7-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour
Paro, Thimphu and Punakha in one week: the capital's dzongs, the Dochula pass, Punakha Dzong at the meeting of two rivers, and the hike to Tiger's Nest.
USD 1,800
Paro
The valley of Bhutan's only international airport, home to Rinpung Dzong and the cliffside Tiger's Nest, and the start and end of most journeys.
Overview
For most visitors, Bhutan begins in Paro. The flight lands in a narrow valley of farmhouses and rice fields, and within minutes you are in one of the country’s most historic districts.
Paro holds some of Bhutan’s most important sites: Rinpung Dzong above the river, one of the oldest temples in the kingdom at Kyichu, and Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger’s Nest, on the cliffs to the north. Because it is close to the airport, Paro is usually where a journey ends too, with the Tiger’s Nest hike saved for the final full day.
Places to visit in Paro
- Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
- Built around the cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated, its temples cling to a cliff high above the valley floor. The hike there and back takes about five hours.
- Rinpung Dzong
- The fortress that houses the district administration and monastic body, reached by a traditional covered bridge. The Paro Tshechu is held in its courtyard each spring.
- National Museum of Bhutan
- Housed in the Ta Dzong, a former watchtower on the hill above Rinpung Dzong.
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- One of the oldest temples in Bhutan, traditionally linked to the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.
- Drukgyel Dzong
- A fortress at the head of the valley, built to guard the old route to Tibet.
- Chele La
- A high road pass between Paro and Haa, with views of the Himalaya on clear days.
Things to do in Paro
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
- Try a traditional hot stone bath in a farmhouse
- Watch an archery match, the national sport
- Walk the main street of Paro town
- Drive up to the Chele La pass for mountain views
Journeys that visit Paro
5-Day Bhutan Short Tour
The essentials of western Bhutan in five days: Thimphu, Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang, and the hike to Tiger's Nest in Paro.
USD 1,200
10-Day Central Bhutan Tour: Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang
Beyond the western valleys to Phobjikha's glacial valley and the temples of Bumthang, Bhutan's spiritual heartland, with Tiger's Nest to finish.
USD 2,700
13-Day Bhutan West to East Tour: Paro to Samdrup Jongkhar
The whole country in one journey: from Paro and Tiger's Nest through Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang to the dzongs, temples and weaving villages of eastern Bhutan, leaving by road into India.
USD 3,600
Best time to visit
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) usually bring the clearest skies and the most comfortable walking weather. The Paro Tshechu festival is held at Rinpung Dzong in spring. Summer is the monsoon season, with green fields and more cloud.
How to get there
Paro International Airport is Bhutan's only international airport, with flights operated by Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. By road, Paro is about 1.5 hours from Thimphu.
Hiking in Paro
Beyond the Tiger's Nest, the valley is the starting point for the Druk Path trek to Thimphu and the Bumdra trek, a shorter overnight walk above the monastery.
Travel tips
- Save the Tiger's Nest hike for later in your trip, once you are used to the altitude
- Carry a light jacket even in summer: mornings and evenings are cool
- Dress modestly for dzongs and temples, with long sleeves and long trousers or skirts
Festivals in Paro
Experiences
Hot Stone Bath
Bhutan's traditional farmhouse bath: river stones heated in a fire and lowered into a wooden tub of water and wild herbs.
Archery
Bhutan's national sport: long-distance matches with bamboo and modern bows, full of songs, dances and good-natured teasing.
Homestays
A night with a Bhutanese family in a village farmhouse, sharing their meals, their fire and their daily routine.
Bhutanese Food
Chillies as a vegetable, cheese in almost everything, red rice and butter tea: a guide to what you will eat in Bhutan and what to try.
Buddhist Heritage
Monasteries, temples and fortress-monasteries shaped by more than twelve centuries of Buddhism, and still at the heart of daily life.
Local Experiences
Small, everyday moments that make a journey: a farmhouse visit, a village market, a cooking lesson or a walk with local people.
Gallery
More in Western Bhutan
Plan a journey that includes Paro
Tell us your dates and interests. We will suggest a route and how many days to spend in each valley.