PREVIn 1978, Peter Matthiessen published The Snow Leopard , the National Book Award–winning account of his quest to find the world's most elusive big cat among Dolpo, Nepal's 23,000-foot Himalayan peaks. One World Trekking's 29-day hike through Shey-Phoksumdo National Park retraces the legendary author and Zen master's footsteps, past 11th-century Buddhist monasteries and 100-foot waterfalls. With four 16,500-foot passes, this trip is for experienced trekkers. One World guarantees porters and cooks, if not leopard sightings. September 7–October 5; from $4,400; oneworldtrekking.com
Snow leopard sighting!
Photo: Photograph by Andrea Pistolesi/Getty
