Phobjikha Valley

Phobjikha is a wide, flat-bottomed glacial valley at around 3,000 metres, and each winter it receives guests the whole country celebrates: black-necked cranes arrive from Tibet in late autumn, several hundred of them, and stay until February. They are revered locally, and the valley's development has been shaped around them - power lines were laid underground at considerable cost to keep the flight paths clear. Above the marshland sits Gangtey Goenpa, a large monastery on a forested spur, and the Gangtey Nature Trail descends from it through the villages to the valley floor in an easy, beautiful couple of hours.

What you actually see

• Black-necked cranes - the wintering flock on the valley marsh from November.
• Gangtey Goenpa - the hilltop monastery above the valley.
• The Gangtey Nature Trail - the gentle downhill walk through villages and pine.
• The crane information centre - viewing scopes and the conservation story.

When to go

Cranes are present roughly from late October or November until February, with the Crane Festival held at the monastery in November. Spring brings wildflowers and easy walking without the birds. The valley is cold in winter, with wood stoves rather than central heating in most guesthouses.

Honest expectations

It is cold here - guesthouses use bukhari wood stoves and nights drop well below freezing in crane season, so pack accordingly. The road in crosses a high pass and can be slow or briefly closed after snow. Cranes are viewed at distance through scopes rather than up close, as they should be. Accommodation is limited and books out around the festival.

Nearby

Punakha's dzong and river valley, Wangdue Phodrang and the road to Trongsa.