Phobjikha Valley

Phobjikha at an average altitude of 3,000m is a bowl-shaped glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, designated as conservation zone within the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Because of the large flock of endangered black-necked cranes that winters here, it is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country. In addition to the cranes there are also muntjacs (barking deer), wild boars, sambars, serows, Himalayan black bears, leopards and red foxes in the surrounding hills. The Nakey Chhu drains the marshy valley, eventually flowing into the lower reaches of the Punak Tsang Chhu. Some people refer to this entire region as Gangtey, after the goemba that sits on a ridge above the valley.

Phobjikha is a wide glacial valley with a central stream meandering through the open grassland and thickets of dwarf bamboo. Farmlands occupy the peripheral slopes where potatoes and turnips are grown. The forests beyond the farms are mostly coniferous. The general vegetation is composed of mainly blue pine, birch, maple and several species of rhododendrons.