Royal Highland Festival (7nights & 8 days)

This festival brings together highlanders from other parts of Bhutan to exchange values, knowledge, skills, and best practices related to highlands and yak farming. During the festival, visitors can witness the traditional offering of Buelwa (gift offering) with Auley (traditional epic poem/song recitation traditional originated from the time of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the 17th century.

 

Day 1 Arrival (Paro) to Punakha
Fly into Bhutan from Bangkok/Kathmandu/Delhi. Arrive at Paro international airport (Bhutan) where you will meet your tour guide & driver and then, drive to Punakha the old capital and winter home of central monk body via Dochula pass where you will have a spectacular view of the Himalayas ranges of Bhutan.

Distance &Time: 125 km, 4 hours

Altitude: Punakha 1200m, Dochula Pass 3150m, Gasa 2850m

Attractions: Highest Mountain peaks from the pass on a clear day, Druk Wangyal Chortens (108 Stupas) & Temple (2005); Punakha Dzong (1637, the fortress of great happiness), Chimmi Lhakhang (15th-century temple of fertility)

 

Day 2: Punakha to Gasa

Drive to Gasa, one of the remote and least developed districts in Bhutan. It’s a long drive through the dense and winding road along the Mochu (Female River).

Distance &Time: 65 km, 2 hours

Altitude: Punakha 1200m, Dochula , Gasa 2850m

Attractions: Gasa Tsachu (hot springs) and relax in the rejuvenating mineral waters. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan.

Overnight: Camp or homestay in Gasa

 

Day 3. Gasa to Laya

In the morning drive to Koina till the road end.  The trail winds up and down along the river valley of Mo Chhu avoiding natural obstacles and affording breath-taking views of the raging river, feeder streams, and waterfalls. A gradual climb to the army camp where you have to show your Permit at the check post. The trek then climbs up to the village of laya. From the west of the village, you will have spectacular views of Mt. Gangchhenta and catch Mt. Masagang. In the village, the centers is a community school and a basic health unit with a telephone connection. Experience the life of yak herders and Himalayan flora and fauna.

 

Day 4. Laya (Royal Highland festival)

Today take a halt at laya village where you will witness the Royal Highland Festival, you will have a chance to take photos of these beautiful people and villages. Laya is one of the highest and most remote villages in Bhutan, at 3700m. The people here raise yaks for their livelihood and they grow turnips, mustard, wheat, and barley each year before winter. During summer people move to high pastures with their yaks and live in black tents woven from yak hair. The layups have their own language, custom, and distinct dress. The women keep their hair long and wear conical bamboo hats with a bamboo spike on top, held on by a beaded band. They dress in black woolen jackets with silver trims and long woolen skirts with a few stripes in orange or brown.

 

Day 5. Laya to Punakha

The trail winds up and down along the river valley of Mo Chhu to Koina with Lots of ups and downs that will lead you to Kohi Lapcha at 3,300 m. The trek then drops down to the large stream of Koina Chhu, where you will find the campsite of Koina. From there a short climb you will meet with your car to pick you up and then drive to Punakha (1200m) which will take 3 hours.

 

Day 6. Punakha to Paro

Today drive back to Paro via Dochula pass & Thimphu

Distance & Time: 125km, 4 hours

Altitude: Paro 2200m

Attractions: Simtokha Dzong (1629 A.D the oldest fort in the country), giant Buddha Statue, National Museum (1968), Paro Rinpung Dzong (1646 A.D the fortress of the heap of jewels)

Overnight: hotel in Paro.

 

Day 7. Paro

In the morning after breakfast hike to Taktshang Goemba (Tiger’s nest temple) or ride a pony till halfway to the temple, you will walk through the blue pine forest and on the way there is a cafeteria where you can have tea & snacks or Lunch.

Distance & Time: 7 km, 2- 3 hours

Altitude: Tiger’s nest temple 3000m

Attractions:  Tiger’s nest temple, 8th-century Buddhist temple, Paro town for Shopping.

Overnight: hotel in Paro

 

Day 8. Departure

Drive to Paro International Airport to catch a flight for your onward destination.