Located at an altitude of 1364 meters, Wangdue Phodrang is a gateway to eastern part of Bhutan.  It usually takes thirty minutes from Punakha and two and half hours’ drive from Thimphu to reach Wangdue. The district is the biggest district in Bhutan, comprising of 4300 sqm area and spread across altitude ranging from 800- 5800 meters. The area is characterized with numerous small villages and Bhutan’s rural culture at its best, can be experience here. The villages of Gaselo and Nahee are good spot for picnics, the area is primarily agrarian and beautiful rice terrace field has can be seen here. West of Wangdue lies a village called Shaa, of particular interest the locals practice animism here. The animists are nature worshippers, a festival occurs every three years called the “Bonko’ (an animist festival) which is a delight for the locals and a rare treat for the visitors.  Other festivals hosted in the district are Wangduephodrang Festival and Black neck crane festival. Please refer to festival calendar for details.  Ample hotel option is available in the valley to suit all pockets.  The Phobjika valley particularly has some nice Luxury hotels such as  Amankora and Gangtey Goenba Lodge. For more details on hotel refer to our hotels in Wangdue page.

Located at an altitude of 2,248 meters (7,375 feet), Paro is perhaps one of the most beautiful valley in Bhutan. Pre-dominantly agrarian in nature, the valley is known for its red rice production and home to Bhutan’s only international airport.

The villages are dotted with traditional Bhutanese houses and vast expanse of rice fields. The long stretch of straight road from end of Paro town to Drugyel Dzong is popular  trail for mountain biking. Some of the famous treks such as Druk Path Trek, Jumolhari Trek and  Bumdra overnight camping also starts from Paro. One can also explore hiking and trekking, some of the most memorable sections of the recently minted Trans Bhutan Trail. Other attractions in Paro include the majestic Rimpung Dzong, TA Dzong ( National Museum) , Kyichu Lhakhang, Drugyel Dzong, and  the  famous Taksang Monastery ( Tigers Nest Monastery). Besides these tourist attractions, one can also engage in a wide range of other interesting possibilities such as the astrology session, meeting a reincarnated monk, hot stone bath, Bhutanese cooking classes and ceremonials weddings. 

The National capital Thimphu is a smooth one and half hour drive and one can easily incorporate a day tour to Thimphu with Paro as a base. Optionally, the Haa Valley is also one and half hour drive from Paro via the Cheila Pass. The road meanders through pristine pine forest and flora and fauna. En route one can stop for picnic at Cheila Pass or a hike to Kila Gompa Nunnery or one may simply drive to Cheila Pass and bike freewheel to Paro, the choices are plenty. On a clear day one can also see the imposing Jomolhari Mountain (7300 Meters) in the backdrop.

There is wide choice of hotels in Paro, While the Six Sense Paro, Amankora and Uma Paro offers top of the line luxury experiences, other alternatives such as the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Zhiwaling Heritage and Le Meridian Paro are equally enthralling.  You may explore our Hotels in Paro page to access a wide range of accommodation choices. Paro also plays host to the  famous  Paro Tshechu ( Paro Festival ) held  annually in March or April. It is suggested to book hotels in advance for Paro Festival, as most hotels tends to get booked way ahead in advance. Check our events calendar for Paro Festival.