The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as the Taktshang Goemba , is one of Bhutan’s most recognisable locations. It is the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, miraculously perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900 metres above the floor of the Paro valley. So, if you are contemplating a trip to Bhutan, keep reading to learn more about hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
WHAT IS TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY?
Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and the temple complex is located near Paro, in Bhutan. It was built in 1692, around the cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours, to clear the area of demons. It is Guru Rinpoche who is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. It is thought that Guru Rinpoche was carried from Tibet to this location on the back of a tigress, thus giving it the name “Tiger’s Nest Monastery.”
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery still functions as a monastery today, despite the large number of daily visitors.
GETTING TO TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY
Paro is located 10 miles south of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, about 20 minutes by car. Paro is therefore the perfect base for visiting the monastery. We stayed at Khangkhu Resort in Paro, overlooking the airport. Rooms are spacious and well equipped and offer great views of Paro town and the dzong.
HIKING TO TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY
The hike to Tiger’s Nest is 4 miles and is estimated to take between five and seven hours for the entire visit. It is an uphill trek to the monastery, gaining just over 500 metres in height. Most people with a reasonable level of fitness should be able to make this hike, just give yourselves plenty of time.
Visiting Tiger’s Nest Monastery takes a full day. The hike which takes the same route up and down takes between four to five hours, as well as an additional hour to visit the monastery. Therefore, a total of five to six hours.
STARTING OUT…
Hiking to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery starts at the base of the mountain, in the car park. Here you can hire a horse to take you halfway up the mountain or rent hiking poles if needed.
The trail to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a wide, rocky dirt trail, very muddy in parts.
After about an hour there is a cafeteria which serves tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits, and offers good views of Tiger’s Nest Monastery perched high above.
GREAT VIEWS OF TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY
From the cafeteria about forty five minutes to one hour of hiking gets you to a viewpoint at 3140 metres overlooking Tiger’s Nest Monastery, offering truly spectacular views. This is where many people snap that iconic photo of the monastery perched on the cliff face.
From this vantage point you have to descend down hundreds of steps to a waterfall before climbing back up yet more steps to the monastery entrance.
You must leave all bags, phones and cameras at the entrance before proceeding into the monastery complex. Shoes must be removed before entering the various chapels. They are perfectly safe left outside.
COMING DOWN
Coming down is much easier and quicker, taking between one and two hours. It can be very slippery, particularly after rain, and many people had trekking poles or walking sticks.
On the day we hiked to Tiger’s Nest it was very cloudy on the way up but luckily coming back down from the monastery the clouds parted and we had some great views. The clouds seem to move very quickly so it is worth waiting at the various viewpoints for the clouds to clear if you want a good photo.
HIKING TO TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY WITH KIDS
The whole hike including visiting the monastery, rest stops, photo stops and a brief stop both ways at the cafeteria for a welcome cup of tea and biscuits took us six hours. It is a tough uphill hike but perfectly doable with children from about aged seven. In fact, Flynn our youngest, who was 8 at the time of the hike, ran and jumped most of the way up and down! The trek is an uphill climb, but it is a gradual ascent so most kids from this age should manage it without too much trouble. This hike is not suitable for prams or buggies, although small children could be carried in a child-carrier.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HIKING TO TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY
When to visit the Tiger’s Nest Monastery? October to December is the best time to visit Bhutan and Tiger’s Nest, when the weather is at its best with clear skies and good visibility (hopefully!). During winter the skies remain clear but it can be very cold. April and May can be another good time to visit as visibility is often good. Summer time can be very wet with cloudy skies.
How long do you need for this hike? The hike to Tiger’s Nest is 4 miles and is estimated to take between five and seven hours for the entire visit.
Best time to start the hike? Starting in the morning about 8am means that you beat some of the crowds, which makes for a more enjoyable experience.
Who can do this hike? Anyone of average fitness can complete this hike. It is an uphill climb but perfectly do-able if you take your time. Some people take the horses to the mid-point for views of Tiger’s Nest and then come back down without actually going to the monastery.
What to take on the hike? Hiking shoes or boots (particularly when it is wet), plenty of water and some snacks (bribery for kids!). Hiking poles might be advisable for the way down as it was very slippery on the day we were there.
Is food and drink available? You can buy lunch or snacks at the mid-point cafeteria on both the way up and down.
DO YOU WANT TO EXPLORE MORE OF BHUTAN? KEEP READING:
ONE WEEK BHUTAN ITINERARY WITH CHILDREN
BHUTAN:LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON
BEST FAMILY HIKES AROUND THE WORLD
Hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a must on any visit to Bhutan.
12 Comments.
That looks fabulous and very hard work!
Thank you.
Would be amazing to hike to this monastery! I can only imagine how awesome it was!! #FarawayFiles
What a gorgeous hike! Have a fabulous time in Thailand!
Wow, now that is a beautiful place. I don’t think I’ve heard of this one before, but I might have to add to my list of places to visit! Great post.
That look so beautiful and what an adventure. #FarawayFiles
What an incredible experience! How lucky you all were to be in Bhutan. Love the photo you got of the monastery. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Wow, your youngest son seemed to have hiked up to the monastery fairly easy! My sister has been to Bhutan – she did the hike halfway and then took the horse ride up to the monastery. Do you have to be fit for the complete hike, and when is the best time to go to Bhutan? #farawayfiles
Hi. Flynn is nine going on twelve! All the boys are fit and play a lot of sport, as well as the hiking. You do need a level of fitness to do the Tiger’s Nest Monastery hike. You can take horses half way but there is still a fair way to go from the mid-point and lots of steps to/from the monastery. Best time to visit Bhutan is October to December – this is the time to go to get spectacular views of the mountains as the air is clear and fresh with sunny skies. March to April is another good time to visit.
What an incredible experience to share together. I’m sure it will be an adventure you talk about for years to come. What a shame one of you had to miss out! Thanks for joining #farawayfiles
Wow! I’m so impressed with your kids. What a magical experience and worth that strenuous hike! Thank you so much for sharing with #FarawayFiles – this was our first community post about Bhutan and a beautiful one. We’d love to see where else you take us! Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
Hi Erin. Loved Bhutan, it was probably my favourite country on our round the world trip. Small but beautiful. Thank you for sharing.