Best Time To Visit Bhutan | Monthly Climate Guide by Experts
Bhutan through the seasons
The best time to visit Bhutan is autumn, from late September to end November.
Winter is excellent for birding in the south as well as rafting. From December to February, there is often snow in the higher regions and occasional snow in else where. Spring, from March to May, is recognized as the second best time to visit for trekking while June to August marks the monsoons.
A major factor in choosing the best time to visit Bhutan, while overriding weather patterns is the festival schedule. They offer a first-hand glimpse of Bhutanese life and provide an opportunity to see the inside of the great dzongs (a Buddhist monastic castle). Find out when religious celebrations are celebrated; Bhutan follows the lunar calendar so the dates could vary.
This chart shows travel ratings for each month. Use Tab to explore individual month ratings, then navigate to month selection below.
Most Ideal
Low Season
overview
This is winter season in Bhutan, so expect temperatures between 26 and 53°F. But the days will be sunny, with clear skies offering great visibility.
we recommend
Most of the high altitude treks are closed at this time, but some lower altitude ones will be open such as the Samtengang winter trek from Punakha and Nabji Korphu trek in central Bhutan.
overview
Winter is still prevalent in the country, but expect temperatures to slightly increase towards the end of the month, heralding the arrival of spring.
we recommend
Watch the rare black-necked creek in Phobjikha Valley and try to spot tigers, leopards and Asian wild dogs in this most important game reserve of Bhutan.
overview
With spring setting in by the middle of the month, this is one of the best times to visit the country, as the rhododendrons start covering the hillsides, making for a truly spectacular natural landscape.
we recommend
Visit the charming town of Paro, home to Mt. Chumolhari, some of the oldest monasteries like the dramatic Taktsang Lhakhang, temples, and the country’s only airport.
overview
April is one of the best months to visit Bhutan. Temperatures are pleasant, there isn’t much humidity and the flowers are blooming, making for truly scenic conditions.
we recommend
Participate in the revelry of ‘Paro Tsechu’, a religious dance festival held over nine days at Rinpung Dzong in Paro.
Visit the spiritual monastery town of Bumthang, one of the most important religious centers in the country.
overview
The monsoons aren’t too far off and consequently, May is marked with high levels of humidity and rainfall in varying degrees across the country.
we recommend
Visit the Tashichho Dzong in the capital of Thimpu, a Buddhist monastery, fortress and also the seat of the government of Bhutan.
overview
The monsoons set in towards the end of the month, so expect heavy rainfall in the latter part of the day. Humidity levels will be high and visibility low in many areas, which rules out high-altitude treks.
we recommend
Visit Haa Valley in western Bhutan for its pristine natural beauty and stellar examples of ancient Buddhist architecture.
overview
This is one of the least visited months of the year in Bhutan owing to heavy rainfall and poor visibility. If you do decide to visit Bhutan during July, make sure you have plenty of rainwear!
we recommend
Learn about the intricacies of Bhutanese cuisine at the home of local. And don’t forget to relish the dishes you cooked to get an authentic taste of Bhutanese food!
overview
Heavy rains continue to lash most of the country, but they aren’t as heavy as the July rains. Expect temperatures across the country to fluctuate owing to the changing altitudes.
we recommend
Visit Phuentsholingm at the base of the Himalayan foothills, home to stunning mountain views, unique lifestyles and ancient wooden monasteries.
overview
The rains begin to abate and high season picks up towards the end of the month as the hot and sticky conditions reduce and pleasant temperatures kick in.
we recommend
Savor stunning views of the Himalayas in Punakha Valley, with the Punakha Dzong standing majestically in front of this breathtaking backdrop.
overview
Autumn sets in around this time making this one of the most popular times to visit the country with pleasant temperatures and clear visibility. The high altitude treks usually open now, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
we recommend
If you are in Thimpu, watch the Thimphu Tsechu festival, among the biggest celebrations in the country, with its many masked dances, full of color and festivity.
overview
Expect warm, sunny days in the early part of the month, but towards the end of November, temperatures will start falling and you could see a smattering of snow in the higher Himalayas.
we recommend
Visit Trongsa, the ancestral home and impregnable fortress of Bhutan’s royal family with its Dzong architecture, fragile environs and culture.
overview
Winter is in full flow in this month, so expect nighttime temperatures drop to below freezing in Thimpu. The valleys though are warmer, and the rainfall is scarce, offering clear views of the Himalayas. If you are willing to brave the cold, this is a good month to visit Bhutan!
we recommend
Visit Phobjikha Valley, a U-shaped glacial landscape, set against the backdrop of the towering Black Mountain Range, popular for its biodiversity, scenic splendor and cultural uniqueness.
