But the remoteness of these regions has at its root geographical origins. Sikkim, in the northeast between Bhutan and Nepal, still has no train station or airport because of the ruggedness of its terrain, and in Leh, Ladakh’s capital, flights must take off and land before 11AM to avoid the dangerous afternoon winds that rip through the valley.

This imperfect infrastructure can make the trip to these Himalayan hideaways something of a challenge, but once on site it is a conundrum ably tackled by the best of the tour companies.Take Shakti Himalaya, a six-year-old outfitter which has leased houses in Ladakh, Kumoan and Sikkim and completely refurbished them to serve as outposts for its flexible itineraries, which range from hillwalking to monastery visits to whitewater rafting. Shakti also runs 360° Leti, a spectacular four-cottage property that requires a 1.5-hour walk to access but rewards amply with breathtaking bedroom panoramas and utter isolation.

Less than a day’s drive away through the Uttarakhand foothills another kind of isolation awaits at the premier spa in north India, Ananda in the Himalayas. Its 2,230sq m wellness area offers dozens of treatments to mend body and soul among cedar forests on the banks of the Ganges.

It’s easy to become blasé about the surreal scenery in the Himalayas, but perhaps nowhere is it as untouched as the SpitiValley in Himachal Pradesh, where Spiti Ecosphere runs treks and expeditions. Its tents are more comfortable than most and its guides very knowledgeable, but in the end – as is true across the mountain range – what matters most is having time to be alone in the resplendent nature.That’s the greatest indulgence of them all.