Paro Bhutan Weather: Best Time to Visit and Climate Guide in 2025

Paro is the gateway to Bhutan for many visitors. Lying in a low-altitude valley, it’s a warmer place than many other parts of the kingdom. The climate can be very welcoming, with warm summers and mild winters.

Choosing the right season to visit is the first step when arranging a Bhutan tour. There’s no bad time to go, Paro is a year-round travel destination, but each season has its own attractions. Start planning your dream tour to the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” with this climate guide to the best time to visit Paro.

Paro Weather Overview

Paro is nestled in a scenic valley and sits at an altitude of around 2,200 meters above sea level. The surrounding mountains shelter the historic city from extreme changes in weather, and its four-season climate is generally mild.

Winters, from December to February, are dry and cold. Spring arrives in March with blooming flowers all over the valley. Moderate, warm weather and clear skies continue until May.

June to August is the summer monsoon season when rain increases along with the temperature. It quickly dries up with the arrival of the autumn trekking season that is in full swing from September to October.

Month	Average Temperature (°C)	Rainfall (mm)	Clear Days
January	-1.2 to 11.3	13	29
February	-0.5 to 12.6	23	29
March	3.9 to 15.9	54	28
April	7.4 to 18.8	97	27
May	10.5 to 20.4	174	25
June	13.3 to 21.4	346	28
July	14.5 to 21.9	428	26
August	14.1 to 21.6	331	26
September	12.9 to 21	250	28
October	8.1 to 19.3	85	29
November	2.8 to 15.6	15	30
December	-0.2 to 12.6	4	30

The Best Season to Visit Paro: Spring (March, April, and May)

Spring in Paro runs from around the beginning of March to the middle of May and is a short season despite being one of the two main best seasons for visiting Bhutan. Daytime temperatures generally run from around 15-16°C in early March to as warm as 20°C by the middle of May. However, nights can still be pretty cold at the start of spring, at around 3-4°C throughout March.

There is some light rain during the spring months. It increases throughout the season up to an average of 174mm in May. Clear days are still the norm, however. You can expect 25-29 days of sunshine each month.

When visiting Paro in spring, you’ll need to bring light clothes for the warmer weather and a warm sweater or jacket for the cooler evenings. Sturdy hiking boots are essential for trekking the rough roads. Keep a lightweight raincoat on hand for the occasional showers, and don’t forget sunblock during long periods outdoors.

Paro has a wealth of things to see and do in spring. With less rain, trekking along the Druk Path or taking the hike up to the Taktshang Monastery are popular activities in spring. A historic town with several sacred sites and historical buildings, spring is a great time to tour the temples, such as the Chumbu Monastery, the Drukgyel Dzong, the Rinpung Dzong, and the famous Paro Dzong.

Monsoon Season to Avoid Trekking in Paro: Summer (June, July, and August)

Summer in Bhutan, which runs from June to August, is the hottest time and wettest time of year. Temperatures in the summer months reach their peak in July, getting as high as 22°C, with daytime highs of 21-21.5°C in June and August. Nights are also warmer, with temperature only falling to 13-14°C throughout the season.

The monsoon rains, which come up from the Indian Ocean on the Southwest Monsoon, increase from the start of summer to peak in July which has an average rainfall of 428mm. As August rolls around, the rains begin to dissipate, though the month still sees 331mm on average.

Despite the wet weather overall, the rain tends to fall in the late afternoon and evening. You can still get as many as 26-28 clear days each month. It is still possible to visit most of the major attractions in Paro during the summer months, particularly if you go out earlier in the day. It is a good time to visit the many temples in the city, and there are indoor activities to enjoy when it is raining, like the National Museum of Bhutan.

Pay attention to the weather forecast because there are some places that can’t be reached easily when it has been raining heavily. It is also not advisable to take the treks in the summer months, as the trails can get wet and muddy, making them slippery and dangerous.

During the monsoon season in Bhutan, rain showers can come at any time, so it is essential to bring wet weather gear in case it rains while you are out and about. The pleasant warmth of the summer also means lighter clothes and less of a need to wear warmer jackets in the evenings, though it is still a good idea to bring them, just in case.

