Taktsang Monastery :

The Paro Taktsang, popularly known as the “Tiger’s Nest Monastery” is a monastery perched on the side of a cliff at a height of 900 meters above the Paro valley floor. It is considered the signature spot for tourists visiting Bhutan. Taktsang monastery is a Gem of the Paro Valley. Nestled up in a cliff, it is considered one of the twelve wonders of the world.

Taktsang is a place of pilgrimage which Bhutanese try to visit atleast once in a lifetime.

It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave for 3 months, hence its name ‘Tiger Nest’.

The site, which has long been recognized as a most sacred place ,was visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646. The principal lhakhang of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. The main structure was severely damaged by fire in 1998, but after many years of painstaking restoration work, the complex has now been fully restored to its former glory. 

The excursion up to the cafeteria, which is situated on a rocky outcrop across a ravine from the monastery, takes about five hours round trip. Though the climb up through the pine forest is steep, the journey is most worthwhile on account of superb views en route and especially from the cafeteria view point itself.