Royal Highland Festival Tour Bhutan

Driven by the underlying goal of preserving highland tradition & culture and making the highlands a vibrant and thriving economy, Royal Highland Festival aims to promote the sustainable livelihood of highlanders, showcase their innovation, and exhibit the highlands as a pride of Bhutan. The highlanders from Wangdue, Thimphu, Paro, Haa, Trongsa, Bumthang, Trashigang, Lhuentse, Trashiyangtse and Gasa also participate in the festival to exchange values, knowledge, skills and best practices related to highlands and yak farming. During the festival, variety of cultural programs performed by Layaps (people of Laya region). Various entertaining programs including the animal parade, tug of war, horse race, cattle show, strongwoman competition, wrestling, run and lottery along with various cultural dances also steal the hearts of visitors. The festival venue also consists of series of stalls ranging from local based yak produce to highland technology, highland agriculture technology, medicinal herbs & plants and others.

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Day 1: Arrive Paro (Bhutan) by Flight & drive to Thimphu (55km, approx. 1.1/2-hour drive)

• On arrival at Paro International Airport, received by our representative after immigration formalities & baggage collection and then transfer to Bhutan’s capital city, Thimphu. En route photo stop at Tamchog temple viewpoint & Chuzom, the confluence of Paro & Thimphu rivers.
• On arrival in Thimphu check into the hotel.
• Later visit King’s Memorial Stupa.
• Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu city centre.
• Overnight in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).
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Day 2: Thimphu

• Full day exploration of Thimphu valley includes visit to, Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, Institute of Zorig Chusum or Arts & Crafts School, Takin Preserve, Thimphu Post office, Buddha Dordenma and Trashichhoedzong, the beautiful medieval fortress / monastery.
• Overnight in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).
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Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha (75km, approx. 2.1/2-hour drive)

• After breakfast, drive to Punakha, the ancient capital town of Bhutan. En route take a short stop at Dochula pass (3,080m) enjoying stunning mountain views at the backdrop of picturesque Druk Wangyel Chortens (stupa).
• On arrival in Punakha, check into the hotel.
• Afternoon visit historic Punakha Dzong (fortress cum monastery) and a short walking excursion (about 30 min round trip walk) to Chimi Lhakhang or ‘Fertility Temple’.
• Overnight in Punakha (Altitude 1,300m).
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Day 4: Punakha - Gasa – Koina

• After breakfast, drive through terraced fields, farmhouses and protected forests of Jigme Dorji National Park to Gasa (76km, approx. 3.1/2-hour drive).
• Then commence trek to Koina (14km, approx. 5-hour trek) crossing 3,900m Bari La pass en route.
• Overnight in camp (Altitude 3,050m).
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Day 5: Koina – Laya

• After breakfast begin trek to Laya (19km, approx. 7-hour trek) with a gradual climb to Koina Lapcha at 3,300m. From here after several ascends and descend reach upto army post and then gradually climb up to Laya village.
• Overnight in Camp (Altitude 3,800m).
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Day 6: Laya (Royal Highland Festival)

• Full day witness & enjoy unique Royal Highland Festival.
• Overnight in Camp (Altitude 3,800m).
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Day 7: Laya (Royal Highland Festival)

• Full day witness & enjoy unique Royal Highland Festival.
• Overnight in Camp (Altitude 3,800m).
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Day 8: Laya – Koina

• After breakfast, commence approx. 7-hour trek to Koina.
• Overnight in Camp (Altitude 3,050m).
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Day 9: Koina – Gasa – Punakha

• After breakfast, commence approx. 5-hour trek to Gasa.
• Later experience hot spring at Gasa.
• Then drive onward to Punakha.
• Overnight in Punakha (Altitude 1,300m).
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Day 10: Punakha – Paro (125km, approx. 4-hour drive)

• Morning after breakfast, drive to Paro via Dochula pass.
• Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong (National Museum) & Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) or ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’.
• Evening an exploratory walk around Paro city centre.
• Overnight in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).
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Day 11: Paro

• After breakfast, walking excursion (approx. 5-hour round trip walk) to Taktsang monastery or ‘Tiger Nest’.
• Afternoon visit Kyichu & Dungtse temples.
• Overnight in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).
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Day 12: Depart Paro (Bhutan)

• Morning transfer to Paro International Airport for flight to onward destination.