In traveling, I鈥檝e always chosen to go it alone rather than not go at all. Over the years, friends have called me fearless. Don鈥檛 you get scared? they ask. Very rarely. Lonely? Honestly, never, even before the days of social media. And isn鈥檛 it more expensive to travel by yourself than with others? Traditionally, yes. Solo travelers often got slapped with single-supplement, or premium, hotel and tour fees, but since the pandemic, companies have started courting solo travelers. Priceline even held its first-ever .

, safety, loneliness, and expense are the three biggest reasons people hate to travel solo. But I鈥檝e been adventuring on my own for more than two decades, and I find it freeing. I can travel at my own pace and on my own budget. I can easily score a table for one鈥攅ven at top restaurants that often require bookings weeks in advance. And I connect more with locals.

More people are catching on to the appeal of solo travel, however, especially Gen Zers and Millennials. Google searches for solo travel have increased 223 percent over the past decade, and according to a , 50 percent of Americans planned to travel alone in 2024. And while women have led the indie trip trend in recent years, men are joining the ranks. A from the travel booking site Omio found that 30 percent of men, compared to 23 percent of women, have solo journeys planned for 2025.

If you鈥檝e hesitated to give solo travel a go, let me alleviate your concerns and suggest some of my favorite places for awesome adventuring on your own.

Always Consider Safety First

Certain destinations lend themselves to solo travel more than others. Certainly, safety is top of mind.

I scan the U.S. State Department鈥檚 and avoid countries of conflict. I also browse the (GPI), an annual ranking of nations based on factors like the absence of violence or fear of violence, a nation鈥檚 level of harmony or discord, and its degree of militarization. Coming into 2025, Iceland, Ireland, and Austria are the safest three countries in the world, according to the overall GPI score.

, which also researches and ranks the safest places to visit each year, is another great resource. Rankings are based on an average of 鈥渁ll measures from [BHTP鈥檚] State of Travel Insurance research,鈥� and factor in other indices including the Global Peace Index and information from sources like , a destination database that scores living conditions. Berkshire Hathaway puts Iceland, Australia, and Canada as top three for safety, with Ireland close behind.

In addition to its list, Berkshire Hathaway provides write-ups that touch on smart considerations to take into account in each of the high-ranking nations, from dangerous wildlife like box jellyfish in Australia to driving on the left-hand side of the road in Ireland to expensive emergency-evacuation costs in remote destinations of northern Norway.

My 6 Favorite Solo-Travel Destinations

Some of my picks are at the top of the Berkshire Hathaway and Global Peace Index lists, but I cast a wider lens to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. In particular, such places have satisfied my craving for big doses of nature and adventure.

Portugal

The GPI ranked Portugal the seventh-safest country in the world in 2024. It鈥檚 also a bargain compared to most Western European countries (a draft of craft beer cost me $3 in Lisbon compared to $8 in Paris), and the effortlessly connects the northern and southern regions.

I鈥檝e visited this country solo four times and have always found the locals extremely hospitable. On my first trip, I checked out the beach town of Sagres in the southern region of Algarve and met two couples from Lisbon who offered to drive me back to the city. One of the women took off work the next day to be my tour guide, and that evening she and her husband threw a dinner party for me at their home.

I love making solo surf trips up and down Portugal鈥檚 coast. Hotels like (from $200) in Santa Cruz and (from $73), just north in the town of Peniche, have a clubhouse vibe and offer activities and events鈥攍ike rooftop music sessions鈥攖hat make it easy to meet new friends. Both places can arrange board rentals, lessons, and English-speaking guides.

If you, too, fall hard for the country, Portugal鈥檚 recently introduced makes it easy to pursue residency while working remotely.

Costa Rica

Pura vida vibes have always made me feel welcome in Costa Rica. The State Department鈥檚 Level 2 advisory recommends that trip-goers use increased caution here, due to petty crime risks and natural hazards like earthquakes (which are common-ish here, with events of magnitude 7 about every decade). For 2025, Berkshire Hathaway Costa Rica the sixth-safest place in the world for female, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ travelers.

Surf towns such as Nosara and Santa Teresa along the Pacific Coast attract a lot of Americans and have small expat communities. , a hotel brand catering to digital nomads with coworking spaces as well as rooms, has eight outposts in Costa Rica, including in Nosara, Santa Teresa, and Monteverde (shared dorms from $24). These properties host music events and arrange local experiences for guests.

