Best time to visit Bhutan

January is the coldest month in Bhutan, however, it’s quite bearable. The central and lower regions enjoy dry weather and clear skies. Fantastic views of the mountains are available. The temperature ranges from slightly below freezing to the highs of about 10-12 °C (50-55°F). Snow is limited to high altitudes in the northern and northwestern areas (Dzongkhags) in the Himalayas. Lower regions like Thimphu, Paro, and Bumthang only receive 1-2 days of snow in January. Trekking on high altitudes is not available in January, but a few low altitude treks are available. Samtengang Winter Trek is the most popular option at this time.

The last month of winter brings warmer temperatures throughout Bhutan. The weather is quite pleasant with clear skies and almost no rainfall. The temperatures are comfortable during day, but drop at night. It is snowing at Himalaya Mountains bordering to the Tibet plateau in the north. Central parts of Bhutan seldom see snowfalls in February. In some southern areas, the temperature can reach twenties Celsius or high sixties Fahrenheit. In northwestern Thimphu valley and upper Paro valley, the temperatures are cooler and night frosts are possible. Trekking in high Himalayas is still closed in February, but central and western parts can offer good and safe trekking options. The Dochula Pass (3,140 m or 10,301 ft) is one of the most popular treks in February.

March marks the start of spring and high trekking season in Bhutan. The whole country is covered with colorful blooms, and the weather is improving with every new day. Temperatures are rising to comfortable in almost all regions of Bhutan. The sky is bright and clear. The levels of rain and humidity are quite low. And there are eight hours of sunshine every day. In the south, the temperature is the highest, exceeding 20s Celsius or sixties Fahrenheit. It is warm even during the night. Western and northwestern parts of the country have lower, but still comfortable temperatures and mountain trails get covered with wildflowers. In Bumthang valley, the green grass, blooms and fresh leaves make it ideal for a visit. Paro valley is also blooming and attracting many tourists. The capital city Thimphu located on an elevation of 2,334 m (7,500 ft) is slightly colder. The temperature there can still be just above freezing at night. However, camping outside is already possible. Rhododendron tours are also popular at this time in forests near Jakar in Bumthang valley.

April is one of the most popular times for trekking in Bhutan, especially in central and western parts. Warm weather prevails everywhere, making Bhutan perfect for all outdoor activities. Mountains are covered with flowers: rhododendrons color most Bhutan valleys hot pink. Trout-filled lakes are perfectly clear. Hills are covered with green vegetation, and animals are especially active during these days. Bhutan’s most beautiful Bumthang valley has above freezing temperatures and just a few days of rainfall. Jakar located in Bumthang valley in central Bhutan has plenty of short treks and boasts warm temperatures. Paro Valley is even warmer and boasts 25 clear days this month. Many trekking routes to the majestic Himalaya Range start from Paro, that is also an excellent place to see blooming rhododendrons. The capital Thimphu is also sunny and warm in April, with only few rainy days.

May is the last good trekking month during spring and the start of the wetter period in the country. The temperature is very warm and comfortable. In May. you can still see the amazing bloom, but rains become more frequent. In late May, there is a risk of grey skies and clouds, however, the first half of the month is still bright, especially in the northern part. Temperatures quickly rise from warm to hot, especially in the south. May is good for trekking in the Himalaya Range. Many treks start from Paro that is warm and dry at this time. Jakar is even warmer, and rainfall is limited to nights and late evenings. Lower altitude treks could suffer from rainfall, while in the higher altitudes the chances of rain are lower. Trails in the Himalayas, such as the Jomolhari Trek, or the famous Druk Path Trek are popular in May

June marks the beginning of the rainy season in Bhutan. Indian Southwest monsoon brings heavy downpours and strong winds to the kingdom. The temperatures stay warm and within comfortable range in Bumthang and Trongsa regions, rising to hot in the capital of Thimphu and Punakha. The central and western areas are not as affected by monsoon as the southern and eastern areas. The rain usually occurs in the afternoon, so if you plan sightseeing at this time, it’s better to do it in the early morning. Trekking is possible in June although some trails might be muddy and slippery at this time. The scenic Bumthang valley in June is warm and humid with comfortable temperature during day and night and moderate rainfall. Half of the days are dry here during June. High elevations over 3,000 meters (11,000 ft) see fewer rains in June and are quite suitable for trekking. The Lunana Snowman Trek, the Bumthang treks, the Haa Trek, the Dagala Lakes Trek, and the Samtengang trek are accessible at this time.

