Stunning national parks and nature reserves of Bhutan
Bhutan has some of the most stunning and unique landscapes in the world. Whether you're hiking through lush forests or scaling mountainsides, you'll be treated to a truly breathtaking journey.
Here are six of Bhutan's most magnificent national parks and nature reserves:
Jigme Dorji National Park
Jigme Dorji National Park is located in central Bhutan, which is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes and scenery in the country. The national park was established in 1972 and covers an area of over 1,400 square kilometers (540 sq mi). It's also home to many endangered species including tigers, red pandas and black bears.
The park has a number of hiking trails that take you through dense forests or up mountain peaks where you can enjoy panoramic views over rolling hills covered with meadows or coniferous forests shrouded by misty clouds from nearby rivers. The best time to visit this park is during springtime when wildflowers bloom all over Jigme Dorji National Park!
Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park
Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park is the largest national park in Bhutan and home to the Bengal tiger, red pandas, black bears and the red panda. It's also home to golden langurs (which are endemic), snow leopards and Gangetic dolphins (the only place in Bhutan where these aquatic mammals can be found).
The park is home to several species of deer and wild boar, as well as over 400 bird species. There are also many types of orchids that grow here, including the rhododendron and various other plants.
Royal Manas National Park
Royal Manas National Park is a remote park in the Bumthang region of Bhutan. It's home to many endangered species and requires visitors to have permits, which can be obtained only from select tour operators.
The park has an extensive road system for visitors who want to drive through the park; however, this is not necessary as guides are provided with each permit. The best time of year to visit Royal Manas is during June through October when temperatures are cooler and there is less rainfall than during other seasons in Bhutan.
Phrumsengla National Park
Phrumsengla National Park is a nature reserve in eastern Bhutan, located between Phrumsengla village and the Indian border. The park has subtropical forests and rich biodiversity, with many species of birds, animals and plants that are endemic to this region. It was established in 1996 as one of the first protected areas in Bhutan at a time when conservation efforts were just beginning there.
The park contains several lakes including Wang Chhu (also called Punakha River), which flows through Punakha valley before entering into Phrumsengla National Park then crossing into India at Jigme Dorji National Park where it joins Teesta River which then flows into Bangladesh via Teesta Barrage near Siliguri city on its way to Bay of Bengal.
Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the eastern part of Bhutan, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area that protects several species including the snow leopard, red panda and black bear. The protected region also provides habitat for other animals such as blue sheep (Himalayan tahr) and musk deer. The sanctuary is home to diverse plant life that includes conifers, rhododendrons and other flowering plants.
Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary
Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the north of Bhutan, and it's home to many species of rare animals. The park is also a nature reserve, protected area and wildlife sanctuary. Jomotsangkha means "the crystal clear lake" in Tibetan language; it's an apt name for this stunning destination that offers visitors a glimpse into what some consider one of the most beautiful places on earth!
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in eastern Bhutan. The sanctuary is located at an elevation of 3,100 meters (10,170 feet), making it one of the highest-altitude parks in the country. It's also home to some rare species including the red panda and Himalayan black bear, which makes it worth a visit if you want to see wildlife without traveling far from Thimphu or Paro Airport.
The park covers an area of 1,650 hectares (4,030 acres) and is one of Bhutan's most popular tourist attractions. It was established in 1998 to protect the habitat of red pandas, Himalayan black bears and musk deer. There are also a number of species that are endemic to the region including snow leopards, blue sheeps and red foxes.
Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve
Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve is a protected area in Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck National Park, Bhutan. Established in 2004, it covers an area of about 300 square kilometers (115 square miles) and is home to many rare and endangered species. The reserve was created to protect its natural environment as well as protect cultural heritage sites from damage caused by tourism or development activities.
The reserve is named after Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the fourth king of Bhutan. He conceived the park as a sanctuary for rare animals and plants, as well as a place to preserve Bhutan’s cultural heritage.
Bhutan is full of stunning national parks and nature reserves
The Jigme Dorji National Park, which was recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covers over 1,000 square kilometers and protects one of the last remaining tracts of virgin subtropical forest in Asia. The park also supports many rare species such as tigers, leopards and elephants.
Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 1,200 square kilometers and home to Bengal tigers among other animals like red pandas and black bears!
We hope you enjoyed this list of the top national parks and nature reserves of Bhutan. If you're looking for more information on these places, check out our blog post on them!