Above 3,800 m (12,000 ft) the slopes are full of rhododendron forests.

They reside in moist oak and rhododendron forests with dense undergrowth and bamboo clumps.

Our trail then winds uphill through terraced fields and mixed oak and rhododendron forest.

We appreciate the distinctive fluted peaks of Machapuchare before undertaking an early morning ascent through mixed oak and rhododendron forest.

Thick rhododendron forests can be found home to various wildlife species.

This trail is truly off-the-beaten-path trekking, as it passes through isolated communities, giant rhododendron forests and alpine wilderness.

The largest rhododendron forests of Tinjure, Milke and Jaljale can be reached in about 3-4 hours.

We emerged from the rhododendron forest onto a plateau of low juniper bushes that sent out a sweet, heady, honeyed smell.

A popular longer walk is the two-day return trip through boulder fields and rhododendron forests to Triund (2900m), a 9km walk past Dharamkot.

We passed herders' black yak-hair tents and looked across thousand-foot gorges to deep green rhododendron forests.