Black-necked Crane Festival

In the heart of Phobjikha valley, the sacred Gangtey Gonpa hosts the annual Black-necked Crane festival, a joyous celebration of the arrival of these rare and graceful birds that grace the valley with their presence every winter.

The festival aims to foster awareness and appreciation for the conservation of the endangered Black‐necked cranes, as well as to highlight the interdependence between the cranes and the local community, whose economic and social well-being are closely linked to the preservation of these magnificent creatures. The festival also offers an opportunity for the community to reaffirm their dedication to the protection of the cranes, and to display their rich cultural heritage and talents.

This NORGAY fixed departure itinerary immerses travelers in the Black Necked Crane festival but also includes special visits to other cultural sites, including the Tiger’s Nest.

Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery (10,200 feet): Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest”. This monastery is one of the most holy sites in the kingdom and clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face about 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley.

Thimphu (7,800 feet): The Kingdom’s capital, a bustling little city, is the center of commerce, religion and government in the country. One of the most curious features of Thimphu is that it is the only capital city in the world that does not use traffic lights. Instead a few major intersections have policemen standing in elaborately decorated booths (small pavilions), directing traffic with exaggerated hand motions. The juxtaposition of ancient tradition and modernity makes Thimphu the ideal location for visitors to immerse themselves in the lifestyle of contemporary Bhutanese.

Punakha (4,265 feet): The Ethereal Ancient Capital: Punakha has been inextricably linked with momentous occasions in Bhutanese history. Punakha was home to the auspicious and historical Royal wedding. The Punakha Dzong (Fort) is the second oldest and second largest in Bhutan and one of the most majestic structures in the country.

The Phobjikha Valley (9,482 feet): Nestled in the inner Himalayas at about 9,842 feet above sea level, Phobjikha is a wide alpine wetland valley that is considered the largest and the most significant wetland in the country.