Best Time to Visit Bhutan

2023-01-08 | Published By: Bold Himalaya

Bhutan is a small, landlocked country located in the eastern Himalayas. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural traditions, and unique development approach, prioritizing gross national happiness over economic growth.


Tourists visiting Bhutan can expect many activities and attractions, including trekking and mountain biking in the stunning Himalayan landscape, ancient monasteries and temples, and participating in cultural festivals and events.


Bhutan is also home to a wide range of flora and fauna, including snow leopards, blue poppies, and exotic species of birds. When planning a trip to Bhutan, it is essential to consider the best time to visit. The weather and high tourist season can vary depending on your interests and travel goals.


It is also crucial to be aware of Bhutan's strict visa and tourism policies, which require all tourists to book their trips through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator and pay a daily tariff. Deciding when to visit Bhutan depends on various factors, each of which can impact the overall experience of the trip. Some of these factors include:


Fall (September, October  November)

Bhutan experiences nice fall weather, with daily highs and lows between 10°C and 25°C. This time of year is often dry and cold, with a bright blue sky and little precipitation. As a result, this is a fantastic time to visit Bhutan and enjoy various activities and sights.


Temperatures during the fall season in the northern and central parts of Bhutan range from 10°C to 20°C and are dry and cold. These areas have several stunning valleys and mountain ranges, which are lovely to explore in the fall.


The days are often bright and enjoyable, with crystal-clear blue skies and little rain. Due to the typically steady and dry weather, now is an excellent time to travel to Bhutan and engage in outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and sightseeing.


The fall season in the south of Bhutan is characterized by warm, muggy weather with 20°C to 25°C highs. Fall in this area is characterized by little rain, making it an excellent time to travel for outdoor pursuits like birding and nature photography. These activities are well-suited to the south, which is noted for its verdant, lush nature.


In general, Bhutan's fall season is a fantastic time to travel there for a variety of interests. It's the ideal time to come because of the great weather and variety of attractions. Bhutan has something for everyone to enjoy throughout the fall season, whether you want to engage in outdoor activities or cultural encounters.


Festivals and Events in Bhutan

Bhutan has a rich cultural calendar, with many festivals and events occurring throughout the year. These festivals and events are essential to Bhutanese life and allow people to come together and celebrate their culture, traditions, and values.


When making travel plans to Bhutan, it is always a good idea to consult the cultural calendar, as other religious and cultural celebrations occur around the nation.


It's crucial to remember that these are only a handful of the numerous festivals and events that occur in Bhutan annually. Bhutan has something for everyone to enjoy all year long, whether they are interested in cultural encounters or outdoor excursions.


Some tourists may be interested in visiting during a specific festival or event, such as the annual Thimphu Tshechu or the Paro Tshechu, which are large festivals featuring traditional Bhutanese dances and music.


Here is a list of some of the most popular festivals and events in Bhutan, organized by season:


Paro Tshechu:

This is a three-day festival in the western town of Paro in April. It features colorful mask dances, traditional music, and other cultural performances.


Thimphu Tshechu:

This is a three-day festival in the capital city of Thimphu in September. It features colorful mask dances, traditional music, and other cultural performances.


Bumthang Jambay Lhakhang Drup:

This is a six-day festival in the central town of Bumthang in October. It features colorful mask dances, traditional music, and other cultural performances.


Punakha Drubchen:

This is a three-day festival in the western town of Punakha in December. It features colorful mask dances, traditional music, and other cultural performances.


Special Considerations

Other factors may be considered when deciding when to visit Bhutan, such as the best time to see specific attractions or participate in certain activities. For example, weather conditions may make mountain biking or trekking more enjoyable during certain seasons.


Meditation or yoga retreats may be offered at specific times of the year. It is vital to research these factors to plan a trip that aligns with one's interests and travel goals.


By taking the time to consider the various factors that can influence the best time to visit Bhutan, travelers can ensure that they have a rewarding and enjoyable experience.


Spring Season (March, April & May)

Spring is a pleasant time to visit Bhutan, with average temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C. The weather during this season is generally warm and sunny, with clear blue skies and minimal rainfall.


In Bhutan's north and central regions, spring is marked by warmer temperatures and some rainfall. The days are generally sunny and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C.


