National Parks in Asia

Sagarmatha National Park is on the Natural World Heritage List and covers an area of approximately 1150 km² in the Himalayan mountains. The park's mountains have heights ranging from 2800 to 8840 m (Mount Everest peak), and it is this area you trek through if, for example, you go to Mount Everest Base Camp. You get nothing less than a breathtaking moment when, after many hours of hard trekking - typically from the town of Namche Bazaar, you spot the first sight of the Everest mountain range and Mount Everest itself. The best time to trek in this area is in October, when you will have the best chances of fine weather and sunshine.

It is a bit of a miracle that this pristine slice of dense jungle is not more visited, considering it is only a few hours drive north of Phuket. All the big game are advertised to roam the national park, but the chance to see a tiger, leopard or sun bear is probably pretty slim. A wild elephant on the other hand is not impossible. The park's pride-worthy botanic attraction is the world biggest flower, Rafflesia (Rafflesi kerrii). This giant flower (50-90 cm) is both rare and weird (smells of rotten meat) and blooms only in dry season from January to March. There are several trails throughout the park to waterfalls and viewpoints. You cannot sleep inside the park, but the guest houses right outside are famous for their treetop bungalows.

Approaching Ba Be National Park feels like a journey into a lost world. When reaching the rim of the karst limestones that enclose Ba Be lake you will be met by a landscape that is the source for Asian scroll paintings. A dark lake with mist hanging heavy over the flat surface with green foliage cling to the steep cliff sides and an intense silence (if you turn off the engine of your transport). The lime stone mountain range surrounding the lake is full of caves, where Puong Cave is the longest (300m). Don't limit your roaming to the lake only for there are fine small walks too. Though Ba Be is a national park there are villages along the shore who can offer home stays and boat rental.