How to Plan a Paro Bhutan Travel: the Most Complete Guide

Located in the stunning Paro Valley area, Paro city is the seat of the Paro Dzongkhag. The home of the Paro International Airport, as well as the Rinpung Dzong and the famous Taktshang Monastery, Paro is an amazing place to visit in Bhutan, and the first place tourists see when they arrive. Here we offer the most ultimate guide to a Paro Bhutan travel to help you arrange your tour and make the most of your time in Paro.

The Location of Paro and Paro International Airport

Where is Paro?

Paro lies in the Paro Valley in Bhutan, in Paro Dzongkhag (district). Lying alongside the beautiful Paro Chhu River, this delightful city is located to the west of Thimphu, the kingdom’s capital.

Paro Dzongkhag is one of 20 districts of Bhutan, and lies in the west of the country, sandwiched between Thimphu Dzongkhag to the east and Haa Dzongkhag to the west, with Chukha Dzongkhag to the south. To the north, Paro Dzongkhag sits on the border with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, in the area of Yadong County of Shigatse Prefecture.

Where is Paro International Airport?

Paro International Airport, the only international airport in Bhutan, lies around six kilometers from the center of Paro town, in the deep valley of the Paro Chhu. The airport actually lies right alongside the river banks, and is surrounded by the Himalayan peaks that stretch up to more than 5,500 meters (18,000 ft.) above sea level.

While it may not be the highest airport in the world, at only 2,235 meters (7,332 ft.) above sea level, it is located in a valley that makes it rather difficult to land at. At its unusual location, Paro International Airport is rated as the world’s most challenging airport for take-off and landing, and only a handful of selected pilots have been certified to land at this high-altitude airport.

What are the must-sees for Paro and how many days usually recommended to stay in Paro?

Paro Highlights

Paro is a city that has a long history, and has been associated with some of the most important Buddhist lamas and masters in Tibetan Buddhism. Probably the most important and sacred site in Paro is the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, known locally as the Taktshang Palphug Monastery. Sitting 900 meters above the floor of the Paro Valley, this unique Buddhist temple was built on the site of one of the kingdom’s most important Buddhist hermitage caves. In the 8th century, the Indian sage, Padmasambhava, few to Bhutan on the back of a flying tigress that was his former Tibetan consort. The Tiger’s Nest is the place where he is said to have landed and spent 3 years, three months, three weeks, and three days meditating before defeating the demons of the valley below.

The Rinpung Dzong, or the Rinchen Pung Dzong as its official name is, is one of the high points of Bhutan tours, and is well worth visiting. The Dzong, which used to be the meeting hall for the National Assembly, now houses the monastic body and the local government offices, so parts of the Dzong are not open to tourists. The Dzong currently houses around 200 monks, and was built in the 17th century on the remains of a fort that was originally constructed by Guru Rinpoche, and contains some of the kingdom’s greatest artwork treasures, not to mention its stunning architecture.

Recommended 3-day Tour in Paro

For most travelers to Bhutan, they spent 2 nights in Paro, including the first arrival day, the last departure day and a full day to trek up to the Taktshang Monastery. Since the flights to Bhutan always land at Paro International airport in the morning, the rest of the day is enough for you to visit Paro Rinpung Dzong and some other sited in Paro.

Sample Itinerary for 3 Days Paro Tour:

Day 1: Upon arrival, you will visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong Museum.
Day 2: You can enjoy a full day trek to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery and have a hot stone bath in a farmhouse or have a free walk in the town.
Day 3: Get to Paro airport and take the flight for your next destination.

Of cause, there are more attractions and activities you can do in Paro. Just feel free to customize your trip with us. Our local travel experts will recommend more things to do according to your needs.

Accommodations in Paro

Hotels in Paro are all included in your Minimum Daily Package at the three-star level. For those traveling within the Minimum Daily Package, there are a good number of hotels and guest houses that are available for visitors at the three-star level in Paro, which all have excellent services and all the amenities you require. Also, for those who want a luxury tour in Bhutan, there are top 5-star hotels in Paro. Besides, the featured homestay in Paro is another choice for your stay in Paro.

Recommended 3-Star Hotels in Paro for Budget Tours

The Hotel Tenzinling offers an awesome bird’s-eye view of the Paro valley, with the stunning Paro Dzong lying in the background. The Tenzinling is a family-run resort, built on their ancestral lands, and is surrounded by rice fields, apple orchards, and a quaint local village. The chef at the Tenzinling trained in Thailand, and is the creator of the best Thai cuisine in Bhutan.

The Olathang Hotel is the oldest hotel in Bhutan, as well as being one of hotel largest hotels in Paro. The hotel sits on the hill that overlooks the Paro Chhu, and was originally built for the coronation of the 4th Druk Gyalpo in the ‘70s. As well as a free spa facility for guests, the hotel also has the traditional Bhutanese hot stone baths, as well as steam baths and a yoga room.

The Khangkhu Resort Hotel has most of its rooms overlooking the Paro Dzong and the Paro Valley, and was converted from an old building that was run down in the 1980s. Set in its own manicured grounds, complete with box hedges and a very European box maze, the hotel is a center for international cuisine with its multi-culture restaurants. It is also one of the only Bhutanese Buddhist Meditation centers in the kingdom open to tourists.

Top 5-star Hotels in Paro for Luxury Experience

Nestled in the stunning Paro Valley, the Uma Hotel, by COMO, is an intimate estate which has the most exclusive private villas in Bhutan. With nine 5+ star villas and 20 5-star rooms, the Uma combines luxury with tradition and culture, and gives one easy access to such stunning locations as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery and the Paro Dzong.

