Paro day hikes
Paro is an excellent place for day walks and your guide will always have some suggestions to make. Some ideas:
Taktshang Monastery (walking time approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on fitness). “Taktshang” is literarily translated as the “Tiger’s Nest”, and Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated there for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. It has a spectacular location on a rocky cliff 900 m above the Paro valley. The famous Tibetan Yogi Mache Lhabdenma attained enlightenment in a nearby spot. The hike starts from the road head about 8 km north of Paro along an unpaved trail which passes through the farmhouses of Shari. From the parking area at the base of the cliff the trail climbs steeply up the ridge through pines covered with Spanish moss and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. From the top of the ridge there are excellent views of Drukgyel village with its high school to the south and the army camp above it. It’s a short distance over level ground to the cafeteria at 2940 m where the monastery first comes into view. The trail to Taktshang itself continues a little further along the ridge, although many visitors return at this point. It is possible to continue for another 45 minutes uphill through the trees until you reach a spectacular lookout at about the same height as the monastery (3140 m). From this vantage point, Taktshang looks as if it is growing out of the rocks and seems almost close enough to touch, although it is about 150 m away on the other side of a deep chasm. A tough hike if you are not fit and acclimatised but well worth the effort and a highlight of any trip to Bhutan!
Zuri Dzong (walking time 2 hours). From the National Museum in the Ta Dzong, take a leisurely 2 hour hike along the forested hillside to Zuri Dzong and then down to the Uma resort, where your driver will pick you up. The walk passes Gonsaka Lhakhang and then Zuri Dzong and provides wonderful views down over the valley and Dzong. Zuri Dzong dates from 1352 and is home to the valley’s local protector gods.
Drakarpo monastery (total time around 3 hours). Drive about 30 minutes from Paro town to Shaba and from here you can hike about one hour to Drakarpo monastery located on a high cliff. Just before reaching the monastery walk clockwise around the cliff. On the top of the cliff you will see a cave, which is believed to have been used for meditation by a previous incarnation of Namkhai Ningpo. From this side you can see almost the whole of Paro valley. Continue round towards the other side of the cliff and descend about 10 minutes to the entrance. Visit the main altar room in the monastery which has a great story about how the Guru Rinpoche broke the rock and made a cave for his meditation in the mid 8th century. When you have finished your visit to the monastery we will return to the car which takes around 1 hour and drive back to Paro.
Jili Dzong (total time around 6 to 7 hours). From Paro we drive around an hour to Damchena and then hike up to Jili Dzong (which will take around 2 hours). Unfortunately an earthquake damaged this small, unused Dzong in September 2011 and it is no longer possible to visit. We will walk along the ridge and enjoy the view of Mount Jomolhari – it is also possible to see the black mountains if the weather is clear. To the south you can see Paro valley and to the east, Tsaluna valley. After a picnic lunch return 1 and a half hours to Damchena and drive back to Paro.
Jamjalo monastery (total time around 2.5 hours). Drive about 30 minutes from Paro town to the army camp at Shaba where you will start your hike. Jamjalo monastery is located on a cliff side and the climb up towards the monastery is slightly steep. The monastery looks like a mini Tiger’s Nest! To reach the temple you have to hike around an hour from the road. The main figure in the temple is a statue of the Buddha of long life, Tara and Drukpa Kinley. You will also see a rock kept in the shrine, which is shaped like a shoe – it is believed that after Drukpa Kinley (the divine madman) meditated here he left one of his shoes in the temple and this is an important treasure. When you have finished your visit return to the car and drive back to Paro.
Kila Gompa (total time around 3.5 hours). First drive about 45 minutes from Paro to Chele La pass at about 3800 metres where you will have a splendid view of the Himalaya range, weather permitting. From the road you can walk up the incline around 1.5 hours towards the highest point at 4500 metres for an even better view of the mountains, including Mount Jomolhari and other further peaks such as Kanchenjunga. Walk down the hill through rhododendron and hemlock forest towards Kila Gompa, a nunnery inhabited by about 30 nuns, and then on past to another temple called Gorina Lhakhang where there is a small monk residence (the descent will be another 1.5 hours in total). From here you can return to the car, which takes around 30 minutes.
