Bhutan to Kathmandu

Paro was a historical province, often referred to as the last kingdom in the Himalayas among the nine historical provinces of Bhutan. The old province was similar to the present day town limits, occupying the western lands of Bhutan. The Paro Dzong houses the administrative headquarters of the Paro Province.

The present day Paro is a picturesque valley town in the heart of Bhutan, situated on the banks of the river Paro Chhu. It extends from the Paro Chhu and the Wang Chhu, up till Mt. Jomolhari near the Tibetan border in the north. The town is surrounded by precious mountain valley views of untouched natural habitat. The city town isn’t a very old one; the main strip was built in 1985. With the passing years, the painted wooden cafes, restaurants, shops, and other establishments in Paro have begun to come under the shadow of mass concretisation. However, the charm of the city is still intact. The town is flanked by the Paro Dzong on the north-west, while the popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest lies nearby. Incidentally, Paro is the only Bhutanese town to have an international airport.

How to reach Paro

By Air – The main airport in Paro is the Paro International Airport. National carriers and other airlines operate flights to Paro from New Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Bangkok, etc. If you’re flying from other countries, it is advisable to first take a flight to one of the abovementioned cities and then a connecting flight to Paro.

By Train – One can reach Paro by train from West Bengal, India. Trains run from Kolkata to Paro.

By Road – One can drive to Paro via the international borders from India, but an international driving permit costing INR 400 is required, along with all the relevant documents of the car and the driver’s license. A valid visa is required for everyone entering Bhutan. Paro is a 32-hour drive from India’s capital Delhi. Buses also ply from the border at Phuntsholing.

What to do in Paro

Paro is the poster child of Himalayan aesthetics, with mountains, cliff-clinging monasteries, and sturdy fortresses, and it is a beautiful amalgamation of traditional Bhutanese and modern cultural habits. The area itself houses many sacred and historical sites, left to explore either by foot or the easily available taxis in the main town area. Exploring Paro Valley is considered one of the most exhilarating experiences in Bhutan, what with its lush green surroundings and uphill hikes. Paro is the part of Bhutan that is tailor-made for the nature lover looking to explore and relax in peace and quiet.

However, the main bazaar, the hub of tourist attractions, is an image of chaos, concrete, and activity. The “golden triangle” of Bhutanese tourist destinations is formed by Paro, Jakar, and Punakha.

Be it hiking or drinking and making merry at a café, Paro has something for every kind of traveller, and here are the top things to explore in Paro:

Taktsang Palphug Monastery

Taktshang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest)

Chele La Pass

Rinpung Dzong

Paro Taktsang

Dzongdrakha Temple

Kyichu Lhakhang

Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge

National Museum

Drukgyel Dzong

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Memorial House

Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang

Ugyen Pema Woedling Zangthopelri

Major Airports in and near Paro

One among the four airports in the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Paro International Airport is the sole international airport in the country. Situated at an elevation of 2,235 m, and surrounded by peaks at an elevation of 5,500 m, the Paro International Airport is one of the most challenging airports in the world to fly in and out of. The national carriers, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, fly daily to Paro. All international flights to Paro land here. One can get flights to Paro from cities like Kolkata, New Delhi, Kathmandu, and Bangkok.

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Lying in the breathtaking and lofty Himalayan Mountains, Kathmandu is one of the fascinating cities in Nepal. Nestled between the border of India and China, Kathmandu is a place which gives you a clear picture of Buddhism and Hindu Mythology. Here, you will find historical monuments and ancient shrines. Situated at an altitude of 1400 meters above the sea level, Kathmandu is a prominent city as well as tourism hub of Nepal. Besides the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu is also the commercial centre of the country. The entire Himalayan valley consists of two sister cities, one is Lalitpur and other is Bhaktapur. Both the cities have many small towns. The amazing thing which you find in Kathmandu is that it is surrounded by four major hills like- Shivapuri, Pulchowki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri. UNESCO has also awarded Kathmandu valley as the UNESCO World Heritage site. Another incredible fact about the city is its eight flowing rivers named- Bagmati, Bishnumati, Dhabikhola, Manohara, Hanumant and Tukucha. With its deep rooted culture and historical backdrops, Kathmandu has a number places which are quite popular among the tourists across the world. Some of the finest places of this city are Kumari Temple, Swayambhunath Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, Bodhnath, Kirtipur, Budhanilkantha Temple, Dakshinkali Temple, Nagarkot, Daman, Dhulikhel, Changunarayan Temple, etc. Moving in the city, you will surely have a great time with family and friends. The natural surrounding and tranquil beauty of this magnificent city lures tourists and add some of the most cherished moments in your life. It is a heaven for those who love to do trekking and other mountaineering activities. The markets are also well built and give you a picture of ancient architecture. If you are looking to visit this beautiful city, then log onto MakeMyTrip.com where you can get the tour related information within few clicks of your mouse. Being India's leading online travel portal, MakeMyTrip offers your air tickets at reasonable prices as compared to other similar portals. Here, you can also book your rooms in hotels quite prior to your journey.