expedia
Layap with their traditional dress

10-Day Royal Highland Festival and Laya Run Tour in Laya

By Bhutan Holiday Trips
Free cancellation available
Price is €3,438 per adult
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 10d
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
Overview

The most popular highland festival takes place in Laya, a village located at one of the remote and high altitude regions in Bhutan.The Royal Highland Festival brings in all the highlanders from across the country. Every year in October, both locals and most of the tourists either trek or participate in Laya Run which is yet another challenging and most spectacular running race in the kingdom. Laya is known to many as the roof of the world.

Activity location

  • Paro
    • Paro, Bhutan, Bhutan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Paro
    • Paro, Bhutan, Bhutan

Check availability


10-Day Royal Highland Festival and Laya Run Tour in Laya in English
  • Activity duration is 10 days10d10d
  • Opening hours: Fri 08:30-23:30
  • English

Pickup included

Language options: English
Price details
€3,438.36 x 1 Adult€3,438.36

Total
Price is €3,438.36

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedTour guide
  • What's includedWhat's includedHotels
  • What's includedWhat's includedAccommodation includes: 9 nights
  • What's includedWhat's includedMeals
  • What's includedWhat's includedCar with driver
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedDrinks and drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedLaundry
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedOther bills of personal nature
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedTravel Insurance
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedFlight ticket.

Know before you book

  • Not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
  • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travellers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.

Activity itinerary

Day 1: Day 1(October 19, Monday): Arrive Paro
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight in 3 star hotel.
Paro
During the journey, one will experience breath-taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Jumolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by your guide and transfer you to the Hotel. Later in the afternoon you will visit Paro Dzong. It was built in 17th century and now houses government offices and religious institutions. Then you will visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 8th century. In the evening you can stroll in the paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro
Day 2: Day 2(October 20, Tuesday): Paro
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: overnight in 3 star hotel.
Paro Taktsang
  • 5h
In the morning you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery situated at 3180 metres. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. The Moanstery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 metres above Paro Valley. Lunch will be served at the Cafeteria. Explore the monastery and hike back to the valley in the afternoon. Overnight hotel in Paro
Day 3: Day 3 (October 21, Wednesday): Paro to Punakha – Gasa, 130 km 5 hrs
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight in Guest house.
Gasa Dzong
  • 5h
After breakfast this morning, enjoy a scenic drive to Punakha with a stop for tea at the Dochu La pass (10,170 feet), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. From the pass we drive downhill through forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will arrive in Punakha after travelling through rice field and along the bank of Punakha River. From Punakha you will drive upstream along the Mo Chhu river to Gasa. The drive is through beautiful villages of Punakha located alongside the upper Mo Chhu river valley. Arrive Gasa and overnight in Gasa
Day 4: Day 4 (October 22, Thursday): Rest Day in Gasa
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight in Guesthouse.
Gasa
Today you will spend a day in Gasa allowing you to get acclimatised in preparation for tomorrow’s epic run. Overnight stay in Gasa.
Day 5: Day 5 (October 23, Friday): Laya Run Flag off: Panjothang – laya 25 km
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight Farm house
Laya
After breakfast, you will set off for the 25 km run to Panjothang making a total elevation gain of 2000m. You will run down a slope towards Koina and then follow the natural hiking path to Laya, with stunning views of valleys, high pastures and the majestic Masangang mountain. Every once in a while you will be running across wooden bridges crossing the Mo Chhu river. On arrival to Laya village you will witness people wearing unique yak wool clothing adorned with colourful beads and conical shaped bamboo hats. You will run past Laya town finally making it to the festival grounds decorated with colourful prayer flags and crowds of Layaps, marking the end of the run. You will partake in the Royal Highland Festival and get acquainted with the cultural festival. Overnight in Farm house
Day 6: Day 6 (October 24, Saturday): Laya (Attend Highlander Festival)
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight Farm house.
Laya
Today you will attend the Highlander Festival. The festival celebrates highlander’s unique and beautiful clothing’s, dance, music, handicrafts, food and intangible forms of culture. The most exciting part of the festival, besides the fun-filled games and sports events, is showcasing the competition of livestock showcasing the colourfully adorned majestic yaks of the region and adorned majestic yaks of the region and noble Bhutanese mastiffs. Overnight in Farmhouse.
Day 7: Day 7 (October 25, Sunday): Laya-Gasa – Punakha.
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: overnight in 3 star hotel.
Punakha
Today you will walk back to Koina where you will be transferred back to Gasa. From Gasa you will further drive down along the Mo Chhu river through semi sub-tropical forests to Punakha. Overnight hotel in Punakha.
Day 8: Day 7 (October 26, Monday): Punakha – Thimphu
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight i 3 star hotel.
Thimphu
In the morning, visit Punakha Dzong, the former capital of Bhutan, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. You will then enjoy the scenic drive to Thimphu. You will stop for lunch at Dochu La Pass (3,100 metres), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. On reaching at Dochula, visit the new Druk Wangyal Monastery, which is the only of its kind in the country with elaborate paintings depicting the lineage of the present monarchy and their visionary works. From the pass, drive downhill to Thimphu. Overnight hotel in Thimphu
Day 9: Day 9 (October 27, Tuesday): Thimphu
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight in 3 hotel.
Thimphu
Morning, you will visit Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Folk Heritage Museum and the world’s tallest Buddha statue at Kuenselphodrang made of bronze measuring 169 ft. Afternoon, you will visit Trashichhodzong and eveving is a free time to relax in the hotel or to stroll in Thimphu City. You can spend time visiting handicraft stores for souvenir shopping. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.
Day 10: Day 10(October 28, Wednesday): Thimphu to Paro Departure
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: N/A
Paro
Morning, after breakfast, you will drive to Paro for departure to your destination.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESParo
    • Paro, Bhutan, Bhutan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLEParo
    • Paro, Bhutan, Bhutan

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Paro your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Paro

With so many things to do in Paro, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Paro. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Paro to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.