Paro

The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries & temples. The countries only airport situated is in Paro. The valley is also home to Mount Chomolhari (7300 meters.) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier, water forms the Pa Chu which is flowing through the valley.

Ta Dzong: It overlooks the Rimpung Dzong and was built in 1951 as a watch tower. It is anunique museum, which was established as the National Museum of Bhutan since 1967 with its wonderful and varied collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha, etc. It provides an excellent introduction to Bhutanese art and culture. (9am – 4pm, Closed on Sunday, Monday & National Holidays).

Rinpung Dzong: Means"fortress of the heap of jewels". The massive three hundred and fifty years old fort is the center of governance for the Province of Paro. The governor, the chief judge and other government official keep office within the walls of this fort following old traditions. Half the fort is permanently occupied by 200 resident monks. The fort host’s one of the Bhutan’s biggest Paro Tshechhu (festival) is held in spring.

The Ruin of Drukgyel Dzong: The dzong was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan Invaders. This fort is fifteen minutes’ drive from Zhiwa Ling and set on a hill with a spectacular view of the valley. It provides a wonderful architectural insight to the structure of forts in Bhutan. The dzong was destroyed by fire in 1951 and is now preserved as a heritage site. The Dzong is situated in Drukgyal, overlooking the beautiful village with Mountain Jumolhari in the background. Drukgyel is also the starting point of Bhutan’s most famous trekking routes.

Kitchu Lhakhang (Monastery): It is one of the oldest monasteries in the country built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demoness lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. This is one of the oldest monasteries in Paro district. There's a belief that the two orange trees here in Kyichu Lakhang miraculously bears fruits throughout the year.

Taktsang Monastery (Full Day): Taktsang Monastery is situated on a nearly vertical cliff at 3000mtr altitude north of Paro in Bhutan. It is also known as "Tiger's Nest" the tantrum mystic Dorje Droloe who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, he came riding over a flying tigress in the 8th century and he meditated in a cave here for three months to subdue the evil and demon which were obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas. The cave is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Chele-La-Pass (Full Day): Chele-La-Pass, at an elevation of 13,088 ft., is considered to be one of the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. About an hour’s drive from Zhiwa Ling it passes through lush valleys, pine and rhododendron forest. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake.