Tiger's Nest Bhutan: Hike, Height and Tours

Tiger's Nest (Paro Taktsang) is a Buddhist monastery built into a cliff at 3,120 m, about 900 m above the Paro valley in western Bhutan. The hike from the car park at about 2,600 m is 6.4 to 8.5 km round trip with 540 m of climb, and takes 4 to 5 hours on foot. Entry costs Nu 1,000 per adult, and a licensed guide goes with you.

Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the cliff on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and meditated in a cave there, which gives the monastery its name. The temple was built in 1692 and restored after a fire in 1998.

Tiger's Nest Hike: Distance and Time

The Tiger's Nest hike is 6.4 to 8.5 km there and back, with 540 m of climb, and takes 4 to 5 hours on foot. Add up to an hour inside the temples and a stop at the cafeteria, and the hike fills most of a day.

Our itineraries give the hike its own day. On the Paro Tshechu Festival Tour it runs from 07:00 to 15:00, with 8.5 km and 5 hours on foot and lunch at the cafeteria.

How High Is Tiger's Nest?

Tiger's Nest stands at 3,120 m (10,240 ft), about 900 m above the floor of the Paro valley. The trail starts at about 2,600 m, so the walk climbs 540 m. It is the highest point on our five cultural Bhutan tours, a little above Dochula pass (3,100 m) on the road from Thimphu to Punakha.

Paro Taktsang from the trail, with the cliff rising behind the temples.

How Hard Is the Tiger's Nest Hike?

The Tiger's Nest hike is moderate: a steady 540 m climb on a dirt path and stone steps, at altitude, with no technical sections. Most reasonably fit travellers manage it with breaks, and no trekking experience is needed.

• The first half climbs steadily through forest. The path is dusty in the dry months and muddy after rain.
• The last section is stone steps, down to the waterfall below the monastery and back up to the gate.
• The altitude makes you breathe harder on the steps than you would at home. Walk slowly and stop often.
• The descent is hard on the knees. Walking poles and shoes with grip help.

Can You Ride a Pony to Tiger's Nest?

Yes, as far as the cafeteria, about halfway up. Ponies carry riders from the car park at extra cost, and your guide books one the day before. Above the cafeteria the path is too steep for ponies, so everyone walks the rest of the way to the monastery.

Tiger's Nest Entry Fee and Rules

The Tiger's Nest entry fee is Nu 1,000 per adult and Nu 500 for children aged 6 to 17, as reported by Bhutan Broadcasting Service in May 2026. Children aged five and under go free. The fee is included in all six of our Bhutan tours, which cover all sightseeing entrance fees. It is separate from the Sustainable Development Fee, set out on Bhutan Tourist Fee.

Best Time to Hike Tiger's Nest

The Tiger's Nest hike is open all year, and the dry months from October to April are the most comfortable. October and November bring the clearest views of the monastery. March and April bring rhododendrons in the forest and the Paro Tshechu, expected from 18 to 22 March 2027.

• June to September is the monsoon. The path is muddy, the monastery is often in cloud, and there are fewer people on the trail.
• December to February has dry, sunny days, but frost can make the steps slippery in the morning.
• Start early to climb in the cool of the morning and ahead of the busiest hours on the steps.

Month by month weather for Paro is on Best Time to Visit Bhutan.

Bhutan Tours That Include Tiger's Nest

All six of our Bhutan tours include the Tiger's Nest hike, with the guide and the entry fee in the price. Prices are per person, from the group rates on each tour page.

• Shortest: the 4 Days Bhutan Tour, with one night in Thimphu and two in Paro.
• Paro, Thimphu and Punakha: the 6 and 7 day tours add Dochula and Punakha Dzong.
• Festival: the Paro Tshechu Festival Tour is built around the March 2027 festival.
• Trek: the Druk Path Trek hikes to Tiger's Nest on day 2, before the walk from Paro to Thimphu.

All of them, with itineraries and what is included, are on Bhutan Tour Packages.

Two tours that combine Bhutan with Nepal and Tibet also include the hike: the Highlights of Tibet Nepal Bhutan Tour By Flight on day 10 of 11, and the Epic Himalayan Kingdoms Tour on day 4 of 15. Both are priced on request, and all three countries are on Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tours.