Another Peak Season to Visit Paro: Autumn (September, October, and November)

Autumn in Bhutan generally lasts from early September to mid-November and is the second peak season for tourism. There are long stretches of sunshine and around 28-30 clear days throughout the month. Temperatures are still pleasant, with highs of around 21°C in September gradually dropping to 15-16°C November. September’s nights are still mild, staying around 12-13°C, but the evenings begin to cool off in October. You can expect the nights to drop from lows of 8°C to 3°C in November.

The monsoon rains clear up quickly, and precipitation drops 250mm on average in September. Conditions continue to dry out and by November, Paro only gets around 15mm of rain.

Autumn is one of the best seasons for trekking in Paro, as well as the rest of Bhutan. The trails are open once again as the rains drop off and the trails dry out. October is one of the best months for the Tiger’s Monastery trek in Paro, as the trail up to the Taktshang Monastery is dry enough to traverse safely again.

Comfortable hiking boots with a good tread will keep your feet protected on longer treks. It is good to have some layering to adapt to the changing temperatures. Light clothes are enough during daytime highs, but a warm sweater or jacket will be needed at night later in the season. By November, rain isn’t much of a concern, but a waterproof jacket or travel umbrella is a good idea to have on hand earlier in autumn.

The Coldest Season to Visit Paro: Winter (December, January, and February)

December in Bhutan is the start of winter. As the weather gets colder, snow can fall in the higher areas of the mountains. However, in Paro’s low valley, winter is relatively mild. It rarely snows, and daytime temperatures from December to February range from around 11 to 12°C. Nights are considerably colder, though, and temperatures in December and February are usually close to freezing once darkness falls. January is the coldest month of the year in Paro, during which the temperature can get down to as low as -2°C.

Rain is almost unheard of in Paro in winter, with rainfall in December dropping to around 4mm for the whole month. January and February do see a little rise in rainfall, reaching as high as 13mm to 23mm each month. However, this is still negligible, and you can expect to see as many as 29-30 clear days each month throughout the season.

Winter is also a good time to tour the temples and climb up to Taktshang, as the visibility is extremely good in the clear winter air.

When is the best time to hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro?

Paro is one of the unique areas of Bhutan with good conditions for visiting all year. Taking the trek to the Taktshang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, can be done at any time of the year, though it can sometimes be unadvisable to attempt the steep climb in the wettest months.

For the best views and clearest skies for trekking up to Taktshang, April to May and October to November are the best times of the year. Winter in Bhutan is also a great time to take this trek, as long as it is not too cold. When the ground freezes in January, it can be less safe, but during the rest of winter, you’ll be rewarded with amazingly clear views of the valley. A good pair of hiking boots and a couple of trekking poles can help you get over any frozen or icy patches and allow you to safely reach the top in the coldest conditions.

What is the weather like during Paro Tsechu?

Paro Tsechu is a major festival in the Bhutanese calendar. It normally takes place in February or early March and is a unique opportunity to participate in an important cultural event. The festival attracts people from the surrounding area and is celebrated with Cham dances, social gatherings, and the unveiling of a Thangka religious painting.

While Paro Tsechu takes place during the colder part of the year, warm conditions make it a pleasant experience. Daytime festivities are accompanied by temperatures of 11-12°C, and there is an extremely low chance of rain. You are warmly welcome to join in, and you are guaranteed to find this one of the most enjoyable festivals of the year in Bhutan.

Conclusion

Paro is definitely one of the best places for a Bhutan tour. If you are looking for a year-round tourist destination with holy temples, scenic trekking routes, and historic sites, Paro will immerse you in the culture and beauty of Bhutan. Located in a valley well under the 3,000-meter mark for colder weather and snow, the mild climate has good conditions year-round.

Time your visit to join the Paro Tsechu festival, see the blooming rhododendrons in spring and the lush summer landscapes, or trek the breathtaking trails in autumn. There’s never a bad time to go, so start planning your Bhutan Paro tour today.