The Amankora “lodges” are one of the most unique places to stay in Bhutan, and are found in five locations across the country, including Paro. Amankora means “peaceful pilgrimage”, and the Amankora hotels have sensitively combined ultimate luxury with the pristine landscape in way that does not intrude on the countryside and wildlife in all five of its sites. Strategically located across the country, the Amankora hotels offer their own version of a “path to enlightenment”.

Homestay in Paro for More Local Life Experience

Home-stays are a popular option for many travelers to Bhutan, and cost no more than your low-end three-star hotel. Home-stays also allow you to experience the local Bhutanese culture better, as you will be staying in a local home with the family that lives there. You will eat with them and sleep in the house, and travel with your guide and driver during the day. For those that want to learn more about the unique Bhutanese culture, this is the best option.

The Climate of Paro and the Best Time to Visit Paro

Weather Condition of Paro

The climate in Paro is one of the warmer climates in the northwest of Bhutan, especially compared to the capital of Thimphu, which has much milder summers and colder winters. Summer in Paro is warm and humid, and daytime temperatures can reach as high as around 21 degrees, while the winter weather is bright but windy, and temperatures can get as low as -2 degrees, making it very cold at night.

Spring in Paro starts in late March, when the winter temperatures start to arm up and the sun continues its bright days until the rainy season hits in late May. Daytime temperatures in spring range from around 16 degrees to as high as 20 degrees, though the nights are still a little cold at the start of spring, at around only 4 degrees. Rain does fall in spring in Paro, and you can expect a few spring showers through April and May, as well as it being a little more humid than in the winter months.

Autumn, the other high season in Paro, runs from the middle of September to the end of November, and the days are not as warm as the spring. September’s daytime temperatures can reach as high as 17 degrees, while nights can often only drop to around 13 degrees. However, by October, the weather is turning much cooler, ranging between 8 degrees at night to only 13 degrees during the day. November is also cooler still, with temperatures ranging between 3 degrees at night and 9 degrees in the daytime.

However, the rains of the monsoon, which disappear through September, drop fast from the high levels of rainfall in July and August, and by the start of October and throughout November, you can expect only a few light showers in the valley, and a light raincoat is enough to stay dry during the infrequent showers.

Best Time to Visit Paro

As with most of Bhutan, the best time to visit Paro is from March to June and September to November, which are the peak months for tourism in the kingdom. Paro has four seasons, and the spring and autumn seasons are the best times to travel, as the weather is at its optimum for all the touring and other activities that you can try in the Dzongkhag.

Spring and autumn are also the best times for trekking in the Paro area, and some of the best Bhutan trekking tours begin just north of Paro town. Spring and autumn are also the best time to visit the Tiger’s Nest, on its high cliffside perch above the Paro Valley. The trail that leads up to the monastery is dry and solid, though sometimes a little dusty, and you can make good time on this long uphill climb.

However, despite there being defined tourist seasons and nominated “best times” for a trip to Paro, this amazing Dzongkhag can be visited throughout the year, as the winters are not too harsh for tourists nor the summers too wet. The monsoon rains can be heavy, but are often falling only in the late afternoons and evenings, with only a few days of constant rain throughout the season. Most days are clear and bright, and ideal for touring around the area, though not always ideal for trekking.

Winter in Paro

While the winter is the coldest time of year in Paro, it is not too cold for a pleasant winter vacation. Temperatures may drop to a little below freezing in January, but the winter temperatures can be compared with those of northwest Europe and the northern states of the US. And with very little snow falling in the winter months in Paro, it is still possible to tackle some of the local treks.

Paro Travel Tips

Many of the great sites of the Paro Valley are well spread out, and it is not possible to walk from one to another and still have time for the rest of your tour. Your guide and driver know this, and will encourage you to return to the car so that you can get to your next destination to give you time to view it properly, Please remember that they are not rushing you, merely helping you get the most out of your trip.

The Taktshang Palphug Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, does lie at an altitude of around 3,120 meters above sea level. At more than 900 meters above the Paro Chhu and the town below, it is high enough for you to experience a little altitude sickness if you rush your trek to the monastery. The trick is to take your time on the climb up to the Tiger’s Nest and rest as often as you feel necessary. Generally, it takes about 2 hours for the one-way trek up to the monastery. But it may take 3 hours for those with weak physical strength.

Dzongs and Lhakhangs are religious temples and sites that are revered by the people of Bhutan, and when visiting the Rinpung Dzong, the Taktshang, or any other religious or cultural site of interest, it is best to remain respectful of the local customs and traditions, and follow the normal rule of such places. Your guide can help you with these rules and requirements for each individual site.

If your time is flexible, it is suggested to attend the Paro Tshechu. As the most fantastic event in Paro throughout the year, Paro Tshechu runs from the 10th day of the 2nd month in the Bhutanese Calendar (April 2-6, 2023 in solar calendar). The festival lasts for five whole days, and is held in the Rinpung Dzong, during which you can see the traditional mask dances and join in the locals to celebrate the festival in traditional way. Please remember to arrange your Paro Tshechu festival tour at least 3 months in advance for it is really a popular event among both local Bhutanese and international travelers from all over the world.

Conclusion of Paro Bhutan Travel Plan

Paro is one of the main tourist areas of Bhutan, and is the source of many of the kingdom’s best treks, which can often be completed from autumn right through to the end of spring. Paro is a region of Bhutan that can be visited at any time throughout the year, and for those on a budget, it is one of the best all-year destinations in the kingdom. So whether you are planning a trip to Paro in the high or low seasons, you will find that this unique and amazing scenic destination is going to give you a trip to remember for the rest of your life.