Our last full day in Bhutan filled with physical challenge, emotional summation and spiritual growth. Today we hiked to the Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery and the Paradise Monastery and it was a fittingly amazing day to sum up a trip that completely exceeded all of our expectations.

The hike up to the Taktsang Monastery was steep and hot, but the path was pretty good. Probably the most memorable part of the hike to me was deep and open honest dialogue between us all that has been a big part of the trip, but on this hike felt to me deeper and more important. Just walking to the monastery seemed to bring forth deeper truths within our group The Taktsang Monastery is the most famous in Bhutan and it felt as if the spirituality of this place was also in our hearts and minds. It felt to me that even though we are all different, we are all very unified, just like the Four Friends in Buddhist lore.

Our first stop on the way up (besides stopping to take many photographs) was the restaurant that is just below the monastery where we had tea and shot yet another million photographs. The Tiger’s Nest is so picturesque and there are many great views on the way to it, that it is impossible not to take too many photos. We also saw a few other people heading up, but it was very uncrowded, though a large Indian woman trying to ride a poor mule was quite a sight. Honestly, the option to ride the mules looked scarier then the tough hike to me, but if this is your only way up it would be worth it.

Near our goal our guide Ugyen told us that there was a small cave that was good to go through for getting rid of any evil spirits. He scurried up the rocks and squeezed into a small opening and then popped out about 20 feet away. He told me to go, but when I looked it scared me as I hate small spaces like that. But I took a deep cleansing breath and struggled up into the cave, which though small, was actually fine once I was in. Then my friend did the same and we both said prayers inside before exiting.

Right before the monastery there is a dramatic waterfall which seems to impossibly flow a lot of water from the top of a mountain peak…and then we were at the entrance. There are actually guards at the entrance and after leaving our packs we entered a small temple and spent time with the head monk, who said some blessings for us. This temple is right in the rock and guards the cave where Guru Rimpoche (the man who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century) meditated for 3 years. This temple was built in 1684. We then went to the main temple and meditated and then learned how the monastery burned down in 2003 (I think) but was rebuilt exactly has it had been because the reincarnation of the man who built it originally told them how to. The reincarnation was 9 years old at the time and now 15 years old and apparently you have to pass a huge amount of tests to be recognized as a reincarnation.

Then as a special treat Ugyen took us up to the next higher monastery, whose name is translated as “Paradise”. It was a very steep climb and I guess very few tourists go here. The view was of course beyond amazing and the head monk (and only monk) was very nice and after doing a butter lamp lighting ceremony and meditating he invited us to tea and biscuits, which was great. And my friend Richard, being the nicest man on the planet, ended up giving the monk his hiking poles, which the monk really seemed to appreciate. And the other thing that blew my mind was that from the monastery you could see a couple of more monasteries impossibly higher up and isolated in the mountains. I would love to hike to them sometime.

The hike down was steep and brutal on all of our legs and knees, but the lighting was great and we took another million photos of Tiger’s Nest and other targets of our camera’s. We also had late lunch at the restaurant and a double rainbow appeared and the top rainbow ended right at Taktsang Monastery! By the time we made it down it was after 5PM.

In summation, a life-altering experience for all of us. The hike to Tiger's Nest was the incredible finale of the trip of a lifetime. Bhutan is a remarkable country, filled with amazing beauty and beautiful people with souls like none others. And our exploration of Buddhism was fascinating and will change all of our lives forever. We all leave tomorrow with new experiences and outlooks on our lives and ourselves.

We visited Bhutan as guests therefore were able to organise our own travel, accommodation etc. An incredible country, amazing people who are keen to share their lives and homes provided you respect the privilege

going to bhutan and not going to the Tigers Nest would be like going to Beijing and not going to the Great Wall. It really is an experience of a lifetime. No one should miss this. If you dont or cant do the hike up (which is challenging) you can take a pony to the tea house (half way up) or to the viewing point (which is above the Nest). To go all the way up on a pony, have your guide arrange in advance (a few more dollars). The final 718 steps (half down) are not that scary. The views, the monastery, the experience are all worth it. Not to mention the great photo's.

We did the Tiger's Nest on the second day of our stay in Bhutan (December 2009) because we were doing the Druk Path Trek the next day, so it was kind of a warm up if you like. You can even see the Monastery on the road leading to the car park. There are ponies for about USD12 one way up but they only take you part of the way. Do not think that it is an easy trek up and some good footwear is advisable. Needless to say, some people do not go beyond the tea house after assessing the remaining distance and terrain. Take it slowly, take plenty of water with you and a walking stick or trekking pole. Going all the way there and then actually not visiting the Monastery itself is such a pity - you will kick yourself.

From where the ponies stop, there is still quite a long way to go, first, down some steep parts and then up some steep steps before you reach the Monastery complex.

The hike up had good sights of the hills and forests. Our guide gave us a narration of just about everything all the way up which was very informative. The entire Monastery is simply spectacular but it not just the sight itself. Walking through the corridors inside the complex, the feel, the smell, the chanting..it is simply so serene and calm. We joined in some prayers with the attending Abbot.

If you think that you are not that fit to undertake a 3-4 hour walk, then get in some workout just to do this. It is worth it. Also, the altitude is not that much of a problem actually. But remember, unless you have a prearranged visit planned, you cannot just turn up at the Monastery. There are soldiers guarding the Monastery entrance at the top and you are required to leave your belongings outside near the guardhouse.