Visiting Bhutan in September: A Complete Guide for Bhutan Tours in September

One of the most exclusive tourist destinations in the world, Bhutan is an amazing country where high mountains touch the sky and dense forests spread across the landscape like creeping moss. A four-season country, with a regular summer monsoon period, Bhutan in September has already seen the end of the monsoon, and rains are slowly starting to die off, to be replaced by the typical autumn weather of the last true Shangri-La.

September is also when the tourist season restarts, with the autumn season for tourism getting underway rather quickly, as people head for the kingdom for the astounding trekking. And September is one of the most popular months, coming right after the rains when the landscape is lush and green still.

Bhutan weather in September

Does it rain in Bhutan in September?

It may already be autumn, but the monsoon rains have not yet finished with Bhutan. For another few weeks, you will see rain showers falling on the major tourist spots in the kingdom, and for the entire month, most of the rainfall comes in those first few weeks. This is good news for trekkers and tourists eager for a Bhutan tour since the latter part of September will be brighter and less damp. With the rains dying out slowly, you can expect the clearer weather to head your way soon, and each day is brighter for longer.

Weather in western and southern Bhutan

The western and southern areas of Bhutan tend to see a lot of rain in the first half of the month of September, which is not much of a surprise considering their relative elevations. The temperatures are also still relatively high, reaching up to around 21 degrees in Paro and Thimphu. However, this will die off, as in the rest of the country, and by the third week of September, temperatures will be dropping and rains will lessen, as it gets a lot colder in the western part of the country.

Weather in central Bhutan

Central Bhutan is a little higher in altitude in some places than in the west, and consequently sees less rainfall by the second week of the month. Already, the areas of Bumthang and Trongsa are seeing a lot less rainfall than in the west and south of the kingdom, though the temperatures are dropping much faster. Days average around 15 degrees, and see more than 5-6 hours of sunlight a day by the end of week two, as the ground dries up and the skies become clear. Here comes the September weather condition of the main Bhutan destinations.

Important Festivals in September Bhutan

Thimphu Tshechu

One of the largest festival celebrations in the kingdom, the Thimphu Tshechu is a major festival in Bhutan, and the whole country is on holiday for the period. Held in the Bhutanese capital for three days, the Tshechu is preceded by several days and nights of prayer, before the festivities begin. Then it is a gamut of dancing, singing, and performances, with the famous Mask Dances of the Guru Tshengye (Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche) and Shaw Shachi (Dance of the Stags) being popular among the locals. The festival is held on the 25th day of the eighth month in the Bhutanese religious calendar.

Wangdue Tshechu

Held in the Dzongkhag of Wangdue Phodrang for around three days in late September or early October, the Wangdue Tshechu is renowned as one of the most popular autumn festivals in western Bhutan. The Tshechu is also renowned for the performance of the Raksha Mangcham, known as the Dance of the Ox. The festival also coincides with the unfurling of the thongdroel or thangka of Guru Tshengye, one of the eight manifestations of Padmasambhava, or Guru Rinpoche.

Top Things to Do in September Bhutan

Challenge the Annual Tour of Dragon Mountain Bike Race

Held every year in September, the annual Tour of the Dragon is one of the hardest and most arduous mountain bike races in the world. A 200 kilometer ultra-marathon for cyclists, the race takes part in the hills and mountains of northern Bhutan, and is considered to be the biggest cycling challenge on the planet. Stretching out for 268 kilometers, the race crosses four high-altitude mountain passes and finishes in the Town Square in Thimphu. Starting at around 2:00 am, the race is just one day, and riders have to complete each section within a certain time to continue on. If you are a good mountain biker with an excellent level of fitness, this race is a must.

Go Trekking in Bhutan

Trekking in Bhtuan is world well known. There are a wealth of treks that are open once again by September, and which are soon to fill up with hikers looking for an adventure in Bhutan's high mountains. There are dozens of treks in Bhutan, but the most popular are considered to be the Bumthang Treks, the famed Druk Path Trek, and the Phobjikha and Punakha Treks. However, if you are experienced enough, and have the time, money, and stamina, you can try to tackle the challenging Snowman Trek. This trek takes around 30 days and crosses the entire country from west to east.

Best Places to Visit in Bhutan in September

Paro, Thimphu and Punakha in western Bhutan

For many tourists to Bhutan, the western area of the kingdom is the most common place to visit. Usually incorporating the sights and attractions of the Bhutanese capital Thimphu, as well as Paro and Punakha, the most popular tours often cover these three main areas only. And as these are the largest of the towns in Bhutan, and include the famed capital and the location of some of the world's best trekking, not to mention the location of the most amazing and unique monastery in the world - the Tiger's Nest, it is small wonder that these three Dzongkhags are among the most popular.

Gangtey

Lying in the Phobjikha Valley in Wangdue Phodrang, in Central Bhutan, the Gangtey Monastery is one of the most popular and famous monasteries in Bhutan. As well as being a famous 17th century Nyingmapa Buddhist monastery in one of the most beautiful places in the Himalayas, it is also the winter residence of the rare Black-Necked Cranes, which come down for the winter from northern Tibet.

Trongsa and Bumthang areas in central Bhutan

The Central areas of Bhutan in and around Trongsa and Bumthang are renowned for their amazing trekking trails, and have some of the most beautiful landscapes in the entire country. Bumthang has a huge number of temples to visit, which is a great chance to know more about the religious culture of central Bhutan. Quaint and traditional villages here are waiting for your exploration. A long drive from Thimphu, these Dzongkhags are reached only by road, crossing high passes to get into the area from the west.

What to pack for visiting Bhutan in September?

What to wear in Bhutan in September?

While it can get somewhat chilly in September, it is not as cold as the winter months, though in the higher areas it is already getting colder. Normal summer clothes of lightweight pants and light shirts can still be used, just bring a jacket or sweater for the evenings when it gets chilly. If you are venturing northwards, bring more sweaters and layers of warm thinner clothing, as the higher trails can be cold at night. If you are traveling in the early part of the month, bring a raincoat as well, since it is still a little wet.

What documents are required in September Bhutan?

As with all times of the year, you will need to have to hand your passport, your visa, and your permits, for travel in all areas you will be visiting and the permit to visit the monasteries. The visa is obtained by your tour operator once you book the tour, and cannot be applied for in person. This is stamped into your passport on your arrival. You will also be issued with your travel permits once you arrive, and require one for travel in and around Paro and Thimphu, and others for other areas. These will be applied for and issued based on your travel itinerary, and are done by us once your tour is booked. We will also apply for the permits to visit the monasteries, and provide them to you when you arrive.

Conclusion

September may be the tail end of the rainy season, but it is the beginning of the trekking season as well, which makes it one of the peak months for visiting Bhutan. Besides the adventurous trekking, in September Bhutan, you can also expect the stunning views of rolling lush hills and green river valleys, dotted with light yellow fields, as well as the awesome monasteries and unique festival experience.