Best Time to Visit Nepal and Bhutan

Lying just a short distance apart in the western and Southern Himalayas, Nepal and Bhutan are the ideal paired destinations for adventurous explorers with a desire to see the best that the world’s largest mountain range has to offer. From the delights of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, known as the “real” Nepal, to the stunning Dzongs of Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. There is no better combined tour in the Himalayas than Nepal and Bhutan, similar countries with several distinct differences that make them an ideal match.

To arrange a lifetime Nepal Bhutan tour with the best travel experience, the best time to go is always one of the top questions you need to know. Here we are going to offer you a detailed weather guide of Nepal and Bhutan.

Nepal Weather and Climate

Nepal has a distinct two-season climate, wet and dry, though with four actual seasons.Spring and Autumn are the best time to visit Nepal. From April to mid-June and late September to November the weather is mild and comfortable, with clear skies and very little rain. The ideal time for trekking, the most popular activity in Nepal, spring and autumn are the peak seasons in Nepal for tourism. However, from mid-May, the heat increases to the monsoon season in June.

Summer is the monsoon period in Nepal, and runs from late June to early September, with the heaviest rains falling in July and August. While it is the low season, there are still treks that can be done in the mountains, where little rain falls, even in the peak of the monsoon. Winter, from December to February, is also a good time to visit for budget travelers, as this is the colder time of year, but not too cold in the main tourist areas. While January and February can be very cold in the mountains, in the lower regions it is mild and pleasant, great for off-season touring around Kathmandu.

Bhutan Weather and Climate

Bhutan has a similar climate to Nepal, though with less defined wet and dry seasons. October to December and April to May are the best times to visit Bhutan, as the skies are clearer, there is less rain, and the trekking rails are all open for exploring. Spring and autumn are also the peak tourist seasons in Bhutan, and the time when most people tend to visit, making it a little crowded, by Bhutanese standards, anyway.

Summer is the monsoon period in Bhutan, and from mid-June, the rains begin to fall. Bhutan’s main tourist areas are relatively low in altitude, which means that they are more subject to the intense rains of the Southwest Monsoon. However, this is the time of major growth, and the meadows and forests and lush and rich with new growth and stunning flowers.

Winter in Bhutan can be cold in the higher areas, but is generally dry and clear across most of the country. Winter runs from December to March, and is a great time to travel if you do not mind a little cold weather. Some areas are milder, where temperatures rarely get as low as freezing, and the winter is a good time for budget travelers who are not fond of large crowds.

The Best Time to visit Nepal and Bhutan Together

If you are planning a trip to both Nepal and Bhutan together, then spring (April to May) and autumn (October to November) are the ideal time to visit. In both countries, the weather is clear and bright, there is little to no rain, and the best trekking trails are open for exploration. Temperature may not be overly warm, but are pleasant enough to be comfortable, even in the higher altitudes. Some warm clothing is required, as it can still get chilly at night, but overall, the days are generally warm enough to not require jackets.

Seasonal Highlights for a Nepal Bhutan Tour

Nepal Bhutan Tours in Spring (March to May)

If you are planning a Nepal Bhutan tour in spring, then you are coming at one of the best times for trekking, as the main trails in both countries are open to be explored.

Trekking in both Nepal and Bhutan is great in the spring, when the weather is clear and bright, and there is little rain. The spring flowers in the valleys come into bloom, and the rhododendron forests in both Nepal and Bhutan, which are immense at these high altitudes, are full of fresh green leaves and stunning spring blossoms. The Paro Valley in Bhutan is one of the most beautiful places in spring, and in Nepal, the high Annapurna region, with its massive mountains, is covered in rhododendron blossoms for the whole spring season.

Bhutan in spring is the time of some of the best Tshechus (religious and social events) and festivals in the calendar. Festivals include the amazing Punakha Drubchen, held to commemorate the completion of the ancient Punakha Dzong and the victory of the Bhutanese forces over the Tibetan invaders. There are also Tshechus, the religious and social events that are held in every Dzongkhag in Bhutan every year. Spring is the time of the Paro Tshechu, Chhukha Tsgechu, and many others, which are held annually in every Dzongkhag to commemorate the birth of the patron saint of Bhutan, guru Rinpoche (also known as Padmasambhava). Combined religious and social events, these Tshechus are national holidays, and are great times to visit when the people gather to meet, eat, and trade, and enjoy the festival.

Nepal Bhutan Tours in Summer (June to August)

Summer is the monsoon season in both Bhutan and Nepal, and is the low season for tourism, which makes it ideal for those that are traveling on a budget and do not mind little afternoon rain. The monsoon seasons generally run through June to the end of August or beginning of September, and can get pretty wet in the lower altitude areas. However, they are not the monsoon rains of the tropical countries in Asia, and most of the rain does tend to fall later in the day, though clouds can often cover the skies frequently.

The summer landscapes of Bhutan and Nepal are ones of lush green meadows, dense overgrown forests, and summer blooms. The time of the main period of growth for the flora of both Nepal and Bhutan, summer is the perfect time for seeing the two countries in their most lush and stunning, with bright flowers covering the meadows and plains, and the lush green grasses covering the otherwise barren foothills and lower slopes of the mountains.

