13. Haa

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The high altitude Haa valley lies south of the Paro valley. The staple crops of this large, fertile valley are wheat, potatoes, barley and millet. Yaks are herded in the upper reaches of the valley, and yak meat from Haa is considered a great delicacy by the townspeople of Thimphu. A day trip to Haa with picnic lunch by the river near new Haa Dzong is very pleasant in the warmer months of the year, when one can drive from Paro to Haa over the Chele-la pass (3,810m/12,573ft). On a clear day there is a superb view of Mts. Jhomolhari & Jichu Drake from the pass.