Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour

Essential Info

Best Period for Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour in Bhutan

The timing to visit Tiger’s Nest can never be bad as it is approachable all the time and all seasons of the year. However, if you seek for the time when you can enjoy Paro and the monastery the most, then it should be the days of spring and autumn.

Spring in Paro is from March extending to May days which slowly brings the longer days, and the multiple colors flooding every corner of the city. Even the cliff where the monastery hangs also get painted with nature’s lovable colors making it a journey to heaven.

The sweet aroma, the blooms of the flowers, the green terrain, and the rarity of rain make it the perfect time for seeing the monastery and its landscape.

The autumn days extending from September through November are another most favorable time of the year to visit Paro and the monastery. The day for the climbing to the cliff will be perfect- not too hot not too cold with a blue sky typical of this time of the year.

And an added delight, you can also celebrate the Tshechu festival, celebrated annually in October or November. During this colorful event, locals and monks showcase their traditional dances wearing the peculiar masks following the rhythm of large drums.

Winter days of December through February are also enjoyable if you bundle up good. Since Paro is relatively at a lower elevation, it avoids the harshest temperatures of winter.

However, June, July, and August should be avoided as Bhutan will be very hot during these days while monsoon will also be knocking on the door. The trail to the monastery situated at the lofty cliff can be under the risk of landslides.

Difficulty of Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour

Just imagine the most comfortable and easiest tour in the world with a hint of an adventure. Did you think of any? If not, then our Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour in Bhutan is one such journey which has the blend of breathtaking scenic flights, the comfort of a roomy vehicle, and the convenience of a professional driver and a guide who will enlighten you about Paro and its site.

You will get to stay in well-kept, well-maintained, and clean accommodations that serve exquisite meals throughout your stay.

The only challenge of the tour is the ascent to the Tiger’s Nest monastery, where a rugged, stony trail awaits you. However, the trail is completely manageable as you can see for yourself many friendly faces of elderlies, children, young men, and women climbing to the monastery and exchanging smiles and greetings.

The trail is clearly marked and has a cafeteria halfway for refreshments and restroom breaks. The stunning landscapes will also inspire you to keep moving forward.

The round trip to the monastery takes just 4 to 5 hours, and to ensure you can walk at a gentle pace, we have allocated one whole day for this excursion.

You can also opt to hire donkeys or horses to reach the cafeteria or rent hiking poles to ease your climb. Plus, a new, shorter track has been established after the pandemic which has numerous benches and sitting arrangements along the way for you to rest whenever you need.

Who can come to our 3 days Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour in Bhutan?

Our Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour in Bhutan has many lucrative features that make it the perfect short holiday for everyone. First off, it is only three days long with two nights in Paro, Bhutan, and one night in Kathmandu making it an ideal getaway for the busiest individuals.

Secondly, you can enjoy a very laid-back travel throughout the tour with the conveniences of a driver, private vehicle, and a guide. All the sleeping and dining arrangements have been overseen by us in advance.

And, the most important feature that makes it accessible to anyone is its wallet-friendly budget. So if you are searching for a short little vacation back in nature without the need of any sacrifices, then you can engage in our package of Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour.

As for those who seem to like to have a touch of adventure, this tour is favorable to you as well as it involves the thrilling ascension to an almost 3300 m high cliff.

And, if you have some minor illness or health condition, then you can also participate too without having to think twice. Paro being situated at a comfortable elevation of 2200 m, and the Tiger’s Nest monastery just below 3300 m, you will only have a minimal concern of altitude sickness.

In addition, Paro also has a reliable network of hospitals and medical centers where first aid is provided free of cost for tourists.

Even if you are a single female tourist traveling alone, fear not for Bhutan is a very safe and secure Kingdom. There will be constant presence of police in Paro and when visiting the monastery, your devices like phones and cameras will be securely stored in lockers for your peace of mind.

However, for those who are pregnant, or who have severe health issues such as diabetes, thrombosis, or heart and lung ailments, we suggest you reach out to your doctor first before partaking in our Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour.

Why should I select your Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour Package?

If there is one place you need to experience in your lifetime, it is the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Hanging by the hairs of the sky, this iconic location offers the best breathtaking views of nature and the mountains while the journey itself is mesmerizing.

Walking on the centuries-old rocks, looking at the beautiful, traditional Buddhist frescoes, and the chanting of the prayer texts by the red-robed monks, you will really appreciate the living tradition of Buddhism under the roof of the monastery.

We promise this will be one of your fabulous visits, not only because of the impressive architecture of the monasteries but also because of the warm-hearted welcome of the monks.

As for choosing us for this tour means selecting a very reputable fully licensed travel agency in Nepal who has several years of invaluable experience in organizing tours to Bhutan.

We design itineraries that can meet the preferences of many of the tourists. We also understand the unique needs of each guest so we also offer tailor-made travel programs along with various upgrade options.

Once you reserve our tour, we will personally handle every detail from your places to stay to your meals and transportation. Unlike other packages, our Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour package also includes a daily fee of US$ 100 per person to be paid to the Bhutanese government as the Sustainable Development Fee.

