Paro Taktshang, extra generally referred to as Tiger’s Nest, is the picture-perfect picture of Bhutan. Whereas the monastery is well the preferred factor to do in Bhutan and on each customer’s bucket listing, it doesn’t benefit from the prompt recognition of different well-known landmarks like Machu Picchu or the Eiffel Tower. It additionally isn’t as simply accessible as websites just like the Colosseum or the Pyramids, as reaching Tiger’s Nest requires a two-hour hike, but it surely’s properly price it and utterly doable for many.
Our day mountaineering to Tiger’s Nest was one in all our favorites out of our whole ten days in Bhutan. As soon as within the Monastery, you’ll higher perceive of Tiger’s Nest. However what are you able to count on out of this hike, how exhausting is it, and does it value something to enter? Let’s break all of it down!
all about tiger’s nest
In response to legend, Guru Rinpoche, or Guru Padmasambhava, is alleged to have reached Bhutan from Tibet by using on the again of a tigress (therefore the title Tiger’s Nest). He explored quite a few caves and cliffs, meditating to beat native demons. Nearly all of his time was devoted to the mountainside overlooking the Paro Valley, the place he blessed the world that ultimately developed into one in all Bhutan’s most sacred monasteries—Paro Taktsang, also called Tiger’s Nest.
Comprising 4 temples and residential shelters for monks, the monastery contains a distinctive design that gracefully rests on the mountainside. Picket bridges and stairs intricately carved into the mountain hyperlink the constructions, every boasting a balcony providing breathtaking views of the Paro Valley beneath. Positioned 3,000 ft above the valley and 10,000 ft above sea stage, a steep mountaineering path leads you proper to Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
How one can Get to tiger’s nest?
The trailhead to hike Tiger’s Nest is simply exterior of Paro, so it’s finest to remain in Paro the evening earlier than your huge trek. Although as most need to journey to Bhutan on an organized tour, it will all be organized upfront for you, and your information and driver will decide you up the morning of your trek.
From most resorts in Paro to the beginning of Tiger’s Nest, it would take 15-20 minutes. We stayed at Zhiwa Ling, one of many solely Bhutanese-owned 5-star properties, the evening earlier than our hike, and we liked that they crammed us up with a giant breakfast earlier than the hike. We might additionally see Tiger’s Nest from the resort!
All Concerning the Tiger’s Nest Hike
Stats on the hike fluctuate relying on which web site you take a look at, however that is precisely what my watch clocked in.
Elevation: 667 meter acquire
Distance: 8.39 km spherical journey
Highest Elevation: 3,120 meters (10,232 ft)
Our information urged beginning our hike early within the day, however we requested him to push it again till at the very least 8:30am understanding that Tiger’s Nest wouldn’t be within the solar till round midday. This meant we’d begin our hike with loads of different folks, one thing to contemplate in case you go for a later begin too.
On the trailhead, you’ll find distributors promoting mountaineering poles, souvenirs, and mules in case you want them to get you up (extra on that later).
The path is upward all the best way, but it surely’s a large and well-defined path – almost unattainable to get misplaced and there may be nothing harmful concerning the path. There are a couple of good stair sections on the path to make the climb simpler as properly. There may be not a lot for views till you acquire a little bit of elevation.
Across the 40-minute mark (we’re quick hikers), we reached a big prayer wheel, an space with loads of prayer flags, and a spot to drop the mule off in case you employed one. There’s additionally a flip off for Taktshang Cafeteria, a superb break level within the hike. We grabbed a espresso and tea and sat exterior searching to Tiger’s Nest whereas we waited for Dago, our information. Relying on health and skill, the cafeteria takes most hikers round 1 to 1.5 hours to achieve.
We sat on the cafeteria for round 40 minutes, soaking within the views and chatting with different vacationers earlier than persevering with on. After the cafeteria, there’s a large rocky part, which is likely to be tough for some vacationers, particularly if it’s raining, because the rocks would get very slick. The second half of the hike, after the cafeteria, is, on the whole, much less strenuous.
It took us 30 extra minutes of mountaineering to achieve the highly regarded picture spot overlooking Tiger’s Nest. That is the place you’ll discover teams of individuals taking an iconic picture with Tiger’s Nest within the background. At this level, Tiger’s Nest was nonetheless not within the daylight for us, so we determined to maintain mountaineering, understanding we’d take all our photographs on the best way again.
After the picture spot, you really need to descend fairly a couple of stairs. Watch your footing right here so that you don’t slip, although the steps are formed properly and have a guardrail to assist hikers. Descending these steep stairs marks a neater level within the hike as you’re now not climbing, hopefully catching some aid, however bear in mind you’ll need to hike up these stairs on the best way again!
When you attain the underside of the steps, you’ll attain a wonderful level and a bridge that crosses close to a waterfall, a tremendous and funky spot to calm down, particularly if it’s sizzling. You might be very near the Monastery by this level. You’ll then climb again up the steps to achieve the Monastery. As soon as exterior the monastery, there’s a small rest room and a storage space to go away your backpacks and electronics, as they don’t seem to be allowed inside.
