Tilicho Lake, Nepal

The Annapurna Circuit - Tilicho Lake - Thorung La Pass is a customized version of the regular Annapurna Circuit Trek. It has been designed to include the Tilicho Lake, 5200m, situated at the foot of the extensive glacier. 

The trek around the Annapurna Massif is one of the finest in the Himalayan.The sheer diversity of the mountain scope, the exhilaration of crossing a high mountain pass, and the unsurpassed views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu Ranges are the essentials of this outstanding trek. 

Trekking north, we acclimatize at the important trading village of Manang (3351m), before crossing the Thorong La (5416m). As you reach the pass, line after line of snow ridges stretch before you, while far below lies the sub-tropical Kali Gandaki Gorge. 

From the heights of the pass we descend to Muktinath and its scared Buddhist and Hindu Shrines. Further south, the contrasts of the Nepal Himalayan become even more apparent, as high windswept passes are replaced by forests, or mandarin and Banana groves. 

Finally we trek out of the gorges and look back to the peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri , before traversing the forest ridges down to Pokhara.Tilicho Lake Trekking collects the glacial melt of the entire northern slopes of Annapurna and Thorang Peak, which is claimed to be the highest lake in the world. In 2001, Hindu pilgrims from around the world flocked to the lake convinced it is a holy spot mentioned in the Ramayan - a holy book of the Hindus. 

Tilicho Lake Trekking starts right from Besisahar as Annapurna Circuit Trekking, which goes along the Marshyangdi River, with great views of Manaslu and Himal Chuli to the east. This magnificent Tilicho lake trekking leads you to the fine village inhabited by a wide diversity of people from different ethnic groups, offering spectacular and majestic views of the white Himalayas. We have customized this route, as it is basically, the same as Annapurna Circuit, from Manang instead of taking the valley north to Tanki Manang and Yak Kharka this route goes to the main valley to the west passes through the Khanshar Village (The Last Village of Nepal) and trek up to Tilicho lake, then we travel to Yak Kharka then up to pass of Thorung La at elevation of 5416 meters. From the Thorung – La pass, the treks lead down to Muktinath then to Jomsom from where thirty-five minutes scenic flights take you to the Pokhara.

Halong bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is located in Quáng Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. The bay has a 120 kilometre long coastline and is approximately 1,553 square kilometres in size with 1969 islets. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, other support floating villages of fishermen, who ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450 different kinds of mollusks. Another specific feature of Halong Bay is the abundance of lakes inside the limestone islands, for example, Dau Be island has six enclosed lakes. All these island lakes occupy drowned dolines within fengcong karst.Hạ Long Bay has an area of around 1,553 km2, including 1,960–2,000 islets, most of which are limestone. The core of the bay has an area of 334 km2 with a high density of 775 islets. The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments. The evolution of the karst in this bay has taken 20 million years under the impact of the tropical wet climate. The geo-diversity of the environment in the area has created biodiversity, including a tropical evergreen biosystem, oceanic and sea shore biosystem. Hạ Long Bay is home to 14 endemic floral species and 60 endemic faunal species.Designated a World Heritage site in 1994, Halong Bay's spectacular scatter of islands, dotted with wind- and wave-eroded grottoes, is a vision of ethereal beauty and, unsurprisingly, northern Vietnam's number one tourism hub. Sprawling Halong City is the bay's main gateway but its dowdy high-rises are a disappointing doorstep to this site. Most visitors sensibly opt for cruise-tours that include sleeping on board within the bay, while a growing number are deciding to eschew the main bay completely, heading straight for Cat Ba Island from where trips to less-visited but equally alluring Lan Ha Bay are easily set up.
Halong Bay attracts visitors year-round with peak season between late May and early August. January to March is often cool and drizzly, and the ensuing fog can make visibility low, but adds bags of eerie atmosphere. From May to September tropical storms are frequent, and year-round tourist boats sometimes need to alter their itineraries, depending on the weather. November's sunny blue-sky days and lack of crowds make it the best time to make a beeline here.


Towering limestone pillars and tiny islets topped by forest rise from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Halong translates as 'where the dragon descends into the sea' and legend tells that this mystical seascape was created when a great mountain dragon charged towards the coast, its flailing tail gouging out valleys and crevasses. As the creature plunged into the sea, the area filled with water leaving only the pinnacles visible. The geological explanation of karst erosion may be more prosaic, but doesn't make this seascape any less poetic.

Great wall of China, China

The Great Wall, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, it winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 13,170 miles (21,196 kilometers) from east to west of China.With a history of more than 2,000 years, some of the sections are now in ruins or have disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest sights in the world — the longest wall in the world, an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive architecture. Its winding path over rugged country and steep mountains takes in some great scenery. Having a wonderful Great Wall tour is a must for one’s China trip. Along this super long wall, Beijing ranks the top destination for its proper maintenance of the abundant wall relics of the Ming Dynasty. Badaling and Mutianyu are best sections to see neat and complete walls and beacon towers; while Jinshanling and Simatai offer challenging Great Wall hiking routes with open and wild scenery. Want to discover the charm of the wall with TravelChinaGuide? Let’s get started!The majestic Great Wall was built with wisdom, dedication, blood, sweat, and tears. Families were separated, and many workers died and were interred as part of the Great Wall itself.The Great Wall was not just a wall. It was an integrated military defensive system with watchtowers for surveillance, fortresses for command posts and logistics, beacon towers for communications, etc.

In the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the Great Wall was reconstructed to be stronger and more sophisticated, due to better construction techniques being developed.

The wall body: The Ming Great Wall usually had battlements 1.8 meters (6 feet) high with loopholes and crenels, and parapet walls 1.2 meters (4 feet) high.
Flanking towers: Every 500 meters or less (1,640 feet) on the Great Wall there was a flanking tower allowing defenders to shoot arrows at attackers at the face of the wall.
Fortresses were built at important/vulnerable access points (passes), such as Shanhai Pass Fortress, Juyong Pass Fortress, and Jiayu Pass Fortress. There were many archery windows and gates on the forts. The fortress gatehouses were the strongest and most impregnable structures on the Great Wall.The Wall we see today was mostly built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It starts from Hushan in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west traversing Liaoning, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Gansu and Qinghai. Here lists the famous sections for you to know the incredible diversity of scenery along the wall and practical travel tips.

Arnensee Lake, Switzerland

You can reach Col du Pillon (1,546 m) with a 35 minutes from Gstaad, going through the nice villages of Feutersoey and Gsteig. From Col du Pillon, the trail leads to Lac Rénaud (25 minutes), a small mountain lake where you can stop for a coffee. The ascent continues, mostly gently, to Col de Voré (1,918 m), the highest point of the trail from where the view on the surrounding valleys is  beautiful.After around 30 minutes descent, you reach Seeberg (1,712 m), a little natural mountain lake and a perfect spot for a picnic or a little rest.  From there down to Arnensee, the trail is simply gorgeous and it is likely to offer its best in mid-June to early July, when rhododendrons – covering the small hills – flower, coloring the hills in large fuchsia sports. After a while, the lake suddenly appears. And while looking at its blue-green water, you start dreaming for a bath!

The descent eventually leads to Arnensee shore, where there is a little beach perfect for a refreshing swim. From there, you can circle the lake either on the left side or on the right one until you reach Restaurant Huus am Arneenseeand its terrace on the lake. There you can taste the fishes caught in the lake – mainly trouts and bass – before starting the last part of the trail, mostly through the forest, down to Feutersoey(1 1/2 hour) to catch the bus to Gstaad.Arnensee is a fantastic place also for families with small children and for those who are not willing to hike up and down the mountains. In summer, you can catch one of the buses driving up to the lake from Gstaad and back (3 rides in the morning and 3 in the afternoon).

