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Winter in Bhutan, from December to February, is a period of serene beauty and cultural richness. During this season, the landscape is transformed into a picturesque view, with snow-capped Himalayan peaks and the valley resembling a fairytale setting. The majestic dzongs and monasteries atop hills and cliff edges stand out against the pure white snow. Winter also welcomes the black-necked cranes from northern Tibet, a highlight for nature enthusiasts. While there may be snowfall in higher regions, the lower altitude areas, especially in the subtropical and tropical zones like the Punakha Valley still remain relatively mild and pleasant. Winter is also a time for numerous festivals in Bhutan like Punakha Dromche and Tshechu. With fewer tourists, winter offers an ideal chance for deep cultural immersion and more authentic interactions with locals. Additionally, prices may be lower compared to peak tourist seasons. If you asked whether Bhutan is an ideal winter destination, the answer is a resounding yes!
What to do in Bhutan Winter Tours?
Scenic Himalayan Vistas: Witness the breathtaking beauty of snow-capped mountains under the clear winter sky. Dochula Pass is a must-visit spot as as you can usually witness a 360-degree view of the Himalayas.
Bird Watching: The endangered Black-necked cranes typically arrive in mid-November and stay until the end of February. Key places for sighting include the Gangtey Monastery in the Phobjikha Valley and the area of Chummey in Bumthang.
Festive Celebrations: Enjoy local winter festivals like Dochula Tsechu, Punakha Dromche and Tshechu, and Trongsa Tshechu showcasing unique cultural performances and rituals.
Monastery Explorations: Discover ancient monasteries and dzongs adorned in winter's icy attire, like Paro Dzong or Tiger's Nest Monastery. Experience serenity and awe amidst the snow-covered surroundings.
Winter Treks: Explore lower altitude treks like the Druk Path, Tiger’s Nest Hike, and Gangtey Nature Trail, offering stunning views and fewer fellow trekkers.
Relaxing Hot Springs: Unwind in the therapeutic hot springs (shachus) of Gasa Tshachu and Chubu Tshachu, a perfect retreat in the chilly weather.
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Discover the magic of Bhutan in winter with our Best Bhutan Winter Tours. Immerse yourself in a world of snowy Himalayan peaks, vibrant cultural festivals, and the serene beauty of the Punakha Valley. Witness the majestic dzongs and monasteries in their winter glory, and observe the rare black-necked cranes in their natural habitat. Enjoy fewer crowds, deeper cultural connections, and potentially lower prices. Our tours offer the perfect blend of natural splendor and cultural richness, making Bhutan an unmissable winter vacation destination.
Our all-inclusive Bhutan Group Tour Packages make it easy and affordable for you to discover the best destinations of Bhutan. We will take you to the most iconic destinations in Western and Central Bhutan like Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Trongsa, and Bumthang, ensuring that you have a stress-free and enjoyable Bhutan Trip. With stable departures in 2024, you can book with confidence and enjoy a Bhutan Trip alongside like-minded travelers. The following Bhutan Group Tours offer the perfect balance between sightseeing and comfort, with expert English-speaking guides, comfortable accommodation, and convenient transportation. Check All Bhutan Group Tours 2024 >>
When planning your Winter Tours in Bhutan, it's essential to gather useful articles to enhance your travel experience. Let's dive into details of Bhutan's Winter. Find out Bhutan's Winter Temperature, does it snow in Bhutan? What are the Reasons and Places to Visit in Bhutan in Winter? What to expect during the December to February season? What is the weather like in Paro Thimphu Punakha? Additionally, we provide suggested itineraries to enhance your trip to assist you in planning your journey effectively.View More Bhutan Travel Guides >>
The weather in Bhutan during winter (December to February) varies by region. Higher elevations surpassing 3,000 meters (9,843 ft) experience frequent and heavier snowfall in Winter Bhutan, while lower valleys may witness occasional flurries. The average temperatures, you can expect colder days (4-13°C, 40-55°F) and frosty nights (-7 to 2°C, 20-35°F)
While high-altitude treks are not recommended, several lower-altitude trails remain accessible and offer beautiful scenery, like the Punakha Winter Trek and the Gangtey Nature Trail. As it's the off-season, you'll encounter far fewer trekkers on the trails, allowing you to enjoy a more peaceful and intimate experience. You might witness snow-dusted rhododendron forests and frozen waterfalls, creating a magical winter wonderland atmosphere.
