Bhutan is incredible throughout the year. Bhutan’s temperature and pleasant climate, cultural festivals celebrating throughout the year and abundant heritage sites provide never-ending happiness to the visitors. Bhutan’s climate varied widely depending on the altitude and covers all four seasons of spring, autumn, monsoon and winter. The weather is best in spring and autumn showcasing Rhododendron blooms at its peak. Summer and winter have their own draws and attractions.
Seasons / Weather in Bhutan
Bhutan has four distinct seasons in a year.
Spring Season
March, April and May are the months of spring and also the most beautiful time of the year. It is the peak season for tourists. The land ablaze with a spectacular array of bright colors of nature. Fruit trees are blossoming and valleys are green with fresh vegetation at this time.
ParoTsechu festival is celebrated by the locals and neighboring districts with great enthusiasm during spring. This festival is the best chance to meet the King of Bhutan during this 5 days festival. Other festivals are PunakhaTshechu, ChhortenKora, TaloTshechu, GasaTshechu, DomkharTshechu, Rhododendron Festival and few more. View rituals and sacred dances performed by monks, join the occasion of blessings and socializing and explore the Rhododendron forests in the Phobjikha Valley.
Monsoon Season
June, July and August are the months of monsoon when Bhutan receives extreme rainfall than any other region in the Himalayas. It is the ideal time to avoid higher tariff and the cold of winter during these days. Rainy days offer flourishing paddy fields and vibrant green foresting with a backdrop of the clear blue sky after the rain. It is the best time to visit places of cultural and historical interest however trekking is risky this season.
Visitors can plan to enjoy Bhutanese festivals like NimalungTshechu, KurjeyTshechu, and Matsutake Mushroom Festival during monsoon.
Autumn Season
September, October and November are the months of autumn filled with clear and crisp blue skies. It is the peak season for the tourists. Autumn is the best time for travelling and trekking as the climate is cool and temperate at this time. The climate provides a grand view of tallest unclimbed mountains, the solitude of parks, dzongs and monasteries. Photographers can have the best photography opportunities of shedding nature, green mountains, valleys and lush green forests.
The ThimphuTshechu festival is celebrated with great joy in late-September. ThimphuTshechu and WangdiTshechu, both festivals occur about the same time and it is the chance to attend two grand festivals on one trip. Other attractions are Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race), Gangtey Tshechu, TamshingPhalaChhoepa, JakarTshechu, Black Necked Crane Festival, MongarTshechu, PrakharDuchhoed, Trashigang Tshechu, PrakharDuchhoed and few more.
Winter Season
December, January and February are the months of winter in Bhutan. The days of winter are cool and sunny, especially December and January. During winter, most of the east-west highway remains snow bound. Winter is the ideal time to tour Thimphu, Paro, Wangdue, Haa and Punakha. One of the main attractions in this season is the Phobjikha valley to see a wide expanse of rolling plain covered with bamboo shrubs and Black-Necked Cranes. Wildlife photographers can grab this opportunity to take the aura of Bhutan.
One must not miss to watch regional Bhutanese festivals such as JambayLakhangSingye Cham, NalakharTshechu, DrukWangyelTshechu, Trongsa Tshechu, LhuentseTshechu, NabjiLhakhangDrup, Takin Festival and Nomad Festival while visiting Bhutan during winter season.
Average Temperatures in Bhutan
| Month | Values.in.Celsius | Paro | Thimphu | Punakha | Trongsa | Bumthang | Mongar | Trashigang |
| January | Max Min |
9.4 -5.8 |
12.3 -2.6 |
17.0 4.3 |
13.0 -0.2 |
10.8 -5.1 |
15.5 8.2 |
20.4 10.5 |
| February | Max Min |
13.0 1.5 |
14.4 0.6 |
19.0 7.8 |
13.9 0.4 |
10.0 -1.4 |
15.9 8.3 |
21.7 11.5 |
| March | Max Min |
14.5 0.6 |
16.4 3.9 |
22.8 10.4 |
16.7 4.4 |
16.2 3.5 |
20.0 11.6 |
24.8 14.4 |
| April | Max Min |
17.6 4.6 |
20.0 7.1 |
26.2 12.9 |
20.1 6.6 |
18.7 3.9 |
22.8 14.0 |
28.3 17.0 |
| May | Max Min |
23.5 10.6 |
22.5 13.1 |
29.1 17.7 |
21 11.6 |
21.3 9.5 |
25.1 17.4 |
30 22.6 |
| June | Max Min |
25.4 14.1 |
24.4 15.2 |
29.2 20.1 |
22.2 13.6 |
22.5 13.5 |
26.1 19.5 |
30.7 22.6 |
| July | Max Min |
26.8 14.9 |
25.9 15.6 |
30.4 20.5 |
25.3 15.3 |
24.1 13.6 |
27.1 19.8 |
31.5 23.1 |
| August | Max Min |
25.3 14.7 |
25.0 15.8 |
29.1 20 |
23.8 15 |
23.0 13.7 |
25.4 19.6 |
30.2 22.7 |
| September | Max Min |
23.4 11.7 |
23.1 15 |
27.5 19.1 |
22.6 14.2 |
21.6 12.1 |
24.7 19.4 |
30.0 21.9 |
| October | Max Min |
18.7 7.4 |
21.9 10.4 |
26.1 14.7 |
21.8 11.7 |
19.5 5.9 |
22.7 15.8 |
29.1 17.7 |
| November | Max Min |
13.9 1.4 |
17.9 5.0 |
22.6 9.6 |
19.8 6.4 |
16.1 -0.5 |
19.9 11.2 |
26.1 13.6 |
| December | Max Min |
11.2 -1.7 |
14.5 -1.1 |
19.1 6.3 |
18.2 2.5 |
12.3 -2.3 |
17.7 9.5 |
23.0 11.6 |