Haa
Western Bhutan

Haa

The valley over the highest pass, opened to travellers only in 2002 and still barely visited.

Altitude 2,670 m Best season April to October Worth 1 to 2 nights Getting there Two hours from Paro over Chele La

Haa opened to travellers only in 2002, and it still receives fewer visitors in a year than Paro sees in a week.

The valley is narrow, pine dark and quietly devout — its two central temples, the white Lhakhang Karpo and the black Lhakhang Nagpo, predate most of the kingdom’s dzongs. There are no large hotels and no plans for any. You stay in farmhouses and small lodges, eat what the valley grows, and walk.

For travellers who want the Bhutan of thirty years ago with the comforts of a good bed, this is the detour that repays most.

While You Are Here

Things worth your time

  1. 01 Cross Chele La The road from Paro climbs to 3,988 metres — walk the ridge among the prayer flags before dropping into the valley.
  2. 02 Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo The white temple and the black temple, seventh century twins at the valley's heart.
  3. 03 Walk the Haa valley floor Village to village on farm paths — barley fields, yak herders' winter houses, and almost nobody else.
  4. 04 A homestay evening Haa does hospitality the old way: the family hearth, butter tea, and a bed above the animals' floor, now with rather better mattresses.

The Haa Summer Festival in July celebrates yak herding culture with songs, wrestling and mountain food. See festival dates

Fold Haa into your journey.

Tell us when you would like to come and what matters to you. Our team in Thimphu will shape the route around it.

Plan your private journey