Overview
The Royal Highland Experience travels north towards the majestic snow peaks bordering Tibet to witness the annual Royal Highland Festival in Laya.
Staged at an altitude of 3,800 meters, this tour brings you into direct contact with the nomadic Layap people, famous for their unique conical bamboo hats and yak-hair attire. The festival showcases high-altitude games, yak beauty pageants, and traditional mountain dances, making it one of the most culturally pure experiences in the world.
Trip Highlights
- A high-altitude briefing on Layap life and cold-weather preparation in Thimphu.
- An evening soak in the mineral-rich Gasa Hot Springs (Tsachu).
- A trail walk up to the Laya plateau (3,800m) and a deluxe wilderness camp.
- A full day at the Royal Highland Festival — decorated yaks, animal races, wrestling and Layap dances.
- Dry-stone houses and yak-herding families in Laya village.
- Punakha Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, Tiger’s Nest and a hot stone bath.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Land at Paro Airport and transfer via luxury SUV to Thimphu. Spend your evening resting and acclimatizing to the elevation while walking through the capital city lanes.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Thimphu
Visit Buddha Point and the Memorial Chorten. Spend the afternoon meeting with a local cultural guide for a detailed high-altitude briefing regarding the Layap lifestyle and cold-weather gear preparation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Thimphu
Drive 5 hours north through deep forested gorges towards Gasa district. Upon arrival, check into your premium campsite/lodge setup and spend the evening soaking in the therapeutic, mineral-rich Gasa Hot Springs (Tsachu).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Gasa
Drive along the rugged unpaved mountain road to the road-head base camp. From there, embark on a steady trail walk alongside your team up to the scenic highland plateau of Laya (3,800m). Check into your specialized deluxe wilderness camp setup.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Laya
Spend a full day at the festival grounds against the backdrop of snow-covered peaks. Witness the parade of decorated yaks, high-altitude animal races, traditional wrestling matches, and the unique, ancient dances performed by the Layap women.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Laya
Take a slow day to explore Laya village. Visit traditional dry-stone houses, interact with yak-herding families to learn about their seasonal migrations, and sample local high-altitude dairy products.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Laya
Descend from the highlands back down to the road-head and board your luxury vehicle. Drive south to the warm, low altitude of Punakha Valley to rest your lungs and joints.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Punakha
Explore the majestic Punakha Dzong in the morning light. Drive 4.5 hours backtracking over Dochula Pass to Paro. Visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang temple upon arrival.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Complete the classic hike up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Celebrate the completion of your rugged highland journey with a premium hot stone bath session and a traditional multi-course farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Transfer to Paro Airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions & Exclusions
What’s Included
- Private Transport & Guide: All ground transportation in a private vehicle with an English-speaking licensed guide.
- Accommodation: Twin/double-sharing rooms in 3-star tourist-standard hotels.
- Meals: All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as per itinerary.
- Sustainable Development Fee: The daily SDF is included.
- Hydration: Bottled water during transfers and sightseeing.
- Government Dues: Government royalty and applicable taxes.
What’s Not Included
- Airfare: International/regional airfare to and from Paro.
- Visa Fee: Bhutan visa processing fee (arranged in advance by Gu-Mar as part of permit clearance).
- Personal Expenses: Laundry, telephone, beverages and tips.
- Insurance: Travel insurance.
- Pony Hire: Pony hire for the Tiger’s Nest hike (optional, paid on-site).
- Other Services: Any services not mentioned under Inclusions.
Good to Know
- Licensed Operator: All non-Indian, non-Bangladeshi and non-Maldivian nationals must travel through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator such as Gu-Mar; we process visa clearance and the SDF on your behalf before arrival.
- Hotel Upgrades: Hotel categories can be upgraded to 4-star or boutique/heritage properties under our Deluxe or Luxurious collections.
- Flexible Sequencing: Itinerary sequencing may shift slightly depending on flight timings, road conditions or festival dates — your guide will confirm the final day-by-day plan on arrival.