TIL BDR GHALLEY | Thimphu
The 8th Royal Highland Festival will be held in Laya on 23–24 October 2025 under the theme “Celebrating Highland Resilience and Prosperity.”
The annual event, coordinated by His Majesty’s Secretariat, Gasa Dzongkhag, and other stakeholders, will once again bring Bhutan’s highland communities into the national and international spotlight.
The festival highlights cultural heritage, ecological stewardship, and the vital role highlanders play in shaping Bhutan’s identity.
“The 8th Royal Highland Festival will present guests with an enriched experience, featuring vibrant cultural performances, traditional displays, and exhibitions of unique highland products from ten highland districts,” said Gasa Dzongda Jigme Namgyal.
A signature attraction of the festival is the animal parade, where yaks, horses, and native highland dogs are adorned in traditional decorations and regalia.
These animals are not only central to livelihoods but also deeply embedded in spiritual and cultural traditions of the highlands.
During the animal show, a panel of local experts and livestock professionals evaluates entries in categories such as best-decorated yak, strongest bull, healthiest calf, and finest horse.
Organizers explained that the parade and competitions symbolize more than entertainment.
“Bhutan’s highland communities are the guardians of fragile alpine ecosystems, the keepers of pastoral and nomadic traditions, and the custodians of a cultural legacy forged over centuries,” they stated.
The festival is rooted in the spiritual worldview of the highlands. Revered for their natural beauty, these regions are also regarded as sacred spaces.
“Believed to be protected by powerful guardian deities, this sacred connection inspires reverence for the mountains, lakes, and valleys, guiding communities in their stewardship of the land,” said organizers.
This bond between people, nature, and faith is reflected in the ceremonies and cultural displays, which seek to honor not just tradition, but also the landscapes and deities that safeguard the highland environment.
Equally memorable for visitors is the hospitality extended by the Layap people. Many guests will stay in homestays, where families open their homes to share the rhythms of highland life.
Guests may watch yak milk being churned into butter and cheese, see wool spun into thread, or enjoy herbal tea brewed from locally foraged plants.
For many participants, these exchanges provide some of the most meaningful experiences of the festival, offering a direct glimpse into practices passed down for generations.
Laya also offers breathtaking treks for those seeking adventure beyond the festival grounds. Options range from scenic half-day hikes to demanding full-day expeditions.
The Tshokartshona hike takes visitors through alpine yak herding areas with dramatic views of glacial valleys.
The Gangkar Phuensum base hike leads toward the base of the world’s highest unclimbed peak, a sacred and awe-inspiring site. Meanwhile, the Masagang Base Trek traverses’ ridgelines to the foot of Masagang, part of the Lunana snow range, providing panoramic views and rich biodiversity.
“These hikes allow participants to journey deeper into the stories of the highlands, whether by foot or by heart,” organizers said.
The Royal Highland Festival has steadily grown into a platform that delivers economic opportunities for highland residents.
According to organizers, revenue generated last year was estimated at Nu. 10–15 million, reflecting both direct tourism income and indirect benefits for local communities.
More than a cultural event, the festival aligns with Bhutan’s broader development goals.
“It underscores the importance of developing these communities responsibly, ensuring that growth and opportunity go hand in hand with the protection of the fragile mountain environments that sustain them,” an official said.
The highlands are strategically and ecologically significant, forming the headwaters of Bhutan’s rivers and housing rich biodiversity. Ensuring the sustainability of these regions, while preserving their cultural heritage, is viewed as a national priority.
“The festival provides a space where highlanders lead, participate, and showcase their traditions, knowledge, and innovations,” organizers emphasized.
Since its inception, the Royal Highland Festival has been framed not only as a celebration but also as a reaffirmation of Bhutan’s commitment to its highland communities.
“Connections like this inspire the festival: a celebration of resilience, identity, and the enduring bond between people, culture, and nature,” said organizers.
The chosen theme “Celebrating Highland Resilience and Prosperity” — honors the endurance of highland communities in the face of geographic and climatic challenges, while charting pathways for sustainable growth.
Now in its eighth edition, the Royal Highland Festival has established itself as a signature national event.
It draws international attention to Bhutan’s highlands, while strengthening ties between the government, local communities, and global visitors.
The two-day festival will combine cultural performance, livestock competitions, homestay hospitality, and treks into sacred landscapes, offering a holistic experience rooted in resilience and identity.
