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Laya Trek-Royal Highlander Festival and Tour in The Kingdom of Bhutan-October, 2026

Basic Itinerary for 18 Days (sample) Dates TBT

  • Day 1 Oct.11 th Oct.Arrive to Paro International Airport, over night Paro
  • Day 2 Oct. 12 Paro Zuri Hike to acclimatize. Afternoon, Paro Dzong sightseeing
  • Day 3 Oct.13 Drive to Paro Hike Tiger’s Nest. Hike up to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery. A 3 ½ hour hike up to the temple, it takes 1.5 hours to walk to the café where there is also a clear view of the monastery. Make offerings of butter lamp and incense, time for meditation in the temple if desired. Before sunset, at a farmhouse for hot stone bath, practice archery
  • 12 Day Trek Day Oct. 14-Oct.25 Day Laya Trek Begins(Detailed Itinerary attached below)
  • Day 16 Oct.26 Punakha Chimmi Lhakang, Punakha Dzong, river rafting (optional)
  • Day 17 Oct.27 Thimphu, Buddha Dordenma
  • Day 18 Oct.28 Thimphu,
  • Day 19 Oct. 29 Departure Day from Paro International Airport

What’s Included

Hotel Accommodations
Airport Transfer
Your guides and driver
Transportation
All Trekking equipment and gear
Processing your Visa
Visit to 4 cities including Laya, Paro, Thimphu and Punakha
meals a day/ and non-alcoholic beverages

What’s not Included?

  • The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is not included in the Tour Price, but is paid separately to the Royal Government of Bhutan and Immigration. This is a $100 USD per day per person fee that goes to pay for free healthcare and education for the Bhutanese.
  • You send us your SDF fee in your wire transfer and we send it to Immigration for Visa processing (send a 2×2 passport size photo for the Visa) We email your Visa to you.
  • Your International Flight into Bhutan via Kathmandu ($460) Bangkok ($960) or New Delhi, India. ($560)
  • We do not arrange for your transiting Visa, per the route you choose to enter Bhutan. Bangkok, Nepal or Delhi.
  • Suggested tips for the guides, driver and for the Trek (cook staff, horseman and helper).

Cost for 2026

  • Tour Cost including 12 Day Laya Trek and $4,800
  • SDF 18 days $1,800 USD
  • Visa Fee $40
  • International Airfare into and out of Bhutan

Laya Gear Checklist

Laya-Gear-1Download

Visa & E tickets

  • We will process your Visa through Immigration
  • Your E-ticket and your Visa will be emailed to you to you one month before travel time
  • You will be responsible for obtaining a Visa for any other countries you will be transiting on your way into Bhutan

Email us for Total Costs: Cypresshimalaya@gmail.com, To Register, please email us your photo page of your valid passport, the validity within 6 months of travel.

*What is the Sustainable Development Fee? Tourists visiting Bhutan will pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) directly to the Royal Government of Bhutan. The $100/night/person provides free education and healthcare for the citizens, it protects and nurtures the conservation of the environment, promotion of culture, and improved facilities for tourists in Bhutan. The SDF is to secure sustainable and responsible tourism known as “High value, Low volume”.

Detailed Itinerary for Laya Trek -sample from 2025

Laya-Trek-Royal-Highlander-Festival-Download

Extra-White Water Rafting in Punakha

Food/Meal Options (for the Hotels)

  • Breakfast will be a choice of continental, breads, pancakes, eggs, coffee and teas. 
  • Lunch and dinners consist of freshly cooked organic vegetables, a meat dish and either Bhutanese red rice or white rice, and a noodle dish.  
  • Veg and Non Veg options at each meal, sometimes influenced by the cuisine of India, Nepal, chefs will try to incorporate traditional dishes of Bhutan. 
  • None of the main dishes are spicy. 

Traditional Bhutanese foods

  • Bhutan is almost 100 percent organic, we will visit some incredible market places in Paro and Thimphu if time permits.
  • Red Rice is by far the most popular exported grain, (pictured)
  • The main dish for the Bhutanese is a chili cheese dish called Ema Datshi, and also momo’s which are a dumpling influenced from Tibet and Nepal.
  • Beef, chicken and pork are the most popular meats, there is no butchery in Bhutan, it’s imported from India. 

Helpful Links about Bhutan

Our Cancellation Policy

Our Cancellation Policy

Cancellation must be approved by us in an email–these dates apply if you have already sent us your wire transfer plus an admin fee. The refund wire transfer charges are covered by the receiving beneficiary. Updated August 2024

a) If notification of your tour cancellation is received within 45 days prior to arrival in Bhutan, 25% of your Bhutan tour cost shall be deducted as cancellation charges.

b) If notification of your tour cancellation is received within 30 days before your arrival in Bhutan, 50% of your Bhutan tour cost shall be deducted as cancellation charges.

c) If notification of your tour cancellation is received from 29 -0 days before your arrival in Bhutan, there is no cash refund for the tour cancellation, however change date is permitted. Admin fee applied.