Paro
Bhutan · 2200 m
Description
Paro holds the only international airport in Bhutan and is where every visitor arrives, a broad valley of terraced rice fields and whitewashed farmhouses with a single main street of painted timber shopfronts. Above it clings the Taktsang monastery, the Tiger's Nest, built onto a cliff face nine hundred metres above the valley floor around the cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated. The walk up takes two to three hours. The Rinpung Dzong stands over the river, and the round watchtower above it holds the national museum. Every visitor pays a daily sustainable development fee, which keeps numbers low.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 5 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: March – May or September – November
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest monastery
- Rinpung Dzong above the river
- National Museum in the round watchtower
- Paro Tshechu masked dance festival (approx. March)
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan
- Chele La pass and its prayer flags(Day trip)
- Drukgyel Dzong ruins with Jomolhari behind
- Terraced rice fields of the valley floor
- Traditional hot stone bath
- Painted timber shopfronts of the main street
- Archery ground and the national sport
Getting there
- Airports:
- PBH