Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang Palphug Monastery is one of the most popular Bhutan tourist places in Paro, known for the beautiful and the sacred monastery of Guru Rinpoche. It is considered as a place of pilgrimage and is an easy half a day's trek, which gives you the panoramic views of the Paro valleys. Also known as the Paro Taktsang, the temple complex is located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan.

The monastery is located 10 kilometres towards north of Paro and hangs on a precarious cliff at and altitude of 3,120 metres. It is situated on the right side of the Paro Chu River. The rock slopes are very steep (almost vertical) and the monastery buildings are built into the rock face. Though it looks formidable, the monastery complex has access from several directions. There is an easy trail to reach here which has beautiful views with prayer flags all around. Sometimes, clouds mantle the monastery which offers great views of surrounding and a sense of peacefulness.

Tiger’s Nest, Paro

In 1692, temple complex was first built around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for Four Months in the 8th century. Guru Padmasambhava is the tutelary deity of Bhutan and is credited with introducing Buddhism to the country. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen taktsang or "tiger lair" caves in which he meditated. A popular festival, known as the Tsechu, held in honor of Guru Padmasambhava, is celebrated in the Paro valley during March or April.

The monastery buildings have 4 main temples and are ideally designed according to the rock (granite) ledges, the caves and the rocky terrain. Out of the eight caves, four are comparatively easy to access. The main cave is entered through a narrow passage. It is also said that the monks who practice Vajrayana Buddhism at this cave monastery live here for three years and seldom go down to the Paro valley.