Independent day hike to Tiger’s Nest monastery in Paro, Bhutan
Legend has it that in the 8th century Indian guru Padmasambhava flew from Tibet on the back of a tigress to a cliff top near Paro, Bhutan. He later anointed this place to become a monastery. Hence the name Taktsang, meaning Tigress’s liar. Today, his body is said to be sealed and preserved in a chorten in the monastery.
Flying into Paro
Paro Taktsang, known as Tiger’s Nest, is perhaps Bhutan’s most iconic landmark. If you are flying into the country, you would have to enter through Paro, Bhutan’s only international airport. Paro airport is set in a deep Himalayan valley near the Paro river, and is often considered to have the most dangerous approach.
Hiking to Tiger’s Nest
A short distance from the city of Paro, the monastery is a perfect gateway from the city. Although the monastery is perched on a clifftop at more than 10,000 ft. and it looks hard to reach, it is easily accessible on a day hike, as well as via a mule track. With 15 kms roundtrip, it is the perfect length. My favorite kind of day trips – close to nature, and offering a window into the local culture.
This is an easy-moderate hike with some steep sections as you get closer to the monastery. Bhutan has built a unique tourism model, where most visitors to the country need to visit with a guide, and have everything be pre-arranged. Indian citizens are exempt from this, and I was able to organize an independent trip to the monastery and back.
Dotted with misfortunes
Parts of the monastery had to be rebuilt after fires ravaged the monastery a couple of times in the 1900s. Today, the monastery continues to be an active one, with practicing monks inhabiting the place and locals visiting on special occasions. With 8 caves and multiple living quarters, the monastery is a great foray into the Buddhist monk life.
Aside from the main monastery, the trail has multiple other temples on the trail – including a prayer wheel which is set in motion by a running stream, and a nunnery. You can easily visit all of this in a day and head back to Paro for the night – and public transportation is easily available.
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