Tiger’s Nest

Thimpu - Punakha - Paro - Tiger’s Nest

It was our fifth day in Bhutan but the best was still to come. Evidently the spot was perched some 2000 metres high in the middle of nowhere some ten miles away from the scenic Paro Valley. Paro itself had taken us by surprise. We were expecting an airport city but it was so much more than that. Probably Tiger’s Nest had something to do with it.

Trek @ Tiger's Nest

Tiger’s Nest Trail is one of the most frequent in the list of the wannabe trekkers. More than the mystery of Bhutan and a religious background, the arduous nature of the five mile trek throws a challenge worthy of a duel. We started early at 7 from our hotel on a cab all prepped for the base of the trek. The tickets for the Nest was costly at 500 apiece. It was a waste as we later learned.

Tiger’s Nest

The first half of trek is comparatively easier with a conveiniently located restaurant at midway. Unlike other treks, the Tiger’s Nest is visible right from the bottom of the trek and grows in view as you climb - both incentivising as well as taunting. Taking a break at midway is probably the only reason we could make it to the top as the second half tests you in many ways. I have heard from friends who came and returned without touching the nest.

View from midway restaurant

The path immediately after midway is rocky and steep but half a mile later it gets normal. That’s the first test. The second test is when you come to a point where you can see the nest at same height yet somehow the stairs are not going directly to it. There is a 500ft downward stairs and another upward stairs. This point is where a lot of trekkers give up as the view of Tiger’s Nest is at its most picturesque from here.

Last leg @ Tiger’s Nest

The Nest itself is a large compound with five temple complexes within. It takes a mandatory guided tour of almost an hour which is another challenge for the youngsters who are not much interested in it. The tickets are to enter these complexes. We let the honours pass and returned back to the viewpoint and then to the midway restaurant.

Tiger’s Nest from Viewpoint

The trek back was tiring still. We were exhausted when we reached back to our hotel room. Later in the night we will pack our bags for our morning flight back to Delhi. I recount Bhutan as ‘Goa on the hills’ to friends who ask how was it. This is true except for the Tiger’s Nest which is one good accomplishment when you reminisce on your life.