Tales From The Tiger’s Nest

 

No trip to Bhutan is complete without seeing the Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan. Just a hop and skip off Paro, it’s an old monastery built precariously off a hillside, 900 metres off the ground. It was built in 1692, where Guru Ripoche first meditated in a cave, and is a collection of temples with some residences for monks. 

At first glance, it is truly remarkable how the Bhutanese were able to build this monastery, bringing their materials up and down some vertiginous drops, now protected by railings. It is perched 3120 metres up the hill and is about a 4 (6.4 km) mile hike of 520 metres (1700 feet) ascent. 

Personally, I think anyone with a reasonable amount of fitness can do this hike. Of course, it’s not a straightforward 520 ascent. You must go down a series (seemingly never ending) of steps before ascending once again. When I look up my Map My Walk app, it says my total ascent was just under 600 metres or about 1968 feet. I also got lost (I have a terrible sense of direction) and clocked about 7.27 km total distance. 

I ascended with our driver Chimi, up the steep route (there are 3 routes) to avoid horses. Horses are my kryptonite, making me wheeze and causing some asthmatic bouts which make me faint. The normal route is riddled with horses, for those who want to ride the first half of the hike. The steep route was rocky and quite a bit awkward but doable. Sarah ascended with the guide Pema, up the standard route, and she said there were, indeed, quite a few horses  

Unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside the temples.   The Tiger’s Nest is interesting and unusual and we did some short meditation and had some of our purchased mantra prints blessed by the master in a short ceremony involving some rice throwing. 

Whilst Sarah was going through other parts of the temple with guide Pema, I scurried down (then up those very high stairs yet again) to make my way down alone. I like some alone time hiking. I had confused the routes down and had to ask for directions but eventually hit the car park. The whole round trip (without the temple tour) took me 3.98 hours, and I did stop and take some breathers and photos. Don’t be discouraged from doing this! It’s quite fun and not that difficult if you exercise regularly  

Half way

View from half point where there is a cafeteria.

At the Tiger’s Nest with Sarah.

View of the valley

With Chimi to take the steep route.

The steep route through the trees.

At the high point before the steps down to go back up the other side of the mountain to the temple. 

The end of the hike back down.

Next day, at the crack of dawn, we flew to Bangkok. Unbeknown to us, we had a stopover at Kolkota (their spelling) which had the advantage to getting the views of the high 8000 metre mountains (between 27,000 to 30,000 feet). Glorious Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, etc filled the horizon. 

We then arrived in Bangkok. Since Sarah had never been, we are here for a few days for some well deserved spa time, dining, shopping and historical tours. What a trip it’s been! I think Bhutan is worth a place in everyone’s bucket list. It’s very unspoilt, with its limited tourism (the fees), it’s resistance to foreign cultures (no foreign chain stores, fast food etc) and its people, who are kind and earnest. Just do a bit of exercise before climbing to see the Tiger’s Nest, to really enjoy it!