Phobjikha valley is a glacial valley and is the winter home of the black necked cranes. This valley is a designated conservation area and borders Black Mountain National Park. It is located at an altitude of 9840 feet above the sea level and is 2 hrs drives from Wangduephodrang.
This valley is covered by a rich sward of grass in the marshy land where special variety of dwarf bamboo (Yushania microphylla) grows on which the black-necked cranes feed.The valley is rich in faunal biodiversity and has, apart from the globally threatened black-necked cranes Grus nigricollis, 13 other globally threatened species. It has an area of 163 square kilometer.The valley and hills surrounding it are rich in wildlife. The fauna recorded are the muntjacs (barking deer), wild boars, sambar, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan serow, leopards and foxes
The main crop in this valley is potatoes. They export potatoes to India and with that money they buy their essentials lasting for a year. The most important festivals in the valley are Gangtey Festival and black neck crane festival, where lots of tourist are attracted for this festivals. Both the festivals are held at the courtyard of Gangtey Gonpa Lhakhang. Everyone is cordially welcome to witness these festivals.
