Nepal: Tatopani

This mountain nation may not be known for its hot springs, but it has them in spades. Tatopani is arguably its finest. But you won’t find a luxury resort here; Tatopani is a rustic place with little more than a shower area and sauna rooms. Sitting near Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge, surrounded by dramatic granite mountains and a cascading whitewater river, the spot is known among locals for its curative powers. The rich minerals in the water are said to help detoxify the blood, relieve symptoms of rheumatism and relax stiff muscles. The water contains plentiful black salt and phosphorus, both of them natural antibiotics. The most straightforward way to get there is to join a hiking tour at Kathmandu that will pass by the hot spring – a relaxing stop that will have you re-energised.

Hot fact: there’s a legend that Shiva used his trident to break the ground and let hot water out as he couldn’t stand the torment of cold water in his ascetic practices.