12 Day Royal Highland Festival
Day 1: Arrival in Paro
Arrival in Paro, you will be greeted by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel. You can spend the rest of the day sightseeing in Paro. You can visit the National Museum of Bhutan, Rinpung Dzong, and Kyichu Lhakhang.
In the evening, you will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive takes around 1.5 hours and you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Paro and Thimphu valleys.
Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast, you will begin your sightseeing tour of Thimphu. You can visit the National Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma statue, Tashichho Dzong, and Folk Heritage Museum. In the evening, you can explore the local markets and try out Bhutanese cuisine.
Day 3: Punakha Sightseeing
After breakfast, you will drive to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. On the way, you will stop at the Dochula Pass, which offers panoramic views of the Himalayas. You can also visit the 108 stupas and the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang temple.
After reaching Punakha, you will visit the Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan. You will also visit the Khamsum Yulley Chorten, a stunningly beautiful temple that sits atop a hill overlooking the Punakha valley.
Later, you will visit the famous Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the “Fertility Temple”. This temple is dedicated to the Divine Madman, a popular Bhutanese saint, and is visited by couples seeking blessings for fertility and childbirth. You can also walk across the suspension bridge over the Pho Chu River.
Day 4: Punakha to Gasa to Tongchu Zam
Hike Overnight Camp After breakfast, you will drive to Gasa, a small town located in the northern part of Bhutan. From Gasa, you will begin your hike to Tongchu Zam, which takes around 5-6 hours. The trek takes you through beautiful forests, past streams and waterfalls, and offers stunning views of the Himalayas. You will camp overnight at Tongchu Zam.
Day 5: Tongchu Zam to Laya
Overnight Camp After breakfast, you will continue your trek to Laya, a small village located at an altitude of 3,800 meters. The trek takes around 6-7 hours and is considered one of the most beautiful treks in Bhutan. You will camp overnight at Laya.
Day 6: Royal Highland Festival
Today is the first day of the Royal Highland Festival, which takes place in Laya. The festival celebrates the unique culture and traditions of the highlanders of Bhutan. The festival features traditional Bhutanese music and dance performances, horse and yak riding, archery, and other cultural and sporting events. You will have the opportunity to interact with locals and learn about their way of life.
Day 7: Royal Highland Festival
Today is the second day of the Royal Highland Festival. You can continue to enjoy the various cultural and sporting events and immerse yourself in the local culture. You can also try local delicacies such as yak meat and butter tea.
Day 8: Laya to Tongchu Zam Camp
After breakfast, you will begin your return trek to Tongchu Zam. You will camp overnight at Tongchu Zam
Day 9: Tongchu Zam to Gasa
After breakfast trek back to Gasa, where you’ll get to soak in the natural hot springs and relax your muscles after the trek.
Day 10: Gasa to Paro
After breakfast, you’ll drive to Paro, where you’ll have some leisure time to explore the town and do some shopping.
Day 11: Hike to Tiger’s Nest
After breakfast visit the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which is one of Bhutan’s most famous landmarks. The hike to the monastery takes about 2-3 hours and is quite steep in some places, but the views and the experience of visiting this historic site make it well worth the effort.
Day 12: Departure
Transfer to Paro International Airport for your departure flight.