Smile! You’re Trekking in Bhutan!

Thailand may be known as "the land of smiles", but when Business Week listed the world’s happiest countries, there was a clear wellbeing winner in Asia: Bhutan. This landlocked nation, situated between India and Tibet,

This landlocked nation, situated between India and Tibet, not only topped the list of Asia’s happiest countries, but was also voted the 8th happiest country in the world.

Bhutan just beat Southeast Asian neighbour Brunei in the happiness stakes, with the sultanate’s happiness factor mainly attributed to its rich national wealth. Bhutan, with its relatively low life expectancy and a very low GDP, nonetheless knocked Brunei from the top spot.

Researchers have concluded that a main ingredient in Bhutan’s recipe for success lies in the country’s untouched landscape; something that you’ll discover for yourself if you go Bhutan trekking. The stunning scenery along the winding Thimphu Chu River, the modest monastery complex at Cheri Gompa and the mountains surrounding the Dochu La Pass should raise a smile in even the grumpiest traveller. And it’s this scenery that researchers have credited, along with the unspoiled culture, as reasons for Bhutan’s high levels of national happiness. The country is able to remain this way because of the strict government controls on tourism, development and immigration. Bhutan trekking trips are rightly popular as a result; if you want to walk amongst the most uplifting scenery in Asia, then look no further than Bhutan.