Phobjikha valley
Phobjikha is a wide alpine valley and the largest and most significant wetland in the country at 3,000 m above sea level. It is best known as the winter roosting grounds of the endangered black necked cranes that fly down from the Tibetan plateau. The Bhutanese consider the long-legged birds sacred and their arrival is seen as a harbinger of good fortune.
Every winter about 300 cranes spend their winter in Phobjikha, feeding on roots and fallen grains of harvested fields. They return to Tibet in early spring.
Phobjikha is a six-hour drive from the capital and two hours from Wangduephodrang town.
The valley is also home to a 17th century monastery which the cranes circle over before flying back to Tibet. A 90-minute nature trail starts from the monastery and goes through the pine forest and bamboo groves providing spectacular views of the valley.