Lhonak Valley (Muguthang)

Near Muguthang village, Lhonak Valley forms a trans-Himalayan grassland along the Goma Chu river, ringed by snow peaks and thick forest. It holds particular interest for birders, since the valley is one of the few breeding grounds in the eastern Himalayas for the black necked crane. Reaching Lhonak requires a special permit and a long detour from Lachen, so it draws far fewer visitors than Gurudongmar or Chopta. On ground verification of current access and route conditions is recommended before publishing.