Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park

This park, formerly the Black Mountains National Park, covers around 1,700 square kilometres of central Bhutan and is one of the country's most biologically varied because it drops from alpine ridges above 4,000 metres to subtropical forest under 200, connecting habitats along that gradient. Tigers have been recorded here at unusually high elevations, and the park holds golden langurs, an endemic of this region of the eastern Himalaya, along with red pandas, clouded leopards and Himalayan black bears. Phobjikha valley on the northern edge is the wintering ground of black-necked cranes. The east-west highway crosses the northern part, so some of the park is seen from the road; the rest requires trekking, including the Nabji-Korphu community route through the southern buffer.

What you actually see

• Golden langurs - the regional endemic primate in the lower forests.
• Altitude gradient - alpine ridge to subtropical valley in one park.
• Black-necked cranes - wintering birds in Phobjikha on the northern edge.
• Highway sections - forest and gorge visible from the east-west road.

When to go

October to April for the lowland forest and the cranes; the high sections are best from April to June and September to October. Monsoon brings leeches, landslides and closed roads.

Honest expectations

Wildlife sightings are unlikely: tigers and clouded leopards are effectively never seen, and even langurs need luck. Most of the park has no access. Trekking is through operators and community routes. The highway crossing gives scenery rather than wildlife.

Nearby

Phobjikha valley is on the northern edge; Trongsa lies east.