Bhutan is the last Shangri-La on earth where most of nature’s blessings are kept safe. Bhutan in October has clear weather. Fresh air as always along with clear skies and sunny days make it perfect. The temperature is mild at day but it can get a little cooler at night. The clear visibility allows you to witness dramatic sceneries of Bhutan.
Bhutan has a wide range of gorgeous view of mountains, lush greenery, deep valleys adorned by typical Bhutanese monasteries with their own architectural significance. At the meantime, you can witness golden paddy fields as they are ripe enough for the farmers to harvest them.
Bhutan loves to celebrate. Thus, festivals are the charm of Bhutan signifying religious faith and brotherhood. The month of October has a packed schedule for various festivals and religious events. Therefore, many travelers show up at Bhutan to take part in these festivals. This makes October a peak season increasing the tariff to $250 when flights and hotels get intense. So make sure you book your tour in advance.
October Weather and Climate in Bhutan
October is the start of autumn or more likely transition from summer to winter. Characterized by mild weather and clear visibility, autumn (October) is the best time for a tour to the Land of Thunder Dragon. The days are mild while mornings and evenings can get cooler. The temperature in Celsius of Bhutan is 18°. At higher elevations, there might be a little snow as a reminder of winter coming soon.
At the meantime, you can see trees starting to shed their leaves as the mark of decreasing temperature. In every nook of the country, Bhutan’s autumnal colors are beautiful and alluring.
| Weather and Climate in Thimphu | |||
| High temperature | Low temperature | Average temperature | Precipitation |
| 22° C | 10° C | 16° C | 40mm |
The capital city, Thimphu, itself has an altitude range varying between 2,248 m and 2,648 m. It experiences subtropical highland climate of warm, temperate climate. In October, there are equal and few chances of high temperature and occasional rain.
| Weather and Climate in Paro | |||
| High temperature | Low temperature | Average temperature | Precipitation |
| 19° C | 8° C | 14° C | 85mm |
Paro is one of the major tourist destinations of The Last Shangri-La lying on the foothills of mountains. The weather in Paro is relatively chilly and the temperature varies highly. For your trip during October, warm clothes and gloves are highly recommended.
| Weather and climate in Punakha | |||
| High temperature | Low temperature | Average temperature | Precipitation |
| 25° C | 15° C | 29° C | 120mm |
Punakha lies at low elevation i.e. 1,200 m above sea level. Punakha experiences a pleasant and warm day. In spite of this, there might be some days when the sky will be partly cloudy or a couple of shower.
| Weather and climate in Bumthang | |||
| High temperature | Low temperature | Average temperature | Precipitation |
| 19° C | 7° C | 13° C | 35mm |
Bumthang valley lies at an altitude of 2600 m. It receives less rainfall throughout the year which is good news for trekkers. Apart from good weather, it is the religious hub of Bhutan.
Places to visit in Bhutan during October
People visiting Bhutan are seen to be more engaged in sightseeing tour than any other activities. 97.4% of total tourists in 2018 proved this. A cultural tour is most chosen.
Thimphu
The capital city of Bhutan is the only city in the world without traffic lights. This capital city is free of hustle and bustle and is peaceful as it nestles at the bottom of the Himalayas. The grand celebration of Thimphu Tshechu is held here.
The major tourist attractions are Memorial Chorten, Simtokha Dzong, Tashicho Dzong, Buddha Dordenma Statue and Simply Bhutan.
Paro
The scenic valley and its beautiful view of lush green rice fields make Paro an ultimate destination. This city hosts the most celebrated festival Paro Tshechu. It is the most favorable place of your travel to enjoy peaceful environment along with some exceptional sites to be visited.
They are: Tiger’s nest, Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong (National Museum).
Punakha
Punakha, the old capital is blessed with temperate climate. There are amazing views of distant Himalayas at Dochu La Pass on the way to Punakha from Thimphu. As other cities, Punakha is the site for one of the biggest festivals, Punakha Tshechu.
