Druk Asia
Summer in Bhutan falls between the months of June til mid-September. During these months, Bhutan experiences the most amount of rainfall which helps Bhutan’s agriculture sustain some 70% of her population.
Terrain & Summer in Bhutan
The terrain in Bhutan can be segmented in to 3 basic zones. The hot, humid tropical southern border Bhutan, consisting of the townships of Phuensoling, Gelaphu, Trashigang and Samdrup-Jongka, produces much of her tropical agriculture sits about 150m above sea-level and gets about 8,000 mm of rainfall per year largely from the south-west monsoon hailing from the Bay of Bengal in the summer months.
Temperate Bhutan, consisting of the township of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa & Bumthang, which sits about 2000 to 4000m above sea-level, gets about 1000mm of rainfall annually. These precipitation comes mostly during the summer months from June til mid-September. During these months, travellers can expect occasional late-afternoon showers every 2-3 days. There are, however, still opportunities for drizzles which last the entire day, but occasionally.
Alpine Bhutan, the in the northern reaches of the Kingdom, typically above 4000m above sea-level, experiences little rain. Trekking to the alpine Lunana, Jomolhari and the snowman trek are open from as early as July.
Of Rainbows & Clouds
Travelling in temperate Bhutan during these months, you can expect lush green pines while meandering thru the valleys. The precipitation during these months create some of the stunning and dramatic landscape with her lush greens, low cloud cover, and unfolding narrow valleys.
Travellers can also expect to witness a multitude of rainbows while travelling to the valleys with almost daily sights.
A Season for Mushrooms picking
The wetter weather of the summer months in Bhutan is also the months of much lush vegetation in Bhutan. In temperate Bhutan, this is the season of mushrooms collection in the damp surrounding forests. Exotic & tasty mushrooms like the Shishishamu, corals, and the famed Masutake Mushrroms are in season in Ura and Genekha (near Thimphu).
For the adventurous, venture into the temperate forest fo these regions to gather mushrooms for your dinner. Else, travel to Ura to attend the Masutake Festival typically in the 4th weekend of August. At the festival, learn to identify edible mushrooms, embark on mushroom picking excursion and sample delicious Masutake recipes while listening to folk songs echoing thru the valleys.
Events and Festivals during Summer in Bhutan
Drukair Annual Golf Tournament
Started in 1995, the Drukair Annual Golf tournament is the most prestigious golf tournament in Bhutan. Set at the 9-hole Royal Thimphu Golf Course, this event attracts golfers from all over the region to tee off at the course overlooking the beautiful Tachichodzong.
Drukair Annual Golf tournament usually falls in mid-August.
Nimalung Tshechu
Kunjey Tshechu
Haa Summer Festival
West of Paro and crossing the highest drivable road, Chelela Pass, is the district of Haa Valley.
The Haa summer festival is a lively and uplifting celebration of traditional living-culture, nomadic lifestyles, unique Bhutanese cuisine, traditional sports and religious performances.