On the Caribbean Coast, I鈥檓 a big fan of the boutique hotel (from $365), which is part of the sustainability-focused Cayuga Collection. The hotel works with local guides and outfitters to arrange snorkeling excursions and hiking day trips in Cahuita National Park, including for solo guests. The place also offers free bike use, which I love for exploring the nearby town on my own.

Canada听

Canadians have a reputation for being incredibly friendly, and that as well as proximity to the U.S. and our shared language are bonuses. highlighted the country鈥檚 low crime rate and noted that wildlife like bears and moose posed some of the biggest dangers to visitors.

Vancouver and Montreal, great jumping-off points for the wilderness, ranked two and three, respectively, on a that see the most solo-travel searches on the travel site Kayak and the most solo-dining reservations on OpenTable.

Canada has 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves, as well as two beautiful coasts. I鈥檝e made friends while soaking in the swimming-pool-sized hot tub at (from $250) in Alberta鈥檚 Banff National Park. I鈥檝e also plotted solo snowboard trips to , British Columbia, to coincide with the Natural Selection Tour freestyle competition, knowing I鈥檇 meet like-minded travelers.

If you鈥檙e wary of wandering the wilderness alone, sign up for a guided trek with a local outfitter. I like the .

Another low-stress option is crisscrossing the country via rail. The Rocky Mountaineer鈥檚 from Vancouver to Banff takes just two days and is staffed with storytellers who can shed light on indigenous sites and wildlife. It offers single-berth accommodations from $1,752.

Australia

Australia has long been a magnet for backpackers. I spent nearly a year in my twenties backpacking mostly solo around the country鈥檚 east coast, and the biggest dangers were crocodiles, snakes, and jellyfish. Despite its resident poisonous critters, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection scored Australia听 the second-safest place in the world to travel for 2025.

Affordable and clean hostels, like (from $140) in Queensland鈥檚 Daintree Rainforest, abound and are filled with other solo travelers. is a beach-club-vibe hostel brand with Queensland locations in Noosa, Cairns, and Airlie Beach (from $32 for a spot in a mixed dorm).

Australia is a fantastic destination for hiking. is a collection of 13 treks that you can do yourself or with a guide. I spent four days traversing the wildlife-filled in Tasmania, opting for a guide via the local outfitter the because I wanted to learn more about the flora, fauna, and culture on the island (from $1,900, all-inclusive). The first two nights we stayed in secluded, simple bush camps near the beach ($7), and the final night we were pampered in the recently renovated historic-home-turned-hotel, Bernacchi House.

If you鈥檙e sticking to the mainland, the in the state of Victoria is a very doable 27 miles over four days along the Great Ocean Road, with campsites en route. The walk is suitable for hikers of any experience and takes in the shipwreck-dotted coastline, wild beaches, and Great Otway and Port Campbell National Parks.

Austria

Austria is a fantastic option for solo alpine adventures. The country is ranked third on the Global Peace Index and fifth worldwide in terms of safety by the . Most locals speak English, and a great public transportation network makes it easy to travel car-free. If you鈥檙e deciding between alpine destinations, consider that the cost of living in Switzerland is higher than in Austria, and that affects tourism; in general, expect lodging and meals in Austria to cost half of what you鈥檇 pay in Switzerland.

The runs a network of more than 170 huts, where it鈥檚 easy to engage with other hikers. Most mountain resorts, such as or or have guided hiking, biking, and paddling tours that allow you to mingle with others. And many villages offer special . I met some friends on a solo trip to the , held each September.

Bhutan

Solo travel, for me, has been the perfect way to do some soul searching when I鈥檓 making big decisions or going through a transition. And one of the most soulful places I鈥檝e ever visited is the Kingdom of Bhutan. It is a place of beauty and spirituality, and travelers here are required to have a guide, which is an exceptional way to become familiar with the culture.

Six years ago, I went on assignment on a solo ten-day guided trip of this Southeast Asia nation and learned so much, including the proper way to throw a dart (this is a traditional sport in Bhutan) and about dating habits here (yes, there鈥檚 Tinder in Bhutan). I still keep in touch with my guide, who was a woman, on WhatsApp.

