Paro Tour: Explore the Picturesque Paro Valley in Great-Depth

1. When is the best time for Paro Bhutan tours?

Spring from March to May and Autumn from September to November are the best time for a Paro tour. The two seasons are also the peak tourist time.

As the spring comes, everything awakes, flowers starting to bloom, trees sprouting fresh leaves and rice fields flourishing. Daytime temperatures generally run from 15-16 degrees in early March to 20 degrees by the middle of May. This is a good season for trekking. Paro Tshechu, one of the biggest festivals of Bhutan, is also held in spring. In autumn, vast stretches of paddy fields and trees turn into golden yellow gradually. Temperatures are mild and skies are clear, perfect for trekking.

2. Where to stay for your Paro tour?

There are various options for accommodation during your Paro tour.

To save the cost as much as possible, you can choose the budget hotels in Paro, usually 3-star hotels. These options are all equipped with clean rooms, comfortable beds and simple traditional food. Some of the 3-star hotels offer spa service and you can get great room views.

Paro also provides an amount of small top-level luxury hotels like Aman, Six Senses, Uma, and Gangtey Lodge. These luxury hotels in Paro all set in beautiful locations and you can get fabulous views.

You can stay one night or two in the homestay cottages as well to experience the authentic village life in Paro. You will live in the farmhouses built in Bhutanese traditional way, enjoy fresh vegetables and fruits grown in the family's garden and try to make a local meal by hand. Or follow the local farmers to learn how they spend their rural life.

3. What are the top attractions on a sightseeing tour in Paro?

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Your journey to Bhutan will not be complete if you do not visit the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also called Paro Taksang, built on a 900 meters high cliff side, is an ingenious work by both man and nature. As hiking up to the monastery, you will get increasingly beautiful views of the Paro valley.

Paro Rinpu Dzong

Paro Rinpu Dzong is a complex of fortress that houses the monastic body and the governmental and administrative departments. The name of Paro Dzong means fortress on the heap of jewels. Paro Tshechu, one of the biggest festivals of Bhutan, is celebrated on the stone-paved ground outside the Dzong, where masked dancers perform the main dances of the tshechu.

National Museum of Bhutan

Not far from Paro Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan is located. Also known as Ta Dzong, the museum shapes like a conch shell. It is a circular building and has seven floors. This is a good place to learn Bhutan’s myths and legends. You can visit the exhibitions of Bhutan cultural traditions and ancient artifacts and artwork here.

Chele La Pass

On the way to Haa valley from Paro, you can't miss Chele La Pass, the highest motorable point in Bhutan, with an elevation of 3,988m. If the weather condition is good, you can get majestic views of Mt. Jomolhari and Mount Jitchu Drake. It is also a good point to get a panoramic view of both the Paro and the Haa valleys.

4. What are the most popular things to do in Paro with kids?

Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery

Take your kids to challenge the trek to Bhutan's most renowned cultural landmark - Tiger's Nest Monastery. It is an uphill hike, usually taking 5 to 6 hours. You can expect lush forests of oak, with beautiful rhododendrons and lovely birds along the trail.

Wear Bhutanese National Dress to Visit Monasteries

While your stay in Paro Bhutan, you might be surprised to find that the locals are used to wear the national dress in their daily life. To encourage your children to visit the monasteries in Paro, you can dress them in Bhutanese traditional clothing.

Pay a Visit to the Weekend Market

A wide variety of goods sold on the Weekend Market is possible to cheer up your kids. Here you can buy some Bhutanese souvenirs and gifts for your friends.

Experience Archery in Paro

As the national sport of Bhutan, archery is what you can't miss during your Paro tour. After a visit to the Weekend Market, you can wander down to the local archery ground to see if there is a traditional archery game on. This will definitely excite your boys and girls.

Stroll Around Paro Town by Bike

Rent a bicycle, and give your kids and yourself a chance to explore the Paro town in a different way. When you are getting tired, just take a rest at a cafe or stop at the riverside.

Take a Homestay Tour in Paro

Homestay tour allows you and your kids to live in the local farmhouse to experience the authentic village life, totally different with the quick living style in modern cities.

5. What are best places for camping in Paro?

The truth is that free camping is not available in the country. If you want to go camping in Paro, you can take a trek with the help of your tour guide.

For example, if you go to challenge the Bumdrak Trek that usually takes 2 days to complete. You have the opportunity to stay overnight at Bumdrak Campsite. During the 6 days Druk Path Trek, you are able to get many camping experiences, for example, at Jili Campsite, Jangchhu Lhakha Campsite, Jimilang Tsho Campsite, Simkotra Tsho Campsite, and Phajoding Monastery Campsite.

Many other treks in Paro are also available, like Haa Valley Sagala Trek, Soi Yaksa Trek, Chele La Nature Trek, etc. Contact your tour operator and say what you want. Then everything will be arranged in order.