Experience the perfect blend of history, architecture and natural beauty at Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang and Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten.
Bumthang
Bumthang is considered as the spiritual heartland of the kingdom where many of the country’s oldest and most religious sites are situated. It has been carrying Bhutan’s historical and spiritual legacy since a long time. Most of the sacred sites are related to Guru Rinpoche’s visit in 746 A.D.
While in Bumthang, you shouldn’t forget Jakar Dzong for its valuable architecture and Mebar Tsho (The Burning Lake) for its religious significance.
Tour in Bhutan during October
Bhutan is the most charming yet the least visited country of South Asia. It seems like Bhutan is the favorite child of Mother Nature as it is blessed with such wonderful landscapes that cannot be seen anywhere around the world. Unlike the rest of the world, it respected its blessings and preserved the nature. It is proved by the fact that 72% of the total land in Bhutan is covered with forests. People here are wise, lovely and mostly smiling. The Land of Thunder Dragon shows you everything it has; be it either scenic landscape or historical monuments.
Apart from natural beauty, cultural beauty prevails in Bhutan. Brilliant architecture is seen in Bhutanese monasteries that differ from one another in a more amazing version. Most of the dzongs have been renovated and yet it seems like the historical stories they narrate are still intact. All of their dzongs have their own historical importance in the past. They are as beautiful as they are important. Getting indulged in their festivals is a way to know people, their lifestyle and the whole country in a better way.
Summing up, Bhutan is one of the most amazing tours in the world and definitely deserves to be in your bucket list.
The most popular Tours in Bhutan are:
- Paro and Thimphu Insight Tour 03 Days
- Enter the Dragon Bhutan 04 Days
- Bhutan Highlights Tour 06 Days
- Explore Bhutan Tour 07 Days
- Best of Bhutan Tour 07 Days
- Bhutan Encompassed Tour 05 Days
- Bhutan Adventure Tour 06 Days
- Bhutan Overland Tour 06 Days
- Bhutan Walking & Hiking 07 Days
- Bhutan Gangtey Trongsa Tour 08 Days
- Bumthang Valley Tour 09 Days
Trekking in Bhutan during October
Roaming around the cities cannot be as challenging as trekking in Bhutan. Besides sightseeing, October is a great time to hike up to the higher altitude. People go crazy for trekking in Bhutan during this time. The days have warm weather and clear visibility makes it so popular. The landscapes are seen clearly and you get the most of the beauty in Bhutan.
But as you ascend, the temperature drops and you can still see snow covered mountains which remains same all year around. This is the most favorable season for some popular treks in Bhutan.
The most popular trekking routes in Bhutan are:
Snowman trek
This epic trek is considered as one of the most difficult trekking routes in the world. This trek approximately takes 25 days crossing 11 passes. One of the challenges in this trek is the isolation of the country being less visited as there are few villages and chances for helicopter evacuation are slim. October is the best time for this adventure before snow and just after the end of monsoon.
Overview
Trek Duration: 23 Days
Trekking Difficulty: Hard
Max. Altitude: 5,005m/16,420ft (Sinche la)
Trip Cost: 250 USD spent/day
Best Season: March to May and October to November.
Accommodation Type: Hotel and Camping
Bumdra trek
This trek is one of the shortest treks that take just 2 days to complete. In spite of being short, there is no settlement for adventure and thrill. This trek shows that trekking is not just about mountains. The trek passes through two beautiful monasteries. Bumdra monastery has an amazing view at the backdrop which is just perfect for your instagram feed while Tiger’s Nest monastery is equally thrilling and photogenic.
Overview
Trek Duration: 06 Days
Trekking Difficulty: Easy
Max. Altitude: 3,800m/12,467.19 ft (Bumdra)
Trip Cost: 250 USD spent/day
Best Season: All the year
Accommodation Type: Hotel and Camping
Jholmolhari trek
This trek takes 8 days to complete which is moderately challenging. This trek passes through Bhonte La Pass (4890 m) and Takhung La Pass (4520 m). This trekking experience also gives you a spectacular view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7326 m). It is often referred as ‘Bride of Kangchenjunga’.