Bhutan is ranked 21 on the Global Peace Index, and it鈥檚 a mecca for hiking and mountain biking鈥攖he king is an avid mountain biker, and my guide and I spotted him one day on the trail. While getting there from the U.S. isn鈥檛 cheap, nor are costs within the country, visits are slightly more affordable since the kingdom halved its daily tourist fee from $200 to $100 last year.

Phil Bowen of should be your go-to logistician to find a guide, driver, and accommodations, which can range from homestays to splurge-worthy hotels. (from $550, half-board, meaning room, breakfast, and one other meal) is one of the most memorable places I鈥檝e stayed in throughout my global travels.

5 Tips for Solo Travelers, From a Pro

Here are some tips and tricks for making the most of a solo trip.听

Share Your Plans

I always email my mom my rough itinerary. It includes the contact information for any hotels I鈥檝e already booked or the names of campsites where I plan to stay. I also regularly check in with her or a good friend via What鈥檚 App or email to let them know I鈥檝e reached a destination safely and when I鈥檓 moving on to my next stop.

Eat at the Restaurant’s Bar

I absolutely love dining alone at the bar. It鈥檚 usually easy to score a single seat, and before long I鈥檓 chatting with some fascinating local characters. Bartenders are often fantastic sources of local intel and can direct you to good restaurants and the best hiking and mountain-biking trails. Finally, happy-hour specials are a great way to save a few bucks.

Watch and Post on Message Boards

If you鈥檙e craving companionship, you might post on social-media channels like Facebook and Instagram鈥攜ou never know who in your circles, or your friends鈥� circles, is headed to the same place as you鈥攐r use the Friends setting on apps like Bumble. Many hotels and hostels, and often the local grocery store, still have bulletin boards with postings for local activities, like free yoga sessions or group hikes.

Pack Meds

Being alone isn鈥檛 so great when you fall ill in a far-flung place. In many countries it鈥檚 manageable: you can walk into a pharmacy, explain your symptoms, and get what you need. But I recently suffered through a debilitating urinary-tract infection in Morocco, and now I never travel without the broad-spectrum antibiotic I needed. I convinced my doctor to prescribe one in case I get that sick on the road again.

Don鈥檛 Second-Guess Yourself

Trust your gut. If something feels unsafe, it probably is. The very few times I鈥檝e gotten food poisoning have been when actions went against my instinct. Don鈥檛 be afraid to be impolite. Once, in Varanasi, India, an elderly woman offered me a glass of sketchy looking lassi. I felt rude saying no, and all it took was one sip to give me Delhi Belly. I knew better.

You should also follow your intuition. When I meet strangers and feel genuine good vibes, I will accept an invitation to share a ride or join for a meal in someone鈥檚 home. These chance encounters have rewarded me with some wonderful friends and experiences over the years.

Jen Murphy is 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 online travel-advice columnist. She has had some of her most memorable adventures while traveling solo, from dancing with a local tribe in the Omo Valley of Ethiopia to joining members of the Indian army on a run in Delhi. Her journal and a good book have always served as great companions. She has also recently written an ultimate guide to winter fun in a choice selection of mountain towns in Colorado, a guide for anyone new to adventure travel in Costa Rica, and the funniest things travelers ask their adventure guides. There are doozies.

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You like the idea of thru-hiking, but tackling the听Appalachian Trail or trekking to Mount Everest鈥檚 Base Camp feels like听too much of a commitment. Plus, who has months to disappear into the mountains anyway? Here are seven long-distance trails听around the world that offer the draws of a trek without the risk of using up all your paid time off.

Dientes Circuit

Navarino Island, Chile: 4 Days

Considered the southernmost trek in the world, the Dientes Circuit starts near the Patagonian port city of Puerto Williams on Navarino Island in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Before you begin, base yourself out of听 (from $250), overlooking the Beagle Channel, at what feels like the end of the earth. You鈥檒l spend about four days hiking 31 miles through the stunning, desolate Dientes de Navarino range, which is home to a dizzying array of landscapes typical of听the region (snowy peaks, glaciers, vast stretches of tundra).听Do it yourself and camp along the route, or book a听guided, six-day trip with听 (from $2,187)听that includes transportation to Navarino Island, two nights of lodging in town, and three nights of camping on the trail. You鈥檒l want to hike this between November and March for summertime conditions in the Southern Hemisphere.

