Bhutan is one of the richest places on earth for fungi. More than two-thirds of the country is forest, running from subtropical valleys to alpine ridges, and more than 350 wild species have been recorded so far. Foraging is part of everyday life: families gather mushrooms, ferns and herbs, and leave enough to come back the following year.
Ugyen co-founded Bhutan Mushroom Tours to share that season. Each August and September a small group of no more than ten travels with him into the forests and to the village festivals that celebrate the matsutake, learning identification and responsible harvesting alongside village foragers and scientists from the National Mushroom Centre. Dates, prices and booking are with Bhutan Mushroom Tours.
