Visiting Bhutan in March: Is March an ideal time to visit Bhutan?

March is the start of spring and the beginning of the first peak season of the year for Bhutan travel. The first high season to Bhutan runs from March to May. And the spring weather in March makes it an ideal time to visit Bhutan, the remote and isolated Himalayan kingdom. Although the major tourist locations are warm enough, there are still some places chilly at night, especially in the high areas. For example, on the passes and ridges of some mountains, the weather is cold, which is not very wise for trekking. So in general, you’d better avoid the early days of March to Bhutan.

Weather and Temperature in Bhutan in March

March is actually one of the most popular times to visit Bhutan, as the winter weather is dissipating. Bright spring skies are clear and fresh, and the views of the mountains are stunning. As the winter season comes to its end, temperatures begin to warm up from March, rising to become much warmer than before. Warm spring breezes tend to aid in the defrosting of northern Bhutan and bring the country’s stunning scenery back to life. As the weather warms up, leaf buds soon begin to appear on the trees. And by the middle of March, you can see the lush new leaves covering trees across the countryside.

The weather in March is comfortable across most of the country, with only a few places still feeling a little chilly at night. In Paro and Thimphu, the temperatures rise throughout the month, averaging around 8-9 degrees during the daytime. The temperatures can even reach highs of up to 13-14 degrees on the hottest days of the month.

In Punakha, March is even better than almost everywhere else, with higher temperatures and plenty of sunny days for sightseeing and trekking. Average temperatures during the day are usually around 16-17 degrees, and the valley often sees highs of up to 22 degrees in the hotter days of March.

The valleys of Bumthang seem to be a little colder than in the capital. Bumthang has an average temperature of 1-2 degrees across Dzongkhag or around, and daytime highs that reach about 4-5 degrees. And there are plenty of places in Bumthang where temperatures can still drop to below freezing at night. In Jakar, right in the middle of Bumthang’s four valleys, temperatures are generally higher than the average. Daytime temperatures average around 7-8 degrees, while highs reach right up to as high as 12 degrees on the hotter days.

March is a time of almost no rain throughout the north of the country. From Paro in the west to Bumthang in central Bhutan, rainfall is as low as 2mm-5mm for the entire month of March. Winds are a little stronger in Bumthang and Punakha. And the warming winds that blow through the valleys make it more comfortable than ever.

The southern areas of Bhutan are generally warmer than the central and northern areas in March. While the main tourist locations are warm enough, lowland areas such as Phuentsholing are already seeing temperatures as high as 25-26 degrees, and have more monthly rainfall than further north.

What to Wear while Visiting Bhutan in March?

While it can get chilly at times in the late evenings, March is the first of the months where you may find yourself comfortable without a warm fleece jacket. T-shirts and light sweaters are the order of the day in this first month of spring, with light slacks or thinner jeans. Steer away from heavy denim, as it can drag you down. For those planning on hiking, good hiking pants, layers of thinner t-shirts or hiking shirts, and good strong hiking boots are essential. For those not hiking, hiking boots are still a good idea, as the ground in much of Bhutan outside the city streets is still rough and rocky.

Make sure that you bring your sunglasses, and you should change your warm woolly hat for a wide-brimmed one now to keep the sun off your head. This is especially essential for those heading out trekking, as the sun gets stronger in March, especially in the high-altitude areas where the atmosphere is much thinner. While the winds are warming, they can also be chaffing for your lips and face. Make sure you carry moisturizer and lip balm to protect your lips and face from the strong winds.

Top Things to Do when Visiting Bhutan in March

Go Sightseeing

With the warmer and brighter weather, outdoor activities are ideal for tourists in March. This is the time to get out on the roads and visit the many stunning sights of Bhutan, taking in the sights of the Dzongs and Lhakhangs of this devout Buddhist country. From Paro to Thimphu and Punakha, sightseeing is an incredible experience in March, with the new growth of spring making the architecture of these stunning Dzongkhags come to life. Sightseeing in Bhutan is always best done with clear bright weather, and you can get a better view of the stunning landscapes and high Himalayan Mountains with the clearer skies.

Go Trekking

In Bhutan, March is the start of serious trekking season, and is one of the most popular times of year for hiking in the mountains and valleys of this last true Himalayan Shangri La. As the temperatures are on the rise, the month is ideal for tackling the amazing treks of this stunning country. And the temperatures at night are more comfortable for camping out in tent, which you will do on all of the beautiful treks. The lush green of the new growth hits the trekking trails. The previously bare rhododendron trees that Bhutan is famous for are becoming covered with dark emerald green leaves and the first of the new buds for the spring blossoms. Later in March, the blossom starts to appear, and the valleys and hillsides of the many treks come alive with a colorful palette of pink, red, and white blossoms.

Go Birdwatching in Phobjikha Valley

March is the best time to head for the Phobjikha Valley for a last look at the cranes. Most of the migrant species that spend their winters in the warmer weather of Bhutan tend to begin their annual migrations northwards in March. And this includes the Black-Necked cranes that come to the Phobjikha Valley in Wangdue Phodrang for the winter.

As the weather warms up, the cranes get ready to depart for their summer breeding grounds in northern Tibet. As they depart, the cranes lift off as one, and circle the famous Gangtey Monastery three times before heading off northwards, back to their summer resorts of the Tibetan plateau.

Cost of Visiting Bhutan in March, the Peak Season

March is the start of spring and the start of the tourist peak season for Bhutan tour. This means that the cheaper tours of the winter are now over. Tourism in Bhutan is heavily controlled, and all tourists are required to be on pre-arranged organized tours with a registered travel agency.

The cost of the tours in Bhutan in the peak months are often rated as expensive, but when you consider that the 250 US dollars a day that you are required to pay covers everything, then it begins to look a little less costly.

Bhutan has a policy of requiring a minimum daily amount of 250 US dollars per night for tourists, known as the Minimum Daily Package (MDP). This is required for all tourists, and gives you a three-star hotel, full board for all meals, all transport and travel costs, your personal guide and driver with a private vehicle, complimentary bottled water for most tours, and all of the ticket and permit requirements. In fact, the only thing you pay for outside the MDP fee is the visa cost, and your personal purchases, such as alcohol, soft drinks, etc.

There is also a surcharge that is charged at 40 dollars per day for solo travelers and 30 dollars per person per day for couples. However, if you join a group tour, or are in parties of three or more, this surcharge is waived.

Conclusion

March is the start of spring, the start of the peak tourism season, and the start of the warm trekking weather in Bhutan. Rated as one of the most popular months of the year, it is the best time for getting to see the new growth of the trees and foliage in Bhutan at the start of spring, and is an auspicious time in Bhutan’s Tibetan Buddhism. And while it is not exactly as low-cost as the winter and summer months, it is a guarantee that you will find March is one of the most exciting and adventurous times to travel to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon.