The most incredible hikes in Asia

A list of the best hikes in Asia wouldn’t be complete without including Mt. Everest. Everest Base Camp in Nepal is one of the most iconic hikes in the world. The challenging route to the base camp at 5,364 meters takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayan mountain range. Most trekkers take two weeks to reach the base camp and then return to Lukla, Nepal – stamina is a must to complete this epic hike. 

Time Out tip Mt. Everest climbers must rent and wear a tracking chip to reduce precious time on search and rescue missions.

Chiang Mai is a spiritual hub of Thailand and home to hundreds of ancient Buddhist temples — some of the most beautiful are located in the surrounding mountainous forests. The most famous hike is the moderate Monk’s Trail. It starts at the mountain base to Wat Pha Lat and then up to Doi Suthep. This is the most revered Buddhist temple in the northern Thai city as it contains a relic, a piece of Lord Buddha’s shoulder bone. 

Time Out tip Bring clothes that cover your knees, shoulders, and chest if you intend to visit the temples.

Paro Taktsang (aka Tiger's Nest) is a Buddhist temple in Bhutan that sits on a cliff’s edge over 900 meters above the Paro Valley floor. The strenuous hike takes several hours, with many rest stops along the way. The most challenging part of the hike is the final stretch, where you hike down several hundred steep stairs and then up several hundred more to reach the sacred site. It’s worth it for scenic views of the valley below and the reward of a beautiful temple at the end of the hike. You can store your belongings in a locker, as no phones or cameras are allowed inside.

Time Out tip: Don’t bother bringing snacks. There’s a vegetarian cafe where you can drink tea and eat food to re-energise before completing the hike.

Hike Japan’s highest peak and most iconic mountain, Mt. Fuji, by following the Fujinomiya Route, the shortest and most direct path to the top of the hill. It typically takes two days to reach the peak, with an overnight stay at the ninth station followed by an early start on the second day to get a peek at the sunrise. You won’t regret sacrificing a few hours of sleep – after all, the true name of Japan, Nippon, translates to "Land of the Rising Sun.”

Time Out tip Take the Prince Route for the descent to stop by the Hoei Crater, Mt. Fuji's largest crater.

Trips to Komodo Island aren’t just to see living dragons — but also to see incredible nature above and below the ocean at nearby islands. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage sphere, Padar Island is adjacent to Komodo Island and offers a short 30 to 45-minute hike to a mirador. Here, you can see the rare phenomena of a white sand beach, pink sand beach, and black sand beach in a single frame. 

Time Out tip The hike is best before sunrise, but be sure to bring a flashlight as Komodo dragons live on the island and are venomous.

Sri Lanka is synonymous with black tea. On the Pekoe Trail, you can hike through the tea-carpeted highlands from the Hanthana Mountains to Nuwara Eliya, aka ‘Little England’ due to its colonial architecture. The trail goes by the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, the historic Loolkandura Estate, which was the first tea plantation in the country, and more. There are 22 sections to the trail, so you can hike its entirety over a few days or break it up into a couple of day trips. 

Time Out tip The official trailhead is in Kandy, and stage one goes from Hanthana to Galaha, from the Ceylon Tea Museum to the Hanthana Tea Estate, one of the largest tea plantations in Sri Lanka.

Near the Dead Sea in Jordan is the lowest nature reserve in the world. Known as Wadi Mujib or Arnon Stream, it can be explored on foot by walking through water in the gorge via The Siq Trail. You’ll be given a life vest for this hike – it’s not only required for safety but handy if the water is deep enough for a relaxing float through the gorge. There’s nothing quite like admiring the dramatic rock formations from this position. 

Time Out tip There are a few rocks to climb and short waterfalls to jump off, making this an adventurous experience in Jordan.