The Royal Highlander festival was first introduced on 16th Of October in 2016.
The annual Royal Highland Festival is held from October 23-24 every year at Laya in the Gasa district. The festival, which is held at 4,000m above sea level, aims to celebrate, promote and preserve the life and culture of the nomadic highland people of Bhutan, support their economy, exhibit the beauty and wonders of the highlands, and laud their resilience.
The Royal Highland Festival is one of the most popular annual festivals in the country. Every year, hundreds of people from across the country as well as foreign visitors trek the stunning trails among the Himalayan mountains to attend the festival. Two days of dancing, music, local arts and crafts, and animal parades, the festival celebrates the culture and lifestyle of people who live in the beautiful highlands of Bhutan. Our hope is to raise awareness of Bhutan’s commitment to conserve the glacial mountains, and for visitors to learn and experience the unique culture, traditions and daily lives of the highland people.
Variety of cultural programs will be performed by Layaps. The various competitions on highland animals including the Yaks, horses and Mastiffs will be held and also competition such as traditional songs and dances will be held.
The festival consists of series of stalls ranging from local based yak produce to highland technology, highland agriculture technology, medicinal herbs & plants and others.
The flight to Paro offers spectacular views of Himalayan Mountain ranges including our sacred Mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake only on clear weather. On arrival at Paro International Airport our representative will be there to welcome you and after that start your drive to our only capital city of Bhutan,Thimphu which takes about 1 hour. On the way, if the time permits, stop at one of our oldest iron bridges built in the 15th century by DrupthobThangthongGyalpo and again stop at Chuzom (the confluence of Paro and Thimphu River). After reaching Thimphu, visit the National memorial stupa (built in the memory of the third king of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Centenary farmers market,and stroll freely in Thimphu city and experience the lifestyle of the people. Overnight in the hotel.
After breakfast visit the giant Buddha statue overlooking Thimphu valley with 169 feet/51.5 meters and its tallest of its kind, Takin reservation center, Hike WangditseGoenpa which takes about 40 minutes with stunning views of Thimphu valley, Institute of thirteen arts and crafts,Craft bazaar and Tashi Chodzong meaning “fortress of glorious religion” built in 1641 by the unifier zhabdrung. Overnight in the hotel.
After breakfast drive to Gasa via Punakha district. On the way stop at Dochula pass (3100m) where you will be greeted with 108 Druk Wangyal Stupa and a spectacular snowcapped Himalayan range including the highest mountain of Bhutan, Gangkar Puensum (7560m). After arriving Gasa, check in to your homestay/guest house and explore the area; 1) Visit Gasa Dzong which is said to be built by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal in 1640s above the cave meditated by a Tibetan saint Terkhungpa. 2)You can go for Gasa Tshachu/hotspring which is situated near the bank of the Mo Chu at an elevation of 2100 metres. It is considered by many as one of the most beautiful hotspring in the country. According to visitors, the hot spring provides excellent healing properties from many diseases.
3) You can also go for Bjagaymenchu/mineral springs. It is believed that Gasa is blessed with 108 menchus.
Bjagay Menchu is only about 15-20 -minutes’ walk from Gasa Tshachu. Bjagay Menchu is believed to cure arthritis and joint pain. Its history is similar to that of Bjagay Menchu in Paro. It is believed that a vulture, having erroneously swallowed a metal piece placed in the torma (ritual cake), was suffering from severe choking. It was healed after it was soaked in the water of Bjagay Menchu for a few days. The Menchu was thereafter named Bjagay Menchu.
Overnight stay in Gasa.
After breakfast continue drive towards army base which is approximately a distance of 30kms, around 2hours drive. Road to army base camp is not black topped and well maintained, so you will have to switch your vehicle to bolero camper (pickup truck) from Gasa.
From the road end point, you start your hike to Laya, which is approximately 1 – 2 hours of walk at an average walking pace.By afternoon you will reach Laya and check-in to your accommodation (homestay) and relax.
Overnight stay in Laya.
After your breakfast walk uphill about 200m ascend, about an hour hike to get to the festival ground about 4000m above sea level. Enjoy the opening ceremony of the Laya festival, featuring traditional music, dance performances, animal parade and cultural shows.The traditional offering of Buelwa (Gift offering) with Auley (traditional epic poem/song recitation tradition originated from Zhabdrung Rinpoche days) that begun during Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s reign in showing loyalty and respect by the community of Laya is being offered for dynamic and visionary leadership of our successive monarchs.
Variety of cultural programs will be performed by Layaps. The various competitions on highland animals including the Yaks, horses and Mastiffs will be held and also competition such as traditional songs and dances will be held.
The festival consists of series of stalls ranging from local based yak produce to highland technology, highland agriculture technology, medicinal herbs & plants and others.
After your breakfast walk uphill about 200m ascend, about an hour hike to get to the festival ground about 4000m above sea level. Enjoy the opening ceremony of the Laya festival, featuring traditional music, dance performances, animal parade and cultural shows.The traditional offering of Buelwa (Gift offering) with Auley (traditional epic poem/song recitation tradition originated from Zhabdrung Rinpoche days) that begun during Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s reign in showing loyalty and respect by the community of Laya is being offered for dynamic and visionary leadership of our successive monarchs.
Variety of cultural programs will be performed by Layaps. The various competitions on highland animals including the Yaks, horses and Mastiffs will be held and also competition such as traditional songs and dances will be held.
The festival consists of series of stalls ranging from local based yak produce to highland technology, highland agriculture technology, medicinal herbs & plants and others.
After breakfast, checkout from your homestay and hike back to Taktsemakhang (Army base) and drive back to Punakha. After reaching Punakha visit Punakha dzong and the longest suspension bridge. Overnight in Punakha
After breakfast, visit Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple which is believed to bless those who are infertile or those who cannot conceive child. Continue your journey to Paro via Dochula pass again and enjoy the views of Himalayas. After reaching paro, visit Paro Ta-dzong which is now the national museum of Bhutan and the Paro Rinpung dzong. Later explore Paro town.
After breakfast, drive to the base of Taktshang(Tiger’s Nest) Monastery which will take about 20 minutes from your hotel and start hiking the famous Taktshang Monastery perched on the hanging cliff at about 3100 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktshang monastery now stands. The monastery is situated at about 900 meters above Paro valley. We will walk back the same way and the lunch will be served in Taktshang cafeteria or walk down to the valley floor and enjoy lunch in the town. In the evening visit the farmhouse and try a traditional hot stone bath to heal the joint pains after your hike and try traditional Bhutanese meals. This is a fantastic conclusion to your stay in Bhutan! Overnight in the hotel.
Our team will drive you to the airport for departure.
