Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) - the Landmark of Bhutan

Taktsang is located on a sheer cliff at 3,120 meters, 10km to the north of Paro. Mostly, tourists travel from Paro Town to Taksang Monastery. Paro can be reached by nonstop international flights from Nepal, India, Thailand, Bangladesh and Singapore. With short driving and 1~2 hours’ trekking, you will reach the monastery.

Flights to Paro

Paro Airport, the solo international airport in Bhutan, is well-connected with Kathmandu (1 hour), Kolkata (1 hour), New Delhi (2.5 hours), Guwahati (55 minutes), Siliguri (30 minutes), Bangkok (3 hours), Singapore (5 hours) and some other cities in India in peak seasons. Most popular gateway cities are Kathmandu and Kolkata which both offer about 11 weekly flights to Paro. Read more>

Paro Town to Taktsang Monastery

It needs to drive about 12km (25 minutes) from Paro Town to the parking lot of Taktsang Monastery, which is just at the foot of the hill. Then you have to take a trek about to get to monastery. It is also available to take a horse to the tea house called cafeteria firstly, and then trek to monastery.

Taktsang Location Map

In the legend, Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flaw the site of Taktsang on the back of a tigeress from from Khenpajong, Tibet to subjugate a demoness, so Taktsang is also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery or Tiger’s Nest for simple. After that, he had mediated in the cave for three months and subdued the Eight Categories of Evil Spirits and converted Paro Valley to Buddhism. Then, Guru Rinpoche returned to Tibet and transmitted his teaching to his disciples. In 1692 (Three year, three weeks, three days and three hours after Guru Rinpoche’s mediation there), the complex of Taktsang Monastery, dedicated to Guru Rinpoche, was constructed by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye who is believed to be the reincarnation of Padmasambhava. Because of its Buddhist significance, it becomes one of the venerated places of pilgrimage in the Himalayan Kingdoms.

Statue of Guru Rinpoche

Before you reaching Tiger’ Nest Monastery, you will be impressed by its marvelous appearance in distant. Every traveler may wonder how it can be constructed on such a steep cliff but nobody can give an answer. The monastery enjoys a thick fragrance of the burning incense and the crowded inside temples are shared by lots of praying devotees. Once you walk into the walls of Tiger’s Nest Monastery, you can see dozens of small halls, alters and caves to explore.

You will firstly pass by the underneath images of the Rigsum Goem. In the right, you can find a relic stone which is said to be able to test the form of karmic. Next, what you can’t miss is Dubkhang in which honored Guru Rinpoche mediated. Out of the cave stands a gold statue of Guru Rinpoche on a tiger. There are exquisite murals of eight embodiments of Guru Rinpoche. There is another cave in Dubkhang but it was always closed.

Continuing your visit from Dubkhang, you will get to Guru Sungjem Lhakhang where the statue of one embodiment of Guru Rinpoche. You can also enjoy the murals o the wall. On the left side of Guru Sungjem Lhakhang is another Lhakhang dedicated to Dorje Phomo. The murals on the wall tell her story. The inside hall houses Langchen Pelye Tsengay, one disciple of Guru Rinpoche, who mediated there in 9th century. Behind the Lhakhang, you can see a sacred spring.

Besides, it is worthwhile to visit Guru Tsengye Lhakhang, which is enshrined with the image of the founder of Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Gyelse Tenzin Rabgay.

Top Bhutan Tours involving the highlights of Taktsang Monastery

☞ 5 Days Bhutan Classic Tour

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Great View of Taktsang Monastery in Suny Day

Magical Taktsang Monastery in Early Morning

Trekking is a must if you want to savor the beauty of Taktsang Monastery in a close distance. For those people who have good energy and sound body, it takes about 2 ~ 3 hours to reach Taktsang Monastery from the parking lot. The road is well constructed and maintained. The trekking distance is about 4 kilometers in total. If you have difficulty in full trekking, you can choose to ride a horse for the first hour, but remember to ask your guide to book the horse before your tour.The experience of trekking to Taktsang Monastery is a challenging and fulfilling trip but it is really well-rewarded with the splendid landscape.

Starting from the park, the trail is wide and mud, but not overly steep. The scenery along the trail is tranquil and picturesque, and you can take a deep breath of the fresh air. Before long, you will pass through a waterfall which drops 200 feet into a sacred pool, some prayer wheels operated by waterpower, and thousands of prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Climbing higher, you will also witness many chotens (small temples) with prayer wheels. Trekking or ridding about 1 ~ 2 hours, you will get to the halfway rest stop - Cafeteria where the horses can have some water and travelers can admire a perfect view of Taktsang Monastery. Cafeteria offers some traditional Bhutanese food and snacks as well as some hot drinks like coffee, tea and milk. Many tourists have lunch there in their journey downhill from Taktsang Monastery.

After the teahouse, you will go on with your trekking the viewpoint where you can overlook Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Many travelers shot an iconic photo there. Then, you will walk down about some steps to a bridge which is covered with colored prayer flags. Next, make a bit strenuous but incredibly rewarding climb to the entrance of the monastery.

☞ 9 Days Taktsang Monastery Druk Path Trekking with Best Bhutan Highlights

Taktsang Trekking Map

Trekking Trail to Taktsang Monastery