Nepal, March 23 -- After weaving through snaky, snow-laced trails and crossing two camps, we reached 'Strenpass' (5,258m), from Thini in Jomsom, Mustang. The air was cold and the hills, claustrophobic. From its great height, Strenpass overlooked the sprawling, pristine Tilicho lake.

Small specks of clouds were reflected on the lake's sky blue surface, as if they were floating on the water, bound by some kind of sorcery. The water was flirting with the wind, quietly and mysteriously. This lake scene, enclosed by mountains from all sides, seemed more like a beautiful painting than a part of nature. One struggles to find the right words to describe the atmosphere around the lake. Once by the lake, I began to have romantic feelings about how...