Paro

Paro is a valley of quiet whispers and high spiritual energy. It is the first glimpse of Bhutan for most travelers, as their planes bank sharply between green peaks to land at the stunning riverside airport. Most travelers spend 3 days here, primarily to conquer the trek to the Tiger’s Nest and explore the historic town center. The pace of life in Paro is deeply connected to the seasons and the rituals of the local monasteries.

The culinary scene is a fiery delight. You must try the national dish, 'Ema Datshi' (chili and cheese), and the nutty 'Red Rice' grown in the valley. For shoppers, the pedestrian street in Paro town is the best place to buy hand-woven Kira (traditional dress), prayer bowls, and wood carvings. Whether you are watching the sun set over the Rinpung Dzong bridge or finding silence in the 7th-century halls of Kyichu Lhakhang, Paro offers a Himalayan peace that feels unchanged for centuries.