Somebody will examine to make sure you haven’t any telephones or cameras on you, and your information will take you across the monastery, which takes about an hour. Once we visited, monks have been participating in prayer, because it was a Bhutanese vacation, which was very fascinating to see. You may also make choices, so convey some money (Bhutanese Ngultrum, Indian Rupiah, or USD most well-liked).
*If you’re a assured and agile hiker, you may ask your information to take you to a “hidden spot” the place a butter lamp is burning inside a cave. It requires a steep and considerably sketchy stroll to achieve, however our information stated he trusted that we might attain it. I don’t have photographs as none have been allowed, but it surely was a really fascinating and religious place to see. It appeared that solely the Bhutanese vacationers knew about it. Thanks Dago for exhibiting us!
When you exit the monastery, you’ll have fairly a couple of stairs to climb. At this level within the day, once we reached the picture viewpoint, not solely was Tiger’s Nest lastly within the solar, however there have been hardly every other vacationers round. I became my Kira and grabbed some photographs earlier than returning to the cafeteria for a scrumptious Bhutanese buffet lunch.
Altitude Illness in Bhutan
Bhutan is the best nation on earth, with a median of 8,000 ft above sea stage. Should you suppose you could be susceptible to altitude illness, seek the advice of along with your physician earlier than touring to Bhutan. Should you begin to really feel lightheaded when mountaineering, decelerate and take a number of breaks. Keep hydrated.
We didn’t have issues with altitude illness whereas touring Bhutan, however we have been additionally not within the excessive Himalayas and already stay at 1500 meters.
Do You Must Hike to See Tiger’s Nest?
Whilst you can see a really, very minuscule model of Tiger’s Nest from a couple of areas in Paro (with binoculars), you’ll have to hike as a way to see this well-known website. There aren’t any roads resulting in Tiger’s Nest and no helicopter touchdown pad. You’ll be able to solely attain it by climbing a steep path, but it surely’s greater than price it!
How Lengthy Does it Take to Hike Tiger’s Nest?
Spherical journey, it took us slightly below three hours of precise mountaineering to hike to Tiger’s Nest and again, however we’re very quick hikers. The entire expertise, with loads of photographs, a number of time for espresso on the tea home, time on the monastery, and again to the tea home for lunch, was a six-hour expertise.
Reaching the tea home took us 40 minutes, however I’d plan for at the very least an hour to go to the tea home and plan for at the very least two hours to achieve the precise monastery. You’ll need an hour or so contained in the monastery along with your information.
All in all, Tiger’s Nest is a full-day expertise in Bhutan. So we advocate that you just spend the morning mountaineering to Tiger’s Nest, after which after the hike, get pleasure from strolling round Paro, and ask your tour firm to rearrange a sizzling stone bathtub for you within the night!
Is Tiger’s Nest Hike Onerous?
Personally, we didn’t discover the hike to Tiger’s Nest exhausting, however remember that we stay within the Rockies and hike often at elevation. That being stated, we noticed all walks of life on the hike, together with many older folks. Anybody of cheap health and skill can full and luxuriate in this hike.
There are lots of stairs concerned to get to and from the monastery, although, so you probably have any knee points, you could wish to hike with mountaineering poles to take strain off the knees.
There are many locations to cease and benefit from the views, and the tea home supplies a superb place for a break!
There are mountaineering poles at first if you would like
Should you suppose you’ll need mountaineering poles for the trek, many mountaineering sticks can be found for a small value at first of the hike.
There are donkeys, however it’s best to not use them.
Should you can not make it to Tiger’s Nest, donkeys can be found for hire that can convey you a portion of the best way. These donkeys are finest reserved for aged or bodily disabled guests, because it’s an extended, steep trek for the donkeys, too. Our information, Dago, talked about he doesn’t advocate them as a result of he doesn’t prefer to see the donkeys endure.
How A lot Does it Value to Go to Tiger’s Nest?
There may be an entry charge for visiting the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, although in case you are booked with a tour firm, it’s unlikely you’ll have to fret about paying because it’s in all probability already included in your tour value, and you need to have a tour information with you to hike to Tiger’s Nest. The associated fee to hike Tiger’s Nest is 1000 Ngultrum, plus one other 1000 Ngultrum to enter the monastery.
Deliver money into the monastery For Choices
Though your tour operator could cowl your entry charge into the temple, you should still wish to plan on bringing some additional money. As soon as within the Monastery, if you want, there are many locations to make choices (not necessary). Choices may be something from simply 5 Ngultrum to $20+, actually something you need. Sadly, we didn’t convey any money on this hike, which was a giant mistake, so we couldn’t make any choices.
the tea home has respectable bogs and a spot to seize espresso with a view
As talked about, a pleasant cafeteria/tea home appears to be like out to Tiger’s Nest Temple about 300 meters up and 2km into your hike. Taktshang Cafeteria has good loos and low and tea on provide. There are some nice locations to take a seat exterior and look as much as Tiger’s Nest, the place you’ll quickly attain. We advocate taking a little bit of time right here to benefit from the views and have a espresso earlier than persevering with your hike to the monastery.
the tea home has a pleasant lunch!
