Bhutan: Taktsang Monastery "Tiger's Nest" We Made It!

Perched on a cliff high above the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery was the primary reason for my visit to Bhutan, and it exceeded my expectations. The hike is steep, and the altitude should not be underestimated. It was a challenging climb, but at the halfway mark, I found a rhythm—one breath, one step. It took me three hours to reach the top, but I arrived alongside the rest of our group (four ahead and four behind). We spent an hour exploring this sacred site before descending. Words cannot fully capture the experience of the monastery or the journey there, but I felt incredibly privileged and grateful, and continue to process the experience. The original monastery was destroyed by fire and was completely rebuilt by hand, without a road, with materials transported by foot and mule. According to my Apple watch, the hike was 118 flights, covering 8 miles, with an elevation from 8,500 to 10,000 feet.

I experienced a profound feeling of achievement and calmness. Janice and I exchanged excited glances at the conclusion and remarked, We really did this!

The climb up

Our reward

Following our final night in Paro, we flew back to Kathmandu and continued our journey home with Turkish Airlines (mental note: long flights combined with crying babies can be challenging). Nevertheless, every uncomfortable flight and uphill trek was worthwhile. Bhutan is a country filled with golden-roofed monasteries, rotating prayer wheels, mountain roads, and warm-hearted individuals. We even managed to find a few cappuccinos during our travels.

This trip filled my soul. A true adventure of a lifetime.