Overview
Trek Duration: 12 Days
Trekking Difficulty: Moderate
Max. Altitude: 4,180m/13,714 ft (Jangothang)
Trip Cost: 250 USD spent/day
Best Season: March to May and September to November
Accommodation Type: Hotel and Camping
Druk Path trek
This trek is 6 days long that goes through alpine forest which are a mix of pine and dwarf rhododendrons. The highest point of the trek is at 4200 m. This trek offers you a close view of Mount Gangkar Puensum (7570 m). It is the highest peak of Bhutan and likely the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
Overview
Trek Duration: 10 Days
Trekking Difficulty: Moderate
Max. Altitude: 4,040m/13,2547ft (Simkotra)
Trip Cost: 250 USD spent/day
Best Season: March to May and September to November
Accommodation Type: Hotel and Camping
Festivals in Bhutan during October
Thimphu Tshechu
Thimphu Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals in the country. It is held in the capital city for three days. This tshechu brings more than thousands of people from both inside and outside of Bhutan at the capital city. Days and nights of prayers along with rituals are preceded to evoke the gods.
Thangbi Mani Festival
It is one of the most popular festivals held in Chhoekhor Gewong, Bumthang. The highlight of the festival is the fire blessing (Mewang) ceremony performed in an open ground. The monks perform purification rituals while people jump over flames to purify themselves. This festival is believed to bring peace and prosperity and ensures better harvest for the entire community.
Tamshing Phala Choepa Festival
It is held in Tamshing monastery of Bumthang. It is observed in early October. Attending this festival is believed to clear all our misfortunes. Traditional dances like ‘Dance of the three kinds of Ging’ and ‘Dance of Four stag’ are the key attractions.
Other activities and Things to do in Bhutan during October
Bird Watching
Bhutan is a paradise for bird lovers. This country is home to various species of birds like Himalayan Monal, Rafous-necked Hornbill, Black-necked Cranes, Ward’s Tragon and Snow Pigeon. Protected areas like Jigme Dorji National Park and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park are perfect places to watch migrating and endangered birds.
It is soul soothing to hear the music of birds and see them flying high in the sky with freedom.
Rafting
A great treat to your adventurous soul is white water rafting. Rafting in Bhutan is a pleasurable ride while floating down the river. You will get to marvel at the lush greenery, rare birds, clear skies and blue water. October is the best time as the water level increases after the end of monsoon.
Kayaking
Bhutan not only offers indulge in White Water River rafting but also offers travelers to go for kayaking. There are six rivers that give ample chances to water sports enthusiasts and amateur kayakers. You can ask to adjust for what kind of current flow you want from slow to violent.
Wildlife Safari
A tour around bunch of trees observing the wildlife is a heavenly experience. Wildlife Safari gives a chance to watch the mixture of flora and fauna. Animals come out after the end of monsoon so there’s high chances to see black bears, tigers, golden langurs, red pandas, barking deer, musk deer and of course the national animal, Takin.
Fishing
Fishing in Bhutan is an excellent activity. Bhutan has 109 species of fish of which 41 species are indigenous. From big rivers to small streams, there are a number of fishing spots in Bhutan. However, a permit is required to catch fishes in Bhutan. Fishing is allowed only on a catch and release basis.
Photography
If you like capturing most of the scenic beauty, then Bhutan can be a very good choice for you. From wildlife to diverse landscapes, you can get different kinds of photographs that you can actually boast at. Be it for your Instagram, Pinterest or an exhibition; Bhutan has a number of photogenic places where you can pose yourself or just let nature do it for you.
What to eat during Bhutan Tour?
This Himalayan Kingdom is a small world in itself. Besides all the natural beauty and unique cultural heritages, Bhutanese food is also worth a
try. Bhutan can be called a chilly friendly country as it is not just a seasoning but an actual ingredient. Bhutan also serves a variety of other foods like Tibetan, Indian, Chinese, Nepali, and Continental. Still, Bhutanese food has its mouth-watering taste.
