A visit to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is one of the absolute highlights of any tour of Bhutan. Guru Ringpoche (Padmasambhava) landed there on the back of a flying tigress bringing Buddhism from Tibet to Bhutan. We suggest doing the walk as early as you can, as the sun can get quite intense. The walk up from Paro takes about two hours, and there is a halfway viewpoint where you can sit back and see the monastery up above you. The route takes you through the forest and contains several switch-backs.

There are a few benches along the way where you can have a sit-down and catch your breath. It’s best to take it nice and steady as you cover the 900-metre ascent. Continue up to the second viewpoint, where you get the best pictures. You then drop down on steps around the cliff edge and up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which is undoubtedly worth visiting. It is then just 45 minutes to walk back down. Those who want an even better experience continue going higher where you find different temples that most people don’t include. For instance, you can combine a walk along the ridgeline and down to Drukgyel Dzong, meaning you don’t have to walk down the same path you have just climbed.