No longer a forbidden kingdom

Pristine nature has long been a key feature of the Kingdom of Bhutan since it began welcoming guests in 1974.

The small mountainous nation, located in a biodiverse hotspot on the edge of the eastern Himalayas, is the world’s first carbon-negative country with approximately 70% of its land covered by forest. More than a third of its forest is under ecological protection and conservation programmes.

Such an untouched setting has made Bhutan a bucket list destination for hikers and outdoor explorers. Recently it hosted Snowman Race, an ultra-marathon through the Himalayan wilderness to raise awareness of climate change. The five-day event was partaken by elite trekkers from all over the…