The Highlands

Above the forests of central and northern Bhutan lie the highlands: wide alpine pastures, glacial lakes, snow peaks and some of the most remote villages in the Himalaya. Life here follows the yak and the seasons.

The high north

Along the Tibetan border rise peaks of around and above 7,000 metres, including Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, Masang Gang, Tsenda Gang and Gangkhar Puensum. Out of respect for the mountains as homes of protective deities, peaks above 6,000 metres have been closed to climbers since 1994, and all mountaineering has been banned since 2003. Gangkhar Puensum, the highest, has never been climbed.

Highland communities

Laya. At around 3,800 metres in Gasa district, Laya is one of the highest villages in the country. Layap women are known for their conical bamboo hats and long black woollen dresses. Each year the Royal Highland Festival, begun in 2016, brings highlanders together to celebrate yak herding, crafts and culture.

Lingzhi and Soe. Small herding settlements on the route between Paro and Laya, crowned by Lingzhi Dzong.

Merak and Sakteng. In the far east, the semi-nomadic Brokpa people keep yaks and sheep and wear distinctive felt hats with long tassels. Their valleys lie within Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary.

Life with yaks

Highland families depend on yaks for milk, butter, cheese, wool, meat and transport. They move their herds to high pastures in summer and down to sheltered valleys in winter. In late spring many families also collect cordyceps, a prized fungus, which has become an important source of income.

Trekking the highlands

The highlands are reached on foot. Famous routes include the Jomolhari trek, the Laya–Gasa trek and the Snowman trek, one of the most demanding treks in the world, which crosses many passes over 5,000 metres. Shorter walks to the Phobjikha valley and the Bumthang highlands offer a taste of mountain life without the altitude.

Plan a highland journey with our Adventure & Trekking team.