Where the earth exudes innocence and the sky showers radiance, such that you are lost, not in the place but in the very idea of your existence, thinking if you were born to be here, just to devour the beauty of the creator. Bhutan is just that and everything else that heaven would resemble.
And one fragment of that heaven is— Paro Valley.
Located at a distance of 1 hour from Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, Paro is a must-visit place for anyone planning a trip to Bhutan.
How to Reach the Valley
The Paro International Airport is well connected to the major cities of many countries and is also at a mere distance of 6 km from the city. Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal is another airport from where you can take a connecting flight to Paro, in case there are no direct flights.
Another mode to reach here is by road on buses and private/hired vehicles with proper passes if you are entering from India. However, Bhutan is a hilly region and sits in the foothills and lower mountains of the Himalayas; hence, the roads run along valleys and through high mountain passes. Most of them are not made of asphalt and often dangerous. So, for travelers who are not used to long journeys on bumpy roads, it’s better to take a flight to Paro.
Places of Interest
Paro is a perfect blend of the contemporary and the traditional. Right from hosting some of the oldest temples and monasteries to providing the perfect landscape for some of the current trending sports activities like mountain biking and trekking, Paro has it all.
1. Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Goemba)
Built in the year 1692, this monastery is located at the edge of a cliff. Watching it from a distance itself is a wonder, let alone the pristine experience of trekking till there. You need to start the ascent early so that you reach before lunchtime (it’s closed during that time). It usually takes 2-3 hours to trek till there.
The name “Tiger’s Nest” is derived from folklore that says that a legend flew to this place on a Tiger’s back. However, as unbelievable as the story may sound, the location and the architecture of the place will compel you to believe it.
Tiger’s Nest, Paro Valley
2. Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong)
Built, destroyed, and then rebuilt, this dzong or the fortress (15 km from the Tiger’s Nest) has multiple folklores attached to it. On the hill above the dzong stands an ancient watchtower that has been, since 1967, the National Museum of Bhutan. The famous Paro Tsechu (one of the biggest festivals in Bhutan) is held at Paro Dzong every year around March or April. It’s a grand celebration that goes on for 4 days and ends with the unfurling of a giant thongdrel (largest form of thangka painting). It is believed that just by viewing the thongdrel, a person can cleanse himself from all his sins.
Paro Dzong, Paro Valley
3. Kyichu Lhakhang
Approximately 6 km from Paro Dzong is Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s most sacred monasteries, dating back to ages. Drown yourself in the silence here to listen to the voice of your inner self.
Kyichu Lhakhang, Paro Valley
4. Chelela Pass
One of the highest passes in Bhutan, it provides awesome vistas of Mt. Jomolhari and of rhododendrons carpeting its base.
Chelela Pass, Paro Valley
5. Drukgyel Dzong
The ruins of Drukgyel dzong transport you to the time of the wars. It serves as a great picnic spot for serenity lovers and is surrounded by gorgeous views of the mountains all around.
Drukgyel Dzong, Paro Valley
Adventure Activities
1. Mountain biking
If you love mountain biking then Paro Valley is the right place to be. The road conditions in Paro are conducive to this sport. The main biking trail in Punakha leaves the small village of Sopsokha and heads down through the Punakha Valley to the town of Wangdue Phodrang, before heading up along the Punakha Valley past the famous Punakha Dzong. While the road is not the best in Bhutan, it is actually far from the worst, and around half of the route is paved.
2. Trekking
If you are a mountain lover like me then the best way to visit most of the monasteries is by trekking. The trailhead of The Jomolhari Trek, the Snowman Trek, and the Laya Gasa Trek is relatively decent, with only a few rough patches, despite being an older road. However, once you reach the end of the road, you are still a good kilometer from the Drukgyel Monastery, where the trek starts, and the only way to get there is to walk along the narrow path through the woodlands. Head north out of Paro and you will come to the side road that leads to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, halfway up the cliff overlooking the valley. The road leads right up to the car park where you will start the hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Also, the Druk Path Trek, which is one of the best treks in Bhutan, is also in Paro.
Best time to visit Paro Valley
March and April are the ideal months to visit this region as the rhododendrons and other wildflowers start to bloom during this time. For adventure sports, October-November and March-April are best as the sky is clear and sunny and the climate is pleasant.
June-August marks the monsoon season and should be avoided for hiking/trekking. However, having said that, monsoons are my personal favorite for exploring any place. So, if you just aim to loiter around in the valleys of Paro, then monsoon can definitely add the raw earthen aroma to your travel.
FOMO
Fear of missing out can easily creep in a place like this, where you have so many marvelous things to experience on your plate, but that should be the last thing on your mind when you are in Paro Valley because it’s a fairyland where you ought to take slower steps, gazing at the beauty all around and getting awestruck by it. The number of days spent in this valley is immaterial as you can never get enough of it.
So, find the perfect trade-off between the number of days you can spend here and the number of things you want to see or do and allow the place to unveil itself like a new bride!
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