We are
focused on
individual
and small
group trips
throughout
the country,
tell us what
you want via
contact.
The "Hinterland" of this very scenic area
are the "Myanmar Himalayas", the perfect
environment for adventure and trekking.
It is a particular part of the famous range
because almost no foreigners until now have
been there, only some British adventurers
during colonial times. This mountains are
for the adventure oriented people who have
been everywhere, seen everything but want to
have a controlled risk on exploring new
frontiers, not ending up with some mad
people like in the many other countries when
leaving the beaten tracks.
Mt.
Hkakabo
Razi
(picture
below),
South East Asia’s highest peak at 5,900
meters,
is located in Kachin State, that's the far
north, close to China. The peak was
conquered for the first time in 1997 by a
team of
Japanese and
Myanmar
climbers.
The closest
bigger town
is Putao, a
small, quiet
place,
surrounded
by
snow-capped
peaks
stretching
from Tibet
into Kachin
State.
Snow caped ranges with plenty of snow all
year long, glaciers and pristine
environment, no cable cars, no roads only
some tracks, nothing disturbs mother nature.
But this is changing, the biggest problems
in recent years have been the steady stream
of Chinese poachers who come over the border
and destroy the forests.
Since illegal logging was stopped in China a
few years because of some natural disaster
caused because of it and is seriously
pursued now the crooks have relocated to
Myanmar and bribe their way through. These
are not only foreigners but also local
Chinese making a clean sweep as only they
have the financial means for this. There are
talks with some Thai investors to open a ski
resort for winter fun all year round, but
nothing happen yet, its probable better when
it stays like this.
The higher region is populated with the
usual pine, hemlock and silver fir mixed
with some larch. From 2,700 meters to 3,700
meters almost pure conifer forests
cover the slopes. There is a abundance of
hardwoods further below like oak, maple,
birch, walnut, chestnut as well as
rhododendron and others, but only at regions
not accessible by roads, if a region is
accessible all trees are immediately cut be
Chinese and local poachers.
Steep fields in the valleys around
are cultivated. There are gardens of
hill rice, maize and millet within
patches of colocasia, mixed with
cereal crops, cucumbers, gourds and
huge marrows.
Only slopes facing south to west can
be cultivated and the yield is
rather poor. Fences have been
erected to keep deer, pigs, monkeys
and others animals out of the
fields.
The
people in the valleys catch fish
in thorn-lined conical fish
traps, with nets or harpoon.
They also eat barking deer,
gooral, serow, pheasants and
monkeys. When these food sources
are scarce, the valley
population will eat anything
from snails and frogs, to
lizards, snakes and wasp grubs.
Cold weather mist hangs
over the peaceful and serene surroundings
almost 6 months of the year.
Flowing streams and rivulets, straw roofed
houses and fences of pebbles and creek
stones provide a pleasant, pastoral contrast
to the scenes and sights of
Himalaya mountain river
bridge
Yangon. Peoples of the
Rawan, Lisu,
Khamti-Shan, Jingphaw
and Kachin are living in
this high region. They
make a living in the
lower areas by growing
paddy, fruits, roots and
medical plants.
Grape fruit, American
lime, Washington navel
fruit, varieties of
peaches and oranges
grow.
Ginseng and musk are
plentiful.
Many species of orchid
and other exotic flora
and fauna such as musk
deer, takin and flying
squirrel are native to
this region.
