In the foothills of the Himalayas in northern Putao situate Mt. Hkakabo Razi, the highest snow-capped mountain in South East Asia. Towering at 19361 ft, 5889 meter is a very important watershed area for the eastern Ayeyarwady river (Nmaihka). Locally known as Ahtanbum meaning mysterious Sprit abode, thus no one dare venture it in centuries. The flagship trek of the area lies more than 440 kilometers away from nearest airstrip which takes nearly 6 weeks to complete. The route passes through 3812 sq. km Hkakaborazi National Park which is home to approximately 28 supports a combination of vegetation types from dense tropical lowland jungle, through subtropical hill forest and temperate rainforest to high altitude alpine meadows and glaciers. Hkakaborazi was conquered only, as recently as 1996 by Takeshi Ozaki of Japan and Namar Johnson of Myanmar. Perennially snow-capped, being part of the Eastern Himalayan region. 

Day 01 - Dahawndum – Shanmara
From this last village of Dahawndam, we shall continue further north toward the base of Hkakaborazi. At first through farmland infested with wheat field and prayer wheels till you get to Ningran river. We cross Gwelang creek which flows from the snow capped mountains far ahead. After walking about two hours or so we get in to “Adung George” (locally known as Masansin) which is a fast flowing river looks like water fall having large boulders in between. This George formed rather like stair that water flow through one step to another passing by each step through the massive boulders. After difficult trek with the distance 11 km, which should take us about 4 hours. We shall finally get to “Masunsong Wang jungle camp” (locally known as “Shanmara” camp, situated 7000 ft, 2130 meter above sea level. We have dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 02 - Shanmara - Naradon
We continue trek to Naradon camp situate by the Adunwan river, locates at 7500 ft, 2377 meters with the distance 11 km which should takes us about 4 hours on strenuous trek along Gweanling creek is infested by large trees that you have probably never seen before. Here we will witness some of the Rhododendron trees with three or even four meter in circumference. Myanmar generally covers with evergreen forest however this area has been similar of those of Alpine region such as Birch, Maple, Cherry, Walnut and once you get to upper layer we shall witness more of blue pine and Rhododendron. We have dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 03 - Naradon - Talihtu
Breakfast and we continue trek our today destination at Talihtu, located at 8000 ft, 2438 meter above sea on a small plateau with the distance of 11 km which should take us about 5 hours. Trek path goes along the river bank among Rhododendron and Pine forest. We notice as we gain higher altitude the river become smaller and often disappears in to rock bounders. We shall also notice the flora changes like thick bamboo (tiny ones) which block the trek route thus make it difficult to cut your way at some part. Before we reach to Talihtu camp we arrive at a small river confluence of Adungwang and Taliwang which we shall cross by make ship tree bridge. We shall have our diner and overnight at camp. We have dinner and overnight at camp.

Adungwang river actually ends here and if you travel further North-East you will reach to the water head of Taliwang with snow capped mountain range of altitude of 4570 there exist Nanilakha pass at altitude of 4663 meter which link Myanmar with Tibet at Ethan village (China) which route has been used by century of traders but limited to travel since the pass is inaccessible during winter months due to heavy snow fall. While you are at Talihtu camp will have a chance to study about Takin, their territory and nature of their inhabited and natural salt depot which they have to depend on for the salt from one of your local guide (who usually used to be a hunter before). Besides Takin there lives a rare animal like Musk Deer which has a resemblance of feature of Dog and Cat but having body and legs like deer. The musk deer are famous for the packet under their navel which local believe of a great value in medicine. Apart from animal there are of a great value in root such as “Cebedee” which believingly sharing live insect and route partly and root like “Machit” which has a great medicinal value.

Day 04 -Talihtu – Rasandum
We continue trek to our to day destination of Rasandum camp situates at 9600 ft, 2926 meter through rhododendron and bamboo bush. The journey will be of about 12 km but will be rather challenging one as we may have to make our own path by cutting through the bushes thus should takes us about 6 hours to complete. We will notice the melting snow which steadily flows in the head watershed of Rasawang river which will later form in to the great Ayeyarwady in the mainland. Soon we will reach at another river confluence of Ahtanbum and Rawansan rivers. Ahtanbum is the one and only river that actually have head watershed directly from Hkakaborazi. Having called river but there usually covers with thick snow and stone bounders but water flow un-seemingly under the rocks. We have diner and overnight at camp.

Day 05 -Rasandum - Rasansan (Hkakaborazi Base Camp)
We continue our today destination of Hkakaborazi base camp of Rasansan, located at 13000 ft, 3962 meter above sea. The distance at this part is about 20 km which should take us about 6 hours to complete. The path in this part of the trek goes through a barren area with no trees within one mile around except some ferns and junipers and suddenly up the valley after crossing Ahtanbunwam confluence situates at 10000 ft, 3048 meter. From Rasansan camp will shall have an eye witness of long awaited site of Hkakaborazi. Unlike many other snow capped mountains in Myanmar Hkakaborazi having trees and plants only at the based but there was just stone and snow above 2000 meter. In a bright sunny day you will witness multicolor reflection in the mountain with bright yellow, some purple and some actually black. Making camp fire at this point is difficult thus we use LPG stove for cooking but we will have to cope up with cold and gusty windy weather. We have diner and overnight at camp.

Hkakabo actually was a mountain range thus there are many gorges between mountains and several peaks of 5000 to 5500 meters eventual there stood one higher then every one in the area with 8889 meter above sea. The one slightly shorter next to Hkakabo which estimated at 5531 meter in the map so far has no proper name so far and this perhaps a great chance for climber to scale this peak so that they can have their name on it. One consider lucky to spot the Hkakaborazi at one single try which usually hidden behind the mist and cloud thus people hardly see it. Its northern face is rather step reef with “jagged rocks” having pile by pile of rock surface looks the mountain somewhat scary. Also it makes such scary sounds having stone and water falling down owing melting ice which brings stone boulders down along with them in to the river bed.

The important factor to be considered before climbing the mountain is the timing. The serious thread would be of avalanche which could wipe out everything in no time. Thus you simply have to choose when there is no avalanche in the mountain which will be during monsoon months of June/Sept in which you have relatively easy path to scale but will have to suffer twice to get to the base by mean of wet, over flow of torrent water in the stream, mud and leeches. You can still do it during Oct/Nov where there is less rain and leeches but dry weather yet not too much snow in the mountains.

Return journey:
Day 06 Rasansan to Rasandam (19 km, approx 7 hour trek)
Day 07 Rasandum to Talihtu (12 km, approx 6 hour trek)
Day 08 Talihtu to Naradon (11km / approx 5 hour trek)
Day 09 Naradon to Shanmara (11 km, approx 5 hour trek)
Day 10 Shanmara camp to Dahawndam (6 km, approx 4 hour trek)