HIGHLANDER FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL TOUR / HIGHLANDER FESTIVAL
Highlander Festival
The Highlander Festival in Bhutan is a celebration deeply rooted in the unique cultural heritage of the country’s highland communities. Held annually, this festival offers a fascinating glimpse into the traditional lifestyle, customs, and skills of Bhutan’s mountain dwellers. From thrilling traditional sports and games like archery and khuru (dart-throwing) to captivating cultural performances and demonstrations of traditional crafts such as weaving and pottery-making, the Highlander Festival showcases the rich tapestry of Bhutanese highland culture. Visitors to the festival have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant traditions of Bhutan's highlanders while enjoying the breathtaking natural beauty of the mountainous landscapes that serve as the backdrop for this unforgettable event.
Day 1: Arrive Paro drive to Thimphu
On arrival to Paro, you will be received by our representative, tour guide Drive to Thimphu, the capital city. The beautiful drive From Paro to Thimphu takes about an hour along the Thimphu River valley till the capital city of Thimphu. In Thimphu, visit the Buddha Dodernma statue and the memorial chorten. After that, visit, Pangri Zampa Astrological collage where monks’ study traditional Astrology. Textile Museum, beautiful display of Bhutanese age-old dress and various type of Textile. Takin Zoo National Animal and take easy nature walk Takin trails through beautiful streams. Overnight Hotel
Day 2: Drive to Punakha – Gasa
Drive to Punakha. En route, stop at Dochula Pass. Enjoy a spectacular view of the ranges of the eastern Himalayas if the sky is clear. We will also come across 108 stupas. Afternoon visit the majestic Punakha Dzong. This picturesque fortress is situated on the confluence of Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) Rivers. It was built in 1637 by the first supreme leader and unifier of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. After Lunch Drive to Gasa 4 hours through the village of, Shari, Tashithang and Damji. Gasa Village. 2840M. Overnight Home stay Evening Experience Hot spring (Tsa Chu).
Day 3 : Koina to Laya Taktsemakha Army Post
Drive to Koina and start the trek. On this route we will come across some beautiful waterfall, cave, forest and rivers. Before Laya you reach to a Taksemakha Army Post where you need to show the trekking permit. From Tatsemakha it is one hour journey to Laya. Ovenight Home stay.
Day 4 and 5: Laya Festival and Explore Laya
Attend the Highlander festival. During the festival, visitors can witness The traditional offering of Buelwa (Gift offering) with Auley (traditional epic poem/song recitation tradition originated from Zhabdrung Rinpoche days) that begun during Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s reign in showing loyalty and respect by the community of Laya is being offered for dynamic and visionary leadership of our successive monarchs. Variety of cultural programs will be performed by Layaps. The various competitions on highland animals including the Yaks, horses and Mastiffs will be held and also competition such as traditional songs and dances will be held.
Day 6 : Laya to Thimphu
Morning starting trekking back to Koina and drive to Thimphu.
Day 7 : Thimphu Sightseeing and Travel to Paro
Visit the Sorig Museum, Traditional Medicine Centre which includes, Celestial City of Medicine Buddha, National Museum (Ta Dzong once the Watch Tower. It was converted into a National Museum in 1968. It has many national treasures and will provide an excellent introduction to Bhutan and its history Visit to Zhabdrung Lhakhang, very well-built. Visit Textile Museum, beautiful display of Bhutanese age-old dress and various type of Textile
Day 8 : Paro
We will take a two-hour hike to Taktsang Monastery, arguably one of the most photographed monasteries in Bhutan. Accessible only by foot, this sacred site was built precariously on the cliff’s edge, more than 10,000 feet above sea level. This is where Guru (Rinpoche) Padmasambhava, the father of Bhutan Buddhism, is said to have flown on the back of a tiger to meditate in a cave. We end our tour with a visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan. Overnight stay at a hotel in Paro town.
