Paro and the Haa Valley

The Paro Valley is one of the most enchanting regions in Bhutan, and that’s saying something, considering the competition. Even arriving is a memorable experience: the drive up from the steamy border town of Phuntsholing traverses switchback after switchback, while the flight into Bhutan’s only major airport near Paro is nothing short of spectacular as it passes by 5,000 metre-plus Himalayan peaks en route to the airport’s sole runway.

Paro itself is a compact and charming town in the valley’s centre. It is awash with historical sites and sacred structures, including the imposing Rinpung Dzong (fortress-monastery), one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture anywhere in the kingdom. Visible throughout the valley, Paro’s dzong is the location for the town’s annual tshechu (religious festival), which takes place in the middle of March for five days. A riot of colour, noise and festivities, it is well worth the effort to witness this magnificent event if your schedule permits.

The Paro Valley is also the location for Bhutan’s most iconic monastery, Paro Taktsang, more commonly known as Tiger’s Nest. Perched on the side of a cliff 900 metres above the valley floor, this mesmerising structure is only accessible by foot or pony, but the reward for making it to the top is an unparalleled vista of one of the most spectacularly positioned monasteries in the Himalayan world.

Not too far away but receiving only a fraction of Bhutan’s visitors, the isolated Haa Valley, some 65km southwest of Paro, is a magical land steeped in ancient traditions and rituals. A north-south valley with a narrow floor that is only accessible from either Chhuzom or by crossing Bhutan’s highest motorable pass, the Cheli La, the Haa Valley offers a wonderful chance to get off the beaten track as well as some superb opportunities for hiking and mountain biking.