Chinese Wall Trail

Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana: 3 Days

It takes a few days of hiking to reach the听, a thousand-foot-tall limestone cliff听that stretches over a dozen miles and is located deep in the state鈥檚听1.5-million-acre听. It鈥檚 worth the haul.听Start about 85 miles west of Great Falls, at the South Fork Sun River Trailhead, and hike 23 miles northwest.听You鈥檒l climb along the Continental Divide and spot elks, moose, and mountain goats along the way. Once you reach White River Pass, at the southern end of the wall, you鈥檒l find a choice of听multiple routes, including an eight-mile trail along the wall that ends at a lookout called Larch Hill Pass. Montana鈥檚听 leads a ten-day guided hike (from $1,950) in July along a 70-mile point-to-point route where mules help carry the load and you鈥檒l top out above the Chinese Wall itself.

Laugavegur Trail

Southern Highlands, Iceland; 3 Days

The听 remains one of听Iceland鈥檚 most popular treks for the fact that it traverses all of the country鈥檚 varied听landscapes, from hot springs and geysers to rhyolite mountains. The 34-mile route is open from mid-June to mid-September and takes three to four days to complete. Start at听the southern end of the highlands in the听Landmannalaugar nature reserve, and make your way听northeast over听black-sand deserts, glaciers, and volcanic terrain, before ending at Thorsmork valley. The well-appointed huts at the start and end points, 听and ,听make great bookends to the hike, and there are plenty of huts and camping options along the way.听 offers guided two- and five-day听treks (from $1,433). Stay at听 (from $46) in downtown Reykjav铆k, three hours from the start of the trail, which has bunks and private rooms, plus a hip bar and lounge.

Rockwall Trail

Kootenay National Park, British Columbia: 3 to 5 Days

It鈥檚 a good year to hike the Rockwall Trail, a classic Canadian Rocky Mountain multi-day trek, with Kootenay National Park听celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020. Highlights include some of the tallest waterfalls in the Rockies, secluded high-alpine lakes, and the limestone cliff that earned the trail its name. Most people hike this 34-mile trail, which gains about 8,500 feet in elevation, in three to five days. For self-guided trips,听 recently opened for bookings, or you can听sign up with听, which offers trips with certified Association of Canadian Mountain Guides听(from $1,222 for five-day trips).

Jomolhari听Loop Trek

Paro Valley, Bhutan: 7 Days

The Jomolhari听Loop Trek is an excellent high-altitude hike for those who want a taste of the Himalayas but have a limited amount听of time. The weeklong route听starts in the village of Gunitsawa, in the Paro District听of听northwest听Bhutan,听and leads to Jomolhari鈥檚 peak, which straddles the border with Tibet, before returning to the village. You鈥檒l gain 16,000 feet in elevation听but at a steady enough incline to allow your body to acclimate. The loop passes monasteries and museums, glacially听fed streams and lakes, juniper forests, mountains sacred to the Bhutanese, and yak-herding families. It鈥檚 possible to hike yourself and camp along the route, but consider the full听two-week Jomolhari Trek听with听outfitter听听(from $6,295), which covers about 55 miles on foot. The trekking seasons听are听typically April through May and October through November. In an effort to keep visitor numbers low, Bhutan charges a significant听tourist fee (from $200 per day), but this amount covers a host of costs, from lodging to a licensed guide, so be sure to check the government 听to start.

John Muir Trail

Sierra Nevada, California: 8 Days

The听 is one of the most iconic long-distance hikes in the U.S. It passes through three national parks鈥�Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon鈥攁nd tops out on 14,495-foot Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48. But not everybody has three weeks to devote to hiking this 211-mile trail. And听听for it听has become nearly impossible. The good news? If you book a guided trip with听, it鈥檒l take care of the permitting for you. The outfitter also now offers abbreviated trips on the JMT, like a听 or a听. Only have about a week? Spend eight days hiking the听听yourself along a stunning section of the trail in Kings Canyon National Park.

Pinhoti Trail

Appalachian Mountains, Alabama and Georgia: 14 Days

The听 stretches 171 miles across Alabama鈥檚 Appalachian Mountains and another 166 miles through Georgia, making it the longest trail in both of those states. Part of the still under development听 and a designated national recreation trail, the Pinhoti听is a good training ground if you鈥檙e contemplating doing the whole Appalachian Trail听or if you want something like it but shorter. In听January, an 18-year-old named Willie Thacker completed a self-supported thru-hike of the trail in six days and 16 hours, earning the current fastest known time. Regular-paced hikers will need two or three weeks to tackle it all.