There are also no hidden costs; we clearly outline what is included and excluded so you can plan your budget effectively. Additionally, your safety in this foreign land is our responsibility.

Our experienced guides and drivers are experts in their fields who will ensure your security throughout the tour.

Acute Mountain Sickness/Altitude Sickness

The likelihood of altitude sickness is very low in our 3 days Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour in Bhutan, but it does exist in our tour. The journey will take you from 1300 m of Kathmandu to 2200 m of Paro in just about an hour.

This rapid elevation gain puts immense pressure on your body to get used to the high-elevation air of Bhutan. That’s why, we motivate all our clients to take sufficient time to rest in their rooms before heading out to explore Paro.

We also request our guests to take a long night’s sleep, after all, it is the proper time when the body will best acclimatize to the new Paro air. This ensures your preparedness to face the 3300 m air of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

However, even with preparation, some guests may experience initial signs of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and nausea.

These signs often go on their own if you hydrate properly during the climb. Therefore, we suggest all guests to carry a water bottle during the hike to the monastery.

One of the most effective ways to boost the acclimatization process is by ingesting the Diamox tablets when you are in Kathmandu. However, if you have any health concerns, please consult a doctor before taking Diamox.

Accommodation and Dining

During our Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour in Bhutan, we have organized a two-night stay for you in Paro at a cozy hotel classified by the National Tourism Association of Bhutan as a three-star establishment.

Your Paro accommodation will have two single beds to be shared with fellow travelers of the same gender. Each room will be equipped with hot water and a private bathroom for your ease and comfort.

We have made the hardest effort to choose the hotels located in the most picturesque setting of the city.

In addition, all meals three times a day (lunches, dinners, and breakfasts) will also be arranged during your Paro stay. Please keep in mind that beverage costs are not covered by our service.

When talking about Bhutanese cuisine, they are very rich in spices, particularly peppers. So make sure to mention not to include peppers in your dish.

Some of the must-try delicacies of Paro are:

•  Ema Datshi (chili peppers in a cheesy sauce with spices)
•  Kewa Datshi (chili and cheese with potatoes)
•  Shamu Datshi (chili and cheese with mushrooms)
•  Phagsha Pa (pork with radish)
•  Kewa Phagha (pork with potatoes and spices)
•  Jasha Maru (chicken with vegetables)
•  Chang (Bhutanese beer)
•  Bhutanese tea (with salt, pepper, and butter)
•  Ara (grain vodka)

On your final day in Kathmandu, you will also enjoy a delightful Nepali dinner at a traditional restaurant complemented with a cultural performance to bid you farewell.

Please note the accommodation arrangements in Kathmandu are not part of our Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour cost.

Transportation

For your pleasurable transport in Paro, and towards the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, we have arranged a roomy private 4-by-4 vehicle adapted to your group size (bus, car, van, etc.).

Your airport transfer from Paro Airport to your appointed accommodation is also fully organized. Additionally, we have also managed your round-trip flights from Kathmandu to Paro and Paro to Kathmandu.

Please keep in mind that if you hire horses or donkeys for the hike to the halfway point of Tiger’s Nest Monastery, the expenses will be your responsibility. Our Bhutanese guide will assist you with the negotiation and hiring process on the spot.

Money Exchange and Use of Credit Cards

Although the Ngultrum (BTN) is the currency of Bhutan but the US Dollars, the Indian currency, and the Euros are also commonly accepted in Bhutan.

In order to change your currency into a local one, you can do so by visiting banks such as Bhutan National Bank, Bank of Bhutan, and Druk PNB Bank which operate from Monday – Friday, from 10 am to 5 pm.

These banks also have their representative desk counters at Paro Airport so it will be the best way for you to convert your currency at the airport. However, you must keep the exchange bill carefully which is needed if you need to convert the leftover local money into your own currency upon your return.

Please remember, you cannot bring in large amounts of your currency into the country but small amounts are allowed. Likewise, if you have brought more than US$ 10000 with you, you must declare it at the customs office of the airport.

If you like to have cash, then ATMs can be found in Paro, but they may not always be dependable as they can limit the withdrawal amounts and impose high fees.

Major credit cards like Diners, MasterCard, and Visa are also widely acceptable for transactions in larger retail outlets and hotels in Paro.

Communication and Internet

Since you will be staying only for two nights in Paro, so it will be wise if you activate the roaming service in your home network if they allow it. Else, you can always buy an online eSIM card before your journey.

After the required payment, the mobile company will forward you the QR Code which you can scan and activate your service immediately. Purchasing the physical SIM card will be a hassle for a two-day journey but still, if you like, you can go for the networks of B-Telecom or TashiCell.

If you like to stay connected, instead of WiFi (available of course in the hotel you stay), you should use the mobile internet available both on the eSIM and the physical cards. You can utilize the 30 days 5 GB data plan that offers 4G connectivity.

Rules and Regulations for Visiting Bhutan

You have to remember that Bhutan is still more or less a closed country with very regulated and expensive tourism. The government wants every foreign traveler (except from Maldives, India, and Bangladesh) to visit Bhutan through an organized trip by an agency or approved hotel.

