Visiting Bhutan in May: Weather Condition and the Best Places to Visit for Bhutan Tours in May

Generally, visiting Bhutan can be done at almost any time of year, and where you go depends on the time of year you are visiting. And vice versa. The optimum time to visit is normally in spring and autumn, from March to May and from September to November.

May is the last of the months of spring, and is one of the best times to travel to Bhutan, as the weather is warmer and the skies are still clear and bright. So if you are planning a spring trip to the Land of the Thunder Dragon, then this “May” be the ideal time of year for you.

Bhutan Weather Condition in May

May is the last of the spring months, and the last of the early peak seasons in Bhutan, just before the monsoon rains come to bring dampness and humidity to the kingdom. While it may be the spring months, May is the first of the wetter months of the year, and brings in the first of the rains, though often very little in many places where tourists usually visit. May can usually see an increase in both rainfall and temperatures, as well as the general humidity of the kingdom. However, the heavy rain does not fall for another month yet, so you are safe to travel without risking getting soaked in the monsoon downpours.

Overall, May is a relatively dry month, averaging around 20 clear days throughout the month in most places. Rainfall in areas such as Thimphu and Paro range from around 160mm to 175mm for the month, with most of the rain falling in the last two weeks. In Bumthang, the rains are a little less, while in Punakha, the lower of the major valleys, it can already reach up to around 330mm of rainfall for the month.

Temperatures in general are getting warmer, with the upcoming summer months just around the corner. Rising more than ten degrees in some areas of the country, the temperatures are now going up to as high as 20-21 degrees in Paro and Thimphu, and as high as 22 degrees in Jakar. The overall average temperature in Bumthang reaches up to around 19-20 degrees across the Dzongkhag. And in Punakha, the lower of the valleys that are popular, the temperature can reach as high as 25-26 degrees before the end of the month.

May is a little wet, but warm enough to not need warmer clothing during the daytime. However, the temperatures at night can still drop to around 16 degrees in Punakha and as low as 8-10 degrees in the rest of the major tourist destinations. So you will need to bring a warm sweater or two for the evenings. You might also want to bring a raincoat with you, as the rains can come unexpectedly. And while you will likely not see the heavy downpours of the later months, the short light showers can still leave you wet.

Top Places to Visit in Bhutan in May

Paro and Thimphu and the must-go destinations while visiting Bhutan. In Paro, May is one of the best times to visit, especially if you are planning to trek in the higher altitudes. Many of the best trekking routes begin around the Paro area, and the mighty Himalayas can be seen clearly from the city. The Bhutanese capital Thimphu is also a great place to visit in May, and is the ideal time for trekking around the capital. The city is alive and filled with delightful sights throughout the month, from the famous Tashichho Dzong to the intense National Memorial Chorten.

A little further east lies Punakha, one of the lower altitude valleys that are popular tourist destinations. One of the wetter areas of the country at this time of year, Punakha can see more rain than the other major destinations, but is still well worth visiting. An amazing place to go sightseeing among the terraced fields, Punakha is one of the best hiking areas in Bhutan, and has several awesome trekking routes. And the Punakha Dzong is rated as the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan, especially when the Jacaranda trees are in full bloom in spring.

A little further afield lies Bumthang, the four-valley area which is generally known as the Bumthang Valley, though all four valleys do have separate names. Temperatures may be higher in the valley floors, but as you head into the mountains for the trekking routes, they do drop somewhat, to make hiking more comfortable. Bumthang is also known as being the heartland of Bhutanese culture, and is where the unification of Bhutan as one nation began.

The Phobjikha Valley in Wangdue Phodrang is well known for its Gangtey Monastery and the famous black-necked cranes that spend their winters in the valley. One of the most beautiful places in the country, this amazing valley is a stunning place to visit, and the Gangtey Monastery, sitting on its rocky hillock in the midst of the valley, is a spiritual and auspicious site.

Best Things to Do in Bhutan in May

Go Trekking

Whether you are looking for a simple day of hiking or a longer adventure through the mountains, Bhutan has the ideal treks for you. With a huge number of treks to choose from, ranging from the famous and most popular Druk Path Trek and the cultural trekking in Bumthang to the outstanding Jomolhari treks around the base camp of one of Bhutan’s most famous mountains. Trekking in Bhutan is a favored pastime of tourists, and a huge number come here just for the outstanding scenery along the high Himalayan trekking trails.

Go Bird-watching

Bird watching in Bhutan is not as popular as trekking, but has some spectacular aspects in this high mountainous country. While Bhutan may be a landlocked country, this highly environmental country has a wide range of birds, with more than 675 indigenous species, as well as hundreds more migratory species that visit in both winter and summer. The top-spotted birds in Bhutan include the Himalayan Monal, the Satyr Tragopan, the Blood Pheasant, the White-bellied Heron, the Ibisbill, the Ward’s Trogon, the Rufous-necked Hornbill, the Great Hornbill, and the Beautiful Nuthatch.

Go Cycling

Cycling in Bhutan is a popular pastime for both tourists and locals, and there are plenty of biking trails that run through the hills and valleys and dense forests across the country. Mountain bikes can be hired easily in the major cities, and the most popular places for this adventure sport are in the Paro Valley, Phobjikha Valley, Punakha, and the Cheli la Pass. Alternatively, take the ride from Thimphu to Paro or Tango to Cheri, and enjoy the stunning scenery.

How much does it cost to visit Bhutan in May?

May in Bhutan is still in the peak season of spring, which runs from March to the end of May, just before the monsoon begins. The cost of the trip to Bhutan largely depends on how long you are staying, what type of hotel you want, and other factors. The basic cost of the tours starts at 250 US dollars per person per day, and increases if you opt for higher grade hotels and added extras. However, once you are paid for the tour, you will have few other expenses in Bhutan. The cost of the tour is all-inclusive, and covers your hotel food, guide, transport, and almost everything you will need.

Book Your Bhutan Tour in May in Advance

Bhutan in May can be quite busy, at least by Bhutanese standards. This means that you should really book your tour well in advance of the date of travel. Flights to Bhutan are limited, and depending on where you are traveling to Bhutan from, you may have to book further in advance than for other flights, due to limited availability. This is not only due to the number of travelers heading to the kingdom at this time of year, but also to ensure your visa is ready for your arrival. Your visa will only be applied for once you have booked the tour, and if you leave it too late, you may not have been approved in time, which means your tour will not go ahead.

You cannot even book the flights to Bhutan with one of the two national airlines without your visa being approved first. You will receive the Visa Approval Letter, not the actual visa, and you can use that to book your flights. Your visa will then be stamped into your passport on your arrival in Paro. And with the month being the peak season for tourism, making sure your hotels and flights can be arranged is just as important. So make sure you book at least a month in advance of your expected travel dates to ensure you have no problems.

Conclusion

May in Bhutan is the last of the spring season months and the start of the rainy wetter months, but is one of the best times for Bhutan tours. You may experience some rain during your stay in May, but in the earlier part of the month, this is less than later in the month. Temperatures are also warmer in May than in the rest of spring, as the weather is getting ready for the hotter summer months. And while you may see a little rainfall during your stay here, it is never enough to spoil the enjoyment of this last true Himalayan Shangri-La.