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In this intimate portrait of environmentalist Sonam Phuntsho, filmmaker听 shows how Bhutan is the worldwide leader in environmental stewardship, with over 60 percent of its territory still听forested. The Kingdom follows Phuntsho听as he plants a new tree听in the forest, one of more than听100,000 trees he’s fostered throughout his life.

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A new study published this week in Science Advances听offers one of the most comprehensive views of what鈥檚 happening to the glaciers听in the Himalayas鈥攁nd what it means for the people who live below them.

, led by Joshua Maurer, a Ph.D. candidate at Columbia University鈥檚 Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, analyzed 40 years worth of satellite images of around 650 glaciers听across more than 1,200 miles听of India, China, Nepal, and Bhutan. One of the largest听ice loss studies to date (in both area and timespan), it not only confirms that climate change is the main contributing factor to glacial retreat in high-mountain Asia, but also reveals how fast rising temperatures are changing the face of the planet. According to the study, glaciers in the region have been losing the equivalent of more than a vertical foot and a half of ice each year since the turn of the millennia鈥攚hich is twice the rate of melting between 1975 to 2000.

鈥淧robably the most surprising thing [we found] would be the fact that we see such a similar amount of glacier melting across such a large and climatically complex region,鈥� says Maurer. 鈥淭hat highlights the fact that there鈥檚 an overarching climate force affecting all these glaciers similarly.鈥�

In recent years, that鈥檚 looked like an average of 8 billion tons of water per year鈥攅qual to听3.2 million Olympic-size swimming pools鈥攆lowing out of the region, which presents a couple听of new problems: first, too much water, and then not enough. According to Maurer, as meltwater increases, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), or catastrophic bursts of overflow from previously contained glacial meltwater, will start to be a serious threat. (One GLOF in Bhutan 听in 1994.听Nepal鈥檚 Imja Tsho, a glacial lake in the Khumbu Valley, was subject to an to reduce flood risk.) Then, as the glaciers continue to retreat, the water they provide to nearly 2 billion people听is听, and, eventually, disappear.听

Another study, conducted by the 听and published in , had similarly alarming claims: even if the entire world鈥檚 global emissions were net zero by 2050, one-third of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region鈥檚 ice would still melt. If the world doesn鈥檛 reach net zero, we could see the loss of up to two-thirds of the ice in that region by 2100.听

In high-mountain听Asia, occasionally referred to as 鈥渢he third pole鈥� because听it contains the most ice in one region after the actual poles, the melting has gotten macabre.听On Everest, the bodies of dead climbers are melting out of the ice, on what to do with them. on the world鈥檚 highest peaks is also proving to be a biohazard problem, contaminating water sources as it thaws.听

Maurer says that despite the depressing news, we need studies like this to prepare ourselves for what鈥檚 coming.听

鈥淲ith climate change studies, it鈥檚 always bad news,鈥� he听says. 鈥淏ut they鈥檙e necessary so that we know what we can expect in terms of future change.鈥�

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is an adventure documentary that features a first-ever fly fishing expedition on unexplored waters in Bhutan. In the documentary, Karma “Good Karma” Tshering guides an international crew of anglers and filmmakers deep into Bhutan's wilderness over the course of 25 days, which included a nine-day float trip. To meet hydropower quotas with India, Bhutan will have to damn all of its rivers鈥擳shering hopes to keep at least one river wild and free through sharing this story. You can follow updates on the documentary on Facebook and on Twitter .

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听is an upcoming documentary from director that follows four veteran athletes as they attempt an unprecedented human-powered, border-to-border crossing of Bhutan, a grueling 485-mile journey split between walking and biking. Their purpose? Explore first-hand the isolated kingdom’s policy of Gross National Happiness (the country is revered as the happiest place in the world). With original music听by Imogen Heap and an exclusive听interview with Bhutan’s current Prime Minister, the final film is not to be missed. You can follow updates on Facebook .

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During one of the deadliest weeks on Everest, in May of 1996, a vicious storm overcame the three multinational climbing teams on summit day. Eight people died, and reports of the catastrophe, chronicled in 国产吃瓜黑料 and elsewhere, called into question the dynamics of accountability among climbers attempting the world鈥檚 highest peak.

