AMAZING HAA VALLEY, BHUTAN-Erin Levi

Almost completely isolated from the outside world for centuries, this erstwhile hermit kingdom nestled in the Himalayas only began welcoming foreigners in 1974. It’s since become a global leader in sustainability: it’s the world’s first carbon-negative nation, more than 60% of its land is protected forest and it measures Gross National Happiness instead of GDP.   

The Haa Valley, a pristine forested district along Bhutan’s western frontier with Tibet, has long been the country’s best-kept secret: a culturally distinct region still untouched by mass tourism. This forgotten corner of the Thunder Dragon Kingdom was the last district to open to foreigners in 2002, and today, fewer than 2% of international travellers visit, despite it being a yak’s graze from Paro International Airport. It’s now emerging from the shadows, balancing preservation with thoughtful development in its bid for more visitors. 

Travellers can explore Haa’s raw beauty through the newly restored 400km Trans Bhutan Trail; the freshly-added 11km Haa Panorama Trail (a revival of an ancient route); and the two-day Joy Bay Tsho Trek, which snakes through pastures, canopy forests and bamboo groves between the villages of Mochu and Youkha.

Sustainable locally run homestays in the Haa Valley allow a window into its unique culture.

Haa’s commitment to sustainable tourism means you’ll find locally run homestays (and some local hotels) offering glimpses into centuries-old rural life. Two distinct, low-impact accommodations have also opened: the community-run Katsho Eco Camp, built along the Haa Panorama Trail by guides and cooks who lost their jobs during the pandemic, and the luxury Sangwa Camp. Here, visitors witness local culture, like Bon rituals and rare experiences such as breakfast in Bhutan’s lone strict nature reserve, a highly protected biodiversity hotspot home to rare species like the red panda and snow leopard.

With Bhutan’s Sustainable Daily Fee halved through 2027 (now $100), this once-secluded paradise is now more accessible while remaining just as committed to low-impact tourism. 

BBC-Erin Levi