Phobjika Valley (ཕོབ་སྦྱིས་ཁ)

The Phobjika Valley is a designated conservation area on the western fringe of the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. The reserve is of great importance, as it protects a large flock of rare, endangered black-necked cranes that winter there.

The birds are important to Bhutanese folklore and that is reason enough for the government to protect them. The roosting place of the cranes can be visited after obtaining a permit from the Nature Conservation Section in Thimphu. While you are there, try to stay until dusk, when the birds congregate for the night at several places in the valley. It's a truly spectacular sight.

Other animals that roam the Phobjika Valley include Himalayan black bears, leopards, muntjaks (barking deer), red foxes, smabars and wild boars.

The broad valley features large tracts of marshland. There are countless trails that are excellent for trekking. Everything from 90-minute walks to multi-day treks are available.

Points of interest

Damche Lhakhang.
The ancient Buddhist Gangtey Gonpa (སྒང་སྟེང་དགོན་པ, Gangteng Monastery) belongs to the Nyingma sect of central Bhutan. The monastery was established in 1613. The building has been restored between 2002 and 2008. The festival of Khewang Lhakhang Tshechu and the Crane Festival welcoming the black-neck cranes when they arrive in the winter months are held every year in the courtyard of the monastery.
The Khebethang Nature Study Center is situated in the town of Phobjikha at the foot of the valley.
Khewang Lhakhang.
The Kumbu Lhakhang is located on the northern side of the Gangtey Gonpa. It was originally built as a bonpo temple, but nowadays it's a Buddhist temple.
The temple complex of Ngenlung Drechagling Lhakhang.

If you find transportation, you can get to the Phobjika Valley by taking the main road from Thimphu to Wangi. There you will have to turn off down a 13 km (8 mi) long dirt road. The Phobjika Valley is some 50 km east of Thimphu. vast U-shaped valley in central Bhutan. Tsechu, the colourful Mask Dance Festival of Bhutan and the Crane Festival welcoming the black-neck cranes in winter months are held every year in the precincts of the Phobjikha Valley, in the Gangtey Monastery courtyard. It also has a popular three-day trek route.

Hotels in Phobjika Valley

Images

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