Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery: Everything You Need to Know for A Smooth Trek

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Taktsang Monastery, is not only the iconic landmark but also the very soul of Bhutan’s spiritual and natural beauty. As one of the most popular hiking trails in Bhutan, the hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a must for all trips to Bhutan.

Here, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. From the detailed trekking trails to insider advice, we’re here to help you experience seamless travel to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Where is Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro, Bhutan?

Located on the side of a cliff halfway up a mountain in Paro Dzongkhag, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a small collection of buildings perched on the Cliffside. It is more than 900 meters above the Paro Valley, at an altitude of 3,120 meters (10,240 ft.) above sea level.

In a direct line, the monastery lies around 8.43 kilometers to the northwest of the town of Paro. The driving distance is around 12 kilometers following the course of the Paro Chhu through Kyichu Village, Lamgong, and Satsam, finally crossing the river to head roughly northeast to reach the car park at the bottom of the mountain.

The drive should take no more than 20-30 minutes, and if you get up early, you can reach the car park and starting point of the monastery before the crowds of tourists arrive, usually at around 9:00am.

How to Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery?

There are two ways to get to the monastery from the parking lot at the bottom of the trail: by foot or by a combination of horse and hiking. The trail from the parking lot to the monastery itself is around 2.8 kilometers, and normally takes between 3 and 4 hours to trek, though for some, it is a whole day of climbing to get there as they enjoy the views from every point along the trail. And if you have the time to spare, this makes a great day out.

The trek can be broken down into two sections, with the café being the halfway point for most people to rest.

From the Start Point to the Viewing Café

The parking lot at the start of the hike is at an altitude of 2,598 meters, and the climb to the café, which sits halfway along the trail at 2,887 meters, is an ascent of just 289 meters.

The route from the parking lot to the café covers a distance of around 1.7 kilometers and can take between 1-2 hours to reach, depending on how fast or slow you are walking. The rise is gradual, not steep, and it is suitable for people of any age and level of tiness to attempt.

The trail up to the café is a wide dirt track that is suitable for several people to walk along side by side, though you may find a lot of horse manure along the first sections of the trail.

The first part of the hike follows the trail along the edge of a wide clearing, then heads into the forest, to trek under the shady canopy of the trees for a while. As the forest thins out as you get higher, you will find the trail less shaded by trees, but the prayer flags hanging over the trail more than makeup for this.

As you get close to the café viewpoint, the trail levels out a little, and prayer wheels can be found along the trail close to the café. From here, you get the first real great view of the monastery on the cliffside in the distance, on the next mountain along.

From the Viewing Cafe to the Monastery

The second half of the hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is often considered to be the easier section, though it does have a lot more stairs going up, some of which can be pretty steep. However, the trail is a little less monotonous from here on, with much better views and a variety of trail types, from dirt track and wide steps to steep climbs and steeper stairs.

The trail continues up to what is considered to be the best viewpoint for the monastery, where you actually overlook the Taktsang from the side of the hill opposite. This is the point where the world’s most iconic photos of the monastery are usually taken, and a popular point for amateur photographers to get their best shot of the whole monastery together.

From the viewpoint, which sits at an altitude of around 3,064 meters, 1.1 kilometers from the café, it is a short walk down a staircase carved into the rock of the cliff to the bridge that connects the two mountains. The bridge is covered in prayer flags, and crosses the gap between the two mountains past a beautiful waterfall, which drops around 200 feet into a sacred pool below.

Once across the bridge, it is a somewhat arduous climb up to the monastery. The final leg of the trek to the monastery from the bridge is up a steep flight of stairs, around 800 steps in total, which switches back and forth up the cliff face to the gates of this amazing goemba.

How Difficult is the Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery?

While the hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is all uphill, with only a short climb down from the viewpoint to the bridge, it is not a hard trek. Anyone with an average level of fitness can easily manage this trek.

Since it is only less than four kilometers in total, and you can go as slow as you like with plenty of rest stops, this is a trek that is suitable for people of any age and level of fitness, as long as they don’t have any physical disabilities.

Hiking poles are available for rent or to buy from the parking lot for those who have not brought their own, which can be useful in the steeper sections.