As any experienced mountaineer will attest, predicting who will reach the summit on Himalayan mountaineering expeditions and who will die trying is nearly impossible. But according to a new study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, you may have a higher chance of succeeding鈥攐r dying鈥攊f you come from a country with a rigid social structure. Anecdotally, climbers already have a sense that this is true. Expeditions from the former Warsaw Pact nations and from Korea have a reputation for pushing for the summit at all costs.听Conversely, the study also found that teams from more egalitarian countries summited less often and experienced fewer deaths.

鈥淗ierarchy both elevated and killed in the Himalayas,鈥� report the study authors, a doctoral candidate and a professor from Columbia Business School鈥檚 management department and an assistant professor from the Department of Organisational Behavior at INSEAD in France.

The researchers examined 5,104 expeditions鈥攃ommercial and non-commercial鈥� that took place on more than 100 mountains between 1905 and 2012, using data from the , an online archive of expedition records. They controlled for a wide range of variables, including the year each expedition took place and whether the climbers used supplemental oxygen. They elected not to include expeditions that were comprised of multiple nationalities, meaning that teams like the one Jon Krakauer traveled with during the 1996 disaster were excluded. (Krakauer, an American, was led by a guide from New Zealand and accompanied by a Japanese woman and other Americans. Monoethnic teams from 1996 were included in the study.)

Each country was rated on how rigid its cultural hierarchy is relative to others. (The calculus for this is derived from the research of contemporary social psychologists S.H. Schwartz and Geert Hofstede.) China was rated the most hierarchical, with Russia and India close behind. Norway was the most egalitarian, followed by Austria and Italy. The U.S., ranked in the middle of the pack, was rated as being slightly more hierarchical than Canada. The authors wouldn鈥檛 disclose which countries鈥� teams were responsible for the most deaths or the most summits out of concern for tarnishing reputations and peddling stereotypes. Anecdotally, climbers already have a sense that this is true. (Interestingly, the authors found that hailing from a country with a strong hierarchical culture did not have the same effect鈥攇ood or bad鈥攐n solo climbers, who are rare but nonetheless present in the Himalaya.)

The findings confirm long-held beliefs among experienced climbers. 鈥淚 think we kind of knew it from the seat of our pants,鈥� American expedition leader said of hierarchy鈥檚 influence. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 good to see it鈥檚 been proven.鈥� They are also consistent with past research on social structure. 鈥淗ierarchy is an advantage but it鈥檚 also a disadvantage,鈥� said Cecilia Ridgeway, the Lucie Stern professor of social sciences at Stanford University, who has studied hierarchies and collective action extensively.

In dissecting why more hierarchical groups are outfitted for both ultimate success and ultimate sacrifice, the authors take a scientific approach. 鈥淭he academic literature would suggest decreased psychological safety, better group coordination, and decreased information sharing would all be factors in hierarchical cultures,鈥� said study coauthor Eric Anicich. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 want a reader thinking that we can predict life or death or summiting probability based on which country they鈥檙e from.鈥�

According to Ridgeway, the crucial factor to a hierarchical team鈥檚 success or failure is often the leader鈥檚 competence. Whether or not that competence is compromised by certain ingrained social structures is hard to say. What is clear, Rideway said, is that egalitarian teams are better positioned to survive in the face of potentially dooming conditions, which can overwhelm a single decision maker.

鈥淭he reason for that is when they hit these complex situations, under best circumstances they share their information, the ideas bounce off, and they come up with things that none of them would have thought of alone about how to survive,鈥� Ridgeway said.

More than simply confirming suspicions and reinforcing past research, the results offer a stark warning for climbers to consider when assembling their teams, no matter what nation they hail from. Hierarchy is inherent in the relationship between expedition guides and the climbers they lead. Guides dictate the route taken, how fast and how far their teams go each day, and the altitude acclimatization process, among other things鈥攁ll of which complicate an ascent or descent.

