Hiking to Tiger's Nest Monastery: An Unbeatable Experience in Bhutan

Hiking to Tiger's Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Taktsang, is one of the most amazing experiences in Bhutan and perhaps one of the most breathtaking day hikes in the world.

This picturesque Buddhist monastery sits perched on a steep cliff edge at a height of 900 meters (about 3,000 feet)! It looks almost unreal.

The hike to Tiger's Nest is not difficult for most people with average physical fitness, and it is also quite close to Bhutan's main airport. However, due to Bhutan's unusual tourism taxes, this beautiful small country has remained off the radar for most international tourists.

This travel guide will explain how to hike to Tiger's Nest in Bhutan, the level of difficulty, and everything you need to know before departure!

How to Get to Tiger's Nest Monastery in Bhutan

Tiger's Nest Monastery is located in western Bhutan, about 15 kilometers from Paro Town and Paro International Airport, making it relatively accessible.

The paved parking lot is just a 30-minute drive from Paro. The road to the trailhead can be narrow and winding at times, but it is not steep or dangerous. A Bhutanese guide can arrange transportation for you to the trailhead.

The monastery itself is located on a steep cliff above the Paro Valley, so the only way to get there is by foot. There are no cable cars, and you cannot drive up. Hiking is a must for everyone!

What to Expect on the Tiger's Nest Hike

• Starting the Hike
The hike to Tiger's Nest begins in a dense pine forest. Although the distance is quite far, and the monastery looks very small from the top of the hill, you can see it almost immediately.

At the beginning, you will pass some small Bhutanese chortens (religious structures) with prayer wheels inside, as well as a stream and waterfall. The hiking path can be rocky and muddy in some places, and occasionally you will need to step over tree roots. Although the trail starts under the shade of trees, much of the route will be in the sun.

This is a very famous hiking route, so the main trail is crowded with people and horses. Hikers can rent horses to transport them halfway up the mountain. This means you will have to dodge horse manure on the way.

When horses pass, you should give them plenty of space, as you don't want to be kicked. Fortunately, the horses have bells, so you can always hear them coming.

An excellent local guide can also take you on shaded, less crowded side trails. Due to the monastery's long history as a Buddhist meditation site, there are many off-the-beaten-path trails on this hike.

• Views from Taktsang Cafeteria
About halfway to Tiger's Nest Monastery, you will reach a beautiful little mountain café called "Taktsang Cafeteria."

This is a great place to stop and rest, with views of the monastery from below. The monastery still looks far away, and there is still much climbing to do, but your destination is clearly getting closer.

If you have a phone or camera lens with zoom capabilities, you can already take some good photos of the monastery. Additionally, you can purchase food, drinks, or souvenirs at the café, and there are free bathrooms.

After leaving the café, continue climbing along the trail to see more beautiful views of the monastery. Along the way, you may see magpies and grey langurs (including babies)!

As you progress, the path becomes less steep until it finally flattens out as you approach the monastery.

• Tiger's Nest Viewpoint
After about 2 hours (or more) of hiking, you will finally arrive at the famous Tiger's Nest viewpoint! This is where all the stunning photos are taken, showcasing the building perched on the edge of a huge cliff.

The monastery is very photogenic, and any phone or camera can take great photos. You don't need special zoom lenses or anything like that to capture beautiful photos.

The view is breathtaking, and I felt like I could stay there for hours admiring the scenery. The cliff is enormous, with a drop of over 900 meters (3,000 feet)!

It's hard to believe that someone could build such an amazing structure on a cliff, especially when the monastery was first established in 1692. I really think this is one of my favorite things I've ever seen in the world.

The viewpoint has several levels, so there is plenty of space to spread out and take photos. Crowds usually gather at the first viewpoint, but if you continue down and closer to the monastery, you can get better photos.

• Tiger's Nest Falls and Bridge
From the main viewpoint, to reach Tiger's Nest Monastery and enter inside, you must descend a series of concrete steps and then climb up more steps, with a metal railing to grab onto at any time.

At the base of the mountain, you will cross a pedestrian bridge over a stream and then pass by a very impressive waterfall with a significant drop. If measured from the base of the mountain, it seems to be hundreds of meters high!

I never knew that Tiger's Nest had a waterfall, so it was a delightful surprise to see it.

• Inside Tiger's Nest Monastery
Now that you have arrived at Tiger's Nest Monastery, it's time to go inside. You cannot bring any bags, cameras, or phones inside, but it is still worth it to enter.

There are spacious lockers at the entrance of the monastery where you can store your camera equipment. My entire 30-liter backpack fit perfectly into a locker with room to spare. I was a bit worried about leaving expensive gear here, but it was fine.

Inside the monastery, there are many interesting rooms and corridors, with sacred caves, temples, and small courtyards. Inside the temples, the walls are adorned with colorful paintings, and Buddhist monks chant, pray, and burn incense.

• View from Above Tiger's Nest
If you have the time and energy after visiting Tiger's Nest, you can hike to a higher mountain opposite.

From the famous viewpoint, there is a less-traveled hiking trail that leads to several other interesting Bhutanese temples, offering a panoramic view of the valley and Paro Taktsang.

Most tourists are unaware of this bypass route, so you can enjoy the scenery in solitude, and it gives you a unique perspective of Tiger's Nest from above.

How Difficult is the Hike?
The difficulty of the hike to Tiger's Nest depends on your age, fitness level, and whether you are acclimated to high altitudes before departure. If you are a young and physically fit hiker, reaching Tiger's Nest will be relatively easy for you.

However, for most people, I would say the hike is moderately difficult. For older individuals who do not hike often, it is definitely a challenge, but it can still be done if you take your time. I have heard of people aged 3 to 85 completing the hike, although not without difficulty.

There are quite a few uphill sections, the terrain is rugged, and the altitude is relatively high, reaching 3,100 meters (10,170 feet), adding an extra layer of challenge for those of us who live at sea level. After my first visit to Paro Taktsang, I had a headache, but it went away after rest and taking ibuprofen.

If you think the hike might be tough for you, I recommend leaving it for the latter part of your Bhutan trip so you can better acclimate to the altitude. Additionally, Tiger's Nest is undoubtedly one of the best attractions in Bhutan and a perfect conclusion to your trip!

If you want to make things easier, you can also pay to rent a walking stick or a horse at the trailhead. However, horses can only take you to Taktsang Cafeteria, which is about halfway to the monastery. You will still have to be able to walk the rest of the way. If you are disabled or in a wheelchair, you will not be able to hike.

How Long Does the Hike Take?
The round-trip hike to Tiger's Nest can take 4 to 8 hours, depending on your fitness level. I would say that 5 hours round-trip is average for most people, not including time for photos and visiting the monastery.

Without breaks, it took me about 45 minutes to reach Taktsang Cafeteria and another 45 minutes to reach the main viewpoint. Finally, it took me another 15 minutes to hike from the viewpoint to the monastery and enter.

That means I reached the monastery in less than 2 hours, which is unusually fast. Most people will take longer, and that's okay. It's not a race. I was just eager to see Tiger's Nest and take photos!

Regardless, even if you are a fast hiker, you will need to spend an entire day visiting Tiger's Nest, as you will want to spend plenty of time admiring the scenery, taking photos, and visiting the inside of the monastery.