Tiger's Nest Hike and Day Tour

A trip to Bhutan is not complete without visiting the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, a striking Buddhist monastery that is precariously perched on a mountain clifftop.

Tiger's Nest is only accessible on foot via mountainous paths, or taking a mule halfway up the climb, which makes it a journey to remember. Anyone with average fitness can complete the Tiger’s Nest trek. Depending on one’s fitness, the trek up and down and the visit to the various temples can take anywhere from 3.5 hours up to 8 hours. The total distance to reach the temple is approximately 4.3 km with an elevation ascent of 650 metres.

From the starting point, up a steep climb until the 2 km mark is a cafeteria where you can take a break and enjoy a Bhutanese lunch. Travellers will then proceed another 2 km on a gentler slope to reach the second viewpoint. After which there will be concrete steps descending into a canyon, passing by a waterfall over a bridge, followed by the final ascending of 120 steps bringing one to the main entrance of Tiger’s Nest.

Walk past many colourful prayer flags along the way that Bhutanese had strung up for the wind to bring compassion and blessings to all sentient beings. Learn more about what each colour represents during the tour!

Visiting Tiger’s Nest is a holy pilgrimage for the locals. The Bhutanese will only visit Tiger’s Nest by foot to demonstrate their utmost sincerity for the pilgrimage. It is not uncommon for them to reach the temple in 45 minutes on foot and also hike with just their sandals! At times, you will see young adults carrying a baby on their back or even their aged parents up to the Tiger’s Nest for a special visit, such is the faith of the most devoted. Visitors are welcome to meditate in the quiet and peacefulness of the temples and experience the serene and enigmatic energy of this fabled shrine.