Paro is home to Bhutan’s only international airport, so it’s the natural place to begin your exploration of this little mountain kingdom. After an awe-inspiring landing amongst the Himalayas, visitors to Paro are met with vivid first impressions of green hills, carefully tended fields, and the meandering waterways of the Paro Chhu river. These features lend Paro a decidedly bucolic character, which it has worked to retain even as the city embraces modern development. The town is also just a stone’s throw from Bhutan’s most famous attraction: Paro Takstang, known popularly as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. No visit to Bhutan would be complete without making the short hike to this holy cliffside site: there’s a reason it’s regarded as the most photographed place in the entire country. 

But there’s much more to see and do in Paro. Partnering with Raven Tours and Treks will help you to unlock the region’s hidden potential by going beyond the usual tourist route. We’ll work with you to plan an itinerary that not only visits the most important places of interest, but also coincides with some of the seasonal events that make the Paro Valley truly special. Here are just a few of the attractions and activities you won’t want to miss when you visit Paro.

As the country’s main tourist hub, Paro is home to Bhutan’s only international airport. Most international travelers connect from India, Nepal, Thailand, or Singapore. You can also fly to various domestic destinations from Paro, including Bumthang, Gelephu, and Trashigang. As we build your customized travel itinerary together, we’ll determine whether you’re best served by flying within the country or exploring its many scenic routes by road.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery:

The Paro Valley is perhaps best known as the home of Paro Takstang, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. This celebrated national icon is wedged into a steep cliff 900 meters above the valley floor. You can access the monastery by taking a day hike along an unpaved path winding through shaded pine forests. Although you won’t be able to take your camera inside the temple, you can capture incredible photographs from a viewpoint midway through the trail. Your visit to the monastery is also a great opportunity to learn about its history and mythology: according to legend, the Buddhist saint Guru Rinpoche manifested here in his wrathful Dorje Drolo form to subdue an evil spirit.

Kyichu Lhakhang:

According to legend, Kyichu Lhakhang was built by the Tibetan king Songten Gampo, in order to defeat an ogress who attempted to stop the progress of Himalayan Buddhism. It’s one of the oldest temples in the whole country—and one of the most sacred. Visitors to Kyichu Lhakhang are sure to be enraptured by its beautiful murals and its seventh-century statue of Jowo Jampa, the prophesied Future Buddha. Another highlight of the temple can be found in its courtyard: an orange tree which is believed to miraculously bear fruit all year long.

Rinpung Dzong:

Also known as Paro Dzong, the 17th-century edifice of Rinpung Dzong ranks among the city’s most prominent landmarks. Visible from all over the valley, the white-and-red walls of this former fortress now house the city’s monastic and administrative bodies. You can take a tour of the dzong to enjoy its colorful murals, beautiful architecture, and scenic location at the confluence of the Paro Chhu and Wang Chhu rivers. Rinpung Dzong is especially breathtaking after dark, when the fortress walls are bathed in the ethereal glow of floodlights.

Ta Dzong:

Overlooking Rinpung Dzong is the ancient watchtower of Ta Dzong, which served historically to guard the country from potential threats from India and Tibet. Today, it’s home to the National Museum of Bhutan. You’ll find seven stories of valuable Bhutanese artifacts and antiques here, including ancient thangkas, statues, and meticulously preserved specimens of the country’s flora and fauna. This is also a spectacular place for anyone interested in Bhutan’s history: you’ll learn a lot by browsing the museum’s galleries of farming tools, traditional weapons, elaborate clothing, masks, and more. Ta Dzong also enjoys breathtaking views of the Dop Shari Valley and the winding watercourse of the Paro Chhu.

Festivals:

Bhutan is famous for its colorful festivals, or tsechus, where spectacular masked dances are performed to the delight of locals and visitors alike. Each March, Paro’s Rinpung Dzong hosts the annual 15-day Paro Tsechu. Like most festivals of its kind in Bhutan, the Paro Tsechu is a celebration of Guru Rinpoche, the eighth-century Buddhist master who is credited with introducing this religion to the country. On the last day of the festival, an enormous silk thangka is unfurled. Called a thongdrel, this sacred painted scroll covers an entire wall and is believed to help individuals attain enlightenment merely by laying eyes upon it.

Hiking and Exploration:

While the best day hike in Paro will take you to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, there are a handful of other lesser-known paths that connect the various monasteries scattered throughout the valley. The trip to the temple called Chumphu Ney is one of the most pleasant. You’ll travel alongside a stream and pass through quiet forests before arriving at the temple itself, which contains a statue of the deity Dorji Phagmo, which appears to be miraculously floating above the ground. Another popular route will take you to Zuri Dzong; dating back to the 1300s, this is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan.

Accommodation:

As one of Bhutan’s tourist hotspots, Paro has cultivated a growing range of top-notch hotels. There’s everything from simple homestay accommodations to top-of-the-line boutique and luxury hotels. You’ll find options with ultramodern amenities and others emphasizing traditional Bhutanese character. You’ll have access to resorts in the city within easy reach of Paro’s best restaurants, as well as hotels situated in secluded valleys with quietude and charm of their own. We can help you to navigate this dizzying array of options by discussing your travel plans and interests and finding the best match for you. And you won’t have to lift a finger to book your accommodation: when you choose Raven Tours and Treks, we’ll do all of the legwork to ensure your holiday is one to remember.