When to Visit Bhutan
Spring and autumn bring the clearest skies and the festivals; winter and monsoon each have their own quieter appeal. Here is what to actually expect in each season.
When is the best time to visit Bhutan?
Spring, March through May, and autumn, late September through November, bring the clearest skies, the best mountain views, and most of Bhutan’s major festivals. Autumn in particular is when Thimphu and Paro Tshechu draw the largest crowds. Winter is quiet and cold in the high valleys but strikingly clear, and a good season for guests who want the country without the queue.
What is Bhutan like during the monsoon?
June through August brings rain to the lower valleys, particularly in the south, and can make trekking above 3000 metres genuinely difficult, with swollen rivers and slippery trails. Central and eastern Bhutan see less rain than the west. It is our quietest season, and for a guest who wants Bhutan without another traveller in sight, it has its own appeal.
Which festivals are worth planning a trip around?
Paro Tshechu in spring and Thimphu Tshechu in autumn are the two most visited, with masked dances, family crowds, and a genuine sense of occasion. Smaller festivals, Punakha Drubchen, Jambay Lhakhang Drup in Bumthang, and others across the calendar, offer the same colour with a fraction of the visitors. Tell us what draws you, spectacle or intimacy, and we will time your journey to match. (See our festival calendar for specific dates.)
Is Bhutan cold? What should I expect from the weather?
More questions? See the full FAQ →
Not sure which season suits you?
Tell us what you're hoping to see or feel, and we'll tell you plainly which dates fit.
Begin a private conversation