Of course, Bhutan’s weather conditions are mainly influenced by altitude. And what’s even more surprising is that they are arctic, frozen and frosty. The mountain peaks are constantly covered in snow, and the lower parts are cold even in summer. Likewise; In the southern parts, the weather is hot and humid in summer and cold in winter. Similarly, in the central parts of the country, there are temperate and deciduous forests where the climate is more seasonal, with warm summers and warm, dry winter.
Major Seasons in Bhutan
Basically, Bhutan has 4 major seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The monsoon season comes after the onset of summer and ends before autumn (also known as winter). March to May is, in fact, the spring season. Similarly, summer occurs between the months of June and August. Autumn or fall is the months from September to November, while winter is the months from December to February.
The following tabular representation will give you a clear idea of the weather conditions in Bhutan throughout the year:
| Season | Month | Features | Ratings |
| Spring | Mar – May | – Undoubtedly, the best time to visit Bhutan – The daily temperature averages up to 17oC (63oF) – Incredible hikes in the tranquil trails | Best |
| Summer | Jun – Aug | – Wet weather almost throughout Bhutan – Marks the arrival of monsoon – The average daytime temperature is 24oC (75oF) | Not recommended |
| Fall (Autumn) | Oct – Dec | – Ideal time to visit Bhutan due to its mild climate – Temperature during the day is 22oC (71oF) – Visibility of the mountain views are sparkling clear | Best |
| Winter | Dec – Feb | – The coldest time of the year – The temperature reaches 10oC (50oF) – Icy winds of the northeast monsoon make the climate colder | Average |
Bhutan: Season features and ratings
1. Spring season (March – May)
Spring can be cloudy compared to other months. Furthermore, the wildlife and flowers are at their most vibrant. In addition, 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)
If you want to avoid the high fees and the cold of winter, it is better to visit Bhutan in the summer. Because, obviously, the number of tourists in Bhutan is less during this season. One festival to attend in the month of June is Nimalung Tsechu. However, we do not recommend traveling to Bhutan in the summer! Roads can be blocked due to landslides.
3. Fall or Autumn season (September – November)
In fact, there is less rain during these months and the skies are clear, the air is fresh and it is ideal for trekking on secluded trails. Therefore, this makes it a good time to visit Bhutan. While some parts of the country may experience rain in the early autumn, the northern part may already experience some snowfall at higher altitudes. Autumn is also a good time to visit Bhutan! After all, if you are lucky, you may get to witness one of Bhutan’s popular festivals, Thimphu Tsechu, during this season.
4. Winter (December – February)
In fact, if you want to avoid the crowds and spot black-necked cranes, winter is the time to visit Bhutan. Although winters in Bhutan are very cold, the skies are usually clear, providing stunning views and great opportunities for photographers. During winter, the Trongsa Dzong hosts the Trongsa Tsechu Festival. Therefore, we recommend the winter season to travel for those travelers who can tolerate the cold weather.
Bhutan’s Regional Weather
Since Bhutan has varying altitudes, let’s quickly take a look at what the weather is like in different regions.
1. Southern Regions
Mainly, the southern regions of the country are plains with a subtropical climate. As a result, these regions experience mild winters with cool nights. The spring season is hot and thunderstorms are frequent during this time. It is a fact that during the monsoon, there is a lot of rain and sometimes it is torrential. For example, the average temperature in the southern region of Bhutan can be clearly understood below:
| Months | Min ºF | Max ºF | Travel Rating |
| Jan | 32 | 73.4 | Average |
| Feb | 53.6 | 77 | Average |
| Mar | 59 | 84.2 | Best |
| Apr | 68 | 89.6 | Best |
| May | 71.6 | 89.6 | Good |
| Jun | 75.2 | 87.8 | Bad |
| Jul | 77 | 87.8 | Bad |
| Aug | 77 | 87.8 | Bad |
| Sep | 75.2 | 87.8 | Good |
| Oct | 69.8 | 86 | Best |
| Nov | 59 | 80.6 | Best |
| Dec | 51.8 | 77 | Average |
Bhutan: Average annual temperatures in the southern parts
2. Hilly Regions
In comparison, the climate is gradually becoming milder, with moderately cold, dry winters in the mountainous regions and warm, rainy summers up to an altitude of 1,524 m (5,000 ft). However, in some interior valleys, the summer months are moderately short with monsoon rains in the south. However, the summer months are very hot regardless of altitude. For example, the average temperatures for the mountainous regions of Bhutan can be clearly seen below:
| Months | Min ºF | Max ºF | Travel Rating |
| Jan | 41 | 62.6 | Average |
| Feb | 46.4 | 66.2 | Average |
| Mar | 51.8 | 71.6 | Good |
| Apr | 57.2 | 77 | Best |
