Festivals
Royal Highland Festival (Laya)
A high-altitude festival showcasing the Layap people's culture, yak contests and races.
Overview
Held in the remote highland village of Laya at nearly 4,000 metres above sea level, the Royal Highland Festival is unlike any other festival in Bhutan. It brings together highland communities, government agencies and guests to celebrate the ancient way of life of Bhutan's nomadic highlanders. The festival includes yak beauty contests, horse racing, archery, highland strongman competitions, Layap songs and dances, and stalls selling yak dairy products, medicinal herbs, woven textiles and handcrafted goods. The journey to Laya itself is part of the experience and requires both driving and hiking. Attendance is intentionally limited, making the atmosphere intimate, unhurried and authentic.
Highlights
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Key details
- Best season: Late October
- Duration: 2 days
- Category: Festivals
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