The walk around the lake is very pleasant and easy and does not take more than 1 1/2 hour, going quietly. Alternatively, you can also rent a boat to cross the lake and just have some fun. If you happen to be in the Gstaad area, don’t miss the place!This blissfully secluded spot offers an idyllic getaway for a refreshing swim, a spot of angling or a hike taking in a picnic lunch at one of the barbecue sites. You can also eat at the cosy and welcoming “Huus am Arnensee” mountain restaurant, where you can hire pedalos and rowing boats to explore the lake. 
The Arnensee is a lake at approximately 1500m, above Feutersoy. To access it, take road from Gstaad to Gsteig, in Lauenen the lake will be indicated on the right. Road up is well maintained, one has to throw coins into a machine to get passed an automatic gate.

Hamilton Pool, Texas, USA

Hamilton Pool Preserve is a natural pool that was created when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago. The pool is located about 23 miles (37 km) west of Austin, Texas off Highway 71. Since the 1960s, Hamilton Pool has been a popular summer swimming spot for Austin visitors and residents. Hamilton Pool Preserve consists of 232 acres (0.94 km2) of protected natural habitat featuring a jade green pool into which a 50-foot (15 m) waterfall flows.Preserve.  This policy is necessary to preserve the safety of the visitors and the ability of visitors to enjoy the natural setting.  Hamilton Pool is also a nature preserve with a mission to provide habitat for wildlife.  Drones may be flown in nearby Reimers Ranch Park, as long as they are not flown over areas crowded with people.  

WAITING LINE:  Be aware that during warm weather, especially when swimming is allowed, many visitors are turned away and are not allowed entry due to overcrowding in the preserve.  Please have alternative plans in case you attempt to visit Hamilton Pool and are turned away due to overcrowding.   It is usually not possible to avoid the crowd, no matter what time you come to the preserve. Vehicles are not allowed to wait at the gates before our opening time because there is not enough room to form a waiting line without blocking traffic on Hamilton Pool Road.  Please be respectful of local residents by not waiting in driveways or on public roads.

Hamilton Pool is nestled inside a small canyon that can only accommodate a limited number of people.  During summer days and other warm weather days, especially when swimming is allowed, the number of people trying to visit Hamilton Pool greatly exceeds the number of people the canyon can accommodate.  We impose a limit on the number of people who can be in the preserve at any one time.  A waiting line forms and people are allowed to enter as others leave.  The waiting time is often an hour.  When the waiting line reaches the maximum length allowable we turn newly arriving vehicles away and do not allow them to wait in line, or anywhere on preserve grounds.  More vehicles are permitted to join the waiting line at a later time when conditions allow.  This practice is necessary to protect the natural habitat inside the preserve, maintain proper traffic flow on Hamilton Pool Road, and to avoid unsafe situations.  Bicyclists and pedestrians must wait their turn to enter as well because it is the number of people in the canyon we are limiting. We apologize for the inconvenience, but Hamilton Pool Preserve is a member of the federal Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and we must limit the number of people inside its boundaries to protect its beautiful habitat. Hamilton Pool Preserve is a historic swimming hole which was designated a preserve by the Travis County Commissioner's Court in 1990. Located 3/4 mile upstream from its confluence with the Pedernales River, Hamilton Creek spills out over limestone outcroppings to create a 50 foot waterfall as it plunges into the head of a steep box canyon. The waterfall never completely dries up, but in dry times it does slow to a trickle. However, the pool's water level stays pretty constant, even during periods of drought.

The preserve is home to the Golden-Cheeked Warbler, and a great variety of other birds. The diverse vegetation of Hamilton Pool ranges from semi-arid species in the uplands to riparian species in the canyon. The uplands of the preserve are a juniper and oak savannah with a variety of native grasses and wildflowers. Several rare plant species including canyon mock-orange, red bay (western-most colony of this eastern species), and chatter box orchid are known to occur in the canyon areas along Hamilton Creek.

