Paro
The idyllic little town of Paro is tucked in the southern slopes of Eastern Himalayas at the foothills of Mount Jomolhari. It is a landlocked country bounded by India in South and South-West and Tibet in the north and north-west.
The name Paro brings into our minds a plethora of images of the majestic Himalayas with its rugged terrains, rickety curves, alpine forests, sacred monasteries and expansive landscapes under the blue dome of the sky and takes you into a pristine world of peace and tranquillity. Your day begins by gazing at the surreal sunrise over the Himalayas leaving an enduring effect in your soul throughout the day.
Paro is home to some of the ancient monasteries and temples of the world whose history traces back to the 7th century and holds various myths and folklore to their names. Fun lovers not to be disappointed at Paro! There are cafes, restaurants, museums and places of nature hiking that will certainly keep you engaged throughout your trip. The most iconic landmarks in Paro include Taktsang Monastery, Namsay Artisanal Brewery, Archery Ground, Chele La Pass and many more.
For the adrenaline junkies Paro is the perfect destination to try your guts! Paro has some of the most challenging biking trails of the world which is bound to allure any biker who wants to scale the height on the wheels. Apart from that you can go on hiking, trekking, rafting, kayaking and stargazing. The Snowman Trek which is one of the highest trekking trails of the world will leave you awestruck as you ride along the trail and get a bird’s eye view of the stunning panorama from a height of 5,400 metres.
Visiting Paro during summer will give you a chance to explore the nooks of the city of Paro and appreciate the stunning view of the landscapes at the backdrop of the shimmering white Himalayas. During this time the climate is temperate and suitable for adventurous activities. But, if you want snow in your vacation, winter should be your choicest season.
Punakha
Punakha was the capital of Bhutan before Thimpu was made the capital city. There are many places to see in Punakha. It is popular for its temples, sightseeing viewpoints, courtyards, valleys, towers, and mini excursions in and around this town. This is one of the religious centers of Bhutan. It is at the confluence of two rivers of Bhutan. You can visit this town for taking short tours, stopping before heading towards other things to do in the Haa Valley, Gangtey, and Wangdue which have many places that are a haven for wildlife and nature photographers. These valleys have Alpine forests and mountain views that are serene and breathtaking. You get a countryside feel when you visit this riverside town, Punakha. There are not too many tourists places to visit in Punakha. Tourists come to this town to rest, eat, and drink, before visiting other places of interest in Bhutan. You can visit monasteries, temples, Chorten, walking bridge, hill side village, and a collage where you can interact with the monks. You can go to the riverside as a weekend getaway. For most part, there is handful of places to be visited in this part of Bhutan. Quiet and tranquil, this is one of the holy places in Bhutan that is a home to monks. However, around Punakha, there are numerous outdoor and adventure activities available for tourists.
Top Experiences To Do in Punakha
Explore Punakha
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Cheli La
On a bright and clear day of October and November, you can have a spectacular view of the Mt. Jumolhari, Jichu Drake and other neighbouring peaks, covered in snow and glittering in sunlight.
Highlights: A small 2 kilometre detour leads you to Dzongdrakha Goemba, an architectural complex perched on a high ridge and consists of four chapels and a Chorten.
Location: Between Haa and Paro Valleys in Bhutan.
Timing: Best time to visit is October to November when the skies are clear.
Prices: N/A
Uniquely located on top of the mountain 1200 meters above the Paro Valley, this monastery is surrounded by the scenic beauty. This white building topped with the golden roof on the back drop of blue sky and lush green hills look stunning. The centuries old legend of this monastery makes it more mystical. The isolated location of Tiger’s Nest can only be reached by following the gruelling mountain paths.
Location: The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is located in Paro, approximately 10 kilometres away from the city.
Best time/season: March to May and September to November.
Approx Price: N/A
Difficulty Level: Moderately challenging.
Top Experiences To Do in Taktsang Palphug Monastery (Paro)
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The Gangtey Monastery is one of the most attractive places to visit in Paro because of its rich cultural heritage and its beautiful structure and location. It is a centre of art, culture, religion, spirituality and learning and is considered one of the primary religious centres for Nyingma Buddhism. Known as the Gangtey Gompa, this monastery was built in the 17th century in typical Tibetan style with pillars surrounding a courtyard and the rest of the structure decorated with frescoes and paintings.
Apart from the monastery itself, you can go on tours and treks in the vicinity from where you can observe the incredible beauty of the surrounding hills and forests.
Location: Gangtey Valley, Bhutan
Price: Free entry
Top Experiences To Do in Gangtey Monastery
Punakha Dzong is also known by the name of Pungthang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang which translates into ‘The Palace of Great Happiness’. This majestic building dates back to the 17th century and is the second largest and the second oldest Dzong in Bhutan.
