The hike to the Tiger’s Nest monastery is one of the best activities in Bhutan and probably one of the most awesome day hikes in the world.
This photogenic Buddhist monastery, also known as Paro Taktsang, clings to the side of a steep, 900-meter-high cliff that is almost 3,000 feet high! It hardly looks real.
Hiking in the tiger’s nest is not too difficult for most people of average fitness and is located quite close to the main airport of Bhutan. Due to Bhutan’s unusual tourist tax, this impressive little country is still off the radar for most international tourists.
How To Get To The Tiger’s Nest Monastery In Bhutan
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is located about 15 kilometers from the city of Paro and the Paro International Airport in western Bhutan and is therefore relatively accessible.
The paved parking lot is only a 30-minute drive from Paro. The road to the starting point can sometimes be a little narrow and winding, but it is not a steep or peril road at all. Your Bhutan tour guide can arrange your transportation to the starting point.
Hike To The Tiger’s Nest Monastery: What To Expect
The hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery begins in a dense pine forest. You will get your first view of the monastery almost immediately, although it is far away and seems very small on the mountain top.
At the beginning you will pass small Bhutanese stupas with prayer wheels as well as a small stream and waterfall. The trail can be a bit rocky and muddy in places, and sometimes there are tree roots to step over. Even if the path starts in the shade, a large part of it is after in the sun.
This is a very famous hike, so the main trail can be occupied by people and also horses, who can hire hikers to transport them halfway up the mountain. This means that you should avoid horse feces along the way.
You need to give the horses a lot of space when they come over, as they don’t want to receive kicks. Fortunately, horses have bells, so you can always hear them coming.
* View of the taktsang cafeteria
After walking about halfway to the tiger’s nest monastery, you will reach a cute little mountain café called taktsang Cafeteria.
It is a great place to stop and rest, and the café offers a beautiful view of the monastery from below. The monastery at this time seems to be still far away, and there is still a lot to climb, but your goal is noticeably approaching.
The monastery is already within reach of good photos if you have a phone or a camera lens with a little zoom. During this time, you can buy food, drinks or souvenirs at the café, and there are also free bathrooms.
