Should It Really Be Avoided Visiting Bhutan in August? Things You Can Do in August Bhutan

If you are planning on trekking in Bhutan, then August is definitely not the month for you to travel to this isolated kingdom in the Himalayas. For most people, August is too wet for their reasons for travel to Bhutan, and the seasons of spring and autumn are much better suited.

However, for those who are limited by vacation time, August can be a good month to visit Bhutan, as long as you are not into hiking much. And there are some major benefits of traveling to Bhutan in August that are not available in the peak seasons for Bhutanese tourism.

How is the weather in Bhutan in August?

Bhutan Weather in August

Generally, August is a pretty wet month across most of Bhutan. With the exception of the high altitudes in the Himalayas, almost all of Bhutan sees rainfall to some degree throughout August. On average, rainfall across Bhutan ranges from as little as 230mm for the month to as much as 550mm in some areas with lower altitudes. In the far south, the rainfall can be even higher, though few tourists actually venture to the south of the kingdom.

Average temperatures across most of the popular tourist areas of Thimphu, Bumthang, and Paro range at around 17-18°C , with areas like Punakha being higher at around 23°C due to lower altitudes.

Influences of the heavy rainfall

The heavy rainfall in August, while not often as heavy in and around the central and western regions as in the south, can cause some severe problems for normal tours. Trekking is pretty much impossible in August, as the rain covers most of the country, and can make the trekking trails muddy and dangerous, with mudslides and landslides in certain areas.

Flights can also see some delays if the weather is particularly inclement. Flights to Bhutan are done by eye, instead of by instruments, which is why only the best pilots get to fly to Paro International Airport. The inability to see clearly due to low clouds, excessive rain, and other factors, means that flights cannot take off or land, and can be turned away to other airports if the weather looks to be in for the day.

Is it safe to visit Bhutan in August?

Generally, traveling to Bhutan in August is safe as any other time of year, as long as you are careful and do not try to do something incredibly ridiculous. Even with the monsoon rains bringing hundreds of millimeters of rain throughout the month, it is low in comparison with other Asian monsoon countries at lower altitudes.

Ground may be wet

The ground in Bhutan in August can often be wet with rain, and wet ground can usually mean slippery ground. From asphalt roads to muddy tracks, most of Bhutan can be a little slippery when wet. To counter this, it is advisable to have a decent pair of hiking boots with good deep tread and a sturdy hiking pole to help you keep your footing when wandering around.

Landslides and mudslides are possible in only central Bhutan

While landslides and mudslides are a common occurrence in Asia in the monsoon season, in Bhutan in August, they are normally restricted to the regions of central Bhutan where many of the valleys are lower in altitude and get more rainfall. If there are heavy rains that mean the possibility of landslides and mudslides in Central Bhutan are increased, your tour guide will advise you that it is not possible to travel there, and changes can be made to your itinerary to compensate.

Floods are possible

Floods are possible almost anywhere in Bhutan, as the whole country is pretty much “downhill” from north to south. Heavy rains in the northern areas can cause excessive water flows to lower altitudes, which in turn can cause rivers to swell and flood areas of lands in the valleys. However, flooding is not as dangerous as you might think, and rarely gets more than a few inches deep.

What you can expect on a Bhutan tour in August?

While you cannot expect to go on an adventurous trekking tour in August, you do have a unique opportunity to explore more of the culture of Bhutan, and deeply experience the local lifestyle. There are also many other benefits of visiting Bhutan in the low season.

Cheaper tourist cost

Cost is sometimes one of the major factors for people that are visiting in August. As part of the low season for tourism in Bhutan, August has a lower overall cost for tourists. Instead of paying US$250 per day for a tour in the peak season, the low season Bhutan daily fee is a mere US$200 per day. Single and couple supplements still apply, though, so it still pays to travel with a group.

Flights are generally no different with either of the two airlines. However, they are a little cheaper in the low season, as fewer people are taking flights to Bhutan. And aircraft are expensive to run, so often the number of flights per week can be reduced. However, cheaper flights are a benefit of low-season travel in Bhutan.