| May | 62.6 | 80.6 | Best |
| Jun | 68 | 84.2 | Average |
| Jul | 68 | 82.4 | Bad |
| Aug | 68 | 82.4 | Bad |
| Sep | 68 | 80.6 | Good |
| Oct | 60.8 | 78.8 | Best |
| Nov | 50 | 73.4 | Best |
| Dec | 42.8 | 68 | Average |
Bhutan: Average annual temperatures in the hilly regions
3. High-Altitude Regions
Average temperatures in summer, especially at altitudes above 1,981 (6,500 feet), range from 5-20 degrees Celsius / (41-68 degrees Fahrenheit). Obviously, winters will be colder, and these areas will experience sub-zero temperatures at night. Winters are mostly sunny, while snowfall can be a pleasant surprise. For example, the average temperatures for the high-altitude regions of Bhutan can be clearly seen below:
| Months | Min ºF | Max ºF | Travel Rating |
| Jan | 26.6 | 53.6 | Average |
| Feb | 33.8 | 57.2 | Average |
| Mar | 39 | 60.8 | Good |
| Apr | 44.6 | 68 | Best |
| May | 55.4 | 73.4 | Best |
| Jun | 59 | 75.2 | Average |
| Jul | 59 | 77 | Bad |
| Aug | 60.8 | 77 | Bad |
| Sep | 59 | 73.4 | Good |
| Oct | 50 | 71.6 | Good |
| Nov | 41 | 64.4 | Good |
| Dec | 30.2 | 59 | Average |
Bhutan: Average annual temperatures in the high-altitude regions
Bhutan is far from the sea, so it is directly affected by tropical cyclones. However, since it shares a border with Bangladesh, cyclones that hit Bangladesh can also affect parts of Bhutan. As a result, these impacts can cause heavy rainfall at high altitudes or even occasional snowfall.
Then, considering all the climatic factors, we can assume that Bhutan is a year-round destination. However, the activities you want to do in the country strictly define the best time to visit Bhutan.
Why should I visit Bhutan?
One of the main reasons why tourists visit Bhutan is its unique culture. In early 2018, the country was voted first out of over 100 sustainable destinations at the ITB Awards held in Berlin, Germany. Among the long list of things to do in Bhutan, we highly recommend the following activities when visiting this magnificent country:
1. Trekking & Hiking
Some of the major things you can do when planning a trip to Bhutan are trekking, trekking or any adventure activities. In fact, there are many trekking routes and local trekking opportunities, including trekking to the Tiger’s Nest. However, trekking is one of the best ways to experience the culture of the country.
2. Cultural & Historical Tours
First of all, with countless tourist attractions to visit, Bhutan has ample opportunities for cultural and historical tours. In fact, you can also experience religious tours in the country. These tours are, in fact, ways to directly interact with the ethnic communities of your travel destination.
3. Festivals and Celebrations
Truly huge! Bhutan has some really big festivals. No matter what the festival is, each one is celebrated with great enthusiasm. To witness some of the vibrant festivals and celebrations, you can also plan your Bhutan trip to coincide with one of those festivals.
4. Bhutanese Cuisine
So, do you expect Bhutanese food to fool you? Surprisingly, most of the food items are non-vegetarian and contain a lot of dairy products. However, the popular butter tea with salt is something you should not miss trying. Basically, most of the food items include meat, chili, spices, and cheese. Don’t worry, there are vegetarian dishes like Yu Chum (Bhutanese red rice), and Hoento buckwheat dumplings that include ara, a fermented alcoholic beverage made from rice.
5. Other adventure activities
Of course, there are plenty of adventures for thrill seekers. Because you can enjoy outdoor activities like mountain biking, river rafting, kayaking, snow-mountain trekking, and wildlife safaris. But the best part is that you can do it in a mountainous region with pleasant winter weather, mountains, and hilly landscapes.
6. Bhutanese Arts & Crafts
Every piece of art and craft in Bhutan represents a truly spiritual experience for the locals. In fact, they take great pride in their culture, heritage, rituals, traditions, and festivals. In particular, the skilled people who create arts and crafts have been preserving such great traditional arts for centuries. Therefore, this is one of the reasons why you should visit Bhutan.
7. Less Crowds
Except during the tourist season, there will be less crowd in the major tourist centers. Likewise, the same is true on the trekking routes. So, if you are looking for a secluded place to meditate and avoid the huge crowds, you can visit during this time of the year.
When should I visit Bhutan?
Firstly, if you are interested in trekking as well as adventure, the best time to visit Bhutan would be from October to December. However, for nature lovers and historical tourists, you can plan your Bhutan vacation during the spring season.
If you only want to do trekking or trekking in Bhutan, you should plan your trip from March to 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 because there is no specific season for your participation. In fact, the country has festivals almost all year round!
