Chele La Pass at over 13,000 ft to the west above the Paro Valley is the highest road pass in the country and has amazing views of the Himalaya especially that of Mt. Jhomolari, Bhutan’s most sacred peak at over 22,000 feet.
Chele La Pass is a one and a half hour drive from the valley floor in Paro. Apart from the beautiful view, the pass is also a hot spot for flora & fauna.
With its virtually untouched forests and ancient trails, it is an ideal location for Himalayan hiking.
The mountain slopes are covered in fields of white poppy (endemic to Haa and not found anywhere else in the world), dense forests of fir trees and several varieties of ferns. You also get to enjoy the beauty of pristine lakes thriving with rainbow trout.
Standing sentinel at the south entrance of the valley are the two temples – Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). Legend has it that the Tibetan King Songsten Gempo released a white and a black pigeon so that wherever they landed would stand the respective temples. These two are among the 108 temples built by the King.
An added attraction is the Haa Summer Festival which showcases the unique culture and traditions of the nomadic Haaps.