Cenote Ik Kil, Mexico

There are much more beautiful cenotes in the Riviera, but this one is famous mainly for its cliff jumping experience. Quite crowded at all points of the day, but still a pretty sight and big enough to swim around in. While the washrooms are clean, they're not spotless or excellent as some of the other reviewers seem to have said. In fact, we only found one operational shower each in the men's and ladies' changing rooms, so you need to queue up for your turn. Try to go as soon as it opens to avoid the crowds.The cenote itself is beautiful with the hanging roots and the jingly feeling of it. However it's completely commercialized. To enter you have to pass through several shops and the area around the cenote is definitely not wild anymore but made of hotels, parking lots etc. Walking down the stairs to get to the water it smells really bad (like urine and moldy rotten). We were there very early in the morning and it was still mostly quiet but soon after it became immensely crowded. Huge line to jump into the water, which is also disgusting. Sun lotion etc are floating on top (even though you have to shower). I just quickly jumped in, snapped a pic and got out. Also they secured the walls of the cenote with cement, so don't expect to find a natural cave.
Beautiful place in the middle of a town. It is amazing how this beautiful place is in the middle of this small town. There are some local vendors outside, but they were not pushy and they had their small "kioskos" to sell. Kids were off school the week we visited and we had the opportunity to talk with them. They were trying to make money too by singing to us. It was so adorable and it helped my children really appreciate all they have. The cenote is 70 meters deep and the water is very cold. We did not have time to swim in it as we were on a scheduled excursion. I would recommend going to this town a whole day if not longer.
Pronounced “Z- not” by the ancient Mayans according to our guide but pronounced today as “C-note-a” by most everyone else, cenotes are a must stop on any vacation to the Yucatan. There are no surface rivers in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. All rivers are underground. A cenote is a spot where the limestone has collapsed into this underground water system. Usually the roof has collapsed to create an opening and one heck of a swimming hole. Some access large caverns that are suitable for scuba diving while others are more suited as excellent swimming holes. There are an estimated 7,000 cenotes in the Yucatan to choose from with Ik Kil being recognized as one of the most beautiful.
This big hole is 85 feet below ground level so you have to get there somehow. A circular staircase has been carved out of the limestone making for an easy walk down to the water. There are access windows carved out in two spots on the way down affording great views for pictures.

Rara lake, Nepal

Rara is an unique spot in Nepal. The lake is situated in the Rara National Park and because of its remote location and the violence/threat of the Maoists the lake has been visited by only few tourist in the last couple of years. Only in the second half of 2006 the situation improved and foreign visitors do not need to pay the high fee of around $100 per person to the Maoist anymore.
Rara was declared a National Park in 1975 following the order to protect the lake by King Mahendra after his 1964 visit.

Rara's serenity and splendour is so lovely it makes your heart ache to think how vulnerable it has become. As the sound of diesel engines gets closer, you wonder how long this wilderness will remain a wonder.
In 1964 King Mahendra sat under a juniper tree here and penned his famous poem 'Rara ki Apsara', ordering his government to protect the lake. The juniper tree still stands at Mili Chaur today as hundreds of water fowl make a brief stopover before they head off north to the lakes in Tibet. 
Rara was declared a National Park in 1975 after more than 1,500 households living in three villages along the shores were translocated to the Tarai, something that would be impossible to do today. In 2007, the lake was declared a Ramsar Site, a wetland of international importance. 

The lake has three endemic species of trout found nowhere else in the world. Nearly 270 out of the 867 species of birds found in Nepal nest here. The pine, juniper and spruce forests are a treasure trove for medicinal herbs, and abound in musk deer, red panda and mountain goats. 
The surface of Rara Lake is around 8 square kilometer and the perimeter 9 kilometer. The length of the lake is 5 kilometers and it is 2 kilometers wide, the altitude around 3060 meter and the max. depth is 167 meter.