A glacial valley where black-necked cranes winter and a monastery watches from the ridge — how to plan time in Phobjikha and Gangtey.
Phobjikha is the sort of place you plan to visit for an afternoon and end up wishing you had a second night.
The cranes
From late October to February, black-necked cranes winter in the wetlands. Dawn is the best time to watch them from the valley trails. Each 11 November, Gangtey Goemba hosts a festival in their honour.
The Gangtey Nature Trail
A gentle two-hour walk from the monastery down through pine forest to the valley floor. It is one of the most beautiful short walks in the country.
Staying
Choose a lodge with a wood stove. Evenings are cold, and the farmhouse feel is part of the charm. Read more in our Phobjikha guide.
