Perhaps the most famous monument of Bhutan is the Paro Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest. Located on cliff at a height of ~10,000 ft., this temple complex is very sacred to the Bhutanese and was built in the 17thcentury. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche(Padmasambhava) arrived at the site on the back of a tigress, meditated in one of the caves in the complex, and assumed various forms to conquer demons.
The temple is located ~3,000 ft above Paro valley. From the base camp, it is probably about a 2000 ft climb, with a café located at almost half way. I took about 75 minutes to get to the café, another 60 minutes to the view point, and then ~30 minutes to the temple. On the way back, ~45 minutes to the Café and another 45 minutes to the base camp. Overall, about 4.5 hours of trek, excluding the time at the temple, view point and Café. Horses are available upto the Café.
The café serves tea, coffee, water, juices besides buffet lunch.
The path has gradual to marginally steep slopes all the way to the view point. The short cuts are steeper so it is better to take the main path. Thereafter, from the view point, one has to climb down a number of steps before climbing up the steps to the temple. All through, one get’s a great view of Tiger’s Nest as well as Paro valley.
At the temple, I had to wait for about 35 minutes to get a locker. Better to wait near a locker and as soon as someone comes in to open the locker, request for the key before it is handed back to the office desk. Most oblige and this was suggested to me by the office desk after I had waited patiently outside like a good tourist for 25 minutes! Remember, bags, mobile phones, water bottles and cameras are not allowed inside. Do watch the dress code as well.
The ticket to the temple costs Nu/INR 500 per person and must be purchased at the base camp. There is no ticket counter at the top. I guess this again does not apply to those who pay a per diem rate. Those holding tickets are allowed to enter in batches of 8-12 persons, accompanied by a local guide.
The temple itself is awesome and worth a visit. Fair bit of ups and downs, with the buildings being connected through steps cut from the rocks. At the end is the Tiger’s Nest located in a very narrow cave. Presumably, this is where the tigress mentioned in the legend lived. There is a photograph placed here but it was too dark to make out anything. It took ~1 hour to complete the temple visit. If you are fond of quietness, you can sit and meditate in one of the halls.
