Rhododendrons

Haa is home to 19 species of rhododendrons ( in Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve alone), which light up the mountain trails in the spring months (April–June). Rhododendrons are a diverse genus of over 1,000 species. In the high-altitude ecosystem of the Himalayas, they serve as the “backbone” of the forest, providing shelter for wildlife and stabilizing the steep mountain soil. Incredibly old, their fossil records date back over 50 million years. The Tergola, Sertena, and Seleyla trails are especially stunning during this season, with carpets of pink, red, and white rhododendron blossoms framing the snow peaks.