Tiger's Nest Monastery or Paro Taktsang in Bhutan is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. Taktsang translates to “tigress' lair” and gets its name from the legend. It is a sacred Vajrayana Buddhist site precariously perched atop a cliff in the upper Paro valley. It is said that the cliff is 900 meters off of the ground. History has it that Padmasambhava flew to this location on the back of a tigress and meditated there and hence the name. Another popular legend of the monastery is associated with the story of Tenzin Rabgye. It is believed that Padmasambhava had reincarnated in the form of Tenzin Rabgye. This monastery now has been the most iconic landmark of Bhutan, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Your visit to Bhutan is incomplete without exploring this remarkable monastery.
Tiger's Nest Monastery built in 1692, is located 10 km north of Paro town. A journey or, say, hike to the monastery is an experience in itself. It offers a unique travel experience to every traveling soul. In order to reach the site, one must trek for around 3 hours through beautiful pine forests. The paths are well-maintained. As you ascend, embrace the scenic landscape. As you reach the top, the sense of achievement will thrill you. Step inside to revel in blissful ambiance. Join a tour led by one of the monks of the monastery and gain a great deal of insights into the history of the monastery.
If you are looking for a solo trip or family trip in Bhutan, Tiger Nest is definitely the perfect destination for anyone. Anyone, be it a child or your grandparent, can do this trek. Although the trail seems a bit scary, it is doable. In fact, there is no single record of injuries during the worship time. But for those, who find it difficult to make it to the monastery, a horse ride service is available. One need not be an experienced trekker for this journey. If you are physically fit, you can do the trek easily. Now, you might be wondering how to get there?
To get to the monastery, you need to fly to Bhutan (obviously). Head to Paro parking lot, which is just about an hour's ride from Paro. Start your hike up to the monastery. Please be informed that no vehicles can go beyond the parking lot. Make sure to visit the monastery in spring or autumn. Be mindful of the Do's and Dont's before entering the monastery; like you are not allowed to take phones, cameras, or weapons; you cannot eat inside the monastery, and you are not allowed to touch the murals or paintings.
