The Phobjika Valley is a designated conservation area on the western fringe of the Black Mountain 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 Khebethang Nature Study Center is in Phobjikha village at the foot of the valley.
Nearby is the huge Black Mountain National Park, where you can see countless animal and plant species.
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 miles) long dirt road. The Phobjika Valley is some 50 km east of Thimphu.