Best Time to Visit Bhutan

In the first place, Bhutan has four major seasons. Secondly, there are two best seasons to visit Bhutan. And yes, due to its location, the Dragon Kingdom has its own weather features. So, the best time to visit Bhutan depends on your personal preference. However, the mountainous nation’s weather has its own specific regional characteristics. For this purpose, we will briefly explain about each season to add to your knowledge.

The western part of the country actually receives heavy rainfall. Similarly, the southern part experiences cool, humid summers and cold winters. Since Bhutan is located next to Bangladesh, it is sometimes affected by the remnants of tropical cyclones. As a result, this will affect the weather of the entire country. Therefore, you will get a deep feeling about this magical season and climate change during Druk-Yul.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan

Bhutan’s Weather & Climate

Of course, Bhutan’s weather conditions are mainly influenced by altitude. And even more surprisingly, they are arctic, frozen and cold. The mountain peaks are constantly covered with snow and the lower parts are cold even in summer. While the southern part is hot and humid in summer and cold in winter. Similarly, the central parts of the country have temperate and deciduous forests where the climate is more seasonal with warm summers and cold, dry winters

Southern parts, the weather

Major Seasons in Bhutan

Generally, Bhutan has 4 major seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. The monsoon season comes after the beginning of summer and ends before fall (also called autumn). March to May is, in fact, spring time. Similarly, summer is between June and August. The fall or autumn months are from September to November, while winter is from December to February.

The following table representation will give you a clear idea of ​​the weather conditions in Bhutan throughout the year:

• Spring: March – May – Best time to visit Bhutan
  Daily temperatures average 17oC (63oF). Incredible hikes on quiet trails (Best)
• Summer: June – August – Wet season throughout Bhutan
  Marks the arrival of the monsoon, average daytime temperatures are 24oC (75oF). (Not recommended)
• Fall (Autumn): October – December – Best time to visit Bhutan due to its mild weather, daytime temperatures are 22oC (71oF) – Visibility of the mountain views is crystal clear (Best)
• Winter: December – February – Coldest time of the year
  Temperatures reach 10oC (50oF) – Icy winds from the northeast monsoon cool the weather (Average)

Bhutan: Season Features and Ratings

1. Spring (March to May):

Spring can be relatively cloudy compared to other months. Furthermore, the wildlife and flowers are at their most vibrant. Additionally, magnificent rhododendrons, magnolias, and other wildflowers can be seen blooming. Birdlife is surprisingly abundant. And, most festivals take place during this season, so you may get a chance to witness one of Bhutan’s popular festivals. Therefore, spring is probably the best time to visit Bhutan!

2. Summer/Monsoon (June-August):

It is best to consider visiting Bhutan in the summer if you want to avoid the high prices and cold of winter. This is because Bhutan receives fewer tourists during the season. One festival that takes place in the month of Asar is Nimalung Setchu. However, we do not recommend traveling to Bhutan in the summer! Roads can be blocked due to landslides.

3. Fall (September to November):

Indeed, these months are less humid and the skies are clear, the air is fresh and it is perfect for hiking on secluded trails. This is why it is the perfect time to visit Bhutan. Early autumn is a chance of rain in some parts of the country, while snowfall is possible in the high mountain regions of the northern regions. Autumn is also a great time to visit Bhutan! After all, if you are lucky, you can witness one of Bhutan’s popular festivals, Thimphu Tshechu, during this season.

4. Winter (December to February):

Indeed, winter is the time to visit Bhutan if you want to avoid the crowds and see black-necked cranes. Although winter in Bhutan is very cold, the skies are usually clear, providing stunning views and great opportunities for photographers. During winter, the Trongsa Tshechu festival takes place at Trongsa Dzong. Therefore, we recommend the winter season for travelers who can tolerate the cold weather conditions.

Bhutan’s Region-Wise Weather

Since Bhutan has different altitudes, let’s quickly take a look at what the weather is like in different regions.

Weather at various regions

Month Min ºF Max ºF Trip Rating

1. Southern Regions:
   Primarily, the southern regions of the country comprise plains with subtropical climatic conditions. As a result, these regions experience mild winters with cool nights. Spring is hot and thunderstorms are frequent during this time. It is a fact that monsoons sometimes bring heavy rains and sometimes torrential rains.

For example, the average temperature in the southern region of Bhutan can be clearly understood below:

January – 32 73.4 – Average – February – 53.6 77 – Average
March – 59 84.2 – Excellent – April – 68 89.6 – Excellent) – (May – 71.6 89.6 – Good
June – 75.2 87.8 – Bad – July – 77 87.8 – Bad – August – 77 87.8 – Bad
September – 75.2 87.8 – Good – October – 69.8 86 – Excellent
November – 59 80.6 – Excellent – December – 51.8 77 – Average

2. Hilly Regions:
   Comparatively, the climate is gradually milder, with moderately cold, dry winters and warm, rainy summers in the hilly regions, up to the elevation of 1,524m (5,000ft.). But, in some interior valleys, summer rains are moderately lesser with monsoon rains on the southern side. Summer months, however, are quite hot irrespective of the altitude.
3. High-Altitude Regions
   The average temperatures during summer, especially at higher altitudes above 1,981(6,500ft.), range from 5-20ºC / (41- 68ºF). Obviously, winters will be cold, and nighttime will experience below-freezing weather in these areas. Winters are mostly sunny, while snowfall can be an amusing revelation.

Bhutan is extensively far away from sea, so there are direct impacts of the tropical cyclones. However, since it borders with Bangladesh, the after-effects of cyclones hitting Bangladesh can be at certain parts of Bhutan as well. As a result, these impacts may cause heavy rainfalls or sometimes snowfall in the higher altitudes. Subsequently, taking in account all the weather factors, we can deduce that Bhutan is a year-round destination.

When should I Visit Bhutan?

The best time to visit Bhutan is from October to December. However, for nature lovers and historical tourists, you can plan a holiday to Bhutan in the spring season. If you only want to do trekking or trekking in Bhutan, then you should plan a trip between March and May. And, if you are looking for less crowds during the off-seasons, summer or monsoon would be the best time. Finally, if you want to participate in one of those vibrant festivals of Bhutan, you should plan accordingly as there is no specific season for your participation. In fact, the country has festivals almost all year round!