Overview (Royal Highlander Festival)

The Royal Highlander Festival is a unique festival held 4000 metres above sea level in beautiful Laya (Gasa). It’s a celebration of history and its age old tradition and culture, the festival shares the beauty and the wonders of Laya through its nature with their distinctive culture, language and attire and to finally share all these authenticity and the simplicity of the life of the Highlanders with guest.

During the festival, visitors can witness The traditional offering of Buelwa (Gift offering) with Auley (traditional epic poem/song recitation tradition originated from Zhabdrung Rinpoche days) that begun during Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s reign in showing loyalty and respect by the community of Laya is being offered for dynamic and visionary leadership of our successive monarchs.

Highlights of the Royal Highlander Festival (Festival)

The Royal Highlander Festival is event celebrated once in a year by offering valuable cultural and spiritual highlights that attract both local and tourists. Some of the key highlights of this festival are as follows:

• Variety of cultural programs: Witness various competitions performed by the Layaps such as traditional songs and dances. Also, highland animals including the Yaks, horses and Mastiffs will be also experience.
• Local Cuisine: The festival consists of series of stalls ranging from local based yak produce to highland technology, highland agriculture technology, medicinal herbs & plants and others
• Cultural Heritage: Tshechu plays a vital roles in promoting and preserving Bhutanese cultural heritage. With this, the festivals contribute to the continuity of Bhutan’s unique traditions.
• Community Gatherings: offer communities to gather annually where both locals and international tourist come together to celebrate and share the beautiful event joyfully.