July is the peak of the monsoon season in Bhutan. Heavy rainfall is possible even on high elevations leaving trails muddy and slippery. The weather is warm and humid, visibility is poor In the mountains. Days are rather cloudy and grey. The temperatures in Paro and Thimphu valleys cool down a bit but are still comfortable for outdoor activities. The capital of Bhutan is one of the wettest areas in the North during July, with regular rains in the afternoon and at night. Sightseeing is still possible during July if it’s planned in the early morning when it is usually dry. However, trekking is out of the question as most popular trekking areas in Bumthang and Punakha experience heavy downpours, leaving the roads in poor shape.

August is the last month of the wet season, and it’s still rather rainy and humid. The temperatures are warm and quite nice though. In some lower areas, they may be a bit cooler than in July making sightseeing more pleasant. The southern areas still experience hot weather, the center of the country enjoys moderate temperature, which gets slightly colder as you gain elevation in the mountains. With decreasing rainfall August is a suitable time for visiting monasteries and temples. The northern and western areas of Bhutan get some relief from rainfall in August. But you will still need some waterproof clothes if you plan to spend a lot of time outside. Paro and Thimphu valleys enjoy warm weather as well as 16-17 clear days in August. Bumthang has 21 clear days, which makes outdoor activities possible. However multi-day trekking is still not recommended in August since the trails stay muddy and unpassable. Also, low-lying clouds hinder visibility making your hike less enjoyable. High mountain roads are still considered to be unsafe at this time.

The arrival of fall means high tourist season in Bhutan. The summer monsoon is over, and the weather is clear and dry again. With clear skies and better visibility, Himalaya trails welcome trekkers. September is a beautiful month when leaves are changing colors, but it’s still warm and pleasant to be outside. Southern areas see the end of hot and sticky weather as temperatures become moderate. You may still encounter rain or even a downpour, especially at the beginning of the month. Paro and Thimphu valleys see a slight drop in temperature, and it still rains here occasionally. Humidity is still rather high. As trails get dry in the Himalayas and other areas, tourists are pouring in Bhutan to take advantage of the beautiful weather. There are 22 dry days in picturesque Bumthang valley in September. Temperatures are still warm, even at night. You can expect them to cool down a bit as you gain elevation.

October is one of the most beautiful times in Bhutan with charming fall foliage, clear and crisp air, sunny and moderate weather. It is undoubtedly a great time for trekking and peak tourist season in the country. Milder temperatures and dry weather arrive in the southern regions that are especially lush after the monsoon. Balmy temperatures await visitors in the agricultural Punakha area. Gorgeous Gangkhar Puensum is perfectly visible due to cloudless skies. Paro and Jakar have moderate temperatures during dry October days. In Thimphu, the air is a bit cooler, and nights get rather cold so make sure to pack some warmer clothes. An occasional rain might still fall in the afternoon. Bumthang area popular with trekkers is one of the busiest at this time. Beautiful long trails like Snowman, Bumthang Owl trek, Dagala Thousand Lakes trek, Jomolhari trek, and Druk Path trek are especially popular

The last month of autumn sees colder temperatures and an increase in rainfall. However, it is still an overall warm and dry time that is good for trekking in the mountains and other outdoor activities. The nature is beautiful at this time, there are lots of migratory birds flocking from the north to spend winter in warmer places, including rare species like the black-necked cranes. The air is fresh and crisp, and most days are sunny and bright, which is perfect for long walks. Temperatures are still in the comfortable range, even though they drop by the end of the month. Paro and Phobjika Valley already see the drop in temperature to just above the freezing level during some nights. The capital city of Thimphu is quite warm for most of November, with temperatures about 12-16 °C (53-59 °F) during the day. There are 28 clear days perfect for visiting temples and sightseeing. Multi-day trekking in Bhutan is recommended in November. However, there is no guarantee of warm weather. But in some years, trekking can be done even in the last week of November due to moderate and pleasant weather. Bumthang Culture Trek, Druk Path Trek, Jomolhari Loop (Soi Yaksa) Trek are the most popular in November.

The beginning of winter means colder weather and decreasing trekking opportunities. It starts snowing on higher elevations near the border with Tibet. However, it rarely snows on lower altitudes of central and western regions. Bhutan is still pleasant in December. Clear weather is granting perfect views of the mountains, and the air is not too cold. In Thimphu and Paro, the temperatures can be just above freezing during the night and about 7-17 °C (49-59 °F) during the day. It’s still comfortable weather for sightseeing and visits to nearby monasteries and temples. As you get on higher elevations, the temperatures may rain. Thimphu and Paro valleys enjoy 29-30 dry days this month. Trongsa Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang are slightly warmer and more pleasant in December. While multi-day trekking can be difficult in some higher elevation areas, many treks in Bumthang, Thimphu, Wangdue Phodrang and Paro areas are still available. It might be slightly cold to spend the night in a tent, but during the day, it’s quite sunny and pleasant to be outside.