Tour
Overview
The Royal Highland Festival was initiated in 2016 by His Majesty the Fifth King of Bhutan and takes place in Laya — a remote highland village in Gasa district at approximately 3,800–4,000 metres above sea level, accessible only on foot or by helicopter. The festival was introduced to honour three events simultaneously: the birth of HRH the Gyalsey (Crown Prince), the 400th anniversary of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal's arrival in Bhutan, and the Rabjung (60-year cycle) birth year of Guru Rinpoche. The Royal Family attends personally — His Majesty the King is present each year, and interaction with members of the Royal Family is a genuine possibility for visitors.
The people of Laya — the semi-nomadic highlanders of northern Gasa district — are among the most culturally distinct communities in Bhutan. They herd yaks across high alpine pastures, wear a distinctive conical bamboo hat unique to their community, and maintain traditions of oral epic poetry and highland agriculture that have changed little for centuries. The Royal Highland Festival celebrates and preserves this culture. Events include the Buelwa (gift offering ceremony), Auley (traditional epic song recitation), yak and horse competitions, and stalls selling yak-milk products, medicinal herbs, and highland crafts.
There is no motor road to Laya. Reaching the festival requires either a 2-day trek from Gasa (approximately 5 hours on day one, through rhododendron forests and alpine terrain) or a domestic helicopter flight from Paro directly to the festival grounds — ideal for those with limited mobility or tight schedules. The trek passes through some of northern Bhutan's most spectacular scenery, including the Gasa hot springs and the Mo Chhu river gorge. This 11-day tour combines the Royal Highland Festival with the essential western Bhutan circuit — Thimphu, Punakha, Gasa — and concludes with the Tiger's Nest hike in Paro.
Tour Highlights
& Key Facts
The Royal Highland Festival
Two days of highland culture at 3,800–4,000m in Laya village — yak competitions, Buelwa gift offerings, Auley epic song recitation, and the Royal Family in attendance. One of the most exclusive festivals in Bhutan.
Tongchu Dra–Laya Trek
A 2-day high-altitude trek through rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, and the Mo Chhu gorge to reach Laya. One of the most spectacular highland approaches in Bhutan. Helicopter option available for those who prefer to fly.
Punakha Dzong
Visit Bhutan's most magnificent dzong at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Built in 1637, it is the winter residence of the Je Khenpo and the site of the Royal Wedding of 2011.
Gasa Hot Springs
The Gasa hot springs — reopened in 2023 after the 2021 flood — sit 2km from Gasa Dzong at the foot of the Himalayan range. Ten pools (five male, five female) fed by natural thermal springs believed to treat thirteen ailments.
Tiger's Nest Monastery
The iconic Taktsang Monastery perched on the cliffs of the Paro Valley — Bhutan's most sacred and celebrated site. A 3–5 hour round-trip hike with approximately 500m elevation gain from the base car park.
Traditional Hot Stone Bath
Unwind after the trek with a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath — a centuries-old therapeutic ritual using heated river stones and medicinal herbs. A perfect recovery after the highland trek.
Tentative
Itinerary
One of the most breathtaking mountain approaches in aviation, the descent into Paro offers a continuously shifting view of some of the world's highest peaks. Our representative will meet you at the airport exit. After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring Paro before driving to Thimphu for the night.
Route: Paro → Thimphu · 50 km · 1–1.5 hrs
Sites: Paro Airport, Paro Dzong, National Museum, Takin Preserve, Buddha Dordenma
Meals: Lunch & Dinner · Stay: Hotel in Thimphu
Drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass (3,100m), where 108 Druk Wangyel Chortens stand against a backdrop of the eastern Himalayan chain on clear days. Continue to Punakha Dzong — at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, built in 1637. Visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Fertility Temple.
Route: Thimphu → Punakha · 85 km · 2–3 hrs
Sites: Dochula Pass (3,100m), Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner · Stay: Hotel in Punakha
Drive north from Punakha to Gasa — approximately 47km, 2–3 hours through increasingly dramatic mountain scenery along the Mo Chhu river. Visit the Gasa hot springs, 2km from the dzong. The springs were destroyed in the 2021 glacial lake flood and fully reopened in October 2023.
