Royal Highlands Festival 2025

October 19: Arrival in Bhutan - Paro
Welcome to the land of the thunder dragon, Bhutan remains a mystery to many, and landing in Paro is where the excitement starts. Cruising over the treeline, slowly zigzagging into the country, the international airport pops up pretty last minute, but with only a few pilots that are trained enough to fly this route, it’s going to be smooth sailing. Upon arrival, you will be mesmerized by the small, artsy, and chrematistic airport and customs will feel like being greeted by an old friend rather than a government clarity. You will be greeted by your personal guide and driver and visit the National Museum of Bhutan before you take off to Paro Eco Lodge, where you will check-in and rest. In the evening, we will go out and explore the local market and Paro town and enjoy our first dinner in the town. 

October 20: Hike to the iconic Tigers Nest 
In the morning we will be picked up from our hotel and taken to the starting point for your trekking to the famous tiger's nest / Taktsang Monastery. This will take approximately 3 hrs uphill. After a visit to the iconic Tigers nest, sitting on a cliff above the Paro Valley, you will hike back down which takes approximately 2 hours. After you head back down, a delicious picnic lunch will be waiting for you and we will head towards the capital city of Bhutan. Where many expect skyscrapers, neon lights, and busy streets in an Asian capital city, Thimphu is quite the opposite. The city has no traffic lights, but rather one traffic controller, no sky scrapers but traditional buildings, but we will still be able to find some great hidden gems in the capital. Upon arrival in Thimphu, we will check into our hotel, The Capital Hotel

October 21: Thimphu - Gasa, onto the Highlands
After breakfast, you will start your drive to Gasa, a long drive, but it will offer some magnificent views along the way and include some high mountain passes, including the famous Dochula Pass, where you will stop for some photos, stretching your legs and a cup of coffee. Could you make sure you have your sweater near you because, at this altitude, the temperature has dropped significantly compared to Thimphu? Your second stop will be at the farmers market, where you can buy any fruits or snacks for the ride. After this quick stop, you will continue to the nunnery in Punakha, where you will visit the monastery and see the nuns in their daily routine, and if the timing is right, you might even catch some chantings. After this, you will continue to Punakha for lunch at Merengma Bistro and continue your last drive to Gasa. Upon arrival in Gasa, you will check in to the local farmhouse and go to the national hot springs and baths for a dip; it can't get more local than this! You will return to the farmhouse for dinner and an early sleep since you will start your hike to Laya tomorrow morning.

Oct 22: Gasa - Laya 
After an early breakfast, you will pack up and get into the vehicle that will take you to the base of today's trek, a 3-hour drive. The trek will take between 2-3 hours following a steep mountain road, ending the day at 3800 meters / 12,467 ft. Once you reach Laya, you will settle into the local farmhouse, get rewarded with a delicious cup of butter or milk tea to regain your energy, and you will spend the rest of the evening relaxing near the Bukhari, where you can warm up and enjoy your warm dinner before you tuck in. Don't expect the best of a bed, but a mattress on the floor with enough blankets to keep you warm and a heater in your room.

Oct 23: Laya - Royal Highland Festival 
After breakfast, prepared by your host family, you will hike another 650 ft up in altitude towards the plateau where the festival is held, overlooking Laya and the mountains in the background. His Majesty the King will open the festival and welcome the runners who just ran a marathon with the end goal, Laya. You can participate in the local games, take photos of the locals in their traditional clothing, or sit down and soak in the views, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment and you should definitely take in every moment that you spent up here. In the afternoon you will hike down back to your farmhouse and warm back up before you head out to the village where there will be lots of activities and entertainment. From singer songwriters, to dance groups and even His Majesty the King of Bhutan, it's an evening full of fun :) 

Oct 24: Laya - Royal Highland Festival 
Spend another day at the festival, where you perhaps can chat a bit with His Majesty the King, buy some local souvenirs or products, watch the Tibetan Mastiff and the Yaks that are beautifully decorated, and chat with the local Layaps. Dress up in local clothing, and don't feel shy to ask for photos with the locals as they are proudly show casing their beautiful clothes and always wear a smile on their face. In the evening, return to your farmhouse for dinner and overnight. 

Oct 25: Laya - Gasa - Punakha
After an early breakfast, you will descend back to the base. The hike will take approximately 2 hours, as there will be a lot of donkey traffic on the way. At the base you will stop for a cup of noodles or plate of momos while your guide will load your vehicle for the drive back to Gasa. Once in Gasa you will exchange cars again and drive back down to Punakha. Upon arrival in Punakha you will be happy to take a warm shower again and enjoy dinner at the hotel and have a good night's sleep after being at altitude for the last few nights. Overnight at Zhingkham Resort.

Oct 26: Punakha, The old capital 
After breakfast, you will depart to the Punakha Dzong, one of the most impressive buildings in the country and the second largest Dzong. Punkaha holds a special place in the country since it is the former capital and where the King and Queen got married. Afterwards you will visit the suspension bridge and hike upto the Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten to have a wonderful view over the valley. Overnight at Zhingkham Resort

Oct 27: Punakha - Thimphu
After breakfast, you can proceed for a morning rafting activity on the female river. This activity will take about 1,5 hour. After the rafting you will proceed to Chimi Lahkhang, also known as the temple of fertility. You will enjoy a short hike through the rice fields and pass local houses before you reach the temple where you will learn more about the interesting history of this place and the divine madman. Make sure you will keep your eyes open for all the interesting art on the houses along the way. After your visit to the temple you will enjoy lunch overlooking the village before you head back to Thimphu. Overnight at Capital Hotel. 

Oct 28: Thimphu, something old, something new. 
Today, you will start your day with some sightseeing in the capital city. Don’t worry if you are not a city person; Thimphu feels like a developed village rather than an Asian metropolis. You will start with a visit to Buddha Point, where you will visit the impressive Buddha and see more than 100,000 small Buddhas inside. Instead of driving back to town, we will hike back through the forest, which takes about 2 hrs, a peaceful and beautiful hike. After lunch, you will visit the memorial chorten, an important landmark in the city where people from all over the city visit daily for their prayers for good health and luck. You will pass by the famous intersection where a traffic officer is arranging the traffic; by now, you might have noticed that neither Thimphu nor Bhutan counts any traffic lights. Buy some souvenirs at the crafts market or visit the farmers market before returning to your hotel. In the evening, you will be dropped back at The Capital Hotel.  Here, you will spend some time relaxing and can use their spa facilities. Feel free to let your guide know if you want to go out for a night in town and explore the karaoke scene or go for a local dinner.

October 29: Paro International Airport 
After breakfast and a leisurely morning, you will be taken to the airport for your departure flight as you bid farewell to the last Shangri-La.