Destination
Paro
Tiger's Nest, Rinpung Dzong and the start of the trails
- 2,200 m
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
The valley
About Paro
Almost every visit to Bhutan begins in Paro, because the country’s international airport lies on the valley floor. It is worth more than a night on the way in. The valley is broad and farmed, with rice terraces and traditional houses along the river, and it holds two of the sights people most want to see: Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest, and Rinpung Dzong.
The town itself is a single main street of painted shopfronts, a few minutes from the airport. Above it stands the dzong, and above that the round watchtower that houses the National Museum. Up the valley, the road passes Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country, and leads on to Drukgyel Dzong, with Jomolhari beyond it on a clear day.
Paro is also where several treks start. The Druk Path leaves from above the National Museum, the Bumdra trek from a monastery on the north side of the valley, and the Jomolhari trek from the road head further up.
Two nights is the minimum, one day for the valley’s sights and one for Tiger’s Nest. A third lets you drive up to Chele La, the pass on the road to Haa.
See and do
What to see
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Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
A monastery built into a cliff at 3,120 m. The walk up and back is about 7 km and takes four to five hours.
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Rinpung Dzong
The fortress-monastery of Paro, built in 1646, and the setting for Paro Tshechu each spring.
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National Museum (Ta Dzong)
A round watchtower above the dzong that now holds the national collection.
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Kyichu Lhakhang
One of Bhutan's oldest temples, dating from the 7th century.
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Drukgyel Dzong
A fortress at the head of the valley, built in the 17th century, with a view of Jomolhari in clear weather.
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Chele La
The road pass to Haa at 3,988 m, with views to Jomolhari on a clear day.
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A farmhouse visit
Tea, or a meal, with a farming family in a traditional house.
Go there
Trips that visit Paro
Cultural tour
Bhutan Short Trip
Paro, Thimphu
The shortest trip we suggest: Tiger's Nest, the dzongs of Paro and a day in Thimphu, with your own guide and driver.
Cultural tour
Western Valleys Discovery
Thimphu, Punakha, Paro
Five days across three valleys: Thimphu, a day over Dochu La to Punakha Dzong, and Paro with the hike to Tiger's Nest.
Cultural tour
Bhutan Signature Journey
Thimphu, Punakha, Paro
Six days with a night in each of the three western valleys: two in Thimphu, one in Punakha and two in Paro.
Luxury and special interest
Bhutan in Luxury
Thimphu, Punakha, Paro
A week in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro at an unhurried pace, staying in Bhutan's five-star lodges.
Trek
Bumdra Trek
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha
One night camped high above Paro, then a walk down to Tiger's Nest from above, with Thimphu and Punakha to follow.
Cultural tour
Complete Western Bhutan
Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha and 1 more
A week through four valleys: Thimphu, Punakha, the high crane valley of Phobjikha, and Paro with Tiger's Nest.
Festivals
Festivals in Paro
Paro Tshechu
Five days of masked dances at Rinpung Dzong
Haa Tshechu
A valley festival at the White Temple
Ap Chundu Lhasel
Haa honours its guardian, with a white horse at the head
Jomolhari Mountain Festival
A highland festival two days' walk from the road
Phuentsholing Tshechu
A festival at the gate of the country
Rongtse Nye Festival
A festival at a hidden holy place in southern Haa
Questions
Good to know
How hard is the hike to Tiger’s Nest?
It is a steady uphill walk, not a climb. The round trip is about 7 km and most people take four to five hours including the visit. The path is wide and well used, a teahouse marks the halfway point, and the last stretch is a long flight of stone steps down and then up again. From the car park, at about 2,600 m, you gain a little over 500 m to reach the monastery at 3,120 m.
Anyone used to walking for a couple of hours can manage it at their own pace. Go slowly, because the air is thin. There is more in our guide to the hike.
How do I get to Bhutan?
By air to Paro, Bhutan’s international airport. Two airlines fly there, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, from cities including Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Singapore, Dhaka and Dubai. Most visitors connect through Bangkok, Delhi or Kathmandu.
You can also enter by road from India at Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar. Our page on getting to Bhutan has the details.
Will I get altitude sickness?
On a cultural tour it is unlikely to be more than mild. Paro and Thimphu lie between 2,200 m and 2,350 m, where many people notice a little breathlessness or a light headache for the first day. The highest points are Tiger’s Nest at 3,120 m and road passes of 3,100 m to 3,988 m, which you visit and come down from.
Treks go much higher, and we plan them with acclimatisation days. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol for the first days, and tell your guide at once if you feel unwell. If you have a heart or lung condition, speak to your doctor before booking. More in altitude in Bhutan.