Royal Highland Festival – High-spirited cultural extravaganza

Royal Highland Festival is an annual event since 2016, for the Gasa district. The festival celebrates the unique culture, heritage, and legacy of the highland communities of Bhutan amidst the soaring Himalayan peaks and the pristine, otherworldly setting of Laya. The festival provides once in lifetime opportunity for visitors and Bhutanese alike to experience life in the highlands of Bhutan and learn about the resilience and beauty of highland culture and the people. Highland communities from Wangdue, Thimphu, Paro, Haa, Trongsa, Bumthang, Trashigang, Lhuentse, Trashiyangtsi and Gasa participate at this festival and showcase their unique culture, traditions, and textiles.

The festival has contributed immensely to creating awareness to tourists and even local Bhutanese on yak-based livelihood and existence of nomadic culture. Apart from preservation & promotion of highland culture & traditions, the festival also provides new economic avenues for the highlanders through homestays, pack pony services and sell of yak related products.

The concept of Royal Highland Festival was born under the Royal command, His Majesty the King. The festival incorporates the range of local activities and experiences such as:

* Highland games and sports
* Exhibitions
* Laya Run
* Livestock shows
* Bja (Yak fur tents) display
* Animal parade
* Traditional songs
* Strong women competition

LAYA RUN, a 25km cross-country race from Gasa to Laya is one of the most sought-after events of this festival. This route ordinarily takes 8 hours to complete at a walking pace flags off from Ponjothang (3200m) and ends at festival ground in Laya.

Royal Highland Festival aims to preserve waning highland tradition and culture through promotion of tourism and yak-based industries.