Major city · Bhutan
Phobjikha
Spend 1–2 days in Phobjikha for the crane valley, monastery visits and a short trek; arrive via Paro and drive 5‑6 h.
Phobjikha is a high‑altitude valley (≈3 000 m) famous for black‑necked crane wintering, Gangteng Monastery and easy treks. A full day covers the visitor centre and monastery; add a second day for a short trek or the November crane festival.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BTN
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Aug (monsoon rains)
- Airport
- PBH
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Phobjikha113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Phobjikha, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkNgultrum (BTN) is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee; rupees are widely accepted but check which notes.Bhutan-wide
- SIM or eSIMB-Mobile (Bhutan Telecom) and TashiCell sell tourist SIMs in Paro and Thimphu with your passport; your guide can help.Bhutan-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; hotels provide bottled or filtered water.Bhutan-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Not expected; round up.Bhutan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/F/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bhutan-wide
- SafetyPhobjikha is safe for tourists; main risks are weather‑related road closures and strict wildlife protection laws.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in certified hotels and restaurants; squat toilets at some roadside stops.Bhutan-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 112 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany dzongs close their shrine rooms during festivals and some ceremonies; government offices close on Saturday afternoons and Sunday…Bhutan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPBH Paro Airport (172 km (107 mi) to Phobjikha; road transfer about 5‑6 h.).PBH Paro Airport (107 mi (172 km) to Phobjikha; road transfer about 5‑6 h.).
- Getting aroundLocal guide drives the Wangdu‑Tsirang highway; walking within the valley is easy.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PBH Paro Airport (172 km (107 mi) to Phobjikha; road transfer about 5‑6 h.)PBH Paro Airport (107 mi (172 km) to Phobjikha; road transfer about 5‑6 h.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Best
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Oct
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Best
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Phobjikha: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Sep
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local guide drives the Wangdu‑Tsirang highway; walking within the valley is easy. No public transport.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gangteng Monastery
goDoor to door: ≈6 h total
Drive 5‑6 h from Thimphu; local guide drop‑off
Main religious site; open daily.
Black‑necked Crane Visitor Centre
goDoor to door: ≈5 h from Thimphu
Drive to Nubding village, walk 10 min
US$50 entry fee in November festival.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Farmhouse homestay
Basic rooms, meals optional; good base for a night or two.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- BTN 1,200–1,800 excl. bed
- Mid
- BTN 1,800–2,500 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Farmhouse homestay room2 × 1 night × BTN 2,200 | BTN 4,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BTN 1,800 | BTN 3,600 |
| Guide for 2‑day trek2 × BTN 2,500 · check | BTN 5,000 |
| Black‑necked Crane Festival entry2 × BTN 4,000 · US$50, approx BTN 4,000 | BTN 8,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BTN 2,100 |
| Trip total≈ BTN 11,550 per person per day, bed included | BTN 23,100 |
Basic amenities; meals optional.
2026 estimate in BTN; flights and guide fees excluded.
Prices of common things
| Yak cheese | BTN 30–50 |
| Handwoven wool fabric | BTN 200–500 |
| Local tea | BTN 10–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Monsoon season (Jun–Aug) brings heavy rain and landslides; check road conditions.
- Crane Festival in November requires a US$50 entry fee; bring cash.
- Wildlife protection: harming cranes is a capital offence.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Ambulance
- 112
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
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PhobjikhaPhobjikha
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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གནས་ཡིག་འདི་ལུ་གནང་གིན།To this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Ambulance112
- Fire110
Embassy
US consulate in Thimphu; other nations use the US office for assistance.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Paro → Phobjikha (private car, 5‑6 h): about BTN 4,000–5,500 per vehicle (check)
Say or show
- དགོངས་པ། — Excuse me / Sorry (gong pa)
- ཐུགས་རྗེ་ཆེ། — Thank you (thuk-je-che)
- ག་ཚོད་རེད། — How much is it? (ga-tshod-re)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Phobjikha. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Jun–Aug (monsoon rains) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a licensed guide for trekking routes.
- Include a night at a homestay for crane‑festival attendance.
Sources
Ask about Phobjikha
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