Bhutan Trekking Season

Most treks in Bhutan are in high altitude and so most trekkers come in spring or fall/autumn. The high tourist season is during the period of best weather in autumn/fall and in the spring; that is when you will probably meet several other trekkers on the popular routes. Late September to mid-November is recognized as the best time for trekking and late March till mid May is the next best time for high altitude treks. Spring is best to see the dazzling variety of rhododendrons and autumn is more favorable in terms of temperature.

No matter, when you trek, you may have rain. During autumn or fall, nights are cold in the mountains, but the bright sun makes for pleasant daytime temperatures – in the high 60sF(20sC), falling below 40°F or 5°C at night, between 1000m and 3500m.

If you wish to see alpine flowers at their best you will have to travel during the wet season (mid June till late August). The trails are muddy, particularly those areas below 2500m but above those areas, there is less rain and high grasslands are filled with alpine blooms.

The power and beauty of the mountains is more impressive on foot than from any vehicle. Whether you take a two-night trek around the Bumthang valley or walk for three days from Thimphu to Paro or take the eight-day trek to the base of Mount Jhomolhari, the views, villages, people and experience will be unparalleled.

Awakening at dawn to the sound of the cockerel and a warming mug of tea, trekkers at higher altitudes are invariably greeted by breath-taking vistas. Few sites on earth can equal the first sunlight hitting a Himalayan mountain. Trekking during April and May in the Himalayas brings the deep reds and oranges of the rhododendron blossom.

When to Trek

For walkers the most appropriate trekking times are mid-March to mid-May and mid-September to the beginning of November. There are however also trekking routes that are better suited to Summer or Winter. Earlier in the year the light is sharper but the nights are very cold. In autumn, after the rainy season, the skies clear and the leaves begin to turn yellow. Between mid-June and mid-September one should expect regular rainfall. At altitudes beneath 2000 meters leaches can be a challenge. To find the possible and best times for each single trekking route please see the table of trekking routes and the detailed descriptions of each route on our website