Cheri Monastery Route Guide
Table of contents
Route Description for Cheri Monastery
To start, tell your taxi driver to take you to Cheri Monastery—most drivers know where the starting point for this short hike is. Walk across the bridge and around the chorten. Encounter a rock painting of Guru Rinpoche and a prayer wheel at the bottom of the path.
The path is very clear with a few places to stop along the way. The walk may only take a little over an hour, but it still leads to a spectacular view at the top, where you can stop for lunch.
The monks will tell you all the history of the temple and of the statues inside. Once you pass the goempa, head up the stairs to the right and keep walking up until you reach a ledge that overlooks the entire valley. This is an excellent place for pictures and a snack. You can either go back the way you came or go around the rock to the right and down the other side. On the left, just after the goempa complex, is an ancient oak tree, and around the corner from that, you’ll see meditation huts that the monks use for retreat. There might even be a mountain goat or two nibbling in the garden.
The track back is the same as one up. And many local families use the field at the bottom of the trail as a picnic area, especially in summer.
Travel in Bhutan runs on a managed permit system, so most visitors arrange it through a licensed operator. Our guided tours across Asia can build a Thimphu trek into a wider Bhutan itinerary, or browse our full range of hiking tours worldwide.
Insider Hints for Cheri Monastery
- No need to book a taxi, they’re relatively easy to hail from the road.
- There’s a hot stone bath house on the road back to Thimphu, stop in for a dip on the way home but be sure to bring a bathing suit, a change of clothes, and a towel.
Getting to the Cheri Monastery Trailhead
Ask your driver to take you to the Cheri Monastery. The hike starts near the bridge.Route Information for Cheri Monastery
When to do:
All year round
Backcountry Campsites:
No
Family friendly:
Yes
Route Signage:
Good
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Out and back
Cheri Monastery Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
Check Area WeatherReviews for Cheri Monastery
Nice hike. Felt the immaculate presence of the spirits.
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Beautiful hike throughout. Just so glad to be able to visit this place.
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Wonderful hike with nice views at the top. Took about an hour to get to the top. It was a wonderful place to explore.
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The trail offers awesome an view of Cheri Monastery. Very enjoyable hike.
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Cheri Monastery is a great place for short family trips. It's a good way to introduce other culture to your children. The route was well marked so it's very accessible for everyone.
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It's not that crowded and it was fantastic. The whole trail was very quiet when I started around 7am.
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This place is excellent for pictures and a snack. Took a nice photo of a mountain goat nibbling in the garden.
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It’s a wonderful hike. It’s more a moderate hike, no scrambling required. Highly recommended!
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very accessible hike, and not very demanding. it doesn't require huge amount of energy to finish.
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A good place to relax and feel nature. It's perched on the hillside, overlooking the land below.
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