Bhutan: Best time to go
Bhutan sits on the southern slopes of the Himalayas and is a year-round destination with each season having different things to offer visitors – in many respects comparable to Switzerland. There are 5 main valleys visited by tourists which are at different altitudes and have different micro-climates which range from subtropical in Punakha to alpine in Bumthang and Gangtey. For this one can’t actually say that there is a best time to visit Bhutan.
Winter months from December to the end of February have remarkably stable weather and are mostly bright, clear and crisp – there is no better time to enjoy the views of the Himalayan peaks. There will be snow on the mountain peaks and high passes, and occasionally even in the valleys but as humidity is very low it can feel remarkably warm when sunny (which is most of the time), much like when skiing in the Alps. After dark it becomes crisp and is perfect to enjoy sitting in front of a traditional Bhutanese wood-burning stove (bukhari).
Spring (March – May) is bright and warm. This is when the landscapes become visibly greener and when the rhododendrons and azaleas come into full bloom. As the temperatures rise, the visibility drops. This is a popular time for colourful festivals (called tshechus) which mostly take place in the fortified monasteries called dzongs. It is also a great time for camping treks.
In summer (June – August) the weather is warm and the landscape is at its greenest, the mountains are dotted with waterfalls and the rivers run full. There are summer rains but these tend to be short and sharp, and frequently accompanied by impressive thunder storms that reverberate through the valleys – one of the reasons why Bhutan is called the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
Autumn (September – November) sees temperatures gradually drop and the rains cease. The weather is mainly mild and the trees start shedding their leaves. Like spring, it’s a great time to attend tshechus and for camping treks.
N.B. All information given here is to the best of our knowledge, however, changes do occur, sometimes at short notice. Ampersand cannot be held liable for such happenings. Of course, if you have any tips that you feel would benefit other travellers, please pass them onto us and we will add them.
When considering a holiday to Bhutan, you should bear in mind that there are no direct flights from the UK; flights to Paro go via main hubs in India such as Calcutta and Delhi, as well as Bangkok. Tailor-made tours to Bhutan can easily be combined with India and Thailand.
All visitors to Bhutan require a tourist visa which must be obtained prior to travel. We will arrange your visas as part of your holiday arrangements – visas cannot be obtained from any agency or embassy outside of Bhutan. Once your holiday has been booked we will send through a visa information sheet to be completed and returned to us as soon as possible which we will forward to Bhutan. Your visa will be issued on entering Bhutan and we will provide you with the visa approval number about a week before you depart for your Bhutan holiday. There is no visa application fee, but an entry fee of US $40.00 is included in the cost of your holiday. Please note that passports must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for 6 months after your return from Bhutan.
It is essential to visit your GP as soon as possible to check if you need any vaccinations prior to travel. Risk for vaccine preventable diseases can change at any time. MASTA (Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad) can supply a quick and easy online Travel Health Brief. This includes easy to understand vaccination advice for single or multi-country trips. Their website is www.masta-travel-health.com.
Delhi - Paro: 2 hours 20 minutes
Calcutta - Paro: 1 hour 10 minutes
Kathmandu - Paro: 1 hour 5 minutes
Bangkok - Paro: 3 hours
We highly recommend you reconfirm your onward and return international flights at least 72 hours prior to departure.