These Incredible New Hotels and Lodges Are Bringing Luxury to the 'Roof of the World'

"My lungs burned as I bent forward, gasping, my hands on my hips. I had known that the air would be thin at 11,800 feet, but I was surprised at just how tough the altitude was making my climb to Chhema Lake. Still, I was hiking in the Mustang District of Nepal, so my temporary struggle was worth it: I was surrounded by the Annapurna range of the Himalayas, where peaks glistened in the sun and mini avalanches sent snow down distant chutes."

"The adventure reminded me of a trip to Bhutan a few years ago, when I made the two-hour trek to the famed cliffside monastery known as the Tiger's Nest. The Himalayas have become for me-and for a growing number of travelers-the antidote to city living and work stress. A trip to what some call the roof of the world is an opportunity to unplug, slow down, and swap screens for prayer flags flapping in the wind."

"In recent years, the region has also been transformed by the opening of luxurious, design-centric hotels in places where high-end lodging has historically been nonexistent. These thoughtfully conceived escapes, all new since 2023, emphasize cultural immersion-an alternative to the "peak bagging" crowds that have choked up routes to some of the Himalayas' legendary summits. Nepal, for example, has lately notched record-setting international arrivals, and the country's tourism board describes Everest Base Camp as "extremely popular.""

High-altitude treks in Nepal and Bhutan combine strenuous climbs with sweeping Himalayan scenery, including the Annapurna range and Bhutan's Tiger's Nest monastery. The Himalayas function as restorative retreats from urban and work stress, encouraging unplugging, slowing down, and immersion in local spiritual and natural rhythms. Recent developments include luxurious, design-driven hotels across the region that prioritize cultural immersion over summit-focused tourism. Many of these properties have opened since 2023 and enable outdoor activities and community-conscious tours. Nepal has recorded record international arrivals, Everest Base Camp remains extremely popular, and Bhutan launched the 250-mile Trans-Bhutan Trail in 2022 with related luxury stays.

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