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Trek to Tiger's NestParo, Bhutan
It’s one of the most thigh-burning climbs to a temple you will ever endure, but Bhutan’s Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) is worth the effort. Perched on a cliff face 600 metres above the valley floor, the Tiger’s Nest is the kind of traveller’s eye-candy your body will forgive you for. After you've finished the trek, follow in the footsteps of Guru Padmasambhava (the founder of Tibetan Buddhism) and meditate. Legend has it he meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours, but he also purportedly reached the monastery by catching a tigeress there.
get there
The Bhutanese national airline, Druk Air, is the only way into the country. It has flights to and from a number of cities, but the handiest for many travellers include Bangkok and Singapore.
drukair.com.bt
Visiting Tiger’s Nest is part of Bokar’s seven-day Peaceful Dragon Tour. Prices start at US$1575 a person (for a group of three or more).
You’ll be panting.
Bokar
bhutantourpackage.com
Beware: your guide might suggest going the short cut. It may be shorter, but it’s also steeper, definitely making the climb more strenuous than it needs to be.
