Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
སྤ་གྲོ་སྟག་ཚང་
A monastery perched on a cliff 900 metres above the Paro Valley, the meditation site where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have flown in on a tigress. The 4–5 hour round-trip hike is the highlight of a Bhutan trip.
Taktsang Palphug Monastery, known as the Tiger's Nest, is built on a granite cliff on the north side of the Paro Valley, at an altitude of about 3,120 metres and roughly 900 metres above the valley floor. Legend says that in the 8th century Guru Padmasambhava flew there on a tigress, a manifestation of his consort, and meditated in the cave for three years, three months and three days, subduing local demons. A temple was built around the cave in 1692, and after a fire in 1998 it was rebuilt by 2005. The hike starts at the car park at about 2,600 metres. First comes a roughly 1.5-hour walk along a dirt path through pine forest to a teahouse halfway up, which has toilets and refreshments and offers a panoramic view of the monastery. Then it takes about 45 minutes to reach a viewpoint level with the monastery. Finally, you descend more than 300 steps, cross a waterfall gorge, and climb again to the monastery gate. The full round trip takes about 4–5 hours and involves roughly 500 metres of ascent. The path is in good condition, but altitude sickness is possible. Horses can be rented to ride up to the teahouse for about 1,000 ngultrum. Inside are several halls, and the centre is Guru Padmasambhava's meditation cave and the wrathful image of Guru Rinpoche. Visitors must leave cameras, phones and bags at the cloakroom, photography is forbidden, and shoes must be removed. The tour is led by a guide and lasts about 45 minutes. Admission is 1,000 ngultrum (about CNY 90), and the guide will buy the ticket for you. It is best to set off before 07:30 to avoid tour groups and the midday sun. Wear hiking boots, bring trekking poles (available for rent at the car park), water and sunscreen. The car park is about 12 km from Paro town, a 20-minute drive. After the hike, you can relax in a traditional hot stone bath in Paro. Note: the trail is crowded in the peak seasons of April and October. The monastery stops admitting visitors after 16:00 each day. Bhutan requires visitors to be accompanied by a licensed guide, so you cannot climb alone.
Opening hours
08:00–13:00 and 14:00–17:00 (no entry to temple after 16:00)
Nearby sights
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Paro Rinpung Dzong
- National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong)
- Chele La Pass
- Haa Valley (Lhakhang Karpo & Nagpo)
- Tachog Lhakhang & Iron Bridge
- Motithang Takin Preserve