Private Tiger's Nest Hike and Hot Stone Bath from Paro or Thimphu

Tiger's Nest monastery (Paro Taktsang)

Tiger's Nest, known in Bhutan as Paro Taktsang, is the country's most sacred and most photographed site. Its whitewashed temples with golden roofs seem to grow out of a sheer granite cliff at about 3,100 metres, some 900 metres above the floor of the Paro Valley. According to legend, the revered master who brought Buddhism to Bhutan flew here on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and meditated in a cave in the rock; the monastery around that cave was built in 1692.

A fire damaged the complex in 1998, and it was carefully rebuilt in its original style. Inside, a series of small temples linked by steps and passages hold statues, butter lamps and wall paintings, and your guide explains the meaning of each shrine. Cameras and phones are left at the entrance and photography is not allowed inside, so take your photos from the viewpoints outside. Standing on the terraces with the valley far below is the moment that makes every Tiger's Nest tour worthwhile.

The Tiger's Nest trail and the Paro Valley views

The trail starts in a pine forest at the base of the cliff, a short drive from Paro town. From there it climbs steadily through blue pines, oaks and rhododendrons, past prayer wheels, fluttering prayer flags and small chortens. About halfway up, a viewpoint with a simple café gives the first full view of the monastery across the gorge. The last section follows a cliffside path with several hundred steps, down to a waterfall and up again to the entrance.

How hard is the Tiger's Nest hike? It is a steady climb at altitude: most travellers need two to three hours up and around one and a half to two hours down, plus time in the temples, so plan for five to six hours in total. Go slowly, drink water and use good hiking shoes. The best time to hike Tiger's Nest is early in the day, and in spring and autumn, when skies are clearest; your private guide sets the pace for you.

The traditional hot stone bath

After the hike, many travellers try a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath, called dotsho. River stones are heated in a wood fire until they glow red, then lowered into a wooden tub of water through a slatted partition so that they hiss and warm the bath without touching you. Local herbs are often added to the water, and you can ask for more stones as it cools.

Bhutanese families have used these baths for generations to relax and ease tired muscles and joints, and after the climb to Tiger's Nest it is a wonderful way to rest your legs. The bath is offered in simple farmhouse bath houses around Paro. It is optional and paid locally, so tell your guide in the morning if you would like to include it, and bring a swimsuit and a small towel if you prefer. Travellers with heart problems or high blood pressure should take advice before using very hot water.

Old Paro town and its handicraft shops

Paro is a small, relaxed town in a wide green valley, with Bhutan's only international airport. Its main street is lined with traditional buildings of whitewashed walls and carved, painted wooden window frames, small cafés and family shops. In the afternoon and evening you have free time to stroll here and browse the handicraft stores for hand-woven textiles, carved masks, prayer flags, incense and wooden bowls.

From town you can see the great fortress of Paro rising above the river, and rice fields stretch out along the valley floor. Your guide can suggest a local restaurant for dinner (at your own cost), where you can try Bhutanese dishes such as ema datshi, a stew of chillies and cheese, red rice and momo dumplings. If you are staying in Thimphu, the private car takes you back along the river road, about an hour and a quarter from Paro.