Paro
Taktsang, Rinpung Dzong and Bhutan's only international airport
Paro lies along the Paro Chhu, a wide, flat valley of rice fields and farmhouses at about 2,200 m. The small town has one main street of painted wooden shopfronts, and above it Rinpung Dzong guards the river crossing. Flights land on a runway squeezed between ridges, one of the trickier approaches in the world, so for many visitors Paro is their first sight of Bhutan.
Most people come for Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest, a cluster of temples built into a cliff at 3,120 m about 10 km north of town. The walk up and back is the defining day of most Bhutan trips. The valley also holds Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country, the National Museum in the old watchtower, and the ruins and restored walls of Drukgyel Dzong at its head.
Paro makes a calmer base than Thimphu, about 55 km and 1.5 hours away. Farmhouse homestays in the villages give a closer look at rural life, and the road to Haa over Chele La starts here. Thimphu and Paro are the two districts where tourists can move without a guide.
Highlights
What Paro does best
A 4–6 hour round trip climbing about 900 m through pine forest to the cliff temples of Taktsang.
The 17th-century fortress monastery above the river, reached by a covered wooden cantilever bridge. It hosts the Paro Tshechu.
One of the oldest temples in Bhutan, traditionally dated to the 7th century, with orange trees in its courtyard.
Housed in and beside the round Ta Dzong watchtower above Rinpung Dzong, with masks, thangkas and natural history.
Weekend archery matches and farmhouse dinners with hot stone baths are easy to arrange in the valley villages.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Paro
Public buses run from Phuentsholing to Paro and between Thimphu and Paro several times a day. Thimphu to Paro costs about Nu 70–100 and takes 1.5–2 hours.
A Bhutan-registered car with driver costs about ₹2,500–3,500 from Thimphu and ₹6,000–8,000 from Phuentsholing. Most visitors book a car and guide together for the whole trip.
Paro International Airport is 6 km from town. Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly from Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati and other cities. Morning flights are more reliable; afternoon wind can cause delays.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
Hotels are spread along the valley rather than in town. Budget certified hotels and farmhouse homestays in villages such as Shaba and Satsam cost about ₹2,500–4,500 a room. Value hotels such as Hotel Olathang, above the valley in pine forest, cost about ₹6,000–9,000. Luxury lodges at the top end run well above ₹20,000.
Hotel Olathang is one of Bhutan's oldest hotels, set in pine forest on a hillside above Paro and built in the 1970s for guests at the …
Certified farmhouse homestays in Paro valley villages such as Shaba, Satsam and Tsento give the cheapest legal stay in Paro and a close look at farm …
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Five things to know
- Start the Taktsang walk by 7.30 am; the trail is cooler and quieter, and the temples close for lunch.
- Carry your permit and ID to Taktsang; tickets and identity are checked at the trailhead and the temple.
- Wear full sleeves and long trousers or a skirt for dzongs and Taktsang; shorts and caps are not allowed inside.
- Keep a spare day in Paro before an outbound flight, since weather can cancel landings and take-offs.
- Rent a horse only for the uphill section to the cafeteria; walking down on a horse is not allowed.
The local story
Guru Rinpoche and the tigress of Taktsang
Bhutanese tradition holds that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche, also called Padmasambhava, flew to the cliff above the Paro valley on the back of a tigress. The tigress is usually said to be a form of Yeshe Tsogyal, his consort and disciple. That is how the place got its name: Taktsang means the tiger's lair.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Paro
How difficult is the Tiger's Nest hike?
It is moderate. The trail climbs about 900 m from the car park at around 2,600 m to the viewpoint opposite the monastery, then drops and climbs again by about 700 steps to the temple at 3,120 m. Most fit people take 2–3 hours up and 1.5–2 hours down. Walk slowly, carry water and use a stick.
Do I need a guide for Taktsang?
Paro is inside the area where tourists can move without a guide, but many visitors take one for Taktsang to explain the temples, and sites may ask for a guide at the entrance. Rules on guides at monuments have changed since 2022. Ask your hotel or check current status before you travel.
How many nights should I stay in Paro?
Two nights. Use one full day for the Taktsang walk and the other for Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum, Kyichu Lhakhang and the town. Add a third night for a day trip over Chele La or a farmhouse evening. If you fly in or out of Paro, a night here at either end is sensible.
What is the best time to visit Paro?
March to May and late September to November. Spring brings the Paro Tshechu and flowering rhododendrons; autumn gives the clearest views and crisp walking weather. Winter is dry and cold with frosty nights. The monsoon from June to August brings cloud and slippery trails.
How far is Paro from Thimphu?
About 55 km, roughly 1.5 hours by car along the Paro Chhu and Wang Chhu valleys, joining at Chuzom. Paro airport is about 50 km from Thimphu. Public buses run between the two towns several times a day for about Nu 70–100.
Can Indians fly into Paro from Bagdogra?
Yes. Drukair and Bhutan Airlines have operated Bagdogra to Paro flights, usually a few times a week, as well as flights from Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. Schedules change by season. Indians get the entry permit on arrival at Paro or apply online in advance, and pay the SDF as usual. Check current status before you travel.
Is Paro good for a honeymoon?
Yes. It is quieter than Thimphu, with valley hotels set among rice fields and pine forest, farmhouse dinners, hot stone baths and the Taktsang walk to share. Comfort-tier lodges here are among the best in Bhutan. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for couples.
What should I wear to visit Rinpung Dzong?
Long sleeves and long trousers or a long skirt, with no caps or hats inside. Bhutanese visitors wear a ceremonial scarf; tourists are not expected to. Remove shoes where asked, do not photograph inside the temples, and walk clockwise around shrines. Offices inside the dzong keep working hours.
Is there an altitude problem in Paro?
Paro town at about 2,200 m rarely causes problems. The Taktsang walk reaches 3,120 m, and Chele La is close to 4,000 m, so you may feel short of breath. Take a rest day before Taktsang if you flew in from the plains, and walk slowly with water.
Packages
Routes that stop in Paro
Nearby
Pair it with
A small capital of dzongs, prayer wheels and no traffic lights
The quiet valley over Chele La
Bhutan's front door on the Dooars plains
Shape your own trip Tell us your dates and budget. We draw the route around you. Begin Not sure where to start? We match the valley to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. Begin Talk to a planner A first route and an itemised price within one working day. No payment to start. Begin