5 Photography Tips for Tiger's Nest Monastery to Make the Most of your Paro Taktsang Photo Tour

Located in the mountain kingdom of Bhutan, on the southern slopes of the mighty Himalayas, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is one of the most unique and unusual monasteries in the world. It sits perched precariously on a ledge more than 900 meters up the face of the cliff overlooking the Paro Valley. One of the most popular monasteries in the kingdom, the Tiger’s Nest is a must-see tourist attraction in the city of Paro, and thousands of tourists take the trek up to the monastery every year.

And with its high elevation above the valley, the trail up to the monastery is a great place for taking some great scenic photos. Not only can you get good close shots of the monastery, sitting on its ledge opposite you, but you can also get some great landscape and panoramic views out over the beautiful Paro Valley.

Useful Tips to Photograph Tiger’s Nest Monastery

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is one of the main highlights of a trip to Bhutan, and while it does take a short trek to get there, it is well worth the effort. And for anyone planning a trip to Bhutan with a plan to photograph the monastery, there are some things you should keep in mind when planning your shots.

Spring and Autumn are the Best Season for Tiger’s Nest Photography

There are times of the year when it is better to travel than others, and while the cost is greater in the peak months than in the low seasons, these are the best times for photographing the monastery. Summer and winter may be good times for cheaper travel to Bhutan, but if you are planning to take photos of this awesome example of ancient construction, then cold and rain are not the ideal conditions for it. And there are times in the low seasons when it is not possible to trek up to the monastery die to heavy rain or snow and ice.

Ideally, spring and autumn, from March to June and September to November, are the best times to take on the trek to photograph the Taktshang Monastery. In these seasons, while you can still get some days of detrimental weather, you can generally find the perfect opportunity to get great photos, with the right conditions.

Taktshang Monastery in Spring

While it can still be cold, this is actually an advantage, as the air is crisp and clear, while being bright enough to get good lighting for the perfect shots. Generally, the weather in spring and autumn is clear and bright, with little cloud and few dull days, as the sun shines brightly for most of these two peak seasons.

Midday and Afternoon are the Best Time for Photography in a Day

Lighting is a major concern when you are on a Bhutan photo tour. With the whole monastery facing almost due west, you need to be there at the right time of day for the best shots. In the mornings, the whole monastery is in shadow, as the sun rises on the other side of the mountain from the monastery. It is not until around 11am and later that the monastery become bathed in the beautiful Himalayan sunshine.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery in the Sunset

It can be a good thing to go up in the morning, though, to gauge the light and cloud cover, so heading up just before lunch will give you time to assess your lighting and aim for the best time to shoot. You can also get some great ethereal shots of the monastery in the mornings if there is still some late mist floating around. You can get some lunch in the cafeteria at the halfway point, and then continue up in the early to mid-afternoon, to get the best shots for the day. And with the sun behind you as you face the monastery in the late afternoon, you can get some great shots of the monastery bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun.

Choose an Ideal Shooting Position

All along the trail up from the bottom to the last climb to the peak of the cliff opposite the monastery, from where you climb down and cross the bridge, you can find amazing places from which to photograph the temple and the surroundings. And there are some “short-cut” trails that take you off the main trail to better vantage points that are less-used by the many tourists that make the climb. And later in the day is also an advantage as the crowds have already thinned out, and you will likely have the best vantage points to yourself.

Photography inside the Temple is Forbidden

As with all temples and monasteries in Bhutan, taking photos inside the monastery is strictly forbidden, and it is not advisable to try and sneak a camera in to take photos. You will fall foul of the law, and it could jeopardize your freedom. No bags or cameras are allowed in the monastery, and you will need to check your equipment into a locker.

Bring a small padlock of your own, as the lockers do not actually lock with a key. You will be searched on entry for recording devices and gadgets, which includes cameras, phones, tablets, etc. Instead of taking photos, spend some time soaking in the atmosphere of this stupendous feat of ancient architecture and the beauty of the temple itself.

Remember to Wear a Pair of Comfortable Hiking Shoes

Hiking boots are essential for this trip, as you will be trekking up the rough trail to the monastery. The hike generally takes around 3-4 hours, with a stop halfway for a cup of tea and a sandwich in the café area. If you are lugging heavy equipment with you, it may take you longer, and you will be glad of the grip you get from decent quality hiking boots along this often dusty trail. Some parts can also be a little steep, and you can slip easily in normal shoes or trainers.

Wear a pair hiking shoes to hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

How to Get to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

The route from Paro itself to the monastery is too far to walk, so for the first part of the trip up to the monastery, you will need to drive along the valley to the car park where the hiking starts. The drive up to the parking lot for the Taktshang Monastery is around 11.6 kilometers long, and takes around 20 minutes to reach.

From the parking lot, you then take the rest of the route on foot, hiking up the trail to the top, before climbing down some stone stairs to the bridge across the gully and up again on the trail that finally takes you right to the monastery. The trail is actually only around 3 kilometers, if you stick to the main trek, but it takes longer to climb in the higher altitude.

More to Expect on the Tiger’s Nest Monastery Photo Tour

Hiking Experience to Witness the Natural Beauty of Paro Valley

While the hike up to the monastery is intended to give you the best shots of the temple itself, it is also a great way to see more of the Paro Valley than you can from lower down. One of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan, you can get some great views of the Paro Valley from the trail to the Tiger’s Nest.

Bird's eye view of the natural beauty in Paro Valley

Bird Watching Opportunity along the Hiking Trail

The trail up to the monastery is mostly through woodlands and forests, which makes it a great chance for some on-hand bird watching while you hike. With more than 700 species of local birds that are permanently resident in Bhutan, you can find plenty to see as you hike up the trail. It is not just Tiger’s that build nests up here. You can find information on the local birds at the Birds Information Area, just after you depart from the parking lot.

Relaxing Cafe Time after the Hiking

Halfway (or thereabouts) up the trail to the monastery from the parking lot, lies the famous Taktshang Café. Sitting on the edge of the trial to the monastery, the café is a great place to stop for a break on the way up, or to stop for lunch before you make the final descent. So take the time to relax with a cup of freshly-brewed coffee or some sweet tea, and just enjoy the views.

Taktshang Café in the trail to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Conclusion

If you are planning to visit Bhutan for photography, then the Taktshang Monastery is one of the must-visit places in the kingdom. The climb up to the monastery can be a little tiring, but is well worth the effort for the amazing views you get and the opportunity for some extraordinary shots.