Information about Tiger’s Nest Monastery Bhutan

by Nisha Parmar SEO Executive

Like Winnie the Pooh's Tigger, High elevation trekking holidays are terrific things. Not only do you get to trek through the most amazing surroundings in unique areas worldwide, you practically constantly have the chance to take in some cultural and historical highlights too. If you're thinking about poddling off to Bhutan for some mountain travelling adventures (and you ought to be-you're gon na love it!) then the Tiger's Nest Monastery is one of these highlights and you 'd be a fool- no offense-to miss it. Why? Keep reading and I'll inform you everything you have to understand about the Tiger's Nest Monastery in Bhutan.

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I understand what you're thinking. "Hang about; if there's something I understand about tigers, it's that they don't construct nests. So what's that name everything about then"? To make sense of this, the first thing you have to get your head around is the abbey's location. This extraordinary (and, I must include, exceptionally lovely) Buddhist complex nestles precariously on the lip of a mountain cliff 700 metres in the air and at a general elevation of about 3,200 meters. Integrated in 1692, the monastery is said to be sited in the vicinity of a cavern which, in the eighth century, was occupied by the Tibetan Guru Padmasambhava. Still with me? Great.

Guru Padmasambhava is credited with presenting the Buddhist faith to Bhutan. The question is; how did he get from Tibet to a practically inaccessible cavern, method up a vertical mountainside in a remote part of Bhutan? Well, according to legend, the great Guru got here on the back of a flying tiger (OK, a tigress if we're being pedantic: it was a manifestation of the Tibetan princess/goddess Yeshe Tsogyal); thus this holy place made itself the name 'Tiger's Nest'. Bet you're delighted you asked now, aren't you?

The Tiger's Nest today

Today the Tiger's Nest is among Bhutan's most sacred holy sites, a nationwide cultural icon and a location you'll kick yourself for missing if you do not head there during your time in Bhutan The original complex was thoroughly harmed by fire in 1998 (a mishap with a butter-lamp, apparently; hey! these things take place ...) but was completely restored to its former magnificence by 2005. Architecturally stunning, the Tiger's nest features four primary temples and a number of outbuildings and residences, all interconnected by staircases carved into the rock of the mountainside.

Painted white, the smaller buildings have striking red roofings whilst the temples have pagoda-style roofs finished in gold; this makes the Tiger's Nest apparent and a noteworthy function versus the stark grey stone of the cliff face and forested peaks beyond. We kid you not - when you capture your very first glance of this wonderful location from afar we ensure that you'll a) be definitely wowed and b) get your video camera out quite darned sharpish.

The best ways to get to the Tiger's Nest Monastery in Bhutan

If you've read this far (well done you!) you'll have established that the Tiger's Nest Monastery is someplace that you truly should visit while in Bhutan. So exactly what's the skinny on getting there? The bad news is that, so far, we've been unable to find a dependable source of flying tigers to carry our guests (OK, to be truthful, we haven't looked that tough), but don't panic; the option technique-a tough but enjoyable uphill walking- offers a similarly remarkable experience.

Several of the Bhutan travels run by Kandoo Adventures offer the chance to visit the Tiger's Nest, which lies approximately 16km north of the town of Paro in the west of the kingdom. Consisting of time invested at the abbey itself, you're looking at a hike of between five and eight hours there and back. Not that I wish to nag, but keep in mind that the trek to the Tiger's Nest is at high altitude so the normal guidelines about acclimatizing first and taking it steady use here. At many times of day hurrying up the mountain merely isn't an option anyway; the route is inevitably popular and whilst there is no access for any sort of vehicle, donkeys are used to transport less able visitors to and from the abbey. Note too that the location closes at 16:30 each afternoon.

The bright side-apart from that you'll be carrying out a wonderfully fulfilling trek to an iconic destination-- is that there are numerous 'routes' that take you far from the possibly congested primary path. Another plus is that there is a lunchroom about halfway along the route: not just is this an excellent location to grab some beverage and get your breath back if essential, it's also a vantage point from which to acquire a few of the finest views/snapshots of the Tiger's Nest.

How difficult is the trek to the Tiger's Nest? Well, although the path is wide, it's also a little steep in places and practically completely uphill. If you're reasonably fit and have represented the reduced oxygen levels you'll be great. At a stable pace, you'll likely reach the café halfway within one to 2 hours. From here the upward climb continues, rewarding you with plenty more great views both of the monastery and of the mountainous landscapes that surrounds you. Ultimately, you'll reach a rock rack that deals with the Tiger's Nest itself. Come down a steep stone stairway (cool little bit of alliteration there, for all you fans of stylistic literary gadgets) then climb the opposite and you've made it!

Tiger's Nest Etiquette - do's and do n'ts.

Do not forget that the Tiger's Nest is a spiritual and revered sanctuary. This implies that shoes and knapsacks need to be left outside-don't fret; they'll be cared for- and photography is not permitted inside. However this is a small cost to spend for the chance to check out one of the most unique, spiritual and improbably-located abbeys in the world.

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