Situated at the Eastern end of the Himalayan range, Mt Hkakaborazi, at 19,361 feet, 5,889 metres, is the highest mountain in mainland South East Asia. This remote mountain was only climbed for the first time in 1996, and the pristine Base Camp route has been trekked by only a handful of foreign visitors; this is a very unique adventure. The route passes through the 3,812 square kilometre Hkakaborazi National Park, which boasts a wide variety of vegetation zones, from dense tropical lowland forest, through subtropical hill forest and temperate rainforest to high altitude alpine meadows and glaciers.
Day 01. Thahaungdum – Shanmara.
From the village of Thahaungdum, we shall continue further north toward the base of Mt Hkakaborazi. We first traverse an area of farmland heading toward the Ningran River, and cross Gwelang Creek, a cold-water stream which flows down from the snow-capped mountains far ahead. After walking for about two hours or so we reach Adung Gorge, known locally as Masansin, with its stairway-like boulder-strewn river. After a difficult 11 kilometre trek which should take us about 4 hours, we arrive at Masunsong Wang Jungle Camp, also known as Shanmara Camp. We prepare our dinner and overnight here at 7,000 ft, 2,130 metres above sea level.
Day 02. Shanmara – Naradon.
Our aim today is to trek onto Naradon Camp, on the Adunwan River at an altitude of 7,500 ft, 2,377 metres. This area contains some beautiful alpine forest with Birch, Maple, Cherry and Walnut trees. As we gain altitude we see more Blue Pine and Rhododendron trees, some three or four metres in circumference. Today’s journey covers some 11 strenuous kilometres along Gweanling Creek and should take us around 4 hours.
Day 03. Naradon – Talihtu.
We have breakfast at camp and then set off on the 11 kilometre trek to Talihtu, located on a small plateau at 8,000 ft, 2,438 metres. Our path continues to follow the increasingly small, boulder-strewn river, flanked by Pine and Rhododendron forest. Our progress may also occasionally be blocked by fast-growing stands of thick bamboo, which we may have to cut our way past. We cross the river at a small confluence by way of a makeshift tree-bridge, and, after 5 hours trekking, make camp for the night at Talihtu.
The source of the Adungwang River lies near here and if you travel further North-East, you will reach to the headwaters of Taliwang. Close to here is the 4,663 metre Nanilakha Pass which links Myanmar with Tibet at Ethan village. This trade route has been used for centuries but can only be traversed in the snow-free summer months. This area is a habitat for rare Takin and Musk Deer, and your guide (probably an ex-hunter), may be able to show you the salt-licks used by the animals. Villagers also come to this area searching for ‘Cebedee’ and ‘Machit’, roots thought to hold great medicinal value.
Day 04. Talihtu – Rasandum.
Today’s challenging trek will bring us to Rasandum Camp, situated at an altitude of 9,600 ft, 2,926 metres. The route is only around 12 kilometres but we have to make our own path, cutting our way through fresh stands of bamboo, which means trekking time will likely be around 6 hours. We trek though Rhododendron forest and again camp for the night.
Day 05. Rasandum – Rasansan.
Today we trek for our ultimate destination; Hkakaborazi Base Camp at Rasansan, located at an altitude of 13,000 ft, 3,962 metres above sea level. We are now trekking above the tree-line, through a barren area with little vegetation, and the 20 kilometre journey should take us around 6 hours to complete. From Rasansan Camp we have a great view of the rocky, perennially snow-covered slopes of Mt. Hkakaborazi. On bright, sunny days you can see the mountain change colour from bright yellow, to purple and black over the course of the day. We pitch camp and prepare our evening meal using an LPG stove, as an open fire cannot cope with the cold, gusty wind.
Adjacent to Hkakaborazi is another, slightly shorter mountain, estimated at 5,531 metres high. The mountain is unclimbed and has no proper name so if you are a mountaineer, please get in touch and we’ll see if you can climb it and have it named after you! The best time to climb the mountains, should you be interested, is between June and September when there is the least threat of avalanches. The climbing season ends in November when winter snows make a climb impossible.
Return journey:Day 06. Rasansan to Rasandam. (19 km, approx 5 hour trek)
Day 07. Rasandam to Talihtu. (12 km, approx 4 hour trek)
Day 08. Talihtu to Naradon. (11km, approx 3½ hour trek)
Day 09. Naradon to Shanmara. (11 km, approx 3½ hour trek)
Day 10. Shanmara Camp to Thahaungdum. (6 km, approx 2 hour trek)
