Paro Travel Guide – A Perfect 2- Days Itinerary
About the Blog – This Paro travel guide will help you plan your trip to this gorgeous valley. It is a 2-day itinerary to exploring and knowing some lesser known and offbeat places in Paro. From architecture to monasteries to meeting the blacksmiths of Wochu village, walking through Paro was a serene lesson to lean on.
As the driver carefully maneuvered his car on the curvaceous highlands of Bhutan, the luscious green paddy fields of Paro were visible from a distance, stretched through the picturesque town. The fields were dotted with traditional Bhutanese homes – a characteristic four walls of wooden craftsmanship and paintings originating from animalistic beliefs in vivid colors. There was a nip in the air as I rolled down the windows to let the wind caress my naked face and unruly hair.
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The mesmerizing landscape of Paro charms with its spectacular grandeur as the majestic mountains slowly peak through the rolling clouds. The Paro river gurgles and meanders through the town, bringing alive our childhood sceneries. The velvety green terrace farms sprinkles the air with freshness, the apples precariously dangles in the orchards, people walk around in their traditional dresses around streets and time stops by, watching the nature unfold from its womb
Table of Contents
A Perfect 2-Day Paro Travel Guide for First Timers
Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Undoubtedly, Tiger’s Nest Monastery aka Paro Taktsang is the most touristic place in Bhutan but it is supported by its unconventional architecture, mesmerizing landscape and a hike through the most pristine blue alpine and rhododendron forests. The temple complex is built on a cliff side and the mountains have been its guardian since the first temple was built. The Buddhist Pilgrimage has an interesting legendary story attached to it.
Enroute Tiger’s Nest Monastery 
Rhododendrons on the way to Tiger’s Nest
According to legends, it is believed that in 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on a tigress assuming his fiery form of Guru Dorji Drolo. He fought against the evil power of local demon, Singya Samdrup. After reaching the temple site, he meditated in the cave for three years. The monastery was built decades later in the 16th century.The monastery is perched on the edge of the mountainous cliff at an altitude of 2950 meters above sea level.
The smell of the pine cones sailed through the air. The hike route is dotted with prayer flags fluttering against the wind and the chime of the prayer wheel fills the aura. There is one cafeteria mid way through the hike for some coffee and biscuits. The iconic World Heritage Site is fairly a moderate hike, the last few meters connected through stairs, bridge and a waterfall gurgling across it.
Gorgeous fauna enroute Tigers Nest 
One of the iconic viewpoints of Tiger’s Nest
Tip and Info: The entry fee for Tiger’s Nest Monastery is 500 Nu. The tickets are available at the base of the hiking point and counter opens at 8AM in the morning. Please buy the ticket before beginning the trek or else you will not be allowed to enter in the temple premise.
Cab cost to Tiger’s Nest – A round trip to Tiger’s Nest would cost between 800 – 1000 Nu. There are plenty of local cabs that go to the starting point of the hike.
Explore in and round Rinpung Dzong
The Rinpung Dzong is an administrative office and exemplifies one of the finest architecture, also a tentative for UNESCO Heritage Site. It is the largest Dzong from Drukpa Lineage and offers a panoramic view of the town. The interiors of the Dzong are stunning with gorgeous wood carvings, spectacular illustrations of stories depicted through paintings and a splash of vivid colors.
The intricate wood work and vibrant aura inside and the site of the awe-inspiring valley on outside adorns the Dzong. The baroque façade of the temples and alleys creates positivity in the soul and enhances the pragmatic existence in the moment. At night, the Dzong is illuminated in golden lights and shadows everything else.
Info – The entry fee inside the Dzong is Nu 300 and the last entry time is around 4pm. However, you can always go after that and enjoy the phenomenal sunset from outside the Dzong, it is for free.
Dig into History at National Museum of Bhutan
The cultural museum was established in the year 1968 after its renovation from being a watchtower initially established in the year 1649. It connects the visitors with the culture, tradition and heritage of Bhutan. It is located above the Rinpung Dzong and conch shell shaped round museum building is visible from the town. The museum houses some of the finest traditional Bhutanese art, paintings and many statues and artistic masterpieces. There are over 3,000 Bhutanese art work tracing the heritage of the country.
Info – The opening time is 9 am but the closing time is 4.30pm for summers and is 3.30pm for the winters. The entry fee for SAARC citizens is Nu 25 and non-SAARC country citizens is Nu 150
Meet the Blacksmiths of Wochu Village
The Paro travel guide takes you to a blacksmith village named Wochu. The Paro Town – Wochu – Bondey – Nie – Paro Town walk is one of the most spectacular walking trail that rounds about 15km. Wochu Village is around 5km from Paro Town with the Royal Metal Craft Center located in it. I saw a house that was taken by the nature and creepers enveloped the walls on three sides. As I walked into the village to take a closer look at it, I met a young girl who informed me that they are going to convert the house into a metal craft and blacksmith work museum.