The entire building follows a very rustic and traditional Bhutanese architecture and all six storeys have been made out of compacted earth, stone and timbers. If you are looking for Bhutanese places to visit in December, there are not many that match the stunning geographical features that surround Punakha Dzong. Since the Dzong is situated between the Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers in the Punakha valley, the scenery becomes all the more beautiful when everything is covered in mist, giving the place an otherworldly vibe.
Location: Punakha, Bhutan
Timing: Daily, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Price: Rs. 300
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This historical city of Bhutan lies on the Indo-Bhutanese border and is home to some amazing sites. Situated at an altitude of only 300 metres above sea level, this is the perfect place to visit in Bhutan in December. While here, you can admire the beautiful architecture of the Bhutan Gate which also marks the entrance to Bhutan from India.
Also, spend time with the crocodiles at the Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Center or visit the historic Zangto Pelri Lhakhang. If you are looking for a more nature-based experience, you can spend your time at the Zangto Pelri Park or enjoy a picnic by the Torsa riverside.
Location: Phuentsholing, Bhutan
Timing: Open all-day
Price: Free
Rinpung Dzong holds an important place as a major religious and political centre of Bhutan. This large monastery and fortress belongs to the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school and is also home to the district Monastic Body. When here, you can visit the fourteen distinct shrines and chapels housed inside the Dzong and admire the rich Bhutanese architecture of the place.
The original building has been a part of the landscape since the 15th century and has been capturing the imagination of people worldwide, especially after its appearance in the 1993 movie Little Buddha. The place also hosts colourful festivals during the Spring months where traditional mask dances are organised for several days.
Location: Paro, Bhutan
Timing: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Price: Free
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Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, which is situated in the mountain ranges of Bhutan. It was constructed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the fourth King of Bhutan. This architectural marvel houses over a hundred thousand smaller statues of Buddha inside of it.
Both the bigger statue and the ones inside have been built using bronze gilded in Gold. This 169-metre tall statue stands amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of the thirteenth Desi Druk. If you are looking for places to visit in Bhutan in December, this beautiful gold and bronze structure sitting amidst a 943.4 acres wide conserve forest must be on your list!
Location: Kuensel Phodrang, Thimphu, Bhutan
Timing: Daily, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Price: Free
For all the adventure enthusiasts looking for Bhutan places to visit in December, the oldest Bhutanese national park, Royal Manas National Park, might prove to be the best option. Spread over a massive area of 1,057 square kilometers, the place covers three separate districts and four different wildlife sanctuaries and parks! You can go hiking, trekking or enjoy a jungle safari in the depths of the wilderness.
As the national park is home to Bengal tigers, elephants, gaurs, golden langurs and hundreds of species of birds, a trip here is bound to be filled with the thrills of the wild.
Location: Bhutan
Timing: Daily, 5:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Price: Free entry
Punakha Suspension Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan and stretches up to a length of approximately 520 feet! You can enjoy spectacular views of the river flowing underneath the bridge or the valleys rolling in every direction.
Made with solid planks of wood and cables anchored to massive cement block, the bridge is surprisingly stable for its length and is covered in colourful religious flags at all points. It also acts as a starting point for several multi-day trekking trips in the region.
You can also stopover at the bridge if you are visiting the famous Punakha Dzong as it lies only half a mile away from the religious centre. You simply have to head north from the dzong, walk past the cremation grounds and follow the river to reach the bridge.
Location: Punakha, Bhutan
Timing: Open all-day
Price: Free
Simtokha Dzong also known as the Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang or the ‘Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras’ is a relatively small dzong and the first of its kind in the country. It was built in the year 1629 and today houses one of the premier Dzongkha language learning institutes.
While here, you can spend your time admiring the architecture of the place with traditional Buddhist aspects like prayer wheels or around 300 carvings of saints and philosophers made in slate. This dzong is one of the most popular Bhutan places to visit in December and welcomes people from around the world.
Location: Simtokha, Bhutan
Timing: Daily, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Price: Free
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Jigme Dorji National Park is the second-largest national park in the country. Apart from covering multiple districts, it also pans over all three climatic zones of Bhutan. You can experience everything from frozen glaciers to dense jungles, rivers and historic sites without having to leave the park.
It is home to important cultural sites like the fortresses of Lingshi Dzong and Gasa Dzong and sacred mountains like Mount Jomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake. The diverse animal cover in the area includes Bengal Tigers, bharals, black musk deer, Indian leopards and over 300 species of birds. If you decide to make it a place to visit in Bhutan in December, you can also witness the glaciers Lunana and Laya Gewogs in their full glory.
Location: Bhutan
Timing: Daily, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Price: Free
