Season: October

Location: Dangochong,Thimphu (At the base of Mt. Jumolhari)

The Jumolhari Mountain Festival is an exquisitely themed two-day event celebrated at the base of Mt. Jumolhari, by communities located along one of the most scenic trekking routes in Bhutan.

The festival is a community-based initiative aimed at promoting and raising awareness of the conservation of the snow leopard and also celebrates the highlander’s life and unique culture. The event also aims at improving economic opportunities for the highlanders.
The communities of Soe Yaksa and Soe Yutoed, located along the Jumolhari trek, in collaboration with Jigme Dorji National Park and the Nature Recreation and Eco-tourism Division with support from the Snow Leopard Conservancy and Bhutan Foundation bring together this festival as a community based initiative towards the conservation of snow leopard, to create awareness on the importance of conservation, engage and build on the perception and attitude to create harmony between the endangered cat and the people, provide a platform to bring in opportunities for sustainable livelihood, and promote their culture.

The festival includes snow leopard themed folk songs and dances performed by the local people, park staff and the school children, traditional sports such as Khuru (darts), shot put, horse and yak riding, sampling of local delicacies and boutique handicrafts, and various picturesque guided hikes in and around Jumolhari. It also showcases various stalls set up by both local and international agencies to educate and promote conservation among those participating at the festival.

(image source: Jumolhari Mountain Festival Organization)