nature · Gasa, Bhutan
A forest walk in Jigme Dorji National Park
Jigme Dorji National Park covers most of Gasa District and parts of the neighbouring districts, from warm broadleaf forest in the south to alpine meadows and glaciers on the Tibet border. It is Bhutan's second-largest protected area and is home to takin, Bhutan's national animal, as well as blue sheep, red panda, Himalayan black bear and snow leopard. Several of Bhutan's important rivers, including the Mo Chhu, rise inside it.
Around Gasa, your guide can take you on village paths and forest trails for a few hours: down towards the hot springs, along farm tracks between houses and fields, or into mixed forest of oak, rhododendron and conifer. Spring brings rhododendron flowers and more birdsong; October and November have clearer views of the snow peaks. You are unlikely to see the rarer mammals, which keep to remote areas, but birding can be good.
Walk with your guide, keep to paths, and do not pick plants; the park protects many medicinal and rare species. Carry water, snacks and a warm layer, as the weather changes quickly. Combine a morning walk with a soak in the hot springs in the afternoon for a full Gasa day. Leeches appear on forest paths in the wet months, so avoid June to August or wear long socks over your trousers.
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Questions people ask
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Can you see takin in Jigme Dorji National Park
Takin live in the park, especially in the higher valleys in summer, but sightings on a short walk around Gasa are unlikely. For a sure sighting, visit the Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu. In the park, birds, flowers and forest are the main attractions on a day walk, with distant snow peaks on clear days.
How big is Jigme Dorji National Park
It covers about 4,300 sq km across Gasa and parts of neighbouring districts, which makes it Bhutan's second-largest protected area after Wangchuck Centennial National Park. It runs from subtropical forest in the south to glaciers and high peaks on the Tibet border, and includes the high villages of Laya and Lingzhi.
Do I need a special permit to walk in the park
For short walks around Gasa with your licensed guide, your route permit for Gasa is usually enough. Multi-day treks inside the park need a trekking permit and a licensed trekking guide, arranged through your operator. Some park fees may apply on treks. Check current status before you travel, as rules are revised from time to time.
