Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre

Bhutan

Two species of crocodile, motionless in the shallows on the bank of a Himalayan river, a few hundred metres from the Indian border.

Description

The Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre sits beside the river it's named for, on the northern edge of Phuentsholing. It houses mugger crocodiles and the narrow-snouted gharial, both native to the subcontinent's river systems and both under real pressure in the wild. The enclosures are modest and the atmosphere is unhurried — dark shapes half-submerged in green water, an occasional slow shift of weight, the river running loud behind the fence. As a crocodile farm Phuentsholing keeps largely for conservation rather than spectacle, it makes a quiet counterpoint to the temples and monasteries most itineraries stack up here.

Best time to visit

October to March; late morning on a sunny day, when the crocodiles haul out to bask and are easiest to see.

Traveller tip

Of the things to do in Phuentsholing with kids, this is the one that reliably lands — but go with realistic expectations, as the crocodiles spend most of the day motionless and the site is small. Confirm opening hours and the entry fee locally before you set off, since both have changed over the years and the centre has closed to visitors at times. Pair it with Kharbandi Gompa; the two sit close together on the Thimphu road.

For permits, entry rules and the Sustainable Development Fee, check the official Bhutan tourism portal: bhutan.travel

A short, easy stop that works well for families, and one BreakBag Holidays can slot into customised Bhutan tour packages entering overland from Jaigaon.

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