Tiger Nest Monastery

Trip Overview

Bhutan is the most attractive and cultural Kingdom. Even the country itself is small but very rich in natural and historical monuments. Tiger Nest monastery is the most iconic attraction Monastery on the cliff side and also is known as Taktshang Gomba. Tiger Nest Monastery is one of the most sacred religious monastery of Bhutan positioned about 15km north and lies on the high rocky hill 900m above the Paro Valley in Drukgyel Dzong. October, November, and December are the best time to travel here. Throughout these months the weather remains clear and cool.

This Tiger Nest monastery was built in 1649 to defend the nation from the attack of Tibetans. The magnetism point Tiger Nest monastery hangs on a cliff and stands above a gorgeous forest of blue pine and rhododendrons that offer a stunning view of the valley. It takes about 2 hrs to walk from the parking area that passes all the way through coniferous forest, up to a vertical path to the viewpoint. There are few an admirable viewpoint before reaching Tiger nest monastery, from where we can take a great picture on the surroundings of Tiger nest monastery.

According to Bhutanese legend, In the 8th Century AD  guru Rimpoche flew to Taktsang on the back of a pregnant tigress. They were the manifestation of the guru’s disciple, Yeshe Tsogyal. In the Senge Samdup Cave, he meditated for three months, three days, and three hours. Before emerging in 8 different incarnations guru Rimpoche meditated for this duration in the Cave. A statue of Dorje Droloe guards the doorway to the cave. Over the centuries, well-known Tibetan saints came to meditate at Tiger’s Nest Monastery. A few of them include Milarepa, Thangton Gyalpo (Bhutan’s Iron Bridge Builder), and the Terton Pema Lingpa.

Construction of Taktsang monastery starts in the 1630s. During the 1644- 1646 war with Tibet, Shabdrung prayed to Guru Rimpoche for victory. Upon victory, he wanted to build a temple to tribute the Guru at Taktsang. But, in 1692 he was able to do. During the Paro Tsechu of that year, Shabdrung laid the establishment for building the ‘Temple of the Guru with Eight Names'. Unfortunately, in 1998 a fire completely burned the monastery down. In 2005, the Fourth King of Bhutan commissioned the rebuilt of this tiger nest monastery & temple complex. The cost of construction is more than USD$2m.

Adventure trek in Nepal operates package tour for Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. Adventure trek in Nepal believes that our motto is to satisfy everyone in all aspects. Here, during Tiger Nest Monastery tour you’ll learn all about the 17th-century monastery and Bhutanese culture.