National park · Bhutan
Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Parkའཇིགསམ་སིང་ཡེ་ཝངཅུག་རྒྱལ་ཁབ་གནས་ཚན
Enter Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park for about 200 BTN per person, hike the Nabji‑Korphu Trail (6‑day trek) in October–March, and avoid the June–September monsoon.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,730 km² (668 sq mi)668 sq mi (1,730 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Bhutan ↗Sustainable Development Fee: USD 100 per adult per night for international visitors until 31 Aug 2027 (children 6–11 half rate, under 6 free); Indian nationals pay in rupees at a lower rate. Confirm the current rate on the official tourism site before booking.
- Bhutan ↗Visa: apply through the official Bhutan tourism visa system, cleared before you board; plan the trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator.
- Bhutan ↗Paro is Bhutan's only international airport: approaches are visual, flights run in daylight only, and cloud or wind cancels them; keep a spare day at both ends.
At a glance
- Country
- Bhutan
- Area
- 1,730 km² (668 sq mi)668 sq mi (1,730 km²)
- Park area is reported as 1,730 km²; boundaries may vary slightly (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Thimphu
Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park protects Bhutan’s mid‑Himalayan ecosystems, from subtropical forests to alpine meadows, hosting leopards, red pandas, black bears and diverse birdlife.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
1,730 km² (668 sq mi)668 sq mi (1,730 km²) · national park since 1995
Park area is reported as 1,730 km²; boundaries may vary slightly (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Thimphu.
Why go
- Mid‑Himalayan ecosystems from subtropical forest to alpine meadow.
- Home to leopards, red pandas, Himalayan black bears and diverse birds.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear; good for high‑altitude trekking.
- FebDry and stable weather.
- MarEnd of dry season, pleasant temperatures.
- AprWarm, low rain, ideal for wildlife spotting.
- MayWarm, occasional showers.
- JunSouthwest monsoon starts, heavy rain.
- JulMonsoon peak, landslides possible.
- AugContinued heavy rain.
- SepRain tapering, still slippery trails.
- OctMonsoon ends, clear skies, trek season opens.
- NovCool, dry, good visibility.
- DecCold, dry, excellent for high‑altitude views.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear, diverse birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Nabji‑Korphu trailhead | Start point for the 6‑day low‑altitude winter trek. | Guided trek only. |
| High‑altitude core | Alpine meadows, Durshingla ice cap, wildlife habitats. | Restricted; guide required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate for central park area; trailhead location based on official maps.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry fee | BTN 200 | person | Standard entry; check for seasonal variations. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Nabji‑Korphu trek permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all treks outside the trailhead area.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites or homestays; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use stoves only.
Where to stay
In the park
Nabji village homestays
Basic rooms, meals included, community‑run.
Near the park
Thimphu
Hotels and guesthouses, 3–4 h drive to park.
Safety
Monsoon landslides high
Altitude sickness medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailhead reachable by car; short walks suitable for most fitness levels.
- Higher altitude sections steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use community‑run homestays; support local economies.
- Follow Leave‑No‑Trace principles; pack out all waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park?
The standard entry fee is about 200 BTN per person; guide‑required treks have additional fees.
What are the best hikes in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park?
The Nabji‑Korphu Trail (6‑day trek) is the flagship hike; for a shorter option, the Durshingla summit day trek is popular.
When is the best time to visit Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park?
October to March offers dry, clear conditions; April–May are warm and suitable for wildlife; avoid June–September monsoon.
Do I need a guide for all activities?
Yes, any trek beyond the trailhead and high‑altitude areas requires a licensed guide.
Are camping and fires allowed?
Camping only in designated sites or homestays; open fires are prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park
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