Day Trip to Chelela Pass and Hike Kila Goenpa

At an elevation of 3,988 metres Chele La Pass is the highest road pass in Bhutan with fantastic views over the valleys below. This is a popular vantage point in the area and makes for an enjoyable day trip from Paro. To reach Chele La Pass you will drive through a beautifully forested area full of spruce and larch. During the right season this becomes a veritable botanical paradise full of wild roses, purple and yellow primulas and deep purple iris. The pass is marked by prayer flags and on a clear day you will be able to see across to Mt Jumolhari which is Bhutan's most sacred peaks.

To get more off the beaten track during the day you will also be able to hike to Kila Nunnery which is the oldest nunnery in Bhutan. There are two routes you can take. You can either start by hiking up 500 metres above the true starting point towards a sky burial spot and from here descend to the monastery through meadows and forests or alternatively head directly to the nunnery which clings to the cliff side much like Tiger's Nest. The entire hike should take between 2-4 hours.

We suggest that you depart early in the morning from your hotel at 8am and returning in the afternoon.