Bhutan in May

Warm and green before the monsoon; good trekking at altitude.

No other month rates higher than May for Bhutan in this guide.

• Western valleys · Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Haabest weather

  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)best weather

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

• Southern foothills · Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkharhot

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

• High treks · Jomolhari, Druk Path, Snowman, Layabest weather

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

• Central Bhutan: Central Bhutan valleys · Bumthang districtNov

  Mild, clear; ideal for trekking and festivals.

• Eastern Bhutan: Eastern Bhutan · Trashigang, Samdrup Jongkhar, Tashiyangtsebest weather

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

• Thimphu22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 14 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 14 rain days
• Bajothang25 °C (77 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 8 rain days
• Damphu26 °C (79 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 12 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 12 rain days
• Dewathang0 °C (32 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 0 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 0 rain days
• Gedu26 °C (79 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 12 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 12 rain days
• Gelephu33 °C (91 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 12 rain days
• Jakar22 °C (72 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 4 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 4 rain days
• Khoma24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 10 rain days
• Khuruthang27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 12 rain days
• Lhuentse23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 11 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 11 rain days
• Mebisa27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 15 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 15 rain days
• Mongar24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 11 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 11 rain days
• Phobjikha17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 9 rain days
• Punakha25 °C (77 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 12 rain days
• Samdrup Jongkhar30 °C (86 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 4 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 4 rain days
• Tashiyangtse25 °C (77 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 9 rain days
• Trashigang25 °C (77 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 5 rain days
• Trongsa23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 12 rain days
• Tsimasham25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 15 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 15 rain days
• Ura23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 10 rain days
• Wamrong27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 12 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 12 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.

• Saga Dawa (fourth lunar month) check

  Moves yearly · Thimphu

  Large circuits at the Memorial Chorten; merit-making.

Crowds · Bhutan

Medium

Prices · Bhutan

Medium

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

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Western valleys

  Best weather of the year (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Haa)

• Central valleys

  Best weather of the year (Bumthang, Trongsa, Phobjikha (Gangtey))

• High treks

  Best weather of the year (Jomolhari, Druk Path, Snowman, Laya)

• Bajothang

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov

• Damphu

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov

• Gedu

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov

• Jakar

  Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct

• Khoma

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov

• Khuruthang

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov

• Mebisa

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov

• Mongar

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov

• Phuentsholing

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov