Bhutan in December

Cold but sunny; National Day on the 17th; best Dochula views.

December is rated good. These months rate higher:

• MarchGreatSpring starts, rhododendrons; Paro Tshechu in some years.
• AprilGreatWarm, flowering valleys; Paro Tshechu in some years; hazier views.
• MayGreatWarm and green before the monsoon; good trekking at altitude.
• OctoberGreatThe best month: clear mountains, harvest colours, trekking season, Thimphu Tshechu.

• Western valleys · Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Haacool

  Punakha (1,200 m) stays mild in winter while Thimphu (2,300 m) drops below freezing at night; October–November gives the clearest Himalayan views.

• Central valleys · Bumthang, Trongsa, Phobjikha (Gangtey)cool

  Colder and higher; black-necked cranes winter in Phobjikha from late October to February.

• Southern foothills · Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkharbest weather

  Subtropical and very wet in the monsoon; the land gateways to India.

• High treks · Jomolhari, Druk Path, Snowman, Layacool

  Passes above 4,500 m hold snow in winter; October is the prime trekking month.

• Eastern Bhutan: Eastern Bhutan · Trashigang, Samdrup Jongkhar, Tashiyangtsecool

  Monsoon peaks July–August; October–November offers clear skies.

• Thimphu12 °C (54 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 1 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 1 rain days
• Bajothang13 °C (55 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 5 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 5 rain days
• Damphu17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 1 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 1 rain days
• Dewathang0 °C (32 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 0 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 0 rain days
• Gedu16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 1 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 1 rain days
• Gelephu22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 5 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 5 rain days
• Jakar5 °C (41 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 5 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 5 rain days
• Khoma14 °C (57 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 1 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 1 rain days
• Khuruthang18 °C (64 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 1 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 1 rain days
• Lhuentse11 °C (52 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 5 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 5 rain days
• Mebisa18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 2 rain days
• Mongar16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 1 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 1 rain days
• Phobjikha7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 5 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 5 rain days
• Punakha12 °C (54 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 5 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 5 rain days
• Samdrup Jongkhar20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 8 rain days
• Tashiyangtse13 °C (55 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 5 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 5 rain days
• Trashigang11 °C (52 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 13 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 13 rain days
• Trongsa13 °C (55 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 1 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 1 rain days
• Tsimasham18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 2 rain days
• Ura14 °C (57 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 1 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 1 rain days
• Wamrong18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 1 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 1 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• National Day

  17 Dec

  Celebrations at Changlimithang in Thimphu; offices closed.

Crowds · Bhutan

Low

Prices · Bhutan

Low

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Bhutan, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Southern foothills

  Best weather of the year (Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar)

• Thimphu

  Cold mornings, sharp views; National Day on 17 Dec.

• Dewathang

  Best months: Oct–Mar

• Gelephu

  Best months: Oct–Apr (dry, cooler)

• Phobjikha

  Best months: Oct–Mar

• Punakha

  Best months: Oct–Apr

• Samdrup Jongkhar

  Best months: Oct–May