Landscapes that accompany the Tea Route
TEA WITH JEFF FUCHS
One of the most historic routes in China is recovered by explorers and mountaineers, such as Jeff Fuchs , which now offer to travel these paths previously occupied by tea muleteers. Sitting on the Old Tree cafe terrace , in the small and coquettish square of Shaxi –with its traditional houses, its pagoda and its popular theater–, it is easy to imagine that same space full of horse ropes, loaded with the valuable Yunnan tea, resting on their long way towards the confines from Tibet.
The town of Shaxi It is one of the intermediate stations of a historic trade route that, for centuries, brought the prized tea of Yunnan province from the tropical valleys where it is produced to the cold Tibetan plateau and from there to the heart of India. Tea hasn't traveled on horseback for a long time, but in trucks. But the efforts of some scholars and adventurers managed to recover the network of paths traveled by the tea muleteers. One of these is Jeff Fuchs, explorer, mountaineer, writer, and founder of the tea club (and online store) **JalamTeas**.
Explorer Jeff Fuchs
fuchs was the first Westerner to travel and document the 5,000 km that separate the beginning and the end of the Route of Tea and Horses . Now he has designed a very special trip for the Wild China agency, guided by himself, which covers part of that route in 13 days, from Xishuangbanna, south of Yunnan, to Shangri-La, passing through Shaxi, Dali and the unique Lijiang , World Heritage.
A unique opportunity to discover the most multi-ethnic province in China –half of its 55 minorities live here–, and meet one of the most interesting explorers of our time. A different, rural and very authentic China that can be explored on foot and on horseback, through forests, plateaus and places impossible to see from the road.
The most rural and authentic China.
IS THIS CANADA OR THE ARAN VALLEY?
For a mountain lover there are few experiences as adrenaline-filled as sliding alone down slopes of virgin powder snow, making a mark on high altitudes and off-piste. It is the true feeling of freedom, skiing at its best , enjoying immaculate landscapes where you can only hear the hiss of the blades on the snow. The problem is that these places can only be reached with a boot and crampon. or by helicopter . That's why he was born heli skiing , the possibility of going up to high altitudes by helicopter to launch from there with complete autonomy. Heliskiing has always been thought to be limited to high-level skiers, a preconception that tries to dismantle **Pyrenees Heliski**, based in Vielha , in the Aran Valley.
The only way to get there: by helicopter
In their catalogue, in addition to the traditional full-day outings, with multi-descents for expert skiers, they also include half-day activities for average-type skiers and snowboarders who want to start off-piste dizzying (from 190 euros). Baqueira-Beret, the valley station, is one of the best winter resorts in the Pyrenees , and with the Pyrenees Heliski helicopters, its skiable area is increased by fifteen.
WHALES FROM A BIRD'S EYE
There are many places to see large cetaceans in the wild, but there is an even more exciting point of view that few people can enjoy: from the air. To the to south coast of South Africa Each southern winter (June to November) hundreds of humpback and southern right whales from Antarctica.
In the town of Hermanus, an hour and a half from Cape Town, there is an entire industry of whale watching in the traditional way, that is, from small boats. but the company African Wings offers flights over the coast to see the great cetaceans from above. The sight is shocking: fifty whales with their young concentrated in the same bay, playing and socializing like aquarium fish, only with several tons of fat.
The view from the air is terrifying.
From the window of the plane it is also easy to see the silhouettes of great white sharks , very common in the area. African Wings also offers flights over the Cape of Good Hope, along the Garden Route, the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the country, and the Kruger National Park. A 20-minute flight costs about $250.
TENERIFE, AN ISLAND TO WALK ON
If you are a lover of walks, you have an appointment in the Canary Islands from March 10 to 14, 2015 with the ** Tenerife Walking Festival **. It is an international meeting around hiking, with several guided routes around the island and other complementary activities focused on the pleasure of walking. Registration is open until February 23 and costs €20. In addition, you have to pay between €23 and €33 for each scheduled route that you sign up for. There are discounts and special prices on accommodation for participants.
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* This article is published in the double issue of the Condé Nast Traveler magazine for November number 81. This issue is available in its digital version for iPad in the iTunes AppStore, and in the digital version for PC, Mac, Smartphone and iPad in the Zinio virtual kiosk (on Smartphone devices: Android, PC/Mac, Win8, WebOS, Rim, iPad) . Also, you can find us on Google Play Newsstand.
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