National park · Bhutan
Phrumsengla National ParkPhrumsengla National Park (formerly Thrumshingla National Park)
Enter Phrumsengla National Park: buy the entry ticket (cost unknown, check) and pick a short hike (e.g., Lungchhu trail, 2 h) for a morning visit; for a full trek hire a licensed guide (cost check) and go in the dry season (Oct–May).
- 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
768 km² (297 sq mi)297 sq mi (768 km²)
approximate
Established
1998
Best months
Apr, Oct–Nov
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
- 768 km² (297 sq mi)297 sq mi (768 km²)
- 768 km² spanning Bumthang, Lhuentse, Mongar and Zhemgang districts; altitude 1,000–4,000 m.
- Established
- 1998
- Best months
- Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Phrumsengla (formerly Thrumshingla) National Park is the high ridge country of eastern Bhutan: 768 km² of alpine forest in the north falling to subtropical broadleaf in the south, across four districts — Bumthang, Lhuentse, Mongar and Zhemgang. It was established in 1998 and its highest ground reaches about 4,000 m. The park is crossed by the Lateral Road between Bumthang and Mongar, so most visitors see it from a car window at the Thrumshingla pass; a stop for a short forest walk or a night at a farmhouse is the realistic way to add it to an eastern Bhutan itinerary. Wildlife is real but rarely seen: red panda, snow leopard and tiger are all recorded here, and sightings are a matter of luck and time, not a scheduled activity. Travel beyond Thimphu and Paro is with a licensed Bhutanese guide and driver, and the Sustainable Development Fee applies per night.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1998.
Size and age
768 km² (297 sq mi)297 sq mi (768 km²) · national park since 1998
768 km² spanning Bumthang, Lhuentse, Mongar and Zhemgang districts; altitude 1,000–4,000 m.
Why go
- Diverse habitats from alpine to subtropical forest.
- Potential sightings of red panda, snow leopard and tiger.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanDeep winter; pass can close with snow
- FebCold, often clear; snow possible on the pass
- MarForests greening; rhododendrons start
- AprRhododendron bloom; clear ridge views
- MayWarm, some pre-monsoon showers
- JunMonsoon arrives; leeches and mud
- JulHeaviest rain; landslides on the road
- AugWet; trails and road slips
- SepRain easing late in the month
- OctDry, clear; best walking and views
- NovDry and cold; sharp visibility
- DecCold; snow on the pass
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red pandaMar–May, Oct–Nov · Rarely seen; most records come from forest near the road. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Snow leopardNov–Mar · High alpine zone; camera-trap records only. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| TigerAll year · Recorded at the park's lower, warmer elevations; no realistic chance of a sighting. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Rhododendron bloomApr–May | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Leeches on forest pathsJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
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
From Bumthang (Jakar)
Drive east over the Thrumshingla pass on the Lateral Road; the park is on both sides of the road.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Mongar
Drive west up from Mongar to the pass and the park's southern slopes.
2–3 h
From Trashigang
Drive west with a licensed driver; long day over the eastern passes.
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Thimphu
Domestic flight to Yongphulla or Bumthang, or a two-day drive with a guide.
1 h flight, or 2 days by road
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Thrumshingla pass and road corridor | The highest road point in the park, around 3,700–3,800 m, with alpine forest and short roadside walks. | Open; stop with your driver. |
| Northern alpine forest | High ridges and fir forest toward Lhuentse; snow leopard and red panda habitat. | Guide required; no marked trails. |
| Southern subtropical forest | Broadleaf forest dropping toward Mongar and Zhemgang, warmer and wetter. | Guide required; road access on the Lateral Road. |
| Park headquarters and offices | Administrative base with information on trails and permits. | Open on working days. |
Sketch map
- 1Thrumshingla pass · Viewpoint≈27.450, 90.980Approximate; the high point of the Lateral Road in the park.Map ↗
- 2Park headquarters area · Headquarters≈27.283, 90.978Approximate; from Wikidata coordinates.Map ↗
- 3Jakar (Bumthang) · Town≈27.550, 90.750Approximate; western approach.Map ↗
- 4Mongar · Town≈27.275, 91.240Approximate; eastern approach.Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 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.
Approximate positions along the park's road corridor, for orientation only.
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 | Free | person | No published park entry fee; check at the park office (check). |
| Sustainable Development Fee (all nights in Bhutan) | US$1,200 | person per night | 2026 estimate; paid through your licensed operator, not at the park. |
| Licensed guide and driver | Free | day | Bundled into an operator package; rates vary by group size (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry trekking permit or guide
Road permits for eastern districts permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park and Bhutanese authorities (check).check
- Guides
- Required for any walking away from the road and for all backcountry routes.
- Camping
- Only at designated sites and only with a permit arranged in advance.
- Wildlife
- No feeding or approaching animals; report snares or wildlife crime to the park office.
- Fires and litter
- No open fires in the forest; carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
In the park
Farmhouses on the park edge
Simple village rooms arranged through your operator; the closest option to the forest.
Near the park
Bumthang (Jakar)
Guesthouses and small hotels, 3–4 h west over the pass.
Near the park
Mongar
Basic hotels on the eastern side, 2–3 h from the pass.
Safety
Altitude at the pass medium
Sudden weather change high
Landslides and road slips high
Getting lost off the road 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
- The pass viewpoint and roadside stops are reachable by car with only a few steps.
- Forest paths are unmarked, uneven and often wet; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Travel with a licensed Bhutanese guide and driver so tourism money stays in the eastern districts.
- Carry out all waste; there is no collection on the forest roads.
- Keep to the road and established paths — the alpine and subtropical forest here is slow to recover.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Phrumsengla National Park?
No park entry fee is published. The cost you will actually pay is the Sustainable Development Fee of about USD 1,200 per person per night in Bhutan (2026 estimate), collected through your licensed operator, plus guide and driver costs bundled into the package. Check the current fee with your operator before booking.
What are the best hikes in Phrumsengla National Park?
There are no marked trails. Most visitors walk short unmarked paths near the Thrumshingla pass and the park offices, or take a half-day forest walk with a guide. Longer routes into the alpine zone need a licensed guide and prior arrangement with the park office.
When is the best time to visit Phrumsengla National Park?
October, November and April are the best months: dry, clear and good for walking, with rhododendrons flowering in April. June to September is monsoon, with mud, leeches and landslides on the road. December to February is cold and the pass can close with snow.
Do I need a guide to visit the park?
Yes for anything beyond a roadside stop. All travel outside Thimphu and Paro is with a licensed Bhutanese guide and driver, and backcountry walking needs a guide plus a permit.
Can I see red pandas or snow leopards?
They live here but sightings are very rare. Red panda records cluster in forest near the road, and snow leopards are known mainly from camera traps in the high alpine zone. Treat wildlife as a bonus, not the reason for the trip.
Where can I stay near Phrumsengla National Park?
Farmhouses on the park edge are the closest option and are booked through your operator. Otherwise use Bumthang (Jakar) to the west or Mongar to the east, both a few hours' drive from the pass.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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Ask about Phrumsengla National Park
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