Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
A monastery clinging to a sheer cliff high above the Paro valley, reached by a steep walking trail of a few hours return. It is Bhutan's most famous sacred site and its best-known image.
Paro
The valley holds the National Museum, Rinpung Dzong, the cliffside Tiger's Nest monastery and the only international airport.
Attractive locations
National Museum of Bhutan
A museum in a round watchtower above Paro dzong, with collections of religious paintings, masks, textiles, weapons and stamps that explain Bhutanese culture and history.
Kyichu Lhakhang
One of the oldest temples in the country, traditionally dated to the seventh century. Its quiet courtyard, prayer wheels and small shrines make it a gentle stop in the Paro valley.
Dumtseg Lhakhang
An unusual temple built in the shape of a stupa on a hillside above Paro, founded by the bridge-building saint Thangtong Gyalpo. Its three floors hold old wall paintings.
Chele La
A high mountain pass above Paro, among the highest roads in Bhutan, draped in prayer flags. On clear days it offers views of snow peaks including Jomolhari.
Rinpung Dzong
A large fortress-monastery above Paro town, with high whitewashed walls, carved wooden balconies and a covered wooden bridge below. It houses a monastic community and district offices.
Chomolhari
A snow-capped peak on the Bhutan-Tibet border, sacred to local people and visible on clear days from passes and hikes near Paro. It anchors a well-known trekking route.
Airports
Paro International Airport PBH
It is about 3 km in a straight line from Paro.
Bathpalathang Airport BUT
It is about 131 km in a straight line from Paro.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan-1.6 °C5 mm
- Feb-0.4 °C12 mm
- Mar2.2 °C32 mm
- Apr5.5 °C60 mm
- May8.9 °C108 mm
- Jun12.1 °C153 mm
- Jul12.6 °C259 mm
- Aug12.3 °C206 mm
- Sep10.9 °C134 mm
- Oct7.1 °C51 mm
- Nov3.3 °C3 mm
- Dec0.3 °C2 mm
Driest months: Jan, Nov, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Costs
Prices here are about 23% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
religious
Paro Tshechu
Paro Dzong holds masked dances, and hotels as well as flights get sold out.
Who can help
Emergency
Your tour operator and guide are your first contact. Reported numbers: police 113, ambulance 112, fire 110 - confirm on arrival.
local government
Royal Bhutan Police emergency hotline 113
Helps with: Bhutan's police emergency hotline, for crimes such as theft or assault. The police site also lists 110 for fire, 111 for traffic and 112 for an ambulance. No tourist police unit is shown.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Bhutan who needs the police urgently, including visitors.
Phone: 113
local government
Department of Tourism, Bhutan
Helps with: Bhutan's tourism department. Its visitor FAQ tells travellers to phone it about tourism enquiries or problems with their tourism experience. The FAQ gives 2300 for calls made within Bhutan.
Who qualifies: Visitors to Bhutan with a tourism enquiry or a problem with their trip.
Phone: +975 17661974
ngo
Bhutan Red Cross Society
Helps with: Bhutan's national Red Cross society. It describes services in social work, health and disaster risk management, delivered through a volunteer network across the country.
Who qualifies: People in Bhutan who need its social, health or disaster response services.
Phone: +975-2-339999
Email: [email protected]
Address: Kuenzangkhar Zur Lam 5 S W, Lower Motithang, Thimphu (PO Box 1976)
local government
Disaster Communication Helpline (999)
Helps with: The Royal Bhutan Police emergency page lists 999 as the Disaster Communication Helpline Unit, alongside 113 for police, 110 for fire and 112 for an ambulance.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Bhutan affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 999