Journey to the Enchanting Paro Taktsang Base
Explore the breathtaking beauty and spiritual significance of Paro Taktsang Base, a historic monastery nestled in the cliffs of Bhutan.
Perched on the edge of a cliff, the Paro Taktsang Base, commonly referred to as Tiger's Nest, is one of Bhutan's most iconic landmarks. This stunning monastery, built in the 17th century, is an architectural marvel that clings to the steep cliffs of the Paro Valley. The journey to the base of this sacred site involves a scenic hike through lush forests, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. As you ascend, the serene atmosphere and the sound of nature create an unforgettable experience, allowing visitors to connect deeply with this spiritual location. The base serves as the starting point for those eager to explore the monastery itself, which is renowned for its intricate murals and sacred relics. Visitors are often mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the site, which is steeped in history and legend. According to local lore, Guru Padmasambhava, known as the 'Second Buddha', meditated here in the 8th century, making it a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists. As you approach the monastery, the breathtaking views of the valleys below and the majestic Himalayas in the distance will leave you in awe. The Paro Taktsang Base is not just a hike; it’s a journey into the heart of Bhutanese culture and spirituality, making it a must-visit for tourists seeking both adventure and enlightenment.
Local tips
- Start your hike early in the morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the serene atmosphere.
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes, as the trail can be steep and rocky.
- Carry plenty of water and snacks; the climb can take several hours.
- Take your time to appreciate the stunning views along the trail; there are several viewpoints perfect for photos.
- Respect local customs and dress modestly when visiting the monastery.
A brief summary to Paro Taktsang Base
- Taktsang trail, BT
Getting There
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Car
From Paro town, drive towards the Paro Taktsang Base parking lot. Follow the signs for Taktsang Monastery, which is approximately 10 km from Paro town. The road is well-paved and offers beautiful views of the valley. Once you reach the parking area at the base, which is near the trailhead, park your vehicle. Note that there may be a small parking fee.
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Public Transportation
Take a public taxi or a local bus from Paro town to the Taktsang parking lot. Taxis can be found at various points in town and offer a more direct route, costing around 200-300 Ngultrum. If you choose the bus, inquire at the local bus station for schedules heading towards Taktsang; however, buses may not run as frequently.
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Hiking
From the parking lot, begin your trek to Paro Taktsang Base. The hike is about 2-3 hours depending on your pace and involves a well-marked trail. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water. The trail winds through beautiful pine forests, and you will encounter several viewpoints along the way. As you ascend, keep an eye out for signs directing you to the monastery.
Attractions Nearby to Paro Taktsang Base
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Paro Taktsang
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Tiger's Nest View Point
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Tiger nest Bhutan
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Bumdrak Monastery འབུམ་བྲག་ལྷ་ཁང་།
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Drukgyel Dzong འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་རྫོང་།
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Kyichu Lhakhang སྐྱིད་ཆུ་ལྷ་ཁང་།
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Paro Chu
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Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang | ཟླུམ་བརྩེགས་ལྷ་ཁང་།
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Valleys Of Bhutan
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Jangsarbu Lhakhang
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National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་།
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Zuri Dzong
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Khangkhu Lhakhang
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Kila Goenpa Nunnery
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Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point
Landmarks nearby to Paro Taktsang Base
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Paro Taktsang Base
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Parking Lot for Paro Taktsang / Tiger's Nest.
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The Taktsang
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Taktshang Paradise Hotel
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Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel
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Tiger's Nest Resort - Best Resort in Paro, Bhutan
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Hotel Phendey Gakhil
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Raven's Nest
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Chukha village lhakhang
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The Tigers Nest Camp
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Tenzinling Resort
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Bumdrak CampSite
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Kichu Resort Paro
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Amankora, Paro
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Hot Stone Baths