Bhutan
General information
Hardly any other country in the world has preserved its traditions, environment and cultural characteristics from the influence of Western civilizations as much as Bhutan. Bhutan was the last country in the world to introduce television in 1999 and cell phones have only been permitted since 2004. The Buddhist kingdom amidst fantastic Himalayan scenery lies between Tibet and India.
With its mighty monastery castles (dzongs), it was long regarded as a haven of religious seclusion. The ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ attaches great importance to preserving its unique, unspoiled nature, impressive culture and religious traditions deeply rooted in Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism.
Thanks to its gentle opening up, Bhutan has remained one of the greatest fascinations of the Himalayas. Here, the preservation of cultural values and ancestral traditions blend in harmony with modern development, making Bhutan a unique travel destination that doesn’t exist anywhere else.
Through our direct contacts in Bhutan, we offer you unforgettable encounters with the people, enjoyable nature and mountain hikes in the most diverse regions of this fascinating and extraordinary country. The experience is rounded off by witnessing a colorful and exuberant monastery festival with masked dances.
Our tours in Bhutan
Best time to travel
The months of October and November as well as March and April are ideal for a vacation in Bhutan. The winter months from December to February are rather inhospitable due to the weather, and the stormy monsoon from June to September is also not suitable for tours. The weather in the mountains in autumn, from October to early December, is ideal for a trekking vacation in Bhutan.
Flower lovers get their money’s worth in spring, when the country awakens in color and the seeds are sown in the fields – May can sometimes already be under the influence of the monsoon. For those interested in culture, the months of April, September and October are particularly attractive, as this is when the majority of local festivals take place.
Spring – March to the beginning of June
Spring is the best time to experience Bhutan’s diverse floral splendor. Dense, colorful and sweet-smelling forests with blooming rhododendron and magnolia trees adorn the mountain slopes. Primroses and orchids are in high season. Fresh rice seedlings are planted and from April the landscape is green again. The rural population is busy sowing and grazing.
Summer – mid-June to September
Bhutan receives a relatively large amount of rainfall from July to September. Summer temperatures without extreme heat or humidity make treks into the high mountains a special experience during this time. The nomads (layas) move with their yaks to the high alpine pastures where the alpine Himalayan flora is now in bloom. In the lower-lying villages, the rice fields are filled with water.
Fall – October to mid-December
This is the best time to hike: the monsoon is over, the valleys are green, the sky deep blue. The mountain views are clear and the sun is usually shining. Autumn is also harvest time and there are many colorful festivals and religious occasions.
Winter – December to March
In the winter months from December to February, the nights are cool, but the days are usually sunny and pleasant. Monastery and archery festivals take place throughout the year, but mainly in April, September and October. We will be happy to inform you about the current dates and locations of the numerous festivals.
Average temperatures in °C
Location | Jan-Mar max/min | Apr-Jun max/min | Jul-Sep max/min | Oct-Dec max/min |
Paro 2,200 m.a.s.l. Bhutan | 9-14 / 0-5 | 17-25 / 4-14 | 23-26 / 11-15 | 11-18 / 1-7 |
Punakha 1,300 m.a.s. | 16-21 / 4-9 | 24-31 / 11-19 | 29-32 / 19-21 | 15-27 / 7-18 |
to approx. 3,000 m.a.s.l. | -5 to +18 | +5 to +18 | +11 to +20 | -5 to +15 |
to approx. 4,000 m.a.s.l. | -15 to +9 | -5 to +15 | +1 to +13 | -15 to +12 |
to approx. 5,000 m.a.s.l. | -20 to +8 | -10 to +11 | -3 to +10 | -18 to +8 |
Average rainfall in mm & number of rainy days
Thimpu, Bhutan | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
max | 10 | 15 | 25 | 32 | 30 | 54 | 100 | 106 | 61 | 24 | 8 | 3 |
min | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 10 | 2 | 1 |