The best time to travel in Bhutan is generally in the month’s spring and autumn.
Spring season -March, April and May
This is the high season for travel in Bhutan, and popular areas will be at its busiest. The weather is generally pleasant around this time, and valleys will be in full bloom. These months are generally dry, but there might be some pre-monsoon rain in May.
Recommendations for this season:
- Druk path trek
- 13 Day Gomkora and Paro Tshechu
- Cultural tours
Autumn Season- September, October and November.
Also considered high season the air is at its clearest in October, so you’ll be greeted by amazing Himalaya vistas. There are chances of odd showers in September, and temperatures will start dropping in October.
Recommendations for this season:
- Druk path trek
- Thimphu tshechu
- Black-Necked Crane Festival – Stay with a local villager in the beautiful valley of Phobjikha and witness the one day Black-Necked Crane Festival and do your part to help nature conservation!
- October – see the valleys turn into a shade of gold as rice farmers prepare 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 two 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. Trongsa of travelers pays homage to the Switzerland of Asia at this time to attend the mysterious Jambay festivities that was fabled for its bonfire dance of 20 masked and naked dancers.
Summer Season
June, July and August is usually considered the wettest season and also known as the low tourist season in Bhutan. Prices to visit Bhutan in the low season are relatively lower. If you wish to visit in this season consider visiting Bhutan in early June when the monsoon rains have not properly set in. Summer offers vibrant green flora and flourishing paddy fields against a backdrop of the clear blue sky after the occasional rain.
Recommendations for this season:
- Nimalung Tshechu in June
- Kurjey Tshechu in late June celebrates 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 not true. Though it dubbed the monsoon, Bhutan experiences relatively light rain with most rainfall confined to the late afternoon and does not affect most travellers’ itinerary.
Winter Season
December, January and February is considered cold with short days. Trekking in the mountains is not possible due to heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. Generally this season has clear blue skies apart from the few days its cloudy due to snowfall. Snowfall in mid-January till early February may render the roads to central & eastern Bhutan un-passable for few days.
Recommendations for this season:
- Punakha Dromche & Tshechu in February
- Trongsa Tshechu