01Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery)
Bhutan's most famous sight, a 17th-century monastery glued to a cliff some 900 metres above the Paro valley. Reaching it means a steep two-hour forest climb.
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Cliff monasteries, river fortresses and thin Himalayan air
Bhutan
Bhutan opens with a two-hour climb through blue-pine forest until Tiger's Nest appears, welded to a cliff across the gorge. Below, whitewashed dzongs stand over turquoise rivers, butter lamps flicker in dim prayer halls, and chilli-and-cheese ema datshi arrives at every meal. Nothing here is rushed, and the Himalayas stay in view.
Best timeOctober to December, plus March to May — autumn brings the clearest Himalayan skies, spring brings rhododendrons and the Paro Tshechu festival.
Ideal duration5-7 days
Great forHoneymooners, culture seekers and first-time Himalayan travellers
Trip highlights
Hike up to Tiger's Nest108 chortens at Dochula PassPunakha Dzong at the confluenceGiant Buddha above ThimphuHot-stone bath and ema datshi
Top places in Bhutan
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02Punakha Dzong
Widely called Bhutan's most beautiful dzong, built in 1637 where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers meet. Come in spring, when lilac jacarandas frame its walls.
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03Buddha Dordenma, Thimphu
A 51-metre gilded Shakyamuni Buddha seated above the capital, with more than 100,000 smaller Buddhas inside. The terrace below gives sweeping views across Thimphu valley.
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04Dochula Pass & the 108 Chortens
At around 3,100 metres on the Thimphu-Punakha road, 108 chortens crown the ridge. On a clear winter morning the eastern Himalayan peaks line up behind them.
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05Rinpung Dzong, Paro
Paro's fortress-monastery, built in 1644 above the river. Its courtyards of whitewashed stone and carved timber fill each spring with the masked dances of Paro Tshechu.
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