 28-day pilgrimage through the Kali Gandaki Valley to the arid Tibetan Plateau and the medieval walled city of Lo Manthang at 12,126 feet.

When To Go: April-June, September-November

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Travel Advisory: Be prepared to deal with an aggressive "everything is for sale" attitude among Mustangis, who rely on trade, rather than agriculture, for their livelihood.

High/Low Points: Receiving a rare invitation to meet the king of Mustang. Battling the sand-laden headwinds on the 30-mile walk back to Jomsom.

Luxe Factor: Camping

Outfitters / Departures / Price
Above the Clouds Trekking / 2 / $3,275
Himalayan High Treks / 1 / $2,100
InnerAsia Expeditions / 2 / $2,495
Myths & Mountains / 1 / $4,500
Snow Lion Expeditions / 6 / $3,700
Top Guides / 1 / $2,145

Classic
NEW ZEALAND: Tramping The South Island

The Route: A nine- to 22-day backpacker's dream trip to Mount Cook and Fiordland National Parks, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, and spectacular Milford Sound.

When To Go: November-February

Difficulty: Moderate

Travel Advisory: Travel to New Zealand by Americans was up 12.8 percent in 1994. If you want to take this trip, book six months in advance.

High/Low Points: Walking alongside the Rob Roy, a hanging glacier with 300-foot waterfalls spilling from the top. Eating overcooked lamb for the fifth straight day.

Luxe Factor: Camping; Rustic lodging

Outfitters / Departures / Price
Country Walkers / 4 / $2,550
Nature Expeditions Int'l / 4 / $3,490
New Zealand Travelers / 6 / $2,395
Pacific Exploration Company / On demand / $2,175
Pacific Quest / 4 / $1,995
Wilderness Travel / 4 / $2,455

Classic
THAILAND: Walking The Hill Country

The Route: An eight- to 15-day trek through the northern hills and teak forests, visiting hill-tribe villages and overnighting in family homes.

When To Go: October-February

Difficulty: Moderate

Travel Advisory: Don't bring valuables such as jewelry, expensive cameras, or large amounts of cash. Private militias have been known to stop tourists to extort "taxes."

High/Low Points: Feeling like Dorothy as you skip through fields of opium poppies. Noticing the high percentage of villagers plagued by hacking opium coughs.

Luxe Factor: Rustic lodging

Outfitters / Departures / Price
Backroads / 4 / $1,750
Bolder Adventures / 6 / $1,795
Himalayan Travel / Weekly / $550
InnerAsia Expeditions / 4 / $2,690
Journeys International / Monthly / $895
Top Guides / 1 / $2,395

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