What to Pack for Bhutan
Modesty in dress is strongly encouraged for men and women. Long skirts, long sleeves, higher necklines, warm and light clothing are all recommended items to pack. Shorts and vests are discouraged and definitely shouldn’t be worn during visits to monasteries and dzongs. Hats must be removed during these visits as well. Traveling in the mountains means a wide range of temperatures during the day. During the day it can be quite warm, while night time temperatures can drop dramatically. Crossing over a pass requires an extra layer of clothing just for an hour or two. The wide range of temperatures do not make packing easy. The best solution is to wear several layers, such as a cotton shirt, pullover, cardigan and jacket, which can be taken off or added as needed. Do not take delicate clothes: conservative sportswear is the appropriate style for a traveler in Bhutan. Even in summer you will need a sweater or a light jacket in the evenings.
As an emerging destination, Bhutan Tourism is all set to take off with authentic initiatives and encounters directed at benefiting the community. Let’s take you on a journey in the Mountain Kingdom.
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Before you set out for your trip, be prepared with all the facts and important details. From visas to health information and getting around, find all the details in our Bhutan travel guide.
This was our third Enchanting Travel trip and was the longest one, 6 weeks. From beginning to end, all communication, arrangements, accommodations, activities were just what we wanted in this trip. Visiting Sri Lanka, southern India, Assam and Bhutan via car and 6 internal flights sounds tiring but, surprisingly, it really wasn’t. Some of the boutique hotels were exceptional, ranging from charming and quaint to luxurious, and all memorable. Our guides in Sri Lanka (Kusum) and Assam (Dipankar) were outstanding and provided us with unique experiences of day-to-day life for the average person that were not on the itinerary. This was exactly what we wanted and they delivered!! In Bhutan, our local trekking guide, who spoke no English, invited us to eat our picnic lunch in his home and to meet his wife. It was a spur-of-the moment offer as we neared the end of the trek (which was above 12,000 ft elevation). That kind gesture was heartwarming and we truly appreciated his hospitality! At several sites we visited in Assam, we were asked to pose for selfies with many people. We now know how celebrities feel!! At one point, we had about 30 people surround us for photo opps. We never felt threatened, just sort of embarrassed by the attention. However, my husband said he loved being asked to pose for selfies with pretty young women! (He’s 80, so everyone is young!)
Tonya Harper
January 2020
Rating 5/5
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Enchanting is a travel company that you can trust! Their representatives are knowledgeable about the countries and their customs and they meet individuals interests. We have used Enchanting five times – and have never been disappointed or let down!!! Personable, always professional, with the ability to look after the most minute details so that the trips that you help them plan happen without any hitches!!!
Catherine Gnish-Roberts
February 2019
Rating 4/5
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
We were well looked after during the entire tour. The guides were knowledgeable
Meryl Zimmer
February 2019
Rating 5/5
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Enchanting Travels made planning this vacation a breeze. I didn’t stress at all during the trip, especially since there was also someone there to help with international transfers. All of our guides spoke English well and were quite accommodating.
Anh Le
December 2016
Rating 5/5
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Enchanting Travels are highly efficient and provide exceptional customer service. They tailored a package to suit our needs and requirements, and the cost was very competitive. Everything was well organised and our Trip Coordinator was in contact during our holiday to ensure that we were happy with everything. I highly recommend Enchanting Travels and will be organising another trip with them in the future.
Amanda Morgan
September 2016
Rating 5/5
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
If you are thinking of going to Southeast Asia, please consider Bhutan. It is a sight to behold. The people are very accommodating and our hotels provided us with a good night’s sleep at the end of a busy day. The roads here are not all paved so going between the larger towns does take up part of your day, but it is well worth it! The scenery is fantastic! Sometimes you are driving into clouds and when you come out have beautiful mountain views. The food can be spicy, but we told them in the beginning we wanted a milder menu and they did very well with that. We not only saw the tourist side of Bhutan, but went to a home and also a 300 year old farm and were served tea and puffed rice. A very different culture than ours, but the king is doing a great job of working on services to modernize and still keep the look and feel of a “happy” country. I would love to go back in 5 years to see how it has changed. They are improving the roads everyday. It was a wonderful relaxing trip. Thank you Enchanting Travels.
Janice Nelson
September 2016
Rating 5/5
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Enchanting Travels employs people who really know how to listen to their clients and provide an exciting itinerary that is also safe and flexible. Everyone we worked with, from Brenda and Lavina to our guides Mr. Pongthep and Sangay, and our chauffeur Kengua, were professionals who seemed to really enjoy showing us their beautiful and exciting countries.
Carol Schorg
April 2015
Rating 4/5
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Go to Bhutan now! We don’t believe it is really going to stay this way for long. And it really is unique right now.
Building laws require that dwellings be built in the traditional fashion and this makes for the most beautiful and original vistas. No one goes to Bhutan for the cuisine.
