If a country's Gross National Happiness is worth more than it's Gross National Product, it should be worth getting to know. In fact, Bhutan has now b ecome one of the world's hottest travel spots, made even more alluring by the level of difficulty for people wishing to visit it.

Heather McNeice, author of this fascinatinhg book, certainly rates it highly too, and she has many visits to this mountainous area on which to base her opinions.

Organising a challenging trek to raise money for the education of young girls in Bhutan seemd to Heather McNeice like a clever and altruistic idea at the time. However, high on Bhutan's most inhospitable plateau, partway through a 240-kilometre trek across the roof of the world, McNeice realised she might just have bitten off more than she would be able to chew.

This book introduces readers to the savage landscapes of this land, as well as eccentric guides, an opportunistic dog and altogether too many horses.

Adventure, humour and pure grit underpin the story which really is all about Bhutan, the only remaining Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas,  (and its people), losing yourself yet not losing your way - and helping others who are more needy.

++++

Yak on track, by Heather McNeice, published by Affirm Press August 2018, paperback, rrp A$32.99.

- reviewed by Sally Hammond