Route: Punakha → Gasa · 47 km · 2–3 hrs
Sites: Punakha Valley, Gasa Dzong, Gasa Hot Springs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner · Stay: Homestay at Gasa
Drive approximately 2.5 hours from Gasa to Tongchu Dra — the end of the motorable road. From here, hike to Laya (approximately 5 hours) through high alpine terrain, rhododendron forests, and the Mo Chhu gorge. Arrive in Laya village at 3,800m. Helicopter option: fly directly from Paro to the festival grounds — ideal for those who prefer to skip the trek.
Route: Drive Gasa → Tongchu Dra · ~2.5 hrs, then Trek to Laya · ~5 hrs
Stay: Homestay in Laya
The first day of the festival opens with the Buelwa — a traditional gift offering ceremony — accompanied by Auley, the oral recitation of ancient highland epic poems. Cultural programs throughout the day include yak, horse, and Mastiff competitions, highland craft stalls, and demonstrations of traditional Layap dress and skills. The Royal Family is in attendance.
Sites: The Royal Highland Festival, Laya Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner · Stay: Camp at Laya
The second and final day of the festival continues with songs, dances, cultural programs, and further competitions. An unforgettable culmination of highland culture and royal tradition at one of the most remote and spectacular festival settings in all of Bhutan.
Sites: The Royal Highland Festival, Laya Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner · Stay: Camp at Laya
Descend from Laya back to the Punakha Valley via Gasa. Stop at the Gasa hot springs for a restorative soak before driving to Punakha for the night.
Route: Trek Laya → Gasa, then drive to Punakha
Sites: Gasa Hot Springs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner · Stay: Hotel in Punakha
A full day in Punakha to explore at a comfortable pace. Visit Chimi Lhakhang — the Fertility Temple — and return to Punakha Dzong for a more leisurely look at its extraordinary architecture and jacaranda-lined approach in the valley. Cross Bhutan's longest suspension bridge over the Pho Chhu river.
Sites: Dochula Pass, Chimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong, Suspension Bridge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner · Stay: Hotel in Punakha
Return via Thimphu to browse handicraft and souvenir shops. Continue to Paro, stopping en route at Simtokha Dzong — one of Bhutan's oldest, now home to the Institute for Language and Culture Studies. Check into your Paro hotel for a leisurely afternoon.
Route: Punakha → Thimphu → Paro
Sites: Thimphu Handicrafts, Simtokha Dzong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner · Stay: Hotel in Paro
Hike to Taktsang Monastery — Tiger's Nest — perched dramatically on the cliffs of the Paro Valley at 3,120m. Approximately 3–5 hours round trip with 500m elevation gain from the base car park. After the hike, unwind with a traditional hot stone bath — a soothing and restorative Bhutanese practice using heated river stones and medicinal herbs.
Sites: Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), 3,120m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner · Stay: Hotel in Paro
A leisurely final breakfast before checking out. Depending on your departure time, there may be time for last-minute shopping in Thimphu or Paro. Transfer to Paro International Airport carrying memories of a festival that very few visitors to Bhutan have experienced.
Departure: Paro International Airport
Our itineraries are always customisable. You can shorten or extend your trip as per your needs at any time — simply speak with your Found Bhutan tour specialist. Helicopter access to Laya is available on request.
Inclusions &
Exclusions
Tour Package Inclusions
- Bhutan SDF
- Bhutan VISA Fee
- Luxury (SUV) Vehicle for 1-2 Pax
- Hi-Roof for 3-7 Pax
- Coaster Bus for more than 7 Pax
- Professional & Experienced Driver
- All transportation within Bhutan
- English-speaking expert local Tour Guide
- All three Meals
- Packed Lunches
- Bottled Mineral Water throughout the tour
- Seasonal Fruits
- Accommodation in 3-stars and above Hotels
- Local SIM Card
Tour Package Exclusions
- International Air fare
- Single room supplement charges
- Entrance fees for Museums and Monuments
- Any Personal Expenses
- Tips/gratuities
- Cost arising out of events beyond our control
- Cost for any services not mentioned in the "TOUR PACKAGE INCLUSION"
Tour
Cost
The total cost of the tour will vary based on the number of days, PAX, types of activities, accommodation & fooding, and the places you intend to visit. Our final rates will be shared based on your itinerary requirements.
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