Royal Highlander Festival Laya

10 Nights / 11 Days

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The Royal Highlander Festival held annually at Laya in Gasa is to sensitize the highlanders on the decline of yak farming at a time when more people, including the highlanders, are increasingly getting tilted to activities that generate short-term income. The festival is also aimed to enlighten stakeholders on the importance of their spirited participation in enhancing the economic opportunity of the highlanders.

Trip Highlights

    • Spent time at Tango Tashi thang buddhist university’s monk scholars.
    • Hike to hidden Dodeydrak Buddhist monastery
    • Dinner with Punakha Pazaps the ancient solders.
    • Punakha Festival.
    • Stone baths and authentic homestay dinner.
    • Scenic drive and hiking in the beautiful environments
    • Hike to Iconic Temple and Tiger’s nest and many more.

Itinerary

Arrive at Paro International Airport and travel to Thimphu. After a quick lunch, visit the Motithang Takin Preserve, the National Memorial Chorten, and Buddha Point.

Right after breakfast, we will head towards Punakha. On the way, visit the Victory Stupas at Dochula and, if time allows, the Temple of Fertility. After a brief rest at your hotel, we will visit the majestic Punakha Dzong.

Early in the morning, depart from your hotel for a nearly four-hour drive to Gasa. From there, begin a trek to Koina. After four hours of continuous trekking, we will arrive at our campsite, Thongchuzam.

After breakfast, begin your trek towards the picturesque highland village of Laya.

In 2016, the Royal Highlander festival debuted to commemorate three momentous occasions: the birth of His Royal Highness the Gyalsey, the 400th anniversary of Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s arrival in Bhutan, and the Rabjung (60 years cycle) marking Guru Rimpoche’s birth year. This unique festival showcases a vibrant display of traditional songs, dances, and various other events.

The festival continues its joyful momentum today. Expect another day filled with traditional songs, dances, and exciting competitions.

With the festival’s conclusion, we embark on our trek back to ThongchuZa

Today, we will descend to Gasa. After our long journey, we will relax with a warm hot spring bath.

We will begin our day with an early departure to Paro. After lunch, we will visit the Rimpung Dzong and the National Museum.

We will embark on a challenging hike today, with a two-hour ascent to reach the renowned Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, which is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and photogenic monasteries in Bhutan.

Departure to Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Katmandu, or Singapore.