Inspired by James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon, Laurence Brahm went in search of the mystical realm of Shangri-la, travelling along the ancient Tea Caravan Trail in Yunnan Province of southwest China. Starting in the capital city of Kunming, Braham travelled from Dali to Lijiang through Yi to Lago Lake and to Zhongdian and Deqin and the sacred Kawagebo Mountain. Each region has its own culture and ethnic tradition and is trying to preserve the old way of life while adapting to the economic realities of modern life and tourism. Along the way, Laurence met various individuals - including the famous Chinese dancer Yang Liping - and learned of a movement of conscious people fighting against the onslaught of modernism to preserve their cultures and identities. They shared with him stories about the misty mountains that stand majestically in this land "south of the clouds" and explained how such mountains are sacred to all who live in these regions. Out of these journeys came the inspiration for Himalayan Consensus (www.himalayanconsensus.org). The message is that our species' survival depends on how well we take care of our environment by practising environmental protection and sustainable development as part of a holistic lifestyle. The people living in these areas have to practise a balanced and careful use of nature's resources as a way of life as they honour their own sacred mountain. We must learn from them. Brahm and his fellow seekers issue a clarion call for the protection of our environment by getting back to the values of culture and spirituality rather than materialism.