More choice of hotels

In comparison with the peak seasons of Bhutanese tourism, there are a lot more hotels to choose from for your tour, as there are fewer tourists booking them in advance. You can get a better choice of where to stay for your trip, instead of being restricted because of more advanced bookings.

Fewer tourists

Fewer tourists means that there are more opportunities to get some peace and quiet in Bhutan in the low season. Bhutan’s idea of being crowded is far from what you may think of as a crowd, but the lower tourist numbers in August means that you can sometimes have the whole attraction to yourself. Imagine being able to wander around the National Folk heritage Museum as the only visitor? You can also get a better tour experience with fewer tourists around, and you may even find yourself feeling as if the whole country is yours to explore and you are the only foreigner there.

Scenery after the rain is beautiful

If you love the rain, and some people do, then August is the ideal month to travel. But even if you don’t, the aftermath of the rain showers is one of the most beautiful sights in the kingdom. Already lush and green and verdant, the scenery of the country after the rain stops is spectacular. Small droplets of water drip from the bright green leaves, and the air has that smell of rain on dry earth, an enticing smell that makes you want to go out and explore. And if you are lucky, rainbows may appear just for you.

Recommended Things to Do while Visiting Bhutan in August

Go sightseeing

Sightseeing is the obvious thing to do in Bhutan in August, and you have hundreds of amazing sights that you can be seeing. Since the main tourist areas are not hugely affected by flooding and landslides, you can travel between Paro and Thimphu and Punakha easily, and visit some of the ancient sites. In Paro, you have the amazing Paro Dzong, also known as the Rinpung Dzong, which once housed the government of Bhutan. In Thimphu, you can tour around the Tashichho Dzong, seat of Bhutan’s modern government, and the famous National Folk Heritage Museum, filled with aspects of Bhutan’s long and varied history. In Punakha, take in the stunning beauty of the Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan, set at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers.

Do some meditation in local monasteries

Monasteries are ideal for meditation practices, which is why monks use them! With so many monasteries in Bhutan, you can find plenty of places where you can sit and meditate in peace and tranquility, safe in the knowledge that everyone else around you is also meditating and are unlikely to disturb you.

Homestay tour to experience the authentic local life

A homestay in Bhutan is the ideal way to experience the real life lifestyles of these devout Buddhist people. You can spend one night or two with a local Bhutanese family, either in a house or on a farm, and truly experience what the Bhutanese way of life is really like.

A taste of local wild mushrooms

In Bumthang in August, they hold an unusual festival for the Matsutake Mushrooms. One of the most expensive forms of fungi in the world, Bhutan is well-known as a major producer of the Matsutake Mushrooms, prized in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisines because of its distinct aroma of spiciness. However, this is not always available for visiting, and depends on the weather in August to see if you can get there.

What to pack for the Bhutan tour in August?

August in Bhutan is still a rainy month, and the drop in rainfall from July is fairly small. Raincoats, macs, and umbrellas are definitely in order for a trip to Bhutan in August. However, you will barely need those thick winter sweaters and jackets, so you can dispense with them for the most part. Just bring a light jacket for chilly evenings.

Boots are an essential part of your kit when sightseeing, even in the major towns. Ground around Dzongs and monasteries can be slippery and muddy, so a good pair of hiking boots with deep tread can help you maintain your footing. Light pants, preferably not jeans, are better for this time of year, as they dry quickly, and are enough to stop your legs from getting cold in the cooler evening. Towards the end of the month, you are more likely to see brighter weather more often, so bring a hat and your sunglasses for the brighter days.

Conclusion

August may be one of the wetter months of the year in Bhutan, but it has its own distinct attraction for people that are unable for Bhutan tours in the peak seasons. Lower tourist numbers, warmer weather, cheaper costs overall, and lush green scenery are just some of the benefits of traveling in August in Bhutan. And if you are not a fan of crowds (even the Bhutanese idea of a crowd), then August is an ideal month to make the most of the low season for tourism in this Land of the (wet) Thunder Dragon.