They will be responsible for collecting the hefty US$ 100 tax called the Sustainable Development Fee directed to the government, providing the visa, hotel, guide, vehicle, and driver.

Bhutan is not a country where you can explore everything on your own. To enter the country, you will need a little local help or an intermediary who organizes a package that includes tours, accommodation, and food.

Such a legal intermediary for you when you decide to visit Bhutan from Nepal can be us. We will arrange the Bhutan tourist visa you need to enter Bhutan, which cannot be obtained from any embassy or consulate.

Instead, it will be stamped on the blank page of our passport at Paro Airport after you pay the fee of US$ 40 per tourist.

You may be curious about the daily fee of US$ 100 to be paid by every tourist during the entire duration of their time in Bhutan. This daily charge is known as the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) regulated by the Government to prioritize its motto of High Cost and Low Impact Tourism.

Until 2023, the fee was US$ 200 which has been now reduced by 50 percent till August 31, 2027. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 only need to pay US$ 50 while children below 6 are not required to pay.

The Visa cost, the SDF charge, and the entrance fee for the monastery have been covered by our Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour package cost.

Tourist Visa for Bhutan

One process for requesting the Bhutan tourist visa is through the online application that you can submit by visiting the official website of the Bhutan Immigration Department https://immi.gov.bt/home. Once you sign up with your valid email account, you will need to enter your details and upload a copy of your passport-type photo and the passport.

Please note that your passport should have at least six months left before your intended departure date from Bhutan. After making the necessary payment, just click the submit button. Your tourist visa of Bhutan will be imprinted in your passport when you land at Paro Airport.

The other most convenient method to request for a Bhutan tourist visa is to leave everything to us. After we confirm your 3 days Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour in Bhutan, you just have to send us your two digital passport-type photos and the digital copy of your valid passport.

Then, we will submit them to our travel companion in Bhutan who will email your documents to the Tourism Department of Bhutan. Once they approve, the immigration personnel will stamp your Visa when you arrive at Paro Airport.

Please understand that your tourist visa for Bhutan will permit you to stay in Paro for 15 days. Once these days are crossed, you can lengthen your stay by another 15 days either through the online application or by seeking the assistance of our guide.

Custom Rules at Paro Airport

At Paro, you need to stick to the strict custom guidelines that prohibit and limit the import of certain items. These include explosive materials, gunpowder, chemicals, firearms, ammunition, military gear, narcotics, drugs, products derived from the exploitation of wildlife, and antiques.

As for alcoholic beverages, you can bring in only one liter without paying duties. Additionally, you are permitted to bring in the tobacco products for your personal consumption only but you should be prepared to pay the hefty tax of up to 225 percent.

Please keep the customs receipts carefully as anytime the Bhutan police authorities can ask you for the receipt. If you are unable to provide one, you may be charged with illegal smuggling for which you may even have to face some jail time.

When you land at Paro Airport and go through the customs duties, you will also have to declare your electric gadgets as well such as video or photo equipment.

Again, please keep all the custom documents safe as you may need to show them when you exit Paro to verify the amount of equipment you are taking with you.

Unspoken Rules that You should follow in Paro

Please remember that Bhutan is a kingdom that expects certain conduct and behavior from its visitors. The Bhutanese people highly regard their young King and Queen and they expect the same respect from their visitors.

Therefore, please do not make negative comments about the royal family. When you visit the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, please dress appropriately, with long sleeves covering your arms and legs.

You will also have to remove your shoes and hats and leave your mobile devices and cameras with the security guards, who will keep them safe in lockers.

Additionally, you should make small donations to the residing monks so they can support the development of the monastery though this custom is entirely voluntary.

When traveling and exploring Paro, please avoid smoking in public areas near hospitals, schools, government offices, and monasteries. Smoking is only permitted in specified areas as set by the government. However, you can freely enjoy alcoholic drinks inside bars, hotels, and restaurants.

Travel Insurance

The government of Bhutan has eliminated the obligatory necessity of travel insurance for tourists visiting the country. However, our Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour in Bhutan still requires you to spend two nights in Paro.

During this time, you will experience the highlands of Paro and take on the difficult ascent to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Additionally, you will also spend some time in Kathmandu so we suggest you take the appropriate travel insurance for your journey.

Traveling to a foreign land means encountering new environments, cultures, cuisines, climates, and terrains, all of which can lead to minor or serious health issues that can be costly without travel insurance.

For example, you may suffer from infections, acute mountain sickness, or injuries. The medical facilities of Bhutan do offer free first aid to tourists but any further treatment can be quite expensive.

Additionally, you may face unexpected travel disruptions, such as flight cancellations, tour changes, or lost or delayed luggage. All these may require you to spend additional money that you may not have think of.

In these situations, your insurance policy will help manage the financial burden, and your provider can assist with necessary arrangements as well. Please do not forget to ensure your coverage includes extra hotel stays and the possibility of early departures as well.