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The weather in Bhutan is known for its clear skies, intense sunlight, and significant temperature swings from day to night. Its distinct seasons bring a unique rhythm to exploring this mountainous kingdom, with average temperatures ranging from 5 °C to 20 °C. Bhutan enjoys plenty of sunshine year-round, often surpassing 2500 hours, making for a comfortable travel experience.
Every season in Bhutan has its charm. Spring brings mild weather and bursts of blooming flowers across the country. Summer, while wetter, turns the landscape into a lush paradise, with terraced rice fields and forests in deep green hues. Autumn arguably presents the most stunning scenery, with fresh air and unmatched views of the majestic Himalayas, perfect for hiking and outdoor adventures. Winter, though cooler, tends to be sunny and tranquil, offering a chance to witness Bhutan's enchanting cultural festivals.
The best times to visit Bhutan are from March to May and September to November when the weather is most favorable, and the views are spectacular. These months correspond with the peak tourist season. Outside these periods, from December to February, tourism dips slightly due to the colder climate and occasional snow in higher elevations.
This Bhutan Weather Guide offers a detailed monthly breakdown, travel tips for top destinations, and answers to common questions about Bhutan's climate. With this information, you can plan your trip confidently, ready to enjoy Bhutan's natural beauty and cultural wealth, no matter the season.
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Dive into the Bhutan weather chart for an annual overview of average temperatures and rainfall. This valuable resource empowers you to meticulously plan your journey and foresee the climatic conditions you'll encounter. Embrace the distinct allure of each season in Bhutan, from the cozy winters to the comfortable summers.
The best time to visit Bhutan is from March to May and September to November. Discover more about the best time for travel in Bhutan, the array of activities you can participate in, and obtain comprehensive travel guides to turn your Bhutanese adventure into a memorable experience!
Bhutan follows a “High Value, Low Impact” tourism policy but doesn't limit the number of tourists.
Bhutan can be reached by air through Paro International Airport, which is Bhutan's only international airport. Flights to Bhutan are available from major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Gaya, Guwahati in India, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Bangkok in Thailand, Kathmandu in Nepal, and Changi in Singapore.
| No. | Place | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) | A famed cliffside monastery offering spiritual experiences and breathtaking views. |
| 2 | Punakha Dzong | Known for its stunning architecture and historical importance, it's located at the confluence of two rivers. |
| 3 | Thimphu | The capital city blending traditional and modern elements, with attractions like Tashichho Dzong and the Buddha Dordenma statue. |
| 4 | Phobjikha Valley | A scenic glacial valley, famous as the winter home of black-necked cranes and for its natural beauty. |
| 5 | Bumthang Valley | The spiritual heartland of Bhutan, home to some of the oldest temples and monasteries. |
| 6 | Rinpung Dzong | An important religious and administrative center in Paro, showcasing Bhutanese architecture. |
| 7 | Chele La Pass | One of Bhutan's highest motorable passes, offering panoramic views of mountains and valleys. |
| 8 | Haa Valley | A less-traveled valley noted for its pristine nature and insight into the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle. |
| 9 | Trongsa Dzong | A centrally located dzong with significant historical value and spectacular views. |
| 10 | Dochula Pass | Known for its 108 memorial chortens, stunning Himalayan views, and the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang temple. |
Find more information View 10 Best Places to Visit in Bhutan>>
Bhutan is renowned for its unique approach to national happiness, stunning Himalayan landscapes, rich Buddhist culture, and well-preserved environmental beauty. It's famous for the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery, traditional architecture like dzongs, vibrant festivals like Tshechus, and its philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Bhutan is also recognized for its commitment to environmental conservation, being one of the few carbon-negative countries in the world.
It typically needs 6 to 10 days. For a 6-day tour, it is highly recommended to visit Paro - Thimphu - Punakha, and return to Paro. Begin in Western Bhutan with around 2 days in Paro, followed by Thimphu (1-2 days) and Punakha (1-2 days). Or, extending your trip by 1-2 days will allow you to explore the less-visited Haa or Phobjikha valleys. To delve deeper into Bhutan's cultural heritage, head to central Bhutan for 1-2 days to visit Trongsa and Bumthang. This itinerary ensures a well-rounded experience, showcasing the best of Bhutan's natural beauty and historic sites.