Digging a little deeper into it, she accompanied me to the craft center and metal workshop where blacksmiths work. I met Mr. Karma Jurmi, Project Manager of Royal Metal Craft Center and he informed me that the project is funded by the majesty. With the royal project, the dying art of blacksmith is reviving again and blacksmiths design and make traditional knives, swords, daggers and other metal products that are customized. The tentative site for the museum is a three storied traditional Bhutanese house that once belonged to head of the Wochu Village but was left abandoned for years, slowly taken over by nature.
Tsheten Dorji is one the blacksmiths I met who has been practicing the art for quite some time. With the aging and dying population of original blacksmiths, the younger ones are learning the art and practicing it being associated with the royal project. Wochu Village is famous for its blacksmith and metal work that was dormant for few years due to youths taking up other jobs. But with the projected being royally funded, more people have associated in the past few years and started producing customized products.
Watch the airplanes take off from Bird’s Eye View
The bird eye view of the Paro Airport is magnificent. It is quite interesting to watch airplanes take off and land in the airport sandwiched between mountains. The bird eye view can be seen a few km away from the main town while walking towards Wochu Village. As you walk around the circuit starting from Paro Town to Wochu to Bondey and back to Paro, the road is adjacent to the runway and back of the airport. The airport looks like a miniscule commotion amidst the picturesque valley and the high rise mountains around it
Buy Some Souvenirs in Paro Market
Paro is one of the most touristic towns in Bhutan and the market lit with dozens of souvenir shops. Both sides of the roads in the main town are flanked by shops with artifacts and souvenirs, sold at exorbitantly high price. Although, a lot of people purchase or buy souvenirs but everything can be really expensive. However, if it is not a load on your pocket, do snoop in and buy some souvenirs for your memories or gifts.
Grab a Bite of Farm Fresh Apples
The apple season starts from July and ends by late September when the apples are ripe in the orchards. As I walked along the road adjacent to the airport runaway, I found an apple orchard and the owner was kind enough to invite me. Skipping his afternoon siesta, he told me about apple cultivation and their life in the valley.
The wrinkles and sagging skin on his face complemented his lean body but his voice spoke in volume about life experiences. We climbed on a rock, considered holy by the local people, present within his premises and feasted on some half ripe apples as we spoke about things, occasionally interrupted by the roaring sound of the flights.
How to Reach Paro?
Paro is easily accessible as it is the only place that has an International Airport. However, it is only 3 hours from the capital Thimphu and is well connected to different places. This Paro Travel Guide includes information about transport and how one can reach the place. There are two ways one can reach Paro
By flight – Paro, being the only international airport, has flight connectivity to few countries like India, Singapore, Bangladesh etc. Upon arriving at Paro airport, you get an entry permit for 15 days (India, Bangladesh and Maldives only). Rest, everyone needs a pre-approved visa.
By Road – The most accessible port of entry is via Phuentsholing. There are cabs and buses available at regular interval from Phuentsholing to Paro throughout the day. Read my blog on 2 weeks of Bhutan Itinerary for more information.
Accommodation in Paro
There are different types of accommodation available in Paro starting mostly from Nu 800 to above. There are many hotels and resorts in the main town of Paro and it is easy to find an accommodation at an affordable price. During off season, good hotel with twin beds are available for Nu 1000 – 1500. Paro is a beautiful valley and for a more quaint and countryside experience, you can opt to stay in a farm stay. The homestay and farm stays are generally 2 to 3 km from the center of Paro Town and can be a rejuvenating experience. Most of the farm stays also have hot stone bath facility.
You can making bookings through booking.com
Transport in and around Paro
Paro is well connected to most of the places in Bhutan. There are regular coaster buses and cab that ply between Paro and Phuentsholing which is the entry point for Bhutan. There are shared cabs available throughout the day between Paro and Thimphu for Nu 300/-. The coaster buses that ply between Paro and Phuentsholing are limited and hence it is important to get the tickets booked beforehand, at least 2 to 3 days before. The price for the coaster bus ticket is Nu 250 – 300/- and shared cab is Nu 700/- per seat. A round trip to Tiger’s Monastery cost around Nu 800 – 1000 and the taxi cost within the city can vary from Nu 100 – 200/- depending on the distance.
The valley is surrounded by stunning terrace paddy fields and farms that celebrate the mighty opulence of nature bestowed upon. Be it the traditional architecture or the interesting cultural per se or the happy people around, the town of Paro is nothing short of a speckle of soul feeding happiness. There is so much to see and do, so much to experience and so much to get amazed with at every corner of this beautiful place.
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