Known as the happiest country in the world, Bhutan has defined four pillars of gross national happiness; sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, preservation and promotion of culture, environmental conservation and good governance.

While Bhutan is landlocked, it is rich in water which comes from 700 glaciers, primarily in the Himalayas. Glacial retreat, particularly in this part of Asia, presents a significant challenge to Bhutan. One of four countries is currently carbon negative, fifty percent of the country is declared as a protected area while seventy percent of the country is under forest cover.

Lined in prayer flags, hikes upward slowly grew each day, culminating in a hike to the Paro Taktsang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (a more accurate translation, Tigress’s lair), a Buddhist temple built in the  17^th century perched on the side of a cliff. According to that legend, the 8th-century Indian Buddhist master Guru Rinpoche was carried up the mountain on the back of a disciple who had transformed herself into a tigress. Once they arrived, Guru Rinpoche then spent 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours meditating in the cave.