A celebration of highland culture

Royal Highland Festival draws over 2,500 attendees

Chencho Dema 

Laya— The Royal Highland Festival, inaugurated in 2016 by His Majesty the King, achieved a new milestone this year, attracting over 2,500 attendees, more than doubling last year’s count of 1,000 participants.

Held annually on October 23 and 24 in the remote village of Laya, Gasa, the festival celebrates the unique culture and breathtaking beauty of the highlands.

Celebrated atop a plateau in Tendrelthang, surrounded by stunning snow-capped peaks, the festival drew over 200 international tourists eager to immerse themselves in the vibrant highland culture.

His Majesty the King graced the occasion, and expressed gratitude to tourists and visitors attending the festival.

Many first-time attendees, like Thomas, 35, from Holland, planned their trips specifically for the festival. “I am speechless by the pristine environment of Bhutan. Trekking from Jomolhari to Laya has been thrilling,” he said. “Next time, I plan to send my parents to Bhutan as well.”

Similarly, Kendra, 27, a journalist and filmmaker who is on her maiden visit to Bhutan, was mesmerised by Laya’s cultural richness. “It’s so unique and different,” she said. “Today is the happiest day of my life; it feels like a dream. I am so glad I made it to the festival.”

Dorji Wangdi, who traveled for three days from Lunana to attend the festival for the first time. “I could not attend the festival in the past. I am glad I made it and I am happy to be here,” he said.

The festival also features highland communities from 10 yak-rearing dzongkhags, each presenting their unique traditions and locally-produced goods. The festival is vibrant display of the diverse heritage and way of life across Bhutan’s highland regions.

Gup Tshewang, also the dzongkhag Thrizin, said that the festival brings in many benefits for the Layaps. “Horses are used to carry visitors’ loads, earning Nu 300 per trip, while a horse ride from Taktsemakha to Laya costs Nu 1,000,” he said.

He further said that homestays in Laya are fully booked during the festival, providing an additional source of income for the locals.

Homestay rates range from Nu 900 per person for a house hosting more than five guests to Nu 1,200 per person for houses hosting less than five guests per night. Additionally, locals earn Nu 1,500 per tourist for setting up camping tents.”

The committee members of dzongkhag and gewog fix these rates.

The local residents also displayed and sold local products like chugo (dried cheese), butter and fabric unique to the highlanders. There were more than 17 tents of highlanders from different dzongkhags showcasing their products.

In addition to traditional exhibits, the festival also showcased various sports competitions, including horse racing, ramp-walking, wrestling, and highland animal parade, among others.

The popular 25-kilometre Laya Run took place yesterday, with Choki Dorji, a Royal Body Guard, winning in the men’s category while 27-year-old Sonam Choden from Laya claimed the top spot in the women’s category.

The festivities continued into the evening with a bonfire party.

Today at 7 a.m., the Snowman Race will kick off from Tendrelthang. Sixteen runners, including seven Bhutanese participants, are set to take part in this race, renowned as one of the toughest in the world. The first stop is at Tarina, at an elevation of 4,120 metres.

The race will conclude in Bumthang on October 28.