Explore Landscapes #130
I’m not exaggerating when I say that if I could only travel internationally once more in my lifetime then I would visit Bhutan again without hesitation.
Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), Paro, Bhutan | © 2019 Jon Norris
So I’m finally posting my last Bhutan tour post (nearly 1.5 years after the first post). I could have skipped this last post, but when you see where we visited I hope you’ll understand why I didn’t. The penultimate day we spent in Bhutan was absolutely incredible.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that if I could only travel internationally once more in my lifetime then I would visit Bhutan again without hesitation.
Here are links to the previous 4 parts of my tour of Bhutan if you’d like to take a read before this final post:
The Taktsang Monastery (famously known as the Tiger’s Nest) is one of the most venerated places of pilgrimage in the Himalayas, the monastery clings precariously to a granite cliff situated at an elevation of 10,240 feet (3,120 meters) above sea level.
Looking back towards Paro from the trailhead at the Ramthangkha base | © 2019 Jon Norris
The trek to Taktsang Monastery is a 2.5 mile (4 km) journey one way, and gains approximately 3,000 feet (900 meters) in elevation. Depending on your pace, the round trip typically takes 4 to 5 hours. And you’ll want to take your time as there’s so much to see on the way up and once you reach the monastery.
The trail is moderate to start with (dirt trail and then a meandering forest path) but becomes strenuous once you reach the stone steps that lead you to the monastery. We started from the trailhead early to try and beat the crowds and also the heat of the day.
Prayer flags and wind-blown prayer wheels at the Taktsang Cafeteria | © 2019 Jon Norris
At approximately 9,678 feet (2,950 meters), you reach the Taktsang Cafeteria, and take a welcome break. We stopped here for a good 30 minutes to catch our breath, have a snack, and take in the views.
As you leave the cafeteria you catch your first glimpse of the monastery perched high up on the cliff side. It’s daunting to imagine how difficult it must have been to establish and build the monastery way up there.
The first view of the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), Paro, Bhutan | © 2026 Jon Norris
From the cafeteria the trail gets a lot more strenuous. We were fortunate to be visiting mid-week so it wasn’t too busy—although, as the trail narrowed and steepened, we had to stop frequently to wait for people coming down or slowly ascending the trail.
Prayer flags adorn the lush forested hillside | © 2019 Jon Norris
The views from the trail are incredible. If you can steal your eyes away from the monastery the slopes leading there are adorned with lush forest and prayer flags—which add a lovely splash of color.
Along the trail there are several buildings tucked into the hillside, most of which have descriptive plaques—which give a good reason to take a little break and learn a bit more about where you are.
Trailside building en route for the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), Paro, Bhutan | © 2026 Jon Norris
The dirt trail continues to contour around the hillside and then you arrive at the “Million Dollar Viewpoint.” Here you have a clear unobstructed view of the Takstang Monastery. The view is breathtaking as you look across a gorge and towards the monastery perched on a huge granite cliff—set against a backdrop of forested slopes.
You feel that you are so close to the monastery, but in fact you still have a long way to go. At the viewpoint the dirt path ends and is replaced with a series of more than 700 concrete and stone steps.
To cross the gorge, you descend deep into a canyon (losing sight of the monastery) cross a bridge over a sacred 200 feet (60 meter) waterfall, before the final 120-step ascent to the main entrance.
Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), Paro, Bhutan | © 2026 Jon Norris
After all the steps you finally reach the main gates at 10,240 feet (3,120 meters). Before entering the monastery there’s a security check where you have to deposit all bags, cameras, and mobile phones in secure lockers. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the monastery complex.
Takstang Monastery consists of four main temples and eight caves. To visit them you navigate narrow, interconnected staircases carved directly into the rock that lead to the various shrines, including the Cave of Guru Rinpoche.
Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), Paro, Bhutan | © 2026 Jon Norris
Once we’d finished our tour of the monastery it was time to head back to the trailhead. It felt like we were going against the flow on the way back—and hiking back down and up the steps (to cross the gorge) was time-consuming. It’s best to take your time and go steady as the steps are narrow and steep.
The National Museum, Paro, Bhutan | © 2019 Jon Norris
On our last morning we visited the National Museum in Paro, and turned a prayer wheel (for the last time on the trip). We then headed to the airport and waited for our flight back to Bangkok and then home.
Prayer Wheel at the National Museum, Paro, Bhutan | © 2019 Jon Norris
All in all it was a phenomenal week in Bhutan and a wonderful way of celebrating my 50th birthday. The people, culture, food, and landscape are incredible. Bhutan is a veritable feast for all of your senses.
I do hope that some day I get to go back and experience Bhutan again.
