Paro Altitude/Elevation: How High are Paro Airport, Tiger’s Nest, and the Valley?

Paro, the gateway for most trips to Bhutan, is located in the valley at 2,200 meters above sea level. Surrounded by mountains, its unique geography features beautiful landscapes like the soaring Tiger’s Nest Monastery, high-altitude mountain passes, and snow-capped peaks.

The dramatic elevation changes make altitude an important issue when traveling to Paro.

Here, we’ll help you understand just how high all the main sites in Paro are to help you plan your dream trip to Bhutan.

A Quick Altitude Overview of Paro Valley

The Paro Valley is full of important sites, across elevations ranging from 2,200 meters in the valley to over 7,000 meters in the surrounding mountains. It’s a dynamic landscape that shows off the beautiful terrain of Bhutan.

Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Monastery) (3,120m / 10,236 ft)

Tiger’s Nest dramatically clings to a cliff face at 3,120 meters, nearly 900 meters above the valley floor. The steep forested trail to reach it is one of Bhutan’s most iconic hikes. The elevation gain makes it more strenuous, requiring visitors to ascend from lower altitudes on foot.

The iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery is located on a cliffside in the Paro Valley, at an altitude of 3,120 meters.

Paro Town (2,200m / 7,200 ft)

Paro Town lies at the heart of the Paro Valley, with a moderate altitude of 2,200 meters. It is surrounded by gentle hills and farmland, making it a comfortable starting point for acclimatization. The terrain is relatively flat compared to the surrounding highlands.

Paro International Airport (2,235m / 7,333 ft)

Located slightly above the town, Paro International Airport is nestled in a deep valley at 2,235 meters. Surrounded by towering mountains, the approach is narrow and challenging, contributing to its reputation as one of the world’s most difficult airports to land at. The surrounding terrain rises steeply beyond the valley floor.

Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) (2,200m / 7,200 ft)

Rinpung Dzong sits at the same elevation as Paro Town, overlooking the river from a gently sloping hill. Its strategic location highlights the traditional Bhutanese style of building fortresses on elevated ground without venturing into higher altitudes. The terrain here is accessible and less steep than higher landmarks.

National Museum (Ta Dzong) (2,250m / 7,382 ft)

Perched just above Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum stands at 2,250 meters on a hillside. Its elevation offers sweeping views of the Paro Valley below. The climb to the museum is short but gives a first taste of the valley’s rising terrain.

Drukgyel Dzong (2,500m / 8,202 ft)

Situated further up the valley at 2,500 meters, Drukgyel Dzong stands on a ridge with expansive mountain views. The terrain gently rises from Paro Town to this point, making it a moderate drive or hike. Its elevated position reflects its historical military function.

Chele La Pass (3,988m / 13,084 ft)

As the highest motorable point in Bhutan, Chele La Pass reaches an impressive 3,988 meters. The road winds steeply upward through pine and rhododendron forests from Paro, making the altitude change dramatic. It offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas and serves as a gateway between Paro and Haa Valley.

Enjoy the stunning views from Chele La Pass, the highest mountain pass in Paro.

Kyichu Lhakhang (2,300m / 7,546 ft)

Kyichu Lhakhang rests on gently rising terrain just outside Paro at 2,300 meters. Surrounded by fields and hills, its slight elevation adds to the serene and spiritual ambiance. It’s easily accessible and suitable for a calm, low-altitude visit.

4 Days Paro Sightseeing Tour

Tour Route: Paro - Thimphu (1N) - Paro (2N)

Paro Airport at 2,235m: One of the Hardest Airports to Land at

Paro Airport is Bhutan’s only international airport and one of the hardest airports to land at in the world. It’s at an elevation of 2,235 meters and sits in a deep, narrow valley. Some of the surrounding mountains are over 5,000 meters, making it a challenging approach for planes. The narrow path to the airport requires sharp turns between mountains. There is no radar-guided landing system, and only a small number of specially trained pilots are certified to land there.

Flights to Paro Airport are limited. Only six countries have direct international flights to Bhutan, including flights from India, Nepal, Thailand, UAE, and Bangladesh. The most frequent flights are from Delhi, Kolkata, Bangkok, and Kathmandu. Nepal is a great choice for arriving in Paro. The flight from Kathmandu is only 1h 15m, and you can use the opportunity to visit two Himalayan countries.

Paro International Airport

Tiger’s Nest at 3,120m: Bhutan’s Iconic Cliffside Monastery

Tiger’s Nest Monastery is one of the most iconic sites in all of Bhutan. It is a sacred Buddhist Monastery built on a cliff face at 3,120 meters. There are stunning views of the valley below on the hike up the site. You can also explore the chapels and caves full of ancient Buddhist relics and take in the spiritual atmosphere.

The trail to Tiger’s Nest Monastery starts at the base of the mountain, covering about 6 kilometers in total. It takes around 2-3 hours one way to hike up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The path winds uphill through lush forests, and there’s a midpoint café where you can stop to rest and enjoy the view.

Please wear comfortable footwear and pace yourself on the climb. After the midway point, the route gets steeper. It’s worth the effort, though, for the truly unique views.

4 Days Glimpse of Bhutan Tour

Tour Route: Paro - Thimphu - Paro

Chele La Pass at 3,980m: The Highest Point in Paro

Chele La Pass is not only the highest point in Paro, it’s also the highest motorable point in Bhutan, sitting at an elevation of 3.980 meters. It’s around 35 km from Paro Town, and connects Paro with the remote Haa Valley that is a further 27 km away.

Driving over Chele La Pass is an incredible experience. You can see panoramic views of the snow-covered Himalayas, including the 7,926-meter-high Mount Jomolhari and Mount Jitchu Drake at over 6,600 meters.

The pass is decorated with colorful prayer flags and beautiful alpine flowers. There are scenes of cascading waterfalls and grazing yaks, making it an incredible starting point for scenic day hikes along the nearby ridgelines.

Make sure to dress in layers when visiting the pass. Temperatures can vary a lot throughout the day, and layers will help you adapt.

Ascend slowly after spending time acclimatizing in Paro. You’ll find some of the clearest skies for incredible views in the morning.

Panoramic views of the snow-covered Himalayas from Chele La Pass

Will I get altitude sickness when visiting Paro, Bhutan?

Altitude sickness is a mild concern when visiting Paro that is manageable with the right knowledge and tips.

Paro Town itself is at an elevation of 2,200 m, before the usual threshold for altitude sickness at 2,500 meters. As long as you’re there, you should be fine, but when exploring higher locations like Tiger’s Nest Monastery or Chele La Pass, watch out for common symptoms.

The most common symptoms of altitude sickness are headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. If you start to experience any of these symptoms, inform your guide immediately. They will advise you on what to do, or help you to descend to a safe altitude.

To help prevent altitude sickness, ascend slowly to any high areas. Make sure to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol, and spend some time in Paro town acclimatizing before visiting the highest spots.

7 Days Paro Tour to Haa Valley

Tour Route: Paro – Thimphu (2N) – Punakha (1N) – Paro (1N) – Haa Valley – Paro (2N)

Conclusion

Paro’s dramatic terrain is an incredible introduction to the beauty of Bhutan. From the rich culture of Paro town, to the high-altitude Tiger’s Nest Monastery and Chele La Pass, traveling around Paro involves a lot of ascending and descending through the stunning mountainous terrain.

With our specially designed Bhutan tours, you will enjoy a safe and worry-free journey starting from Paro to see the dramatic and unique landscapes of this Himalayan Kingdom.