鈥淭he clients pay you for your judgment. I鈥檓 there to protect them,鈥� says international mountain guide , who lives in Chile and has climbed the 26,906-foot Cho Oyu in Nepal. He isn鈥檛 convinced that culture is the key factor driving a team鈥檚 fate. 鈥淣o way does it matter,鈥� he said. After all, the Himalaya is a fluid and dangerous environment, not a vacuum. Success or failure is never the result of one factor, but many. 鈥淵ou still don鈥檛 know who鈥檚 going to summit,鈥� Mujica said. 鈥淪ome people can get sick. It鈥檚 one day at a time.鈥�

The question then is how can a team find an optimal balance of egalitarianism within the inherent hierarchy of a guided expedition?

鈥淭he team would have to know itself well and all the members would really have to trust one another and be willing to go with their boss but also pull back from that in a kind of kaleidoscopic way,鈥� Ridgeway said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not impossible but it wouldn鈥檛 be easy to do. It would depend a lot on the interpersonal skills, not just the climbing skills, of everybody involved.鈥�

Anker has distilled Rideway鈥檚 theory into a simple method. 鈥淵ou have a Scotch every night. 鈥楬ow鈥檇 your day go?鈥� It鈥檚 the same with having a family,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou sit around and talk through things.鈥�

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If ever there was a country with a spirit worth trying to bottle, it would be Bhutan.

The only nation in the world to measure its progress by G.D.H. or 鈥淕ross Domestic Happiness,鈥� Bhutan鈥攚ith its high Himalayan peaks and mega-biodiversity鈥攖ruly has a spirit worth savoring.

K5 Himalayan Whiskey aims to help you do just that鈥攂ut without the misery of 12-plus hours in coach.

鈥淜5 was actually made for the coronation of the current sitting king,鈥� says James Fitzgerald, founder and chairman of Bhutan Ventures, which imports K5. (In America, all we got when Obama took office was a . Thanks, Obama.)听

The whiskey itself is smooth, smoky, and dry, with hints of citrus, oak, and caramel. It finishes with just a touch of sweetness. So far, Fitzgerald says, it鈥檚 been a hit with women鈥攋ust like the king it was made for. 鈥淗e鈥檚 young, he鈥檚 handsome, he looks like Elvis鈥攖he girls love him, he鈥檚 very well liked,鈥� says Fitzgerald. (Unlimited access to his namesake whiskey probably doesn鈥檛 hurt either.)

K5 is produced by Bhutan鈥檚 , a branch of the country鈥檚 military that uses proceeds from the sales to pay army pensions, provide loans, and finance scholarships.

Note: K5 is actually a blend of two Scottish malt whiskeys (an eight and a 12-year) that鈥檚 finished in Bhutan. But Fitzgerald swears he can taste the effect Bhutan鈥檚 alpine water and air has on the final product.

Despite its notes of 9,000-foot-high Himalayan air and streams, drinking K5 will never quite rival being in Bhutan, but that鈥檚 because there鈥檚 little in this world that does. Still, cracking open a bottle at home has been known to result in its own little version of gross domestic happiness.听

$51, .

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It鈥檚 hard to wing it in . The government famously controls tourism, imposing a daily $250 guide fee to access the country鈥檚 20,000-foot peaks and deep river valleys. But at the new 鈥攁 nine-room, two-villa luxury hotel in the subtropical, ancient city of 鈥攖he fees are factored in, so you can spend your energy choosing your own adventure from the hotel鈥檚 spectacularly remote location. Punakha is 80 mountainous miles (and a four-hour car ride) from tourist hubs like Thimphu, yet rooms still come with Wi-Fi and a private terrace overlooking the Mo Chu River valley. Explore the blue-pine-and-rhododendron-covered hills with scenic rafting on the Class II鈥揤 Mo Chu ($450, arranged by the hotel), day hikes into nearby (home to snow leopards), and thrilling mountain-bike descents ($60 with a hotel guide). Or explore the country on the lodge鈥檚 seven-night between Uma Punakha and its in Paro, which includes a visit to a 17th-century monastery, perched on a cliff in the clouds, and a stay at the Cave of a Thousand Prayers, a 13,000-foot campsite filled with fluttering prayer flags.

ACCESS: Fly Druk Air to Paro. A hotel driver will transport you to . Valley-view rooms from $400 per night.

MAY CLIMATE: 75掳 high, 36潞 low

DETOUR: Fire a longbow at targets 150 yards away during a lesson in datse (archery), Bhutan’s national sport. $20 for one hour

INDULGE: Get a traditional hot-river-stone bath and a massage at Punakha’s spa overlooking the river valley. $160

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