Laya
A high Himalayan village in Gasa, home to the Layap people, their yak herds and their conical bamboo hats, and host of the Royal Highland Festival.
Overview
Laya is one of the highest and most remote settlements in Bhutan, set on a mountainside below the peaks that line the Tibetan border. It is home to the Layap, a highland community of yak herders with their own language and dress: Layap women wear distinctive conical hats woven from bamboo.
Most visitors reach Laya on foot, either on the Laya trek or as part of the Snowman trek. Each October the village hosts the Royal Highland Festival, which brings together highland communities from across Bhutan.
Places to visit in Laya
- Laya village
- A cluster of stone houses and yak pastures on a high mountainside.
- Royal Highland Festival
- An annual gathering of highland communities, with yak-herding traditions, local products, songs and dances.
Things to do in Laya
- Meet Layap families and see their traditional dress
- Time your visit for the Royal Highland Festival in October
- Walk among yak pastures below the high peaks
Best time to visit
The Royal Highland Festival is held in Laya in October, which is also the best trekking season. Spring is the other good season to visit. Winters are very cold, with snow.
How to get there
The road from Gasa now runs part of the way towards Laya, but the last section is still a walk of several hours on a mountain trail. Laya is also a stop on the Laya and Snowman treks.
Travel tips
- Laya is at high altitude: allow time to acclimatise and follow your guide's advice
- Ask before photographing people, especially during ceremonies
More in Western Bhutan
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