Tiger’s Nest Hike Guide: Paro Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan
Tiger’s Nest (Paro Taktsang) is Bhutan’s most famous monastery, built in 1692 on a cliff 900 metres above the Paro Valley. The hike is about 4 km each way to 3,120 metres and takes 5 to 6 hours return, including a visit inside. This guide covers everything you need to know: how hard it is, how long it takes, the entrance fee, what to wear, and the best time to go.
Tiger’s Nest at a glance
- Location: upper Paro Valley, about 20 minutes’ drive from Paro town
- Altitude: 3,120 m (10,240 ft) at the monastery
- Distance: about 4 km each way, 8 to 9 km return
- Time: 5 to 6 hours return, including the visit
- Difficulty: moderate; steady uphill, then about 700 steps at the end
- Entrance fee (2026): Nu 1,000 per adult, Nu 500 for ages 6 to 17
- Opening hours: roughly 8 am to 5 pm (4 pm in winter), closed around lunchtime
- Guide: a licensed Bhutanese guide is required to enter
The story of Tiger’s Nest
According to legend, Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century, flew to this cliff on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave here for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours. The cave is now inside the monastery and is one of the most sacred places in the Himalayas. The temple complex was built in 1692. After a fire in 1998, it was carefully rebuilt and reconsecrated in 2005.
The hike, step by step
1. Car park to the cafeteria (1 to 1.5 hours)
The trail starts at the car park at the foot of the mountain, where you can hire a walking stick. A wide dirt path climbs through blue pine forest, past prayer wheels turned by streams and lines of prayer flags. This is the steepest part of the walk. If you prefer, you can ride a horse up this section.
2. Cafeteria to the viewpoint (30 to 45 minutes)
The Taktsang Cafeteria, about halfway, is the only place to buy food and drink on the trail. It serves tea, coffee and a simple vegetarian buffet lunch, with your first clear view of the monastery. From here the trail continues to a viewpoint at roughly the same height as the monastery, directly across the gorge. This is where most of the famous photos are taken.
3. The steps to the monastery (20 to 30 minutes)
The final section goes down about 350 steps to a waterfall and a small bridge, then up about 350 steps to the monastery gate. Here you leave your bags, phone and camera with security and visit the temples with your guide, including the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated.
Is the Tiger’s Nest hike hard?
It is a moderate hike, not a technical one. Anyone in reasonable health can do it at a slow, steady pace, and we have walked it with guests in their seventies. The challenge is the altitude and the steady climb, so take breaks, drink water and don’t rush. We schedule Tiger’s Nest near the end of your trip, after a few days in Bhutan, so your body is used to the altitude.
Best time to hike Tiger’s Nest
- Season: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) bring the clearest skies. Winter mornings are cold but often crystal clear. The summer monsoon (June to August) can make the trail muddy, but the forest is green and quiet.
- Time of day: start between 7 and 8 am. You climb in the cool morning, avoid the crowds and reach the monastery before the lunch break.
- See our full guide to the best time to visit Bhutan.
What to wear and bring
- Comfortable walking shoes or light hiking boots with good grip
- Long trousers or a long skirt and a shirt with sleeves (shoulders and knees must be covered)
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket, as it is cooler at the top
- Water, sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
- Some cash in ngultrum (Nu) for the cafeteria, a horse or donations; cards are not accepted on the trail
Tiger’s Nest with Drukyul Holidays
Every one of our Paro tours includes the Tiger’s Nest hike with a licensed guide, transfers to the trailhead, the entrance fee and lunch. Many guests also stay at The Happiness Farm, our own organic farm stay in Paro Valley, 30 minutes from the trailhead, and end the day with a traditional Bhutanese herbal bath at The Happiness Farm. Popular trips include Glimpse of Bhutan (4 days), Discovering Western Bhutan (8 days) and the Druk Path Trek.
Frequently asked questions
Most people take 2 to 3 hours to walk up, about an hour inside the monastery, and 1.5 to 2 hours to walk down. Plan on 5 to 6 hours in total, including a tea or lunch stop at the cafeteria halfway.
It is a moderate hike of about 4 km each way on a dirt trail, climbing to 3,120 metres. Anyone in reasonable health can do it at a slow, steady pace. The last section has around 700 steps down and up again across a gorge to reach the monastery.
In 2026 the entrance fee for Taktsang is Nu 1,000 per adult and Nu 500 for children aged 6 to 17, for both international and regional visitors. On Drukyul Holidays tours the fee is included in your package.
Yes, horses can carry you from the car park to the cafeteria, about halfway. From there you must walk. Horses are not recommended for the way down, which is steep. Your guide can book a horse for you on the day.
Yes. International visitors must be accompanied by a licensed Bhutanese guide to enter Taktsang, and the guide explains the history and the shrines inside. All Drukyul Holidays tours include a licensed guide.
Wear good walking shoes and layers. To enter the monastery your shoulders and knees must be covered, so wear long trousers or a long skirt and a shirt with sleeves. You will remove your shoes and hat inside the temples.
No. Photography is not allowed inside the monastery, and phones, cameras and bags are left with security at the entrance. You can take as many photos as you like on the trail and from the viewpoint opposite the monastery.
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