if you want to read a true story try "my journey to Lhasa" by Alexandra David-Neel.in 1923 she walked thru China into Tibet disguised as a pilgrim along with a young monk she knew for years.
she spoke and could read Tibet and had been turned back several times before when she went as a Western traveler with a train of helpers.days without food or drink and taking shelter wherever it could be found.crossing mountain passes in freezing weather so they would not be on the normal pilgrim path.
they had nothing but small tent and a pot but she hid a pistol,spoons and a compass under her robe.
this book was my nightly reading on a two week solo wilderness canoe trip in August and every night i put in down thinking none of the TV survival gang could have done this treck.
here is a link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_David-N%C3%A9el