The Tiger’s Nest Monastery hike is one of the best things to do in Bhutan, and probably one of the most amazing day hikes in the world.
This photogenic Buddhist monastery, also known as Paro Taktsang, clings to the side of a steep cliff that’s 900 meters tall, or almost 3,000 feet! It hardly looks real.
The Tiger’s Nest hike is not too difficult for most people of average fitness, and it’s located fairly close to the main airport in Bhutan. However, because of Bhutan’s unusual tourist tax, this awesome little country is still off the radar for most international tourists.
This travel guide will explain how to do the Tiger’s Nest hike in Bhutan, what to expect in terms of difficulty, and everything else you need to know before you go!
How To Get To The Tiger’s Nest Monastery In Bhutan
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is located about 15 kilometers from Paro town and the Paro International Airport in western Bhutan, so it’s relatively accessible.
The paved parking lot is only a 30 minute drive from Paro. The road to the trailhead can be a bit narrow and winding at times, but it’s not a steep or dangerous drive at all. Your tour guide in Bhutan can arrange transportation for you to the start of the trail.
The monastery itself is located on a steep cliff above the Paro valley, so the only way to get there is by hiking. There’s no cable car, and you can’t drive to the top either. No matter who you are, a hike is required!
Tiger’s Nest Monastery Hike: What To Expect
• Starting The Hike
The hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery starts out in a dense forest of pine trees. You get your first view of the monastery almost right away, although it’s distant and it looks very small at the top of the mountain.
Early on, you’ll pass some little Bhutanese stupas with prayer wheels inside, and a small stream and waterfall. The hiking path can be a bit rocky and muddy in places, and there are occasionally tree roots to step over. Even though the trail starts in the shade, much of it later on will be in the sun.
This is a very famous hike, so the main trail can be busy with people and also horses, which hikers may rent to help carry them partway up the mountain. This means you have to dodge horse poo along the trail.
You should give the horses plenty of space when they pass, because you don’t want to be kicked. Thankfully, the horses have bells, so you can always hear them coming.
A good local tour guide can also show you side routes with more shade and less people. There are lots of lesser used side trails on this hike because of the monastery’s long history as a Buddhist meditation site.
