Cultural
Paro and Thimphu in 4 Days
A long weekend in the two western valleys: the capital's sights, Paro's fortress and museum, and the walk to the Tiger's Nest.
Price on request
Western Bhutan
Paro
The valley where most journeys begin and end: rice fields, a seventeenth-century fortress above the river, and the Tiger's Nest on its cliff.
- Altitude
- 2,200 to 2,280 m
- How long to stay
- Two to three nights
- Region
- Western Bhutan
Bhutan's main international airport lies on the floor of the Paro valley, so this is the first Bhutan most visitors see: a wide, farmed valley with a clear river running through it and shingle-roofed farmhouses scattered among the fields.
Paro repays more time than an arrival day. The fortress of Rinpung Dzong still houses both monks and the district's offices, the old watchtower above it is now the National Museum, and Kyichu Lhakhang at the head of the valley is among the oldest temples in the country.
Most people come for one walk above all: the climb through pine forest to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest, built into a rock face high above the valley. Paro is also where the Druk Path, Bumdra and Jomolhari treks set out.
What to see and do in Paro
- Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest
- A cluster of temples on a cliff at about 3,120 m. The walk up and back takes most people four to five hours, with a teahouse halfway for a rest and the classic view.
- Rinpung Dzong
- The fortress above the river, built in 1646 and still in daily use. Its courtyard and the ground beside it are the setting for the Paro Tshechu each spring.
- Ta Dzong, the National Museum
- The round watchtower above the dzong, now holding thangkas, festival masks and collections on Bhutan's natural history.
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- A seventh-century temple, among the oldest in Bhutan, a few minutes' drive up the valley from the town.
- Drukgyel Dzong
- A fortress at the head of the valley, on the old trail towards Tibet. On a clear day Jomolhari stands behind it.
- Chele La
- The road pass towards Haa, at 3,988 m, strung with prayer flags. Kila Goenpa nunnery sits on the cliffs below it.
Planning your visit
- Best time to visit
March to May and September to November bring the clearest weather for the Tiger's Nest walk. The Paro Tshechu falls in spring (18 to 22 March 2027 on the official tentative list), when hotels fill months ahead. Winter days are cold, bright and quiet.
- Getting there
Flights from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Singapore and other cities land here. Thimphu is 54 km away, about an hour by road.
Tours and treks
Trips that visit Paro
Cultural
Three Valleys in 5 Days
Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, with the crossing of Dochu La and an afternoon at Punakha Dzong before the Tiger's Nest.
Price on request
Cultural
Thimphu, Punakha and Paro in 6 Days
The three western valleys with a full day in the capital, a night beside Punakha Dzong and the Tiger's Nest to finish.
Price on request
Festival
Black-Necked Crane Festival Tour
A week timed for 11 November, when Phobjikha welcomes its cranes back from Tibet with a festival in the courtyard of Gangtey Goenpa.
Price on request
Trekking
Bumdra Trek
Two days and one night in camp on the ridge above the Tiger's Nest, walking down to the monastery from above.
Price on request
Festival
Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu Tour
A winter journey to Punakha Dzong for the Drubchen, when local men in warriors' dress re-enact a seventeenth-century battle.
Price on request
Cultural
Western Bhutan in 7 Days
Four valleys in a week: the capital, the warm rice terraces of Punakha, the crane valley of Phobjikha, and Paro for the walk to the Tiger's Nest.
Price on request
Trekking
Gangtey Trek
Three days of village-to-village walking from the crane valley of Phobjikha, over forested passes that stay below about 3,500 m.
Price on request
Festival
Paro Tshechu Festival Tour
Eight days built around Paro's spring festival, ending with the dawn unveiling of the great thongdrel on the last morning.
Price on request
Festival
Thimphu Tshechu Festival Tour
The capital's great autumn festival at Tashichho Dzong, with the Tiger's Nest before it and the warm valley of Punakha after.
Price on request
Cultural
Western Bhutan with Haa in 8 Days
Five western valleys, two high passes and a day in quiet Haa, at a pace that leaves room to walk as well as drive.
Price on request
Cultural
Western Bhutan Unhurried, in 9 Days
Two nights each in Thimphu, Phobjikha, Punakha and Paro, so that every valley has a day with no packing in it.
Price on request
Trekking
Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek
Five days through high yak pasture south of Thimphu, among the small lakes that give the trek its name.
Price on request
Trekking
Druk Path Trek
Six days along the ridge between Paro and Thimphu, past a ruined dzong and a chain of high lakes, with Jomolhari on the skyline in clear weather.
Price on request
Festival
Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival Tour
Ten days to Bumthang for the festival of fire at one of Bhutan's oldest temples, with cranes in Phobjikha on the way.
Price on request
Cultural
To Bumthang and Back in 10 Days
West to the centre by road through Trongsa, three nights among Bumthang's temples, and a flight back over the mountains to Paro.
Price on request
Cultural
Bumthang and the Haa Valley in 11 Days
By road to the temples of Bumthang and back, then over Chele La for a night in quiet Haa before the Tiger's Nest.
Price on request
Trekking
Jomolhari Trek
Seven days on foot to the base of Jomolhari and over two passes close to 5,000 m, coming down a different valley to Thimphu.
Price on request
Cultural
Across Bhutan, West to East
The whole width of the country in two weeks, from the Tiger's Nest to the weaving villages of the far east, leaving by road into India.
Price on request
Trekking
Laya–Gasa Trek
Twelve days across the northern highlands, past Jomolhari and over Sinche La at 5,005 m to the yak-herding village of Laya.
Price on request
Trekking
Snowman Trek
Twenty-four days across the roof of Bhutan, from Paro through Laya and the remote region of Lunana, over passes above 5,000 m.
Price on request
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