According to the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), Bhutan is getting ready to host the Royal Highland Festival on October 23, 2022, in Laya, Gasa. To promote the highland culture and boost Bhutan’s economy, His Majesty The King envisioned the Royal Highland Festival in 2016. As well as showcasing the wonders and beauty of the Gasa Dzongkhag, the festival will commemorate Bhutan’s nomadic highland people and their culture.
According to Tenzin Chopel, the officiating Dzongda of Gasa (Governor), this is a great opportunity for you to visit one of the most scenic festival locations in Bhutan, meet a lot of Bhutanese people, and get a real feel for what Bhutan truly is. Further, the picturesque backdrop of extraordinary surrounding peaks makes it an ideal venue for the festival, he said.
From October 23rd to October 24th, 2022, the two-day festival will be characterized by parades, games, and competitions with highland animals, such as horses, yaks, and mastiffs. The animals are dressed in expensive fabrics, have bells, and are a sight to behold because of their appearance.
Aside from this, there will also be a variety of cultural events that will be carried out by the Layaps, the indigenous people of Laya. These events include traditional dances, songs, offering gifts, and recitations of poetry.
Furthermore, the festival will include stalls that sell local products, as well as medicinal herbs and plants, among other things. In addition to the gatherings of communities from all over Bhutan, this festival also sees many tribes from the high Himalayas bringing their animals down to compete in races and show off their livestock.
How to Reach?
You will need to drive to Tongchudra, then you will need to walk for six hours till you reach Laya, which is also one of the most scenic hikes you will ever have the opportunity to take in Bhutan. You may also choose to take a helicopter ride or use porter horses along the way to assist you along the way.
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