Trek to the Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan
After a challenging trek along steep mountain trails, you finally see it: Taktsang Monastery, the ‘Tiger’s Nest’.
A gleaming pearl clinging to the mountainside above Bhutan’s Paro Valley, this iconic landmark is guaranteed to leave you speechless. According to legend, the founder of Bhutanese Buddhism, Guru Rinpoche, arrived on the back of a flying tigress to meditate on the mountainside for three years, three months, three weeks and three days. Taktsang Monastery was built in the 1600s to mark this celebrated event, and has been a key pilgrimage destination ever since.
Trekking to the monastery is no mountain climb, but a fairly arduous journey all the same. There are several routes to consider, and for those happy to camp the night before, a chance to escape the main footfall coming up from Paro.
Whichever route you take, the clearings through the trees will offer enticing glimpses of Taktsang – a bright beacon against the gnarled rock, enrobed in wisps of cloud – and over the valley below.
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What to expect from a trek to the Tiger’s Nest:
- Avoid the footfall from Paro by camping overnight to enjoy alternative routes where the only sounds are birdsong and the flapping of prayer flags in the gentle breeze.
- Trek along varied pathways, including steep sections. You may need to take it slow and acclimatise to the altitude.
- Rest on conveniently placed benches and enjoy the views of Taktsang from a very welcome café along your route.
- Make a sharp descent through the forest before you begin the climb up the 400 steps that will deliver you to the doorstep of the monastery.
- Step inside the scared space and let flickering butter lamps, serene statues of Buddha and the monks’ soft chanting guide you through the labyrinth of passages, rooms and caves.
The long way up
“The climb was a challenge, but that first glimpse of Tiger's Nest made every step worth it! Reaching the monastery felt genuinely magical.”
What is the best way to trek to Taktshang?
If you wish to enjoy the hike away from the bustle of the visitors who head out each day from Paro, you can enjoy a quieter, more immersive experience using lesser-known routes accessible from rural campsites.
These include hiking up to Bumdra Monastery, the Cave of a Thousand Prayers, to overnight at a high-altitude meadow with stunning mountain views. In the morning you can bypass the crowded trails and descend through pine forests to arrive above the Tiger’s Nest for a dramatic final approach.
What will I experience inside the sanctuary?
Once inside, a different level of stillness takes over, and the world is left outside. Breathe in the heady scent of incense that fills the air before you explore the labyrinth of small rooms and meditation caves that open out from cool stone corridors. Embellished shrines, vibrant murals and golden Buddhas warmly lit by candles and butter lamps greet you around each corner.
Is Taktshang a working monastery?
Taktsang is very much a working monastery: you’ll see monks hurrying through the narrow halls or meditating in darkened rooms. You may even be blessed with holy water or invited to roll dice with the resident monks as a form of divination in Bhutan. Find a comfortable corner where you can sit peacefully, and you can listen to the gentle sound of the monks’ chanting to fully savour the atmosphere of this unique place.
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