Bhutan in Autumn : Weather, Essentials to Carry & Things to Do

March to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn) is the best time to visit Bhutan. In spring, which falls from March-May, the weather is beautiful and pleasant. The flowers are in full bloom, and the scenery of the land is brilliant. Autumn in Bhutan is from September - November which boasts of affable and genial weather. The country also hosts various festivals during the Autumn such as the Paro and Punakha Tshechu. Breathtaking landscapes, friendly locals, marvellous architecture, serene monasteries, and vibrant festivals are what visitors would experience during September, October, and November.

Check out what one can experience while exploring Bhutan in autumn.

Weather in Bhutan in Autumn

The high season in Bhutan, autumn or fall, sees a lot of travellers from all around the globe. Although the land of Druks doesn't experience Maple leaves nor brown forests, the pleasant weather of autumn makes it blissful to explore Bhutan. This season is also famous for the Thimphu Festival that is organized at the end of September or early October. The temperature is usually around 25 degrees Celsius during the day time, but expect it to be colder as the sun goes down and at the higher altitudes. 

Festivals to attend in Bhutan in Autumn

Thimphu Tshechu

Thimphu Tshechu, a festival lasting three days between September and October, is the biggest festival in the country. The festival features mask dances and many other performances that honour Rinpoche. 

Jambay Lhakhang Drup Tsechu

Another crowded festival in the country, Jambay Lhakhang Drup Tsechu is fabled for its bonfire dance performances of masked and 20 naked dancers.

Black-Necked Crane Festival

This one-day festival celebrates how rare and holy Black-necked crane birds are for the Bhutanese inhabitants. During the festival, visitors can stay with the local villagers and can be a part of nature conservation. The festival also features mask dance, crane dance, many other traditional acts, as well as locals dressing up in crane themed costumes.

Places to visit in Bhutan in Autumn

Go Exploring the Tiger's Nest

One of the most magnificent buildings in Bhutan and perched on the cliffside of the upper Paro valley, Paro Taktsang is also known as Tiger's Nest and Taktsang Palphug Monastery. An elegant monument built-in 1692 around a cave, this temple is dedicated to Padmasambhava.

Experience serenity at Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park

Covering an area of approximately 1,730 square kilometres, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in central Bhutan is renowned for protecting a large section of the Black Mountains. The park is mostly nestled in the parts of the Trongsa, Wangdue, Sarpang, Phodrang, Tsirang, and Zhemgang districts. It also features diverse flora and fauna species. Some of the species include Tiger, leopard, gaur, langur, and black panther among others. 

Visit the Memorial Chorten

One of the most significant landmarks of Thimphu, Memorial Chorten, also known as Thimphu Chorten, was established in 1974 to honour the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The whitewashed stupa with gold decoration, elaborate mandalas, and many other figurines are dedicated to the king.

Marvel at the Architecture of the Royal Heritage Museum

The Towers of Trongsa houses a beautiful five floor-museum that showcases the history of the monarchy via multiple artefacts, including the saddle of the second king and a 500-year-old jacket among others. The site has two Lhakhang inside the museum. They are ta dzong and Gesar Lhakhang. 

Check out the Temples of Kurje Lhakhang

Nestled right before Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang comprises three stunning temples. The first temple was built in 1652 where the Guru meditated, the second was built on the cave location containing a rock formation of the Guru's body, and the third temple was constructed in the 1990s by the Queen Mother, Ashi Kesang. The 108 stupa wall encompasses these three temples. 

Experience Beauty at Khewang Lhakhang

Located on Phobjikha valley's east side, Khewang Lhakhang is a 15th-century structure and one of the oldest ones in the valley. The structure features two-story figures of the past, present, and future Buddhas. 

Travelling Tips

• Make sure to carry hats and sunglasses for the day time and warm clothes for evenings.
• Pack a nice pair of trekking/hiking boots if you are planning to go for a trek.
• When visiting the temples, monasteries, or any other religious sites, ensure to wear clothes to cover shoulders and legs.
• Since it is the peak season, it is difficult to get accommodation during this time. The ticket prices also rise, so it is best to book tickets and accommodation a couple of months early. 
• Solo travelling isn't allowed in the last kingdom of the Himalayas and the land of thunder dragons for foreign nationals, except nationals from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives.

With chilled evenings and warm mornings, Bhutan experiences beautiful fall colours with little snowfall. Bhutan in autumn witnesses a lot of visitors from the neighbouring countries and around the globe, as along with being the peak season, the skies clear up post monsoon time with snow soon to arrive.