Chele La to Kila Gompa Half Day Hike - Bhutan

Though it was a short 1-hour drive up to Chela La Pass 3,988 m  Altitude from Paro. We had to stop at every bend, to photograph the floral fantasies, Primulas, Iris, and Spiraea japonica which were in full bloom. Our guide Tashi Tobgay incessantly began to describe the Goenpa, which was visible clinging from the cliff high in the valley.

The mist began to envelop the whole valley.No sooner did we reach the pass there was a sudden change in weather. The colorful prayer flags Goendhar also known as fortune flags, began to flutter and welcomed us. A Mourning cloak (Nymphallis antiopa ) appeared from nowhere and greeted us with its myriad colors. In no time, it disappeared into bushes.

Though we had the intention of heading to Haa Valley, we made a decision to do a short hike to Kila Gompa. located down the valley. Because of haze and clouds, we were not fortunate to get a glimpse of the Himalayan peaks Mt. Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. We walked behind the chorten and slowly began to descend the valley.

A vast valley lay before us, unveiling its beauty as we walked down. A  valley blazing with floral beauties lay before us !.

As we began to descend further to a higher elevation the vegetation slowly began to change to conifers such as spruce, juniper, hemlock, and silver fir, and finally. The vegetation was all open alpine meadows. with lichen, greenery all around, and fog. The hike underneath the canopy was a bit cool, greeted by pink, red rhododendron and thousands of wildflowers. The trail ran parallel to the cliff and the views were spellbinding!

We could walk on the trails a carpet  of wildflowers, smiling at us, the Fox glove, Asters, Marsh Orchids, Spiraea Japonica also Japanese Meadow sweet, Cornus dogwood, and Chinese hound tongue or Chinese forget me, not clover, Lopospermum, Wild Geranium, lily of the valley, and common dandelion

This is also a good place to look for the Himalayan blue poppy, the national flower of Bhutan. 

We were indeed lucky to hear the calls and encounter a few species of birds. The most common ones were monal pheasants, blood pheasants, spotted laughing thrushes, Blue Magpies, and white-throated redstarts. We were lucky enough to hear the cracking sound and sight Nutcracker, Grey warbler Finch, and Rufous sibia (Heterophasia Capistrata) and long tailed tit 

The scariest was listening to the stories from our Naturalist and Guide Tashi Tobgay about recent past bear attacks in the Haa Valley. We could see rocky outcrops and dark caves which are supposed to be the dwelling place of the bear family. Since it was the breeding season, every step was to be taken cautiously. We could even sight a few moths that were colorful namely Tiger Moth, Lymantriine Moth, Emerald Moth and Lanterfly

The trail is for those who have a keen interest in exploring the flora and fauna of the place. Though the hike downhill takes roughly 1 hour, it got extended to 3 hours, at leisure with these creatures.

After one and a half hours of hike, we could finally get a glimpse of Kila nunnery, hanging on the edge of a mountain cliff. It was a wonderful feeling being there, we could just see the cloud floating below our feet with blue sky in the backdrop.

The Kila Goenpa, nestled in a craggy patch on the mountainside precariously sits along a rock face. All the while we were of the impression that we were visiting the temple of Kila (Phurba) in connotation to the temple name. But ironically the primary deity here is Avalokitesvara (Chenreyzig).

And the name Kila meant  Ki - Peaceful; La: Mountain

The monastery was founded by Chogyel  Norbu in the 9th century and it is one of the oldest nunneries in Bhutan. Attached to the monastery with a golden dome, there were  several retreat houses.

Just a few years back the Kila Goenpa served as the school for Buddhist study but now they have moved the school to Paro town owing to the harsh winter and rainy monsoon. Now the monastery is set exclusively for Buddhist practitioner who wants to go on retreat. And currently, they are setting up more retreat houses as this place is conducive to meditation practice.  I could see only one nun with absolute silence around. The serene atmosphere subjugates all the negative energies within..Whatever it might be, it is rejuvenating for one sure!

Well, you can hike either way, as you wish. However, if you do not want to hike to Kila Goenpa then you can choose to drive 2 km off from the ghat road, onto a dirt road from the main highway, and visit the temple.