11 days/ 10 nights · Private tour
Tour highlights
About this tour
The Royal Highland Festival brings together herders from every high valley of Bhutan in the remote village of Laya. On 23 and 24 October 2027, you see yak parades, horse races, songs, dances and stalls of yak cheese and wool. The Laya women, with their pointed bamboo hats, are famous across the country.
Laya sits at about 3,850 metres, below snow peaks near the Tibetan border. You reach it on foot from the hot springs of Gasa, camping on the way. As a result, this is a festival and a real Himalayan trek in one trip.
The festival began in 2016 to celebrate the culture of Bhutan’s highland people and to support their way of life. Herders bring their best yaks and horses, and there are contests, songs and mask dances. Meanwhile, stalls sell yak meat, cheese, wool, medicinal herbs and highland crafts.
It is moderate to challenging. You walk five to seven hours a day on trails that climb and drop through forest and high meadows. However, horses carry the camping gear, our crew cooks every meal, and the pace is steady.
Prefer a festival trek closer to Paro? The Jomolhari Mountain Festival takes place the week before. Or see every Bhutan festival tour for 2027.
Your Royal Highland Festival trip starts from US$4,400 per person, and group discounts are available. The price covers the Sustainable Development Fee, hotels and camping, and all meals. It also includes a camp crew and cook, pack horses, a private vehicle and driver, a licensed guide, taxes and entry fees. Flights, insurance and drinks are extra.
The Sustainable Development Fee is USD 100 per night right now. That is half the standard rate set by Bhutan’s official tourism site. However, this lower rate is confirmed only until 31 August 2027. We have been licensed since 2012 and have welcomed more than 2,000 travellers.
It is planned for 23 and 24 October 2027 in Laya, in Gasa district.
A rough farm road reaches the area in good weather, but it is often closed. We plan the trek on foot, which is more reliable and far more beautiful.
Nights in Laya fall well below freezing. We provide warm sleeping bags, and you should bring a down jacket.
Day by day
This itinerary shows one way to enjoy this trip. We can change any day, add or remove places, change the pace or the hotels, and add a festival. Every journey we run is curated around you.
Paro to Thimphu · 55 km · about 1.5 hours · 2,300 m Your flight drops into the Paro Valley, and your guide greets you with a white scarf. You follow the river to Thimphu, stopping at Chuzom, where three small stupas mark the meeting of two rivers. In the afternoon, you visit the Memorial Chorten, where elders turn prayer wheels. In the evening, you walk the main street of the capital. Overnight: Thimphu
Thimphu to Punakha · 72 km · about 3 hours · Dochula Pass 3,100 m You climb through pine forest to Dochula Pass, where 108 chortens stand against the Himalaya. On clear days, a line of snow peaks fills the horizon. Then the road drops into the warm Punakha Valley. In the afternoon, you walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman. Overnight: Punakha
Punakha to Gasa · about 80 km · 3 to 4 hours · 2,800 m You follow the Mo Chhu north through subtropical forest and small villages. In the afternoon, you visit Gasa Dzong, perched on a hillside below the peaks. Later, you soak in the natural hot springs below the town, a perfect start to the trek. Overnight: Gasa
Gasa to Koina · 5 to 6 hours · camp about 3,050 m You walk through forest of oak, maple and bamboo, crossing streams on wooden bridges. Along the way, you may meet herders bringing their animals to the festival. In the afternoon, you reach your riverside camp, where the crew has hot tea ready. Overnight: Camp at Koina
Koina to Laya · 6 to 7 hours · camp about 3,850 m The trail climbs steadily through fir forest and over a ridge. Then the valley opens, and Laya appears below the snow peaks, with stone houses and fields of barley. In the evening, the village is buzzing with visitors and herders setting up for the festival. Overnight: Camp at Laya
Laya · festival day · 3,850 m The festival opens with a procession, songs and dances. Herders show off their yaks and horses, and the contests begin. At midday, you try yak meat and butter tea at the stalls. In the afternoon, you watch the horse races. Overnight: Camp at Laya
Laya · festival day You spend another day among the highlanders. Your guide introduces you to families from Laya and other high valleys. In the afternoon, you walk through the village lanes and see how people live at this altitude. Overnight: Camp at Laya
Laya to Koina · 5 to 6 hours, mostly downhill You leave Laya with a last look at the peaks and walk back down through the forest. In the afternoon, you reach your riverside camp. Overnight: Camp at Koina
Koina to Gasa · 5 hours · then 3 to 4 hours by car You walk the final stretch to the road, where your driver is waiting. After lunch, you drive down to the warm Punakha Valley for a hot shower and a good bed. Overnight: Punakha
Punakha to Paro · 125 km · about 4.5 hours with stops You cross Dochula once more for a last look at the mountains, then follow the river roads to Paro. In the afternoon, you visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, and walk down from Rinpung Dzong across a covered wooden bridge. Overnight: Paro
Paro airport · short transfer After breakfast, your guide and driver take you to Paro airport and see you off with a farewell scarf. We hope to welcome you back soon, perhaps for a festival in another season.
Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country or any insurance company of your choice.
Tell us your dates, and we will shape this trip around you.
