How to Reach Paro Taktsang in Bhutan

Ever wondered how to reach Paro Taktsang? Well, if you are among those globetrotters who are smitten by the enchanting beauty of ‘Taktsang Palphug Monastery’ or the ‘Tiger’s Nest’ in Bhutan, you should first find answers to reach the scenic Paro Valley in Bhutan! Once you reach the valley of Paro, you can make your way to the pious Paro Taktsang and usher spirituality and incite life into your Bhutan trip.

Before finding answers to how to reach Paro Taktsang, let’s find out how you can step into the picturesque Paro Valley by air, train, and road. To note here, visitors must make their way to this scenic valley to reach the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan.

How to Reach Paro by Air

If you are wondering about how to reach Paro by air, you must know that reaching this Bhutanese valley by air is revered as the most convenient one! As the valley has the sole international airport; the Paro International Airport, visitors can fly directly or via connecting flights to this valley.

As most of the direct flights to Paro International Airport takes off from different airports in India, visitors can reach out to all these Indian destinations to reach Paro by air. The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Bodhgaya Airport in Gaya, Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri (West Bengal), and Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati (Assam) are some of the major airports that has flights to Paro.

Almost all these airports have flights operated by Bhutan’s official air carriers: Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines. Though most of these flights are direct, visitors can also book connecting flights that flies via Kathmandu in Nepal and reach Paro by air from their desired city or airport in India.

In case, you are an international tourist or an Indian traveller who is currently not in the country, you can still take direct flights to Paro International Airport in Bhutan. You can book direct flights to Paro from international destinations like Singapore, Bangkok in Thailand, Dhaka in Bangladesh, and Kathmandu in Nepal to book Druk Air flights to reach Paro.

How to Reach Paro by Train

Since Bhutan has no railway connectivity within the country or with any other international destinations, visitors cannot reach Paro directly by train. For the visitors who are concerned about how to reach Paro by train, they can board trains to either West Bengal or Assam in India.

For those longing for a train ride to West Bengal, they can enjoy their train journey till Kolkata, New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri Town, New Alipurduar or Hasimara railway stations. Upon reaching any of these railway stations, visitors should hit the roads to reach a town called ‘Jaigaon’ in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal.

As Jaigaon shares its boundaries with the Bhutanese town of Phuentsholing, visitors can get easy access; after acquiring a Bhutanese Visa, to the Land of Thunder Dragons via Phuentsholing. Here onwards, they can embark on another leg of their road journey through the Phuentsholing-Thimphu Highway, and drive another 143km (approx.) (almost 4 hours’ drive) to reach Paro Valley.

Visitors, who wishes to take a train journey to the Indian state of Assam, they can either deboard the train at Bongaigaon Railway Junction or at Guwahati Railway Station. From Bongaigaon, they can make their entry to Bhutan through Gelephu entry point, which is around 50km (1 hours’ drive) away from Bongaigaon. From this point, visitors should drive through the Wangdue-Tsirang Highway to reach Paro Valley; the distance is around 250km (8 hours’ drive).

For those wondering about how to reach Paro from Guwahati, they can step into the Last Himalayan Kingdom through Samdrup Jongkhar entry point which is around 150km (3 hours’ drive) away from Guwahati. From Samdrup Jongkhar, visitors can follow the NH-27 to reach Paro Valley by covering around 459km (10 hours’ drive).

How to Reach Paro by Road

How to reach Paro by road is one of the most frequently asked questions by the enthusiasts of Bhutan. To find the answer to this question, visitors should first drive from their respective cities to Kolkata; the City of Joy, in West Bengal as it is the nearest Indian metropolitan city to Bhutan.

Upon reaching Kolkata, visitors should take a drive to the town called ‘Jaigaon’ in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal that shares its boundaries with Bhutanese town of Phuentsholing. Upon arrival in Jaigaon, visitors can get their Bhutanese Visa and make their entry into the Bhutanese land through Phuentsholing, and follow the Phuentsholing-Thimphu Highway to reach the gorgeous Paro Valley, which is located around 143km (4 hours’ drive) away from Phuentsholing.

How to Reach Paro Taktsang from Paro Valley

Paro Taktsang – the 8th century Buddhist marvel reaches an elevation of 3,120m (almost 900m above the Paro Valley). Hanging over a breath-taking cliff, this pious monastery is around 16km (or 10 miles) away from Paro and can only be reached on foot.

Visitors planning to discover the grandeurs of Paro Taktsang should take a 20-30 minutes’ drive from the town to reach the hiking base to Tiger’s Nest. Starting from the base, visitors should embark on an uphill trek of 6.5km (4 miles) to reach the premises of the much-sought after and equally pious Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The trail is known to be of mediocre level, and is filled with colourful prayer flags; the sight itself is such a soothing one! During the last leg of this ascending trek, visitors need to climb 700 stairs to reach the final destination.

While on the trek, visitors can take a break at Taktsang Cafeteria, which is located almost at the midway of the trek. In addition to munching on a light meal, visitors can also get freshened up as the cafeteria has washroom facilities as well.

Key Points to Remember While Trekking to Paro Taktsang:

A minimum fitness level is required to complete the trek to Paro Taktsang

Mules and horses are also available at the base camp

Cameras are not allowed inside the Paro Taktsang

Backpacks and shoes are also not allowed inside the monastery

October-December is known to be the most ideal time to visit Tiger’s Nest Monastery

If possible, carry enough water and snacks while on this trek