Hike to Takshang/ Tiger's Nest

It is the hike which most Bhutanese wants to do once in their life time, as it is one of the holiest sites in Bhutan. The Buddhist believes that Guru Rimpoche, the founder of the Tantric form of Buddhism in Himalayan countries came to this place riding on the flying tigress.

There is another version of the story: The spiritual consort of Guru Rimpoche was meditating in one of the cave and to protect herself from wild animals and People, she transformed into tigress, thus, the name tiger's nest.

Whatever may the story once you get there you feel close to god or to Buddha.

It is located 600m above Paro valley. It looks as if it is hanged on the cliff. It is one of the wonders of Bhutan and without hiking there the visit to Bhutan is incomplete.

People say there are two ways to get there, one is by walking and the other is on the horses.

The Bhutanese prefer to walk as it is believed to accumulate more merits.

There are about five temples on can visit. The most important one is the cave where the Guru meditated. But the cave is opened to the public once in year during the special day.The hike from parking will take about 4 hours with a steep ascend through the forest till the view point. From there you have to walk down to the gully where there is a beautiful waterfall followed by about 20 minutes uphill to the security check point. You have to leave your cameras and cell phones

On the way back you can have lunch at the cafe where the food is cooked on the wooden oven. Since it is a holy site no meat is served.