Nepal Bhutan Tours in Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is not only the best time in both Nepal and Bhutan for trekking, but is one of the best times for Bhutan festivals too. Trekking is the main activity in both Nepal and Bhutan from late September to November, and the weather is really at its best for this amazing experience. Clear skies and little to no rain means the high mountains are clearly visible, and the warmer weather, leftover from the tail end of summer, makes the trekking much more pleasant, without much need for warmer clothing, except at night.

In Bhutan, autumn is the time of the Tshechus in Thimphu and Jakar in Bumthang, as well as more than a dozen others across the country. The Thimphu Tshechu is the largest and most popular festival in Bhutan, and commemorates the birth of Guru Rinpoche with a three-day festival of colors and merriment. Religious ceremonies begin several days before the actual festival, with ritual prayers being held to invoke the blessings of the gods. After the religious rituals of the first day, the rest of the festival is a gamut of mask dances, festivities, archery contests, and plenty of eating and drinking.

This is also the time of the famous Black-Necked Crane Festival, which is held in the Gangtey Goenpa in the Phobjikha Valley in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag. The festival is held to celebrate the return of these endangered birds to the valley for the winter, from their summer breeding grounds in northern Tibet. Majestic and beautiful, the cranes for ma part of the everyday lives of the locals throughout the winter months, and the programs of the festival center on the importance of preserving the cranes and their natural habitats.

Nepal Bhutan Tours in Winter (December to February)

Winter in Bhutan and Nepal is a time for less strenuous activities, and the winter months are a great time to travel. Dashain, the largest festival in Nepal, is typically held in September or October all over the country. A 15-day celebration, the festival is focused on the deity Durga, in all her manifestations, and is celebrated with innumerable purjas, an abundance of religious offerings, and the sacrifice of thousands of animals, including sheep, goats, ducks, and chickens to literally “drench” her in blood.

Winter is also the time of the Trongsa Tshechu and Druk Wangyel Tshechu in Bhutan. While the Trongsa Tshechu is a typical festival of this type, commemorating the birth of Guru Rinpoche with religious rituals ad celebrations in the form of dances and performances, the Druk Wangyel Tshechu is very different. The festival is performed by members of the Bhutanese armed forces, the Royal Bhutan Army, instead of the usual monks and lamas. The Tshechu is a tribute to His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, and celebrates the continued work of the Royal Bhutan Army in protecting the stability and sovereignty of the country.

Winter in Bhutan is also the time of the snows, and through January and February, the higher mountain regions of northern Bhutan see a high amount of snowfall, covering the peaks and higher foothills in a white coating that is a real winter wonderland.

In Nepal, winter is known as the best time to visit the amazing Chitwan National Park in southern Nepal. Home to innumerable species of birds and animals, this unique national park is one of the few places left in Nepal where you can find the Indian elephants, crocodiles, one-horned rhinos, and the rare and endangered Bengal tiger. Safaris are popular in the winter, and you can safari by jeep or on the back of an elephant.

Dressing Tips for Visit Nepal and Bhutan Together

Dressing for the right season in Nepal and Bhutan together is not as hard as some combined tours, as the two countries have similar climates, so you only need the one type of clothes. In the warmer months, sun block and moisturizers are essential, as it is easy to get sunburn at higher altitudes as the sun’s rays are much stronger. Similarly, in the monsoon season, raincoats and wet weather gear is an essential item, in case it does rain while you are out and about. In winter, and some parts of the spring and autumn, you will also need to have warmer clothes, despite the warm weather, as it can still get cold at night.

The right shoes or boots is another essential choice, and while a nice pair of comfortable rubber shoes or training shoes are ideal for touring the temples and city sights, you will need some decent hiking boots for trekking and exploring the more outlying areas, as the ground can be rough and rocky, even in the villages and towns outside the main tourist areas.

In Bhutan especially, there are certain strict dress codes for visiting the monasteries and Lhakhangs of the kingdom. The same goes for Nepal, and as huge Hindu and Buddhist countries, it is important to follow the requirements for temples and monasteries. Both men and women should be covered up during a visit to a temple, monastery, or Lhakhang, and shorts, short skirts, vest tops, and uncovered arms are not permitted for entry. Some temples will also require women to cover their heads, so bring a shawl or scarf, just in case. Bhutan and Nepal are not as open as western countries, and respect should be shown at all times.

Conclusion of the Best Time to Visit Nepal and Bhutan

Traveling to Bhutan and Nepal together is an ideal combination, as the two countries share a good number of things, including having similar climates.

The best time to visit Nepal and Bhutan is spring and autumn, while summer is the monsoon season in both countries and winter is a low season to go. But it doesn’t mean that you can only visit Nepal and Bhutan in the two seasons.

There are different travel experiences and highlights to do in different seasons for Nepal Bhutan tours. Just make sure you dress for the right season and you can enjoy the journey whenever you go.