Phobjikha

The story of the black-necked cranes of the Phobjikha Valley has inspired conservationists the world over. Threatened not so long ago, this unique migratory species has found a home on the steep slopes of the Bhutanese Black Mountains, nesting away from the harsh conditions further up in the Tibetan Plateau.

But even if you aren't coming to this remote corner of central Bhutan to see the birds, there's still plenty to be getting on with. Gangtey Monastery tops the bill as the epicentre of the Nyingmapa school and one of the most revered shrines in the country. Get a Phobjikha tour guide to help you understand its colorful symbolism and mysterious Buddhist murals. This great religious site also sits on the route of the iconic Gangtey trek, a popular long-distance hike that encompasses rustic Bhutanese villages like Kumbu and Khebayathang. If you opt to walk that, get ready for gorgeous panoramas of the Nakey Chhu River as it drifts through Phobjikha and its patchwork of green marshes and farms.