Tiger’s Nest Monastery Hike — An Adventurous Awakening Journey Within

Tiger’s Nest Monastery Hike — An Adventurous Awakening Journey Within

Paro Taktsang, famously known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, is one of Bhutan’s most sacred and breathtaking places — perched on a cliffside at an altitude of around 3,100 meters (10,200 feet) in Paro, Bhutan. 

It’s not just a hike; it’s a pilgrimage.  We began our hike from the base around 7 AM. Wooden walking sticks rented from locals in hand, Strava app turned on, and spirits eager, we followed our guide, Kinzan, who kindly guided us along. We took a “before hike” photo — smiling, unaware of the lessons waiting ahead.

The winding path stretched ahead, shaded by tall trees, strings of prayer flags, with hundreds of steps ascending through the forest.  Around us, travelers from all over the world climbing along—each group led by its own local guide.

Step by step, one foot before the other, the hike began. 

With every upward step, doubts crept in — Will I make it? 

The walking stick steadied the body and prayer steadied the mind.

The air was crisp and thin at the high altitude. 

Despite the daily dose of Diamox, the breath became difficult. Then, a prayer rose spontaneously:

“Om Namaste Vayu! Tvameva Pratyaksham Brahmāsi” - 

O Wind, you are the visible divine.I surrender to you!

And with that invocation, the hike became more than a climb; it became a meditation.

With the limitations of the body and mind  the smaller self surrendered to the supreme reality. 

The prime mover—manifest as Vayu, the life-giving breath—filled the lungs. 

As we ascended, breath grew shallow and the heart rate climbed. Nature whispered its own wisdom: slow down.

Why hurry in life?

With frequent pauses turned into moments of reflection, the shaded trail became a living teacher — every tree a silent observer, every breath was a reminder to let go of the ego. 

Halfway up the trail, a humble café appeared — a welcome sight for weary legs. We sat down to enjoy the sandwiches lovingly packed by the hotel staff.

As we ate, I recalled the story of the Buddha—how he fasted for months until he was mere skin and bone, and then realized the importance of nourishment. Food sustains the body, and the human body is the vehicle for liberation.

A similar truth is found in the Chandogya Upanishad, where Svetaketu fasted for fifteen days. Weakened, unable to recite even a single mantra, his ego dissolved. When he ate again, clarity returned.

In Taittiriya Upanishad,  the dialogue between Bhrigu and Varuna describes the stages of realization of truth. Initially Bhrigu concludes: Aham annam — I am food. Annam is Brahman. Varuna will correct him and go deeper. 

For me at that point , the food tasted like amritam — nectar. 

The view of the monastery from the café was breathtaking—perched impossibly on the cliffside, radiant in the morning sun. Many hikers turned back satisfied with just this view.

Recharged, we began the second half of the climb. The call of the monastery grew stronger and stronger.

108 chants of “Om Mani Padme Hum” lifted the feet upward.
108 chants of “Om Namah Shivaya” carried the body through the steps.
Countless repetitions of Om accompanied the journey inward.

At 3,100 meters, the air was thin, the water roared in the falls, the sky shone clear and bright. The five elements—air, water, fire, earth, and space—felt perfectly balanced. Ahead, the Tiger’s Nest gleamed in divine light.

Phones and bags were placed in lockers—symbolically leaving behind memories, attachments, and identities. As we entered, tears welled up with gratitude. Chanting Sri Rudram, we climbed the last few steps to the monastery.

Inside, we visited several shrines. The most striking was dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Gu-ru mTshan-brgyad Lhakhang—“The Shrine of the Guru with Eight Names.”

Our guide shared a legend: when the statue of the Guru was first sculpted, it spoke—declaring that it must only be placed at Tiger’s Nest. As laborers carried it uphill, the statue grew heavier, until it could no longer be moved. It spoke again, saying that a man would come the next day to carry it. True to the prophecy, a local deity named Taktsang Singye Samdrup appeared and helped establish it there.

In the monastery’s meditation hall, we sat in silence and meditated. 

The guide said, “All wishes come true when you visit Tiger’s Nest.”
I smiled and said, “There is only one wish — liberation.”

Freedom from desire.
Freedom from attachment.
Freedom from anger.
Freedom from bondage.
Freedom from suffering.
Freedom from ignorance.

We offered prayers and began our descent. Knees locked, quads ached, yet nature gently guided us back to the base.

The hike was both adventurous and awakening, demanding yet peaceful.

It reminded me that in hiking, as in life, when you stop racing and start pacing, everything aligns in harmony. 

The monastery remains not just a destination on a mountain — but a mirror, reflecting the timeless truth within.