Bhutan Travel Weather

March - May

The spring months in Bhutan are one of the most pleasant times of the year. The tourist season is in full bloom, and it is the perfect time for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

The beginning of March can still be cold, especially in the slightly higher parts of the mountains, but by the middle of the month, spring can be felt throughout the country. The snows are melting, the days are becoming sunnier and warmer. The coldest weather is in the northern part of the country, in the Greater Himalayas, where frost still prevails and snow persists. Other areas are much more cheerful, with temperatures rising from 10°C - 25°C, and the sun is in the sky much more often.

The pleasant weather combined with blooming rhododendrons pleases nature lovers and photographers, providing an amazing trekking experience. From mid-April to the end of May, treks are organized to the higher Himalayas, such as Chomo Lhari and Drukpath.

In May, temperatures begin to rise as high as 30°C, humidity levels also rise, and more clouds begin to appear over the mountains. Stronger winds and afternoon thunderstorms can occur. Rainfall is also gradually increasing, but it is not so rainy as to make it difficult to visit. Slightly fewer visitors to the country and lower prices mean that May is still a good time to visit Bhutan.

When coming to Bhutan during the spring season, take in the lavishly celebrated festivals. In mid-March, Trashigang hosts "Gomkora," one of the largest festivals in eastern Bhutan. Then, in early April, one of the country's most popular Buddhist festivals, Paro Tsechu, takes place, with monks and lay people dancing in fancy masks and costumes. This is also the best opportunity to see the King of Bhutan, who usually appears at the festivities between the third and last day of the festival. It is worth remembering that the popularity of this event means that any tickets, including airline tickets, for this period sometimes need to be booked well in advance.

June - August

The summer months are the monsoon season in Bhutan. This is a period of very heavy rainfall that occurs almost all over the country. Only the highest mountain peaks (from around 5,000 meters to above 7,000 meters above sea level) experience only snowfall instead of rain. Although the days are cloudy and humid, they are characterized by high temperatures, reaching 25°C in the valleys that lie in the central parts of the country and rising as high as 30°C in the south. Rain mostly occurs in the afternoons, evenings and at night, usually in the form of intense downpours, which is not conducive to comfortable sightseeing and walking.

The mountains during this period are covered by a thick layer of clouds, the trails are sometimes flooded, making trekking conditions far from ideal. Some areas have limited access or are inaccessible to tourists.

It is worth remembering that July is the rainiest and wettest month of the year, and increased precipitation will make your stay much more difficult. There may be traffic problems like delays or canceled flights due to poor visibility.

In August, monsoon precipitation begins to diminish, but it is still rainy and humid. Tourists who are not deterred by the monsoons can attend the Mushroom Festival in Thimphu and Bumthang.

September - November

The autumn months, are one of the best times to travel to Bhutan. The beginning of September can still be a bit rainy and humid, but from the middle of the month you can count on sunny and relatively rain-free weather. The air becomes crystal clear, and as a result, good visibility makes it possible to admire both the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas and the mountain monasteries against a blue sky.

Until October, temperatures stay between 20°C - 25°C, from November onward, the days become cooler and the mercury bar can drop to 7°C - 15°C. Nights are much cooler, frosts occur at higher altitudes and snow may fall.

Autumn is an ideal time for both sightseeing and hiking. Most trails are open, and clear skies offer unparalleled mountain views. Nature lovers can view the valleys and hills in colorful relief. In November, you can also admire black-necked cranes flocking to the Phobjikha Valley, which remain there until mid-February. Popular attractions such as Taktsang Goemba, Punakha Dzong and Tashichho Dzong are besieged by tourists, as are trails on high passes.

Not only the weather, but also the festivals held in Bhutan make this time of year a great time to visit. You can attend the Buddhist festival "Thimphu Tshechu" held in September or October, the "Jambay Lhakhang" festival celebrated in Bumthang, or watch the colorful "Wangdi Tshechu" show.

December - February

The winter months bring falling temperatures throughout the country. In the valleys of central Bhutan (Punakha, Langdu Phodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhuntse) and in the south (including the Dooars plains) it is relatively cheerful, with temperatures settling between 5°C and 15°C.

In the area of Haa, Paro, Thimphu, Trongsa and Bumthang, winter is a bit more severe, the mercury bar sometimes falls below 0°C, but only occasionally there is snowfall.

If we want to organize hiking, it is best in the valleys and in the south of the country, since in other regions winter can be troublesome and can make it difficult or even impossible.

In the mountains, freezing temperatures and heavy snows are the order of the day, as are strong icy winds whipping through passes in the Himalayas. In higher-altitude regions, thunderstorms and nighttime temperature drops, as low as -30°C, are common. In areas above 5,000 meters above sea level, snows never melt.

Heavy snowfall causes traffic problems, making it impossible to reach some regions during this time. Some roads leading to central and eastern Bhutan may be covered and impassable.