Day 15, Friday Nov. 6, Full day in Paro--Tiger’s Nest    Today we spend the morning hiking (or riding horses part way--you decide) up a forested path to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon.  (Robin wrote a story on Tiger’s Nest for Tashi Delek Magazine, which is posted on the Rainbow web site.)  The climb is steep and takes about 4 hours round trip, but we will be aided by sure-footed ponies and guides to carry our photography gear and urge us on.

An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 years, Taktsang Monastery clings to sheer cliffs two-thousand feet above Paro Valley.  As of 2004 we have received special permission to hike all the way to Tiger’s Nest, visit some of the altar rooms and if he is there, get a grand tour from Lama Renzin.  We have become good friends with Lama Renzin, bringing him photographs from previous visits, books on Buddhism and food for him and his cat.

This sacred place got its name when Guru Rimpoche rode there on the back of a flying tiger and meditated in a cave behind the present-day monastery.  Sadly, in 1998, the central temple was destroyed by fire, leaving the country in mourning for their holiest of spiritual places.  But religious leaders and the King quickly developed a plan to rebuild Taktsang and donations poured in from Buddhist centers all over the world.  Today, the magnificent temple is completely rebuilt to its original glory.  Tiger’s Nest is once again the subject of cloud-shrouded posters that say, “Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon.”  Lunch on the mountain at the “Cafeteria.”

After our descent you can spend the remaining time roaming the small town of Paro, with it’s main street lined with quaint shops, nearby river and dzong.  Hot stone baths, farewell dinner, and overnight at the Gangtey Palace Hotel.