For most nationalities except for Indian, Bangladeshi, Maldivian nationals, a visa is required to enter Bhutan. This visa can be obtained through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, such as Asia Odyssey Travel. Additionally, you will need to pay the visa fee of $40 and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of $100 per night, which is effective from September 1, 2023, until August 31, 2027.
The best time to visit Bhutan depends on your personal preferences and the specific experiences you are seeking.
Typically, the popular tourist seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is generally pleasant and the skies are clear. These seasons offer great opportunities for outdoor activities, trekking, and witnessing Bhutan's vibrant festivals.
The Paro Tshechu is held in Paro in March or April. The Thimphu Tshechu is help in capital Thimphu in September or October. The Punakha Tshechu is celebrated in February or March in the Punakha Dzong.
Winter (December to February) can be cold, especially in higher elevations, but it offers stunning views of snow-capped mountains. The monsoon season (June to August) brings heavy rainfall, but it can still be a good time to visit for lower tourist numbers and lush green landscapes.
Alfred
USA
Communication with Alina Dang was easy and response time fast. Alina is very professional and detail oriented.
Once in Bhutan our Guide Kins and Driver Karma made this 6 days tour to Paro, Thimphu and Punakha an unforgettable experience.
The Hotels selected were all excellent and with a friendly staff.
I hope to return to Bhutan for a longer stay and travel to Eastern Bhutan. Visit Bhutan and you will not be disappointed.
Date of Experience: Oct 19, 2024
Tour Customized by: Alina
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Clive
Britain
We really enjoyed our 19 day tour of Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet tour arranged by Asian Odyessey. Alina helped customize our itinerary, mostly adding a few free rest days, and was very helpful in communication throughout. The tour guides, hotels and transportation were all excellent. I am happy to recommend them and indeed am looking at another tour.
Destination(s): Tibet
Date of Experience: Oct 21, 2024
Tour Customized by: Alina
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Molly Durnas
US
I just graduated college and was planning on solo traveling Asia for 3 months. In the beginning of May, my mother very last minute decided that she would join me for a few weeks starting in the beginning of June. We both were very busy and had to quickly come up with a plan, which is when we found Asia Odyssey. Alina was super prompt in her response and quickly made us an itinerary for Nepal and Bhutan that fit exactly to our needs. After seeing how expertly Alina was able to create this itinerary, we also requested she make us an itinerary for India’s Golden Triangle including Delhi, Agra, and Rajasthan that we would embark on before Nepal/Bhutan.
Altogether we were under the care of Asia Odyssey for about a month, and simply could not have had a better experience. Alina was constantly in contact with us to make sure that everything was going smoothly and that we were having a wonderful time. In Nepal, we very last minute changed our plan to fly instead of drive for two of our locations and Alina was so understanding and helpful in allowing us to change our plans. Alina truly took wonderful care of us from start to finish and she is such a gem. Thank you so much for everything Alina!
Our trip to India felt right out of a magazine. Our driver Satish in India was with us over a week and is one of the kindest, most genuine people I have ever met in my entire life. I’ve been wanting to go to India with my mother for years and the trip was absolutely perfect - every hotel, every restaurant, every sight was absolutely wonderful. I was blown away with the country and the culture, and Asia Odyssey allowed us to experience it in the most comfortable and seamless way.
Our adventures in Nepal and Bhutan were some of the best of my life! The mountains and culture were unlike anything I’d experienced before, and I truly felt that I was able to get a genuine feel for the countries. The mountains and all of the buddhist monasteries and temples were some of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in my life. I absolutely cannot wait to come back - and when I do it will definitely be with Asia Odyssey.
Our guides Prarek, Ganesh, Narendra, Amit, Ghana, and Jigme throughout India, Nepal and Bhutan were all absolutely amazing, as were our drivers Satish, Keshav, and Momlal. Every single person we met was so incredible and made us feel so welcomed.
I cannot speak highly enough of Asia Odyssey and the hospitality shown by all involved in our trip. Thank you so much for the trip of a lifetime, and we hope to return very soon!
Date of Experience: Jun 01, 2024
Tour Customized by: Alina
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