This similar cafeteria additionally supplies lunch to hikers after they go to Tiger’s Nest. I used to be pleasantly stunned with their buffet lunch, which served scrumptious Bhutanese meals! Ask your information in case you’ll be consuming right here after your hike!
When is the most effective time to hike Tiger’s Nest?
Earlier than we speak about the most effective time to hike Tiger’s Nest, let’s chat about Bhutan on the whole. The optimum durations for a go to to Bhutan are usually thought to be both the spring months between March to Could or the autumn season spanning September to December. The local weather is mostly pleasant, with dry and gentle circumstances throughout these instances.
We deliberate our journey accordingly and arrived in Bhutan on October fifteenth and hiked to Tiger’s Nest on the finish of our journey on October twenty fifth and had essentially the most superb climate. Snug sufficient for mountaineering in a tank prime, with a sky stuffed with sunshine.
That is excessive season in Bhutan, and due to this there are many folks on the path. You may suppose that due to this you’ll wish to get an early begin on the day and begin your hike at dawn. We thought this too, till we learn that…
Tiger’s Nest doesn’t totally come into the solar till round 11-12
We discovered firsthand that that is true. So if you wish to get photographs of Tiger’s Nest within the sunshine, you could wish to begin your hike later within the day. We began our hike round 8:30 am and, with the tempo of our mountaineering, knew we’d hit Tiger’s Nest properly earlier than it was within the solar, so we ended up staying longer on the cafeteria, having espresso, and took most of our photographs after we visited the monastery.
If you’re interested by taking photographs and may begin your hike later within the day, it’s price it.
Deliver water and sunscreen
The hike as much as Tiger’s Nest just isn’t well-shaded, and also you’ll be uncovered to the solar whereas mountaineering. We advocate sunscreen, a hat, and sun shades. These are necessities for the hike.
It’s additionally advisable to convey loads of water in your hike. It’s fairly steep in sections, and with the altitude and warmth you’ll wish to keep properly hydrated. I usually pack 1.5-2L on most of my hikes as a result of I’m half camel.
You’ll be able to hire a Kira & Gho
The normal Bhutanese apparel is named the “kira” for ladies and the “gho” for males. These clothes maintain important cultural and social significance in Bhutan and are worn on formal events, throughout spiritual ceremonies, and even day by day apparel. You’ll see the kira and gho in all places the second you land in Bhutan because the Bhutanese put on their conventional garments day by day, preserving tradition alive in an more and more trendy world.
It’s widespread for foreigners to attempt the kira and gho and put on them for so long as they need. I requested our information Dago, if we might convey a kira and gho as much as Tiger’s Nest in order that Cameron and I might put on them for a couple of photographs, but it surely’s additionally doable to hire them on the cafeteria as properly!
You’ll Must cowl As much as enter the temple
Like all dzongs and monasteries in Bhutan, it’s vital to decorate modestly when coming into, and that is true for all who enter the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Deliver a shawl and one thing to cowl up the shoulders, legs, and chests earlier than coming into.
Even on our sunny and sizzling mid-October day, contained in the monastery, it was really fairly chilly, so that you’ll need a jacket anyway for this part.
No telephones or Cameras Are Allowed within the monastery
There’s no telephones or electronics allowed into the monastery, and there’s a strict checkpoint that can examine and be sure to don’t something on you. Earlier than coming into, there’s a small storage space to retailer your mountaineering backpack, cellphone, and different electronics.
Is it the Unique Construction?
Constructed in 1692, Paro Taktshang stands as a revered temple and monastery; nevertheless, the preliminary constructing was sadly destroyed by fireplace in 1998, apparently a typical incidence in Bhutanese temples due partially to the frequent use of Butter Lamps.
The current manifestation of the Tiger’s Nest stems from a restoration and reconstruction initiative costing 135 million ngultrums (roughly $2 million US), which concluded in 2004. Regardless of its development within the twenty first century, the monastery displays architectural and design parts paying homage to Eighth-century temples, and was constructed with out trendy equipment.
Is it price visiting Tiger’s Nest?
Sure, completely! Tiger’s Nest is a singular place, and in all 100 nations, I’ve by no means skilled something fairly prefer it. It’s properly price mountaineering to, and I’d say properly price even touring to Bhutan for! Though it wasn’t our purpose for touring to Bhutan, the pictures of Tiger’s Nest undoubtedly stirred our wanderlust and put Bhutan excessive on our dream journey bucket listing.
Nevertheless do not forget that Tiger’s Nest just isn’t the one sight to see in Bhutan, and we advocate having fun with at the very least an 8 day or extra tour within the nation. We spent ten days touring round Bhutan with Happiness Kingdom and may’t advocate them sufficient – ask for Dago as your information – he’s a gem!
We booked our journey to Bhutan with Happiness Kingdom Travels, who’ve supplied World Pursuit readers 5% off their journey to Bhutan. Point out us when soliciting for the low cost! Right here is the journey we booked, with a couple of changes for our private preferences (just like the Gangtey Valley!)