Punakha Valley

Punakha Valley in early December 2011. The winter retreat for many Bhutanese to escape the city cold of Thimphu

Trongsa Dzong

As Bhutan is made up of valleys on varying altitude, it is not uncommon to meet blooming flowers in summer or winter. This photo was taken in mid-December 2011. Photo courtesy of Martin Yong.

Dochula Pass

Dochula Pass in February 2011 after a one day snow

Paro Valley

A field of Gold. Rice fields in Paro Valley, early October 2011

Punakha Dzong in mid-May, 2008

The Jakaranda blossoms at Punakha Dzong in mid-May is ever the welcoming sight to behold.


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Best Time To Visit Bhutan
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Best Time To Visit Bhutan

Spring

Spring is the favourite time to visit Bhutan. Nature lovers who are keen on local flaura should condiser visiting Bhutan end of April or in May. Flowers would be on full bloom then. 

Months March, April, May
Druk Asia Recommends

Gomkora (Festival in Trashigang)

The Jakaranda blossoms at Punakha Dzong in mid-May.
Jomolhari Trek & Drukpath Trek from mid-april til end-May

 
Note

The Paro Tshechu usually take place in early April. This is the best chance to meet the King of Bhutan as he often makes his way to the festivities between the 3rd and last day. 

The ever popular 5-day Paro Tshechu also means that Paro will be teeming with travellers. Hotels & services may be overwhelmed as the better hotels and guides would have been pre-booked. Drukair tickets would be fully sold out by January.

 

Summer

If you like to avoid the higher tariff and the cold of winter, consider visiting Bhutan early June. If monsoon is late, the whole of June will be great for traveling. Monsoon will be on its earnest in July. Having said so, our personal experience with monsoon in Bhutan has been limited to afternoon light shower once every 2 to 3 days. Some outlying district such as Gangtey can be given a miss as the country road can be swollen with mud. Summer often offers vibrant green foresting and flourishing paddy fields against a backdrop of clear blue sky after the rain.

 

Months June, July, august
Druk Asia Recommends

Nimalung Tshechu in June 

Kurjey Tshechu in late June clelebrates a very important holy sites of Guru Rinpoche

 
Note

The summer season sees a lower level of tourists as many have the misconception that Bhutan may experience a rainy deluge similar to many parts of South Asia. This is definitely not true. Though its dubbed the monsoon, Bhutan experiences relatively light rain with most rainfall confined to the late afternoon and does not affect most travellers’ itinerary.

 

 

Fall

Fall is another high and crowded season for Bhutan. Though Bhutan does not offer browning forest nor maples, the mild weather in autumn makes it a perfect time to visit Bhutan.
Thimphu Festival usually takes places at the end of September or early October.

 

Months September, October, November
Druk Asia Recommends

Black-Necked Crane Festival - Stay with a local villager in the beautiful valley of Phobjika and witnes the one day Black-Necked Crane Festival and do you part to help nature conservation!

October - see the valleys turn into a shade of gold as rice farmers perpare to harvest their rice crops.

 
Note

In late-september, the Thimphu Tshechu is a grand affair in the modern capital of Bhutan. Just like Paro Tshechu, good hotels would be fully booked and service level do suffers.
Thimphu tshechu also occurs about the same time as Wangdi tshechu and the chance to attend 2 festival on one trip is always very tempting but WATCH out for the crowd.

Another crowded festival calendar, this time in central Bhutan is the Jakar, Jambay Lhakhang Drup & Prakar Tshechu. Trongs of travellers pay homege to the Switzerland of Asia at this time to attend the mysterious Jambay festivities which is fabled for its bon-fire dance of 20 masked and naked dancers. 
If you would like to attend this festival, do be prepared to stay in some less comfortable hotels too.

 

 

 

Winter

To avoid the crowd and catch the Black-Necked Cranes, winter would be the time to go. To catch Himalayan blue sky without paying the additional tariff, consider visiting Bhutan in December. The temperature will not be too cold yet as lowest temperature usually takes places near the end of January. In January or February, Paro and Thimphu may experience a one day snow. 

Months December, January, February
Druk Asia Recommends

Punakha Dromche & Tshechu in February - The Punakha Dromche & Tshechu is week long celebration of the founding of Bhutan in the 1600s. The festivities take place around the ancient capital and most beautiful dzong in Bhutan. The mild weather of lower Punakha also makes this town a great winter escape for the Bhutanese.

Trongsa Tshechu - The Trongsa Tshechu takes place in the Trongsa Dzong, is an intimate affair with only a small handful of attending travellers. This festival has some of the most elaborate festival costume for the dancing lamas.
Note

Expect snowfall in mid-Jan til early Feb.
Extreme weather and heavy snowfall may render the roads to central & eastern Bhutan unpassable.

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Last Update: 17 March 2012
Dochula Pass