Phobjikha Valley (Gangtey)

A glacial valley and wetland sanctuary where endangered black-necked cranes migrate from Tibet each winter, near the historic Gangtey Monastery.

Between roughly three and five hundred cranes winter here from late October to February, and the valley's power lines were laid underground rather than strung overhead to keep the birds safe, which is an unusual thing for a country to pay for. Gangtey Goenpa above the valley is the largest Nyingma monastery in western Bhutan, and the Black Necked Crane Festival is held in its courtyard in November. The valley floor is around 3,000m, so nights are cold, and the nature trail crosses it in about two hours.