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Tiger's Nest monastery amid misty mountains

Bhutan travel guide

A small inland country in Southern Asia, at its best in October and May

Best: May, Oct

Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons

Capital
Thimphu
Language
Dzongkha
Currency
Bhutanese ngultrum
Time zone
UTC+06:00
Plugs
Type C, D, F, G · 230 V
Driving
On the left
Emergency
112

Why visit Bhutan

Bhutan is a small country in Southern Asia, about 38,394 km² with around 790,718 people. It suits a slow trip between a few inland towns: the capital Thimphu, Paro and Punakha. The best months overall are October and May, but timing differs by town. Paro is best in April and May, Thimphu in May and June, and Punakha from October to January. One limitation: none of these towns is on the coast, so this is not a beach trip.

  • A small country to explore

    Bhutan covers 38,394 km2 and has about 790,718 people. That is a small area and a small population, so a single trip can take in the capital and several towns. The national language is Dzongkha.

  • Thimphu, a compact capital

    Thimphu is Bhutan's capital and its largest city, with about 114,551 residents. Its best months are May and June, when it makes a good base for the start of a spring trip.

  • Paro, a very small town

    Paro has a population of only about 2,362, so it feels very different from a city. April and May are its best months, which fits well with a spring visit to nearby Thimphu.

  • Punakha for a winter trip

    Punakha's best months are October, November, December and January. This is a different season from Thimphu and Paro, so Punakha suits travellers who come to Bhutan in late autumn or winter.

  • Two clear peak months

    October and May are the best months for Bhutan as a whole. In May, Thimphu and Paro are both in season. In October, Punakha's best season begins.

Is Bhutan right for you?

Great for

  • People who like mild heat: even in August, Thimphu's warmest month, highs only reach about 21.6°C
  • Winter trips with drier weather: Thimphu gets about 80 mm of rain in January and 81 mm in December
  • Valley trips to Punakha, whose best months run from October to January
  • Spring visits to Paro, a town of about 2,362 people, in April and May
  • Travellers who like small cities: the capital, Thimphu, has about 114,551 people

Less ideal for

  • Beach holidays: none of the main cities in our data is on the coast
  • Travellers wanting dry summers: July brings about 632 mm of rain over 30.7 rain days in Thimphu
  • People who dislike cold nights: Thimphu lows fall to about -1.8°C in January
  • Travellers wanting big-city life: the capital has only about 114,551 people

Bhutan right now: October

7.1/10
Avg high
18°C
Avg low
9°C
Rain days
24

Averages for Thimphu.

Weather by month

In Thimphu, October and May have the best weather, with highs of 17.5°C and 18.5°C and about 10 hours of sun a day, though October is drier at 208 mm of rain against 329 mm in May. July is the wettest month, with 632 mm of monsoon rain, while January is the coldest, with nights near -1.8°C but only 80 mm of rain.

Average highs and lows in Thimphu by month January: high 9°C, low -2°C , 15 rain days . February: high 10°C, low 0°C , 20 rain days . March: high 14°C, low 3°C , 26 rain days . April: high 17°C, low 7°C , 26 rain days . May: high 19°C, low 10°C , 30 rain days . June: high 21°C, low 13°C , 30 rain days . July: high 21°C, low 15°C , 31 rain days . August: high 22°C, low 14°C , 31 rain days . September: high 20°C, low 13°C , 29 rain days . October: high 18°C, low 9°C , 24 rain days . November: high 15°C, low 5°C , 17 rain days . December: high 12°C, low 1°C , 15 rain days . 9°C -2°C JAN 15d 10°C 0°C FEB 20d 14°C 3°C MAR 26d 17°C 7°C APR 26d 19°C 10°C MAY 30d 21°C 13°C JUN 30d 21°C 15°C JUL 31d 22°C 14°C AUG 31d 20°C 13°C SEP 29d 18°C 9°C OCT 24d 15°C 5°C NOV 17d 12°C 1°C DEC 15d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Thimphu · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Bhutan: month-by-month weather →

Bhutan's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Thimphu

    Thimphu

    The capital has cool days, with highs near 9°C in January and 21°C in July. Rain falls on about 292 days a year, so expect damp weather often. May and June are the best months to visit.

    Best: May, Jun

  • Paro Valley

    Paro

    Paro is a little milder, with highs of about 11°C in January and 23°C in July. It sees rain on around 266 days a year. April and May are the best months.

    Best: Apr, May

  • Punakha Valley

    Punakha

    This lower valley is the warmest and driest, with highs of about 16°C in January and 27°C in July. Rain falls on about 205 days a year. The best months run from October to January.

    Best: Jan, Oct, Nov, Dec

Sample itineraries

7 days

Paro, Thimphu and Punakha in a week

  1. Day 1–2

    Paro

    Start in Paro, a small town of about 2,362 people. Take these first days slowly, settle in and walk the valley at your own pace. April and May are its best months.

