Built into a sheer cliff face above the forested Paro Valley, the monastic retreat Paro Taktsand is the most famous temple in Bhutan.

Padmasambhava, the great 8th century Buddhist saint and teacher, is thought to have landed at this spot after flying over the mountains from Tibet on the back of a tigress, thus bringing the teachings of Buddhism to Bhutan. The primary temple was built around Padmasambhava’s meditation cave in 1684.

After breakfast we boarded the bus for a 30 minute drive to the trailhead of the hike to the Tiger’s Nest. Horses are available for the first leg and several members of our group took that option.

Round trip, the hike was around 5 miles, with a 1,979 ft elevation gain (from 8,395 – 10,176).

The first leg of the hike was about 45 minutes to the cafe where we rested, had tea, and used the facilities.

Second leg was to the temple. You actually hike above the temple, then down to a bridge by a waterfall, then back up to the temple.

Unfortunately they do not allow cameras inside the Tiger’s Nest. We visited three temples, then hiked back to the cafe for lunch.

Tsa-Tsas are miniature Stupas that are memorials to the dead (they may contain ashes of the deceased) or offerings created on the advice of an astrologer. There were several places along the trail where Tsa-Tsas had been placed.

On our way back to the trail head, this water-driven prayer wheel was in operation.

Some pictures from our ride back to the hotel.

It seems fitting that on our last night in Bhutan, my hotel room faces west.