Going green

PLANET FRIENDLY TRAVEL NEWS BY

The Trans Bhutan trail was an essential route for monks, messengers, traders and pilgrims for hundreds of years. Spanning the east and west of Bhutan, it fell into disuse in the 1960s when a bigger highway was built.

But the glorious 250-mile trail is making a comeback and will officially reopen on September 28 for the first time in 60 years.

The restored trail will be an educational, health and spiritual resource and also bring economic advantages to rural communities there, contributing to their sustainable livelihoods.

Initiatives include trail markers made from recycled plastic, bridges built from responsiblysourced timber and the lovely idea of one tree planted for each international visitor. Water will be provided for use in reusable water bottles given to visitors too.

transbhutantrail.org

Belize’s indigenous Garifuna people are being celebrated with a new community-based project, the Garifuna Trail.

Highlighting the fascinating Afro-descendant community, visitors will be able to learn more about their culture by visiting the Dangriga and Hopkins coastal communities, home to more than 11,000 people.

Travellers can taste authentic Garifuna cuisine and test their taste buds at the Marie Sharp Fine Foods (Hot Sauce Factory) which employs mostly women and sources ingredients from local farmers. Or they can try their hand drumming at the Austin Rodriguez Drumming School.

travelbelize.org

Alton Towers’ legendary Nemesis rollercoaster is to close on November 6 for a huge revamp. The Staffordshire theme park’s classic 50mph inversion ride – which debuted for thrillseekers 28 years ago – will return in 2024 with the unveiling of a major transformation. altontowers.com