Places to visit in Haa
A high, quiet valley over Chele La from Paro, opened to visitors only in 2002.
8 places in this guide
About Haa
Haa lies over Chele La from Paro, close to the border with Tibet. The valley was opened to visitors only in 2002, and it remains one of the quietest parts of western Bhutan, with alpine scenery, old temples and village farmhouses.
It makes a rewarding day trip from Paro, or a peaceful overnight stay.
- RegionWestern Bhutan
- Known forAlpine scenery, the White and Black temples, quiet villages
- Combine withParo, Thimphu
Temples and heritage
Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple)
Lhakhang Karpo, the White Temple, stands at the foot of three hills in the Haa Valley known locally as the Meri Puensum, the “three brother hills”, regarded as abodes of protective deities. Local tradition holds that it was founded in the 7th century, in the time of the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, and it is one of the two sister temples that give the valley much of its spiritual identity.
The temple was enlarged and restored over the centuries and today houses a community of monks, and it is the focus of the annual Haa Tshechu. According to legend, a white pigeon and a black pigeon were released to choose the sites of the two temples, which explains their names. Visiting with your guide, you can see the main shrine and learn the stories that connect the temple to the valley’s sacred landscape.
Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple)
Lhakhang Nagpo, the Black Temple, is the companion to Lhakhang Karpo and lies a short distance north of it in the Haa Valley. Like its sister temple, it is linked by legend to the 7th century and to the network of temples associated with Songtsen Gampo, built to subdue a demoness believed to lie across the Himalaya.
According to local tradition, the black pigeon released to choose a temple site landed here, giving the temple its name. It is a smaller and quieter site than the White Temple, and its interior holds old statues and religious objects. Visiting both temples on the same day gives a good sense of the valley’s history and of how closely religion and landscape are intertwined in Haa. Your guide will explain the legends and the protective deities honoured here.
Haa Dzong (Wangchuk Lo Dzong)
The dzong in Haa town, known as Wangchuk Lo Dzong, is one of the newer dzongs in Bhutan, built in the early 20th century. It serves as the administrative centre for the district and also hosts a monastic community, as dzongs traditionally do.
Haa lies close to the border with Tibet, and there is a significant military presence in the valley, including an Indian military training team, so the area around the dzong has a particular character. Access to the interior can be limited, so ask your guide whether it is open on the day of your visit. Even from outside, the dzong is an attractive example of traditional architecture set against the alpine scenery of the valley, and it is close to the town’s small shops and the Haa Chhu.
Juneydrak Hermitage
Juneydrak is a small hermitage built into a cliff above the Haa Valley, a site associated with Buddhist meditation practice. The original website describes it as a meditation retreat linked to Guru Rinpoche, with caves and a sacred spring, reached by a challenging walk.
Local accounts also connect the site to Machig Labdron, the 11th-century Tibetan yogini, whose footprint is said to be preserved here. The climb is steep and takes around an hour or more depending on the route, but the setting is atmospheric and the views over the valley are excellent. The hermitage is quiet and rarely visited, which adds to its sense of peace. Good walking shoes are essential, and we recommend confirming the route and access with your guide before setting out.
Outdoor activities
Rafting on the Haa Chhu
The Haa Chhu flows through the length of the valley, past villages, fields and forest. The original website describes guided rafting trips on the river, with class II to III rapids, suitable for families and beginners as well as more adventurous travellers.
Rafting in Haa is much less established than on the rivers of Punakha, and availability depends on water levels, the season and whether a licensed operator is running trips in the valley. We are confirming current options before recommending it. If river activities are important to you, the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu near Punakha offer well-established rafting, and Haa can be enjoyed instead for its walks, temples and quiet villages. Ask us when you enquire, and we will tell you what is realistic for your dates.
High-altitude fishing
Haa’s clear rivers and streams are home to brown trout and snow trout, and the original website suggests April to October as a good period for fishing in the valley, when the weather is comfortable for spending time outdoors.
As everywhere in Bhutan, fishing requires a permit arranged in advance, and it is not allowed on certain religious days or in protected areas. Catch-and-release is encouraged. With a local guide you can fish quieter stretches of the Haa Chhu and its tributaries, surrounded by forest and alpine meadows. Fishing in Haa suits travellers who want a peaceful outdoor day, and it combines well with an overnight stay in the valley, which also allows time to visit the White and Black temples at a relaxed pace.
Wildlife watching in Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve
Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve protects forests in the Haa district along the border region, and is one of the country’s network of protected areas. Its mixed and coniferous forests provide habitat for species such as the red panda, Himalayan black bear and blood pheasant, along with many other birds.
Because it is a strict nature reserve, access is limited and controlled, so organised wildlife watching takes place mainly on trails and roads in the surrounding forest rather than deep within the reserve. Sightings of shy mammals such as the red panda are never guaranteed, but the forests around Haa and Chele La are rewarding for birdwatching, especially in spring. Bring binoculars, walk quietly with your guide and allow time in the early morning when wildlife is most active.
Alpine trekking
Haa is surrounded by high ridges and alpine pastures, and the original website describes moderate to challenging trekking routes that link remote villages and sacred sites, with views of the Himalaya and encounters with herders who graze yaks and cattle on the high meadows.
Routes in the region include walks from Chele La along the ridges above the valley and longer camping treks into the hills. Trekking in Bhutan must be organised through a licensed operator with a guide, and multi-day routes are fully supported with camping crew. Spring and autumn generally bring the most stable weather. If you would like to trek in Haa, tell us your experience and the time you have available, and we will suggest a route that fits your fitness and the season.
Visiting Haa
None of our published itineraries include Haa yet, but we can build it into a private journey. Ask us to include Haa in your trip.
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