Tiger Nest Hiking Tour

Taktshang Monastery also known as Tiger Nest is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. Go on a Tiger Nest Hiking Tour to see the most famous highlight of Bhutan.

A temple complex was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave where Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) is said to have meditated for Four Months in the 8th century. Padmasambhava is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and is the tutelary deity of the country. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen Taktsang or “tiger lair” caves in which he meditated.

It is also said that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’.

The monastery is located 10 kilometres to the north of Paro and hangs on a precarious cliff at 3,120 metres, about 900 metres above the Paro valley, on the right side of the Paro Chu (river or water). The rock slopes are very steep (almost vertical) and the monastery buildings are built into the rock face.

The glistering lights, golden dome and idols make its interior even more amazing. A large statue of a tiger is located in the hall of a thousand Buddhas, which is carved out of a rock. The buildings are interconnected and the stairs are carved out of the rocks, and there are windows in every building which gives a glorious view.

This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. The hike to the monastery makes a splendid half-day excursion.

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