
🌎 Bhutan 🇧🇹
⭐
📍 Chele La
✈️ Paro International Airport (PBH)
🚗 37.1 KM
⏱️ 1 hour, 15 minutes
Chele La Pass, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan at nearly 4,000 meters, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas and the valleys of Paro and Haa. Access is primarily by private vehicle or taxi from Paro or Haa, as public transport is not available. Most foreign tourists (excluding Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian nationals) visit as part of a guided tour package, which is generally mandatory in Bhutan, while regional tourists can arrange solo transport but a driver is highly recommended. The pass can be inaccessible or hazardous during heavy winter snowfall (December-February) due to road closures, but is generally best visited in spring (March-May) for rhododendron blooms or autumn (September-November) for clear skies. For non-regional tourists, the cost is included in the daily sustainable development fee; regional tourists might pay approximately 2000-4000 BTN for a round-trip taxi from Paro. A typical visit lasts 30-90 minutes at the pass itself, following a 1.5-2 hour drive each way, with options for longer hikes like to Kila Gompa Nunnery. Visitors should be prepared for high altitude, strong winds, and rapid weather changes, and dress in warm layers.