Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park

Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park is a large protected area in central and southern Bhutan named for the fourth king of Bhutan. The park conserves extensive tracts of broadleaf and conifer forest, river valleys and alpine meadows across a mountainous landscape.

The park contains a variety of habitats spanning lowland riverine forest to higher-elevation subalpine and alpine zones, and supports traditional rural communities, seasonal grazing areas and wildlife corridors. It is used for conservation, controlled tourism and local livelihoods, including trekking routes and nature observation.

The protected area was designated in the late 20th century and is managed as part of Bhutan’s national network of parks and protected areas, with emphasis on integrated conservation of biodiversity and local communities. It is administered across several districts, including Zhemgang.

Geographically, the park sits in central Bhutan, covering valleys and ridges in and around Zhemgang District and adjoining districts, and connects with other protected areas in Bhutan’s conservation system.

• Access and permits: Travel within the park and to some higher or remote valleys typically requires local permits, guides or arrangements through licensed tour operators in Bhutan.

• Foreign visitors must travel to Bhutan through a licensed tour operator and obtain the required permits in advance-coordinate your itinerary with a Bhutanese tour company that handles park access and permits.
• Plan trips for spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October) for clearer weather and flowering seasons; these windows offer better visibility on higher trails and more reliable road conditions.
• Build extra time into travel plans for long drives and mountain passes inside the park-many lodges and villages used as bases are remote, so overland travel can take longer than map distances suggest.