Best time to visit Bhutan: month by month, Paro to Punakha

The four seasons, in short

Bhutan's National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) divides the year into four seasons: winter from December to February, spring from March to May, summer from June to September and autumn in October and November. The summer monsoon brings about 72% of the country's rain, most in July and then August; spring and autumn together bring about 22%, which leaves winter almost dry.

The Department of Tourism describes the year in the same shape: a generally dry spring from early March to mid-April, summer showers from mid-April, the Indian monsoon from late June or July to late September (heaviest in the south), a bright autumn of feasts and festivals from late September or early October to late November, and a crisp, sunny winter from late November to March, with frost through much of the country and snow common above 3,000 metres.

Month by month in Paro and Thimphu

The World Meteorological Organization publishes NCHM's averages for Paro and Thimphu from 1996 to 2018: the mean daily high and low and the mean rain for each month. They are averages over 23 years, not a forecast, but they show the year better than any description.

Two things stand out. Summer averages are moderate: even in July the average high in Thimphu is about 27°C. And the difference between day and night is large all year, about 13 to 17 degrees from November to February, so pack layers in every season. November is the driest month in both towns, with barely a millimetre of rain on average.

Punakha lies far lower, at about 1,250 m, and Little Bhutan, a licensed Thimphu operator, notes that it stays mild all year. NCHM's averages for Wangdue Phodrang, the next district, 13 km from Punakha, show what mild means: about 19°C by day and 5°C at night in January, 29°C and 21°C in July, with about 144 mm of rain that month. Bumthang, the high valley of central Bhutan, is colder than Paro: about 11°C by day and -4°C at night in January, and about 153 mm of rain in July. Dochula, the pass on the way, is about 3,100 m and much colder than either valley.

What each month brings

Here is the year at a glance: the weather and what you see, the festivals near Paro, Thimphu and Punakha on the Department of Tourism's tentative 2027 list, and the season hotels price by. High season, March to May and September to November, is also when Paro and Thimphu hotels fill early.

Our festivals guide describes each festival and prices a festival week.

Spring: March to May

Spring is the first of the two main seasons. Days warm from about 17°C in March to 22°C in May in Paro, nights rise above freezing, and the Department of Tourism calls it a botanist's delight, with nature in full bloom. Trans Bhutan Trail, which runs the restored cross-country trail, names rhododendron forests in bloom and lists March to May as its peak booking period. Rain builds slowly: from mid-April showers become more frequent, and May has about twice April's rain.

Spring also brings Paro Tshechu, the festival most first trips are built around: the Department of Tourism's tentative dates for 2027 are 18-22 March at Rinpung Dzong. Hotels and flights fill around them, so book early; our festivals guide has the full list and a festival week priced.

For the Tiger's Nest, about 3,120 m, spring and autumn offer the best chances of a dry path and open views.

Summer monsoon: June to September

The monsoon is the season to plan around rather than to avoid at all costs. In Paro, July averages about 120 mm of rain and Thimphu about 147 mm; the Department of Tourism notes that the monsoon mostly affects the south. Trans Bhutan Trail says the rain typically comes in the afternoons, the valleys are green and lush, and temperatures rarely pass 30°C even lower down; take shoes with good grip for wet trails such as the Tiger’s Nest.

The roads are the issue. NCHM calls landslides during the summer monsoon a major problem for the roads sector, and the Department of Tourism warns that from June to September the monsoons can affect transport and services. Drive only by daylight, and allow a spare day: landslides can close roads for days. The UK notes that weather regularly affects domestic and international flights, so keep a spare day before a long-haul connection.

If you travel in the monsoon, keep to a Paro–Thimphu–Punakha loop with short drives.

Autumn: October and November

Autumn is the classic season. The monsoon fades in late September, the air is washed clear, and the Department of Tourism describes bright, sunny days with some early snow on the high peaks. October in Paro averages about 21°C by day and 9°C at night; November is cooler, at about 17°C and 4°C, and almost completely dry.

It is also festival season and the busiest time of the year. Thimphu Tshechu, the country's biggest festival, falls on 10-12 October 2027 at Tashichho Dzong, with Wangdue on 8-10 October and Gangtey on 13-15 October; in November come Haa on 6-8, Jakar in Bumthang on 6-9 and the Black-necked Crane Festival at Gangtey Gonpa in Phobjikha on 11 November. All are the Department of Tourism's tentative dates.

Mind the fee. The USD 100 rate is a 50% discount on the full SDF of USD 200 and runs until 31 August 2027; the government may end the discount after that date, so budget nights from 1 September 2027 at USD 200 per adult unless an extension is announced. Our Bhutan trip cost guide prices a week before that date.

Trekking seasons

Treks follow the same two seasons, with narrower windows the higher you go. Guided Bhutan, a licensed operator, gives March to June and September to November as the main windows for the Druk Path, five days on foot from the Paro valley over a ridge of lakes to Thimphu, topping out at about 4,200 m: spring brings rhododendrons, and autumn often clearer mountain views. For the Jomolhari trek, eight days on foot to the base camp at Jangothang and over two passes near 4,900 m, it gives April to May and September to November; summer brings monsoon rain and muddy trails, and from December snow can close the high passes.

The Snowman Trek, around 25 days across the far north and eleven high passes, several above 5,000 m, has the shortest window: late September to mid-October usually gives the best chance. From November snow can close the highest passes for the season, and even in October an early snowfall can block a pass and turn a group back, so build in spare days.

Winter: December to February

Winter is the best-kept secret of the western valleys. The days are dry and mostly sunny, about 13-15°C in Paro and Thimphu in January, but nights fall below freezing, to about -1 to -2°C on average. Snow is common above 3,000 metres, so Dochula can be white.

Punakha is the warm refuge: far lower, at about 1,250 m, it stays mild, and its two festivals are tentatively listed for 13-15 and 16-18 February 2027. Druk Wangyel Tshechu, the festival of the Royal Bhutan Army at Dochula, is tentatively listed for 13 December 2027. In Phobjikha, about 3,000 m, the black-necked cranes spend the winter, arriving from late October and leaving by mid-March.

Winter is low season: fewer visitors, quieter dzongs and, at many hotels, lower rates.

Crowds, prices and when to book

Hotels price by season. The Thimphu and Paro hotel tariffs we checked on 3 November 2026 count March to May and September to November as high season and the other months as low season, when rooms cost about 6-10% less. The visa and the SDF cost the same all year, and guide and driver prices depend on your operator’s quote, so a room discount does not mean the same saving on the whole trip.

Book the operator and Paro flights first, 4 to 6 months ahead for spring, autumn and festival weeks, when Paro and Thimphu hotels fill early. Our first trip guide explains how to book it, and the 7-day itinerary works in every season.