Yangyel Lhaden
Haa Valley, one of Bhutan’s least explored regions, has been listed among the 25 best places to travel in 2025 by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Known for its pristine landscapes, unique cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism initiatives, Haa is gaining international recognition as a must-visit destination.
The list was curated by BBC Travel editors in collaboration with leading sustainable travel authorities, such as the United Nations’s World Tourism Organisation, Sustainable Travel International, and the World Travel and Tourism Council. The selection celebrates destinations that harmonise tourism with environmental preservation and cultural authenticity.
Erin Levi, a US-based freelance travel writer and editor, played a key role in spotlighting Haa Valley. Having worked extensively on travel narratives for outlets like BBC Travel, The New York Times, and Lonely Planet, she submitted Haa Valley as part of her pitches to the BBC Travel editors.
Among her suggestions, Haa was chosen as one of the top 25 travel destinations. She specialises in the Himalayas and Central Asia, with particular expertise in Bhutan developed through multiple extended visits and comprehensive research for the Bradt Travel Guide to Bhutan.
“The BBC Travel editors solicited pitches from contributors for the best sustainable destinations around the world to visit in 2025—in an age of over-tourism where some places are telling tourists to go home, which places want tourists to come? Moreover, which places have initiatives in place so that travel can be harnessed for good?” Erin Levi said. “I submitted a few destinations, and the editors liked my Haa Valley, Bhutan pitch the best.”
She said that while she could have pitched Bhutan as a whole, she thought she would spotlight Haa Valley because it was often left off itineraries and deserves to be discovered. “Move over, it is a place where community-based tourism is thriving, and with the new luxury Sangwa Camp’s hidden Haa Valley site, there is a chance more luxury travelers may be interested in going.”
“My connection to Bhutan feels karmic; Bhutan found me,” Erin Levi said.
Her first encounter with the country dates back to 2010 when she managed the account for what was then known as the Bhutan Tourism Council, now rebranded as the Department of Tourism account in the United States. Over the years, her professional association evolved into a personal passion for the Himalayan kingdom.
During her third research trip to Bhutan in 2017, Erin Levi spent four days in Haa Valley, an experience she describes as transformative. “My time at Lechuna Lodge offered deep insights into this lesser-visited region. I tackled the challenging Meri Puenseum day-trek, learned to make hoentey—Haa’s unique dumplings—and even witnessed a visit from the Je Khenpo,” she recounted.
Erin Levi emphasised Haa Valley’s cultural richness and tourism potential, noting that its community-based initiatives make it a hidden gem. “I have been waiting for the right time to share this extraordinary valley with the world, and I am thrilled it is finally getting the recognition it deserves.”
In the BBC feature of the top 25 destinations, Haa Valley is described as a secluded paradise. Located in Bhutan’s western region, Haa remained isolated from the outside world until 2002, when it became the last district to open to foreigners. Despite being just an hour’s drive from Paro International Airport, fewer than two percent of international visitors make their way to Haa.
The valley offers opportunities for sustainable exploration. Tourists can traverse ancient paths like the newly restored 400 kilometre Trans Bhutan Trail or the 11 kilometre Haa Panorama Trail. For adventurers, the two-day Joy Bay Tsho Trek winds through bamboo groves, canopy forests, and pastures.
Haa’s tourism infrastructure reflects its commitment to sustainability. Locally run homestays provide visitors with glimpses of traditional rural life. New accommodations like the community-run Katsho Eco Camp and the luxury Sangwa Camp offer immersive experiences while preserving the valley’s charm.
Bhutan’s focus on sustainable tourism has been a key factor in its global appeal. The government recently halved its Sustainable Development Fee for international tourists to USD 100 per day through 2027, making destinations like Haa more accessible without compromising the country’s low-impact tourism ethos.
For Erin Levi, Haa Valley embodies the essence of Bhutan—a place where ancient traditions, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality coexist in harmony. “Haa represents everything thoughtful travelers seek in a destination,” she said.
With its inclusion in BBC’s Top 25 Travel Destinations for 2025, Haa Valley is poised to attract more visitors while preserving its natural and cultural heritage.
This post was originally published on here