Since winter is the low season, travel costs, including accommodation and possibly airfare, may be lower compared to the peak tourist seasons.
Winter is the best time to see black-necked cranes in places like Phobjikha Valley. The diverse Bhutanese ecosystem can also present opportunities to spot other wildlife adapted to the colder climate.
Yes, winter is a time for numerous festivals in Bhutan. Punakha Drubchen & Punakha Tshechu are held during February at the Punakha Dzong. The Dochula Tsechu, celebrated annually in December at the renowned Dochula Pass, commemorates the Bhutanese warriors' victory over the Tibetan invaders. Eastern Bhutan hosts the Trashigang Tsechu at the Trashigang Monastery, among other events. Besides these, Bumthang hosts several smaller festivals worth attending.
Alfred
USA
Communication with Alina Dang was easy and response time fast. Alina is very professional and detail oriented.
Once in Bhutan our Guide Kins and Driver Karma made this 6 days tour to Paro, Thimphu and Punakha an unforgettable experience.
The Hotels selected were all excellent and with a friendly staff.
I hope to return to Bhutan for a longer stay and travel to Eastern Bhutan. Visit Bhutan and you will not be disappointed.
Date of Experience: Oct 19, 2024
Tour Customized by: Alina
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Clive
Britain
We really enjoyed our 19 day tour of Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet tour arranged by Asian Odyessey. Alina helped customize our itinerary, mostly adding a few free rest days, and was very helpful in communication throughout. The tour guides, hotels and transportation were all excellent. I am happy to recommend them and indeed am looking at another tour.
Destination(s): Tibet
Date of Experience: Oct 21, 2024
Tour Customized by: Alina
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Molly Durnas
US
I just graduated college and was planning on solo traveling Asia for 3 months. In the beginning of May, my mother very last minute decided that she would join me for a few weeks starting in the beginning of June. We both were very busy and had to quickly come up with a plan, which is when we found Asia Odyssey. Alina was super prompt in her response and quickly made us an itinerary for Nepal and Bhutan that fit exactly to our needs. After seeing how expertly Alina was able to create this itinerary, we also requested she make us an itinerary for India’s Golden Triangle including Delhi, Agra, and Rajasthan that we would embark on before Nepal/Bhutan.
Altogether we were under the care of Asia Odyssey for about a month, and simply could not have had a better experience. Alina was constantly in contact with us to make sure that everything was going smoothly and that we were having a wonderful time. In Nepal, we very last minute changed our plan to fly instead of drive for two of our locations and Alina was so understanding and helpful in allowing us to change our plans. Alina truly took wonderful care of us from start to finish and she is such a gem. Thank you so much for everything Alina!
Our trip to India felt right out of a magazine. Our driver Satish in India was with us over a week and is one of the kindest, most genuine people I have ever met in my entire life. I’ve been wanting to go to India with my mother for years and the trip was absolutely perfect - every hotel, every restaurant, every sight was absolutely wonderful. I was blown away with the country and the culture, and Asia Odyssey allowed us to experience it in the most comfortable and seamless way.
Our adventures in Nepal and Bhutan were some of the best of my life! The mountains and culture were unlike anything I’d experienced before, and I truly felt that I was able to get a genuine feel for the countries. The mountains and all of the buddhist monasteries and temples were some of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in my life. I absolutely cannot wait to come back - and when I do it will definitely be with Asia Odyssey.
Our guides Prarek, Ganesh, Narendra, Amit, Ghana, and Jigme throughout India, Nepal and Bhutan were all absolutely amazing, as were our drivers Satish, Keshav, and Momlal. Every single person we met was so incredible and made us feel so welcomed.
I cannot speak highly enough of Asia Odyssey and the hospitality shown by all involved in our trip. Thank you so much for the trip of a lifetime, and we hope to return very soon!
Date of Experience: Jun 01, 2024
Tour Customized by: Alina
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