Placed right at the heart of the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan has three major landform features: the southern foothills, the inner Himalayas and the higher Himalayas, it is indeed one of the world’s 10 most biodiverse regions. The subalpine Himalayan mountains in the north rise from the country’s lush subtropical plains in the south. In the Bhutanese Himalayas, there are peaks higher than 7,000 metres (23,000 ft) above sea level. Gangkhar Puensum is Bhutan’s highest peak and is the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Bhutan, although a small country, has one of the biggest commitments to conservation. With the highest proportion of forest cover in Asia at 70.46%, it has almost 5 million acres of protected land that is rich in forests, pristine rivers and thriving wildlife. Bhutan’s topography makes for exhilarating drives and breathtaking hikes.