The evenings can be cool, with temperatures dropping to around 5°C. This is an excellent time to visit Bhutan for trekking, mountain biking, and sightseeing, as the weather is generally dry and stable.


In the south of Bhutan, spring is marked by hot and humid weather, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C. This region experiences some rainfall during the spring season but is not as heavy as during the monsoon season.


The south is known for its lush, green vegetation and is a good destination for birdwatching and nature photography.


With warm, bright weather in the north and center and hot, muggy weather in the south, spring is generally a lovely season to visit Bhutan. Spring is an excellent time to go for various activities and attractions, such as hiking, bike riding, sightseeing, and environmental photography.


Summer Season (June, July & August)

Bhutan's monsoon season is in the summer when temperatures often range from 20°C to 30°C. This time of year is usually hot and muggy, with a lot of rain falling across the nation.


Summer in southern Bhutan is characterized by hot, muggy conditions with temperatures between 25°C and 30°C. Summertime rainfall in this area is intense, making sightseeing and outdoor activities more difficult. The south is noted for its lush, green foliage, though, and is a fantastic place to go, birding and taking pictures of the natural surroundings.


The summer months in Bhutan's north and center are warm and muggy, with temperatures averaging 20°C to 25°C. These areas also get significant rains during the summer, making outdoor activities and tourism more difficult. However, there are several stunning valleys and mountain ranges in the north and center of the country, which are lovely to explore in the summer.


However, summer is an excellent season to travel to Bhutan if you want to engage in indoor pursuits and cultural experiences, such as seeing monasteries and temples, going to events and festivals, and taking part in meditation and yoga retreats.


Since there has been a lot of rain, it is not the ideal time to go hiking or mountain biking in Bhutan.


Tourist high season in Bhutan

Bhutan's tourist industry tends to be busiest during certain times of the year, known as the high tourist season. This can affect the availability and cost of travel and accommodation.


Some travelers may prefer to visit during the off-season when prices may be lower and the crowds thinner. The high tourist season in Bhutan is generally considered to be from March to May and from September to November.


These are the most popular times to visit Bhutan due to the pleasant weather and a wide range of activities and attractions. During the high tourist season, Bhutan is generally busy with tourists, and finding accommodation and other travel arrangements can be difficult.


Hotel prices and other travel services may also be higher during this time. Suppose you are looking to avoid crowds and find lower prices. In that case, it may be worth considering visiting Bhutan during the off-season, generally from June to August and from December to February.


These are generally less popular times to visit Bhutan due to the monsoon season and colder weather, but there are still many activities and attractions to enjoy.


It is important to note that Bhutan's tourist industry is still relatively small, and the high and low seasons may not be as pronounced as in other destinations. It is always a good idea to research and plan your trip to ensure an enjoyable and hassle-free experience in Bhutan.


Winter Season (December, January & February)

With average temperatures varying from -5°C to 15°C depending on the area, winter is the coldest season in Bhutan. This time of year is often dry and cold, with a bright blue sky and little precipitation.


In Bhutan's north and center, wintertime is characterized by chilly, dry conditions, with temperatures between -5°C and 5°C. Winter in these areas is frosty and snowy, making it an excellent time to travel there to engage in winter activities like skiing and snowboarding. The days are often bright and calm, with a deep blue sky and little precipitation.


Temperatures in the south of Bhutan range from 10°C to 15°C during the winter, which is dry and cold. Wintertime rainfall in this area is often low, making it an ideal time to travel for outdoor pursuits like birding and nature photography. These activities are well-suited to the south, which is noted for its verdant, lush nature.


Winter is an excellent season to travel to Bhutan for indoor pursuits and cultural experiences, such as seeing monasteries and temples, going to celebrations and events, and taking part in retreats for meditation and yoga.


In the north and central areas, it is also an excellent time to travel if you want to engage in winter activities like skiing and snowboarding. Due to the cold and dry weather, it might not be the ideal time to travel to Bhutan to engage in outdoor activities like mountain biking and hiking.


Climate and Weather in Bhutan

Bhutan's climate and weather can vary greatly depending on the time of year and location within the country. Average temperatures and precipitation levels can be an essential consideration, especially for trekking or mountain biking activities.


It is also important to be aware of any extreme weather events that may affect travel plans, such as heavy rain or snowfall. Bhutan has four main seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter.


These seasons can be roughly defined by the following months: