Chele La Pass (Haa side)

Bhutan

At nearly four thousand metres, thousands of prayer flags roar in the wind, and on a clear morning the sacred peak of Jomolhari floats above a sea of ridgelines.

At around 3,988 metres, Chele La Pass is the highest motorable pass in Bhutan, linking the Paro and Haa valleys along a road that winds through fir and rhododendron forest. The saddle is draped in countless fluttering prayer flags, and on a clear day it opens to a breathtaking sweep of Himalayan peaks, including sacred Jomolhari, with both valleys falling away on either side. Cold, thin air and alpine wildflowers add to the sense of standing on the roof of the region. Among the most exhilarating things to do in Haa Valley and mountain passes in Bhutan, Chele La Pass Bhutan and Chele La Pass Haa reward every traveller who makes the climb. Plan your visit via the official Bhutan Tourism portal: bhutan.travel.

October to February for the clearest mountain views; spring brings alpine rhododendrons and wildflowers to the pass.

Arrive on a clear morning before cloud builds for the best chance of Jomolhari, wrap up warmly as the pass is cold and fiercely windy, take it slow at altitude, and consider a short Chele La Pass trek along the ridge to the prayer-flag viewpoints for even wider panoramas.

This attraction can be easily woven into BreakBag Holidays' customised Bhutan tour packages, pairing Chele La with the Haa valley, its twin temples and Paro.

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