What to See at the Tiger’s Nest Monastery?

As one of the top places to visit in Bhutan, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery offers many to explore. The most stunning highlight of the trek to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is the views of the monastery from various points along the trail where you can get some of the best photos. Clinging like a limpet to the side of the cliff, this amazing monastery appears to defy gravity and the usual rules of construction, and has remained in place for hundreds of years.

Once you enter the monastery, you will be met with several small halls, caves, and altars which you can spend time with your guide exploring. As you enter, you pass under the beautiful images of the Rigsum Goem, and to your right, you can find the relic stone that is said to be able to test your own karmic destiny. As you pass through the next thing you will encounter is the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated, known as the Dubkhang, outside which stands a gold statue of the saint on a giant tiger. Exquisite murals of the Eight Embodiments of Padmasambhava also adorn the walls of the cave.

After the Dubkhang, you will reach the Guru Sungjem Lhakhang, which contains the gilded statue of Guru Rinpoche in the form of Pema Jungme, one of his different embodiments, and to the left of this Lhakhang, is the Lhakhang dedicated to Dorje Phagmo, which holds an image of the crown of the goddess in rock in a hole in the floor.

Other highlights include the chorten of Langchen Pelgye Sengye, a 9th-century disciple of Guru Rinpoche; the Drole Lhakhang, where the monks sell blessed lockets; and the Guru Tsengye Lhakhang, which features an image of the monastery's 17th-century founder, Gyelse Tenzin Rabgay.

When is the best time to hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery?

The best time of year to take on this beautiful trek to the most iconic monastery in Bhutan is from October to December, when the weather is dry and still warm enough to not get too cold or require too many warm clothes.

The weather in Paro is clear throughout the winter, though if you intend to trek from January to March, you may find some snow along the trail.

March to May is also a good time to trek, though in the early spring, it can still be quite cold, while by May it is starting to heat up a little.

From June to the end of September, Bhutan is in its monsoon season, and the rains can make the trek slippery and dangerous, so the summer months should really be avoided.

Dressing Tips for A Tiger’s Nest Monastery Hike

It is important to bring layers of light clothes so you can regulate your body temperature properly. Bring a warmer jacket as well if you are trekking in the winter months, so you can wear it once you stop hiking.

Good, solid hiking boots, with soles that have good grip and good ankle support are essential for this climb. The trail can be slippery at some points in some parts of the year, and trekking in rubber shoes is not really a good idea. And wear thick dork socks under your boots, as you will be walking on the cold stone floor of the monastery in them.

A hat is necessary to keep the cold and sun off your head, and sunglasses can be useful when it is bright. A scarf can also be handy to wear around your neck to cover your mouth and nose in the dry season. The dust on the trail gets kicked up by people and horses trekking along it, and can be irritating when it is busy.

More Travel Tips for Visiting Tiger’s Nest Monastery

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a sacred Buddhist monastery in Bhutan, so be respectful and avoid loud talking while visiting the monastery. You are not able to take photos inside the monastery, and you will need to leave your bags, phones, cameras, and anything else not clothes in the lockers at the entrance. You will also have to take off your shoes and hats before entering the temple itself.

You can rent a horse to take you up to just before the cafeteria halfway up the trail, but you'll need to hike the rest of the way to the monastery. For safety reasons, horses aren't allowed to carry people down, so you'll have to walk back down as well.

There are two more small monasteries past the Tiger’s Nest Monastery that can be reached by a short climb from the viewpoint. If you are interested in trekking higher beound the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, feel free to share your travel ideas with us. Our local travel experts will help you arrange the trip according to your requirements.

Conclusion

No Bhutan tours would really be complete without a trip to the most iconic monastery in this small isolated kingdom in the Himalayas. Not only is it one of the most beautiful monasteries in Bhutan, but it is also one of the most astounding, clinging to its cliffside ledge in defiance of gravity and the passing of time. One of the most scenic short treks in the world, this short 8km trek is well worth taking half a day to complete, but you can also take the full day and go higher to the other small temples above.

If you're planning a Paro Bhutan tour, with a visit to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, don't hesitate to contact us for more details and assistance in organizing a smooth and unforgettable journey.