Haa Summer Festival
July, two days (check each year)
The Haa Summer Festival was introduced by Bhutan's tourism authority in the early 2010s to draw visitors to the Haa valley in July, a month when few tourists come to Bhutan because of the monsoon. It celebrates the life of Haa's herders and farmers rather than a religious event, so the programme is different from a tshechu: yak and horse displays, local sports, folk songs and dances, and stalls of food and crafts.
Food is a large part of it. The dish to try is hoentoe, buckwheat dumplings stuffed with turnip leaves, cheese and spices, which Haa families traditionally make for special occasions and the new year. You may also find local ara, the home-distilled spirit, dried yak cheese and fresh summer vegetables. Alpine flowers are out on the high meadows around Chele La at this time of year, and the valley is green.
The festival does not run on the same date every year and in some years may not run at all, so check with your operator before you plan around it. July is monsoon season: the road from Paro over Chele La can have cloud, rain and small landslides, and the views are rarely clear. The reward is a quiet, green valley, low prices and a festival where you may be among only a handful of visitors.
How to do it well
- Confirm the dates and whether the festival is running before booking; it is not on a fixed date.
- Carry rain gear and expect cloud on Chele La; allow extra time for the drive from Paro.
- Try hoentoe, Haa's buckwheat dumplings, at the food stalls.
Questions people ask
Good to know
When is the Haa Summer Festival
In July, usually over two days, though the exact dates vary and the event has not run every year. Check with the Department of Tourism or your tour operator before planning. Haa needs a route permit and a licensed guide, as with other districts beyond Thimphu and Paro.
What happens at the Haa Summer Festival
It celebrates Haa's herding and farming culture with yak and horse displays, traditional games, folk songs and dances, and stalls of local food and crafts. It is a cultural festival rather than a religious tshechu. Hoentoe, Haa's buckwheat dumplings, are the food to try.
Is it worth visiting Bhutan in July for the Haa festival
If you like quiet trips and do not mind rain, yes. July is monsoon season, so expect cloud and occasional landslides, but the valley is green, alpine flowers are out and hotels are cheaper. If clear mountain views are your priority, travel in October or November instead.
How do I get to Haa for the summer festival
By car from Paro over Chele La, about 65–70 km and 2.5–3 hours, longer in the rain. Haa is also reachable from Thimphu via Chhuzom. A route permit and licensed guide are required; your operator arranges both. Check current status before you travel.
Festival journeys
Routes built around the calendar
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per person, twin₹36,500
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