Day 9 : Departure
After breakfast, check out from your hotel. Transfer to Paro International Airport for your departure flight. Bid farewell to Bhutan as you board your flight, carrying cherished memories of the Punakha Tshechu and your experiences in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
On arrival to Paro, you will be received by our representative, tour guide Drive to Thimphu, the capital city. The beautiful drive From Paro to Thimphu takes about an hour along the Thimphu River valley till the capital city of Thimphu. In Thimphu, visit the Buddha Dodernma statue and the memorial chorten. After that, visit, Pangri Zampa Astrological collage where monks’ study traditional Astrology. Textile Museum, beautiful display of Bhutanese age-old dress and various type of Textile. Takin Zoo National Animal and take easy nature walk Takin trails through beautiful streams. Overnight Hotel
Day 2: Drive to Punakha – Gasa
Drive to Punakha. En route, stop at Dochula Pass. Enjoy a spectacular view of the ranges of the eastern Himalayas if the sky is clear. We will also come across 108 stupas. Afternoon visit the majestic Punakha Dzong. This picturesque fortress is situated on the confluence of Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) Rivers. It was built in 1637 by the first supreme leader and unifier of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. After Lunch Drive to Gasa 4 hours through the village of, Shari, Tashithang and Damji. Gasa Village. 2840M. Overnight Home stay Evening Experience Hot spring (Tsa Chu).
Day 3 : Koina to Laya Taktsemakha Army Post
Drive to Koina and start the trek. On this route we will come across some beautiful waterfall, cave, forest and rivers. Before Laya you reach to a Taksemakha Army Post where you need to show the trekking permit. From Tatsemakha it is one hour journey to Laya. Ovenight Home stay.
Day 4 and 5: Laya Festival and Explore Laya
Attend the Highlander festival. During the festival, visitors can witness The traditional offering of Buelwa (Gift offering) with Auley (traditional epic poem/song recitation tradition originated from Zhabdrung Rinpoche days) that begun during Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s reign in showing loyalty and respect by the community of Laya is being offered for dynamic and visionary leadership of our successive monarchs. Variety of cultural programs will be performed by Layaps. The various competitions on highland animals including the Yaks, horses and Mastiffs will be held and also competition such as traditional songs and dances will be held.
Day 6 : Laya to Thimphu
Morning starting trekking back to Koina and drive to Thimphu.
Day 7 : Thimphu Sightseeing and Travel to Paro
Visit the Sorig Museum, Traditional Medicine Centre which includes, Celestial City of Medicine Buddha, National Museum (Ta Dzong once the Watch Tower. It was converted into a National Museum in 1968. It has many national treasures and will provide an excellent introduction to Bhutan and its history Visit to Zhabdrung Lhakhang, very well-built. Visit Textile Museum, beautiful display of Bhutanese age-old dress and various type of Textile
Day 8 : Paro
We will take a two-hour hike to Taktsang Monastery, arguably one of the most photographed monasteries in Bhutan. Accessible only by foot, this sacred site was built precariously on the cliff’s edge, more than 10,000 feet above sea level. This is where Guru (Rinpoche) Padmasambhava, the father of Bhutan Buddhism, is said to have flown on the back of a tiger to meditate in a cave. We end our tour with a visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan. Overnight stay at a hotel in Paro town.
Day 9 : Departure
After breakfast, check out from your hotel. Transfer to Paro International Airport for your departure flight. Bid farewell to Bhutan as you board your flight, carrying cherished memories of the Punakha Tshechu and your experiences in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
Price Includes :
- A minimum of 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars can be upgraded at an additional fee)
- All meals / Tea & snacks
- All internal transport (excluding Domestic flights)
- Sightseeing with entrance fees
- An experienced English speaking tour leader
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- SDF (Sustainable Development Fees/Government Fees) & Visa Fees
Price Excludes :
- Flights
- Travel & Health Insurance
- Additional personal expenses such as souvenirs, meals, snacks, alcohol, laundry, tips, and gratuities for the tour leader and staff.
