Two little-known treks and a lamb stew to die for

I am always asked which is the most unspoilt trekking route. Well, look no further than Pakistan’s Hindu Raj Mountains. Crossing the Darkot Pass from the Yarkun Valley into Gulistan, and on to the (relative) tourist spot of Hunza, is not the hardest walk in the world but hardly anyone has trekked this classic route. The locals are the friendliest in the world and the scenery magnificent.

On the main road that travels down the ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’ is the small town of Latacunga. If you turn off here on a quiet track there is a two-day loop that goes to the fantastic crater lake of Quilotoa. A few kilometres further, perched on the side of a hill, is the eco-friendly Black Sheep lnn. lt has reasonable and comfortable rooms, a superb lounge with blazing wood stove, gourmet vege food and a choice of malt whiskies.

Just outside the village of Buoux is the Auberge des Seguins, a rustic retreat in the heart of Provence. It’s a labyrinth of rooms, occupying a stunning location at the foot of some immense rock walls. It is a chilled-out spot, the very essence of ail that is French, where you just can’t help but enjoy the simple pleasures in life.The food is very Provencal, with lots of meat, but even my vegetarian wife enjoyed the lamb stewl The French love the spot but you hardly ever see any Brits here.

Tim Greening is a founder director of KE Adventure Travel and has led treks and cycle trips all over the world for the past 25 years

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