  2. Day 3–5

    Thimphu

    Move on to Thimphu, the capital and the largest city on this route, with about 114,551 people. Explore the city on foot and get a feel for daily life in Bhutan.

  3. Day 6–7

    Punakha

    Finish in Punakha and spend your last days exploring the area without a fixed plan. Its best months are October to January, so it shines at a different time of year than Paro and Thimphu.

10 days

A slower 10-day loop through western Bhutan

  1. Day 1–3

    Paro

    Begin with 3 days in Paro, a town of about 2,362 people. Use the extra time to settle in, walk the valley and get used to the pace of travel in Bhutan.

  2. Day 4–6

    Thimphu

    Spend 3 days in Thimphu, the capital, home to about 114,551 people. You have time to explore the city slowly. May and June are its best months.

  3. Day 7–9

    Punakha

    Continue to Punakha for 3 days of unhurried exploring. Its best months are October, November, December and January, so this stop suits travellers who come later in the year.

  4. Day 10

    Paro

    Return to Paro for your final day. Revisit any corner of town you liked, or simply rest before you leave.

Food to try in Bhutan

Ema datshi

Bhutan's national dish is a stew of green or red chillies cooked in a soft, salty cheese sauce. It is often very hot. It appears at most meals, from home kitchens to roadside restaurants.

Kewa datshi

A milder cousin of ema datshi, made with sliced potatoes in the same cheese sauce, with only a little chilli. It is a good start if you find spicy food hard.

Phaksha paa

Strips of pork, often fatty or dried, stir-fried with dried red chillies and sometimes radish or greens. It is a common dish in homes and local restaurants across the country.

Bhutanese red rice

A short-grain red rice with a nutty taste and a slightly sticky texture, grown in the Paro valley and elsewhere. It is the base of most meals, served next to the stews.

Suja (butter tea)

Tea churned with butter and salt, so it tastes more like a thin soup than a sweet drink. Families often offer it to guests, sometimes with puffed or beaten rice.

Ara

A clear home-made spirit, usually distilled from rice, millet or maize. It is shared at festivals, family events and when welcoming visitors. It can be strong, so sip slowly.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Bhutan uses plug types C, D, F and G at 230 V. Bring a universal adapter. Check that your chargers and devices accept 230 V before you plug them in.
  • Driving side: Traffic in Bhutan drives on the left. If you come from a country that drives on the right, take extra care at junctions and when overtaking.
  • Emergency number: The emergency number in Bhutan is 112. Save it in your phone before you arrive so you can find it quickly.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Bhutanese ngultrum. Ask your bank or card provider before you travel how you can pay and get cash while you are there.
  • Language: The national language is Dzongkha. Learning a simple greeting or a thank-you in Dzongkha is a friendly way to start a conversation.
  • Time zone: Bhutan is on UTC+6 all year. Check the time difference from home so you can plan calls and transport connections.
  • Calling code: The country calling code for Bhutan is +975. Use it before local numbers when you call from a foreign phone or SIM.

Bhutan: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Bhutan?

October and May get the highest scores for Bhutan, at 7.1 and 7. In Thimphu, October has highs of 17.5°C, lows of 8.5°C and 9.5 hours of sun a day, as rain falls to 208 mm at the end of the wet season. May is slightly warmer at 18.5°C but wetter, with 329 mm of rain over 29.6 rain days.

Is Bhutan good in July?

July is rated good overall, but it is the wettest month in Thimphu. Rain totals 632 mm on average, with 30.7 rain days, so expect rain almost every day. Sun drops to 7 hours a day, the lowest of the year. In return it is mild, with highs of 21.2°C and lows of 14.7°C. June to September all bring 384 mm of rain or more.

Is Bhutan cold in January?

Yes. January is the coldest month in Thimphu, with highs of 8.9°C and lows of -1.8°C, so nights drop below freezing. It is also one of the driest months, with 80 mm of rain and 9.2 hours of sun a day. December is similar, at 11.5°C by day, 1.2°C at night and 81 mm of rain.

Is November a good time to visit Bhutan?

Yes, November is rated good, with a score of 6.6. In Thimphu, days reach 14.6°C and nights fall to 4.7°C. Rain drops to 103 mm over 17.4 rain days, about half of October's 208 mm. You get 9.6 hours of sun a day.

What is the best month for Paro, Thimphu and Punakha?

It depends on the town. Paro is best in April and May, and Thimphu is best in May and June. Punakha's best months fall in the cooler half of the year: October, November, December and January. If you plan to visit all three, May suits both Paro and Thimphu.

What plugs and voltage does Bhutan use?

Bhutan uses 230 V with plug types C, D, F and G. Bring an adapter if your devices use a different plug. Other practical basics: the currency is the Bhutanese ngultrum, traffic drives on the left, the time zone is UTC+06:00 and the emergency number is 112.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Bhutan.