Journey of a Lifetime to Bhutan’s Tiger’s Nest Monastery | Visitbhutan.com

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Tiger's Nest or Taktsang Goemba is one of the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger's Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.

The hike to the monastery can be divided into three stages. The first stage is the trek to the cafeteria which is situated on a rocky outcrop across a ravine from the monastery. This leg of the trek takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending upon one's level of fitness. Horses (really only small ponies) are available for this stretch. At the cafeteria, travellers can stop for tea, coffee or lunch whilst pondering the journey ahead and looking at the monastery towards the opposite side. The 2nd stage of the walk is from the cafeteria to the lookout opposite the monastery. This leg takes close to one hour. At this point, some may be content to snap photos and then return to the cafeteria. The 3rd stage is the trek/climb down the 475 steps in the cliff face to the bottom of the ravine which crosses over a stream and waterfall before the path again ascends another 300 odd steps to the entrance of the monastery. Once here travellers should be able to enter into the monastery and view the cave where Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal meditated (cameras are not allowed inside the monastery). The visit and climb to the entrance and back to the lookout will take approximately one hour.

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 1 pm & 2 pm – 6 pm