Who says cruising is boring? Crystal Cruises says it has spend months negotiating (what, exactly, I'm not clear) but has finally been able to unveil a three-night adventure allowing fit folk to scale Mount Huashan's south peak.
Never heard of it? Me neither. But I'm told it's one of China's Five Sacred Mountains, known as the Number One Precipitous Mountain under Heaven.
This is not for the faint-hearted. Crystal climbers scale the mountain by grasping iron chain rails bolted into the cliffs' side and maneuvering along a narrow 13 foot x one foot wood plank that winds its way up the peak.
Scary or what? But apparently you can cheat. If that doesn't appeal everyone will anyway be taken to the top by cable car, billed as a thrilling panoramic ride 7,000 feet off the ground that showcases all five peaks.
Even more scary is the price - the excursion costs $2,759 (about £2,000) per person, which includes flights and hotel accommodation.
Excursions are certainly getting more fun. What's the most adventurous you've done?
Jane Archer
