Upper Paro Chhu

This upper section of the Paro Chhu is a fun section about and hour from town. You drive up the valley past the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong to a small village where you can walk down to the river.

The river is generally continuous Class III until a small gorge which can be easily portaged on the right. There are two rapids in the gorge that are Class IV+. Below the gorge there are nice continuous rapids to where the road from Drukyel Dzong meets the river. You can take out there or continue down an other 2.8 miles through another great class IV gorge.

Trip Highlights

Mile 0: You'll need to walk through some rice fields to make your way down to the river. Upstream is a nasty section of Class V+ rapids so be sure to put in below that section.

Mile .7: You'll go under a footbridge and the river bends to the right. There is a long Class IV rapid below here.

Mile 1.8: There is an easy take-out on the right here that you can use to portage or scout the gorge below.

Mile 2.2: Walking and driving bridges across the river signal the end of the first gorge. There is a great view upstream from the walking bridge.

Bridge Rapid on Paro Chhu

Mile 2.4: Take-out on the right by the hot stone baths where the road from Drukgyal Dzong is close to the river. You can also continue downstream for one more gorge filled with rapids.

Looking down the Upper Paro Chhu

Mile 3.5: This is the beginning of the second gorge. The entire gorge can be portaged or scouted on the right. This is one long rapid with some scouting access along the way.

Below the Second Gorge on Upper Paro Chhu

Mile 6.2: Take-out is on the left just under a motor bridge.