Here are some foods that you must try while you’re in Bhutan:
1. Ema Datshi: This national dish is the perfect blend of chilies and cheese.
2. Jasha Maru: Bhutanese chicken stew
3. Momo: Dumplings stuffed with meat or veggies
4. Tshoem: Spicy curry of beef and mushroom
5. Phaksha Paa: Pork with fiery red chilies
6. Khurle: Bhutanese pancake of buckwheat, wheat or barley
7. Butter tea: Tea made of yak butter, water, salt and tea leaves
8. Ara: Traditional alcoholic beverage of rice or maize
Accommodation in Bhutan
3-star accommodations are basic in Bhutan providing good facilities to the visitors. 4 star or 5 stars can also be managed on supplement cost. However, October being a peak season, the bookings will be intense. Thus, you’ll have to book your tour and confirm it months earlier so that you can grab good deals.
Transportation in Bhutan
The trails are less slippery and more passes at high altitudes are accessible as snowfall would still be few days after. There are not many changes in city areas. The public buses have their usual schedules and private vehicles will have no problem. The windy roads may face a little problem if unpaved.
Most visited sites in Bhutan during October
1. Paro Taktsang, Paro
2. Dochu La Pass, Thimphu-Punakha
3. Buddha Dordenma Statue, Thimphu
4. Paro Dzong, Paro
5. Memorial Chorten, Thimphu
6. Punakha Dzong, Punakha
7. Chimi Lhakhang
8. Phobjikha Valley
Tips for travel to Bhutan in October
Packing and dressing
Bhutan has a warm climate and mild weather during October. So, you need to pack and dress accordingly. Bhutan being a religious country is full of monasteries, fortresses and sacred sites. Thus, it’s better to cover most of your body part to show respect. As for trekking, a pair of comfortable and durable shoes is highly recommended. We also recommend layers of clothing from short sleeves for daytime till light sweaters for evenings.
Booking in advance
As of 2018, October saw 13.7% of total tourists. October as the end of monsoon is best time for trekkers. People flock to Bhutan to participate in different festivals like Thimphu Tshechu. Thus, this makes October a peak season with both flights and hotels being already booked and packed. So you need to confirm your travel to Bhutan months earlier in advance to ensure your trip to Bhutan in October.
High altitude sickness
Most of the tourist destinations lie at lower elevation. It is also undeniable that large area of Bhutan is mostly covered with mountains. However, you needn’t worry about getting altitude sickness during your journey in Bhutan.
But if you’re going for trekking or any place on higher altitudes, know your body first. Acclimatize yourself and stay hydrated. Keep yourself warm, rest well and follow advice from your guide.
Safety and Security
Bhutanese people are very wise and welcoming. You can actually enjoy your holidays without having to worry about security. Bhutan has relatively low crime rate and also free from scams, begging and theft. Still you need to be as careful as you are in your home country. Thus, it is safe for everyone including solo woman travelers and family with kids.
Travel Insurance
A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is necessary while traveling regardless of which country you’re travelling to. You might as well prefer a policy that pays directly rather than you having to pay on the spot and claim later.
Shopping
People buy postage stamps, hand-woven fabrics, masks, crane and bamboo products, thangkas, jewelries, Himalayan beads and Yethras as souvenirs. The weekend markets are the best place to go for shopping. However, buying and/or selling of antiques are illegal in Bhutan.
Language
The national language of Bhutan is Dzongkha which is widely spoken in western Bhutan. Bhutan is a multi-lingual country with over 19 dialects throughout the country. English is widely used for instruction giving in schools while due to close relation with India; Hindi is well understood and spoken among the locals.
Electricity
The main source of electricity in Bhutan is hydropower. Almost the whole country is well connected with electricity. Bhutan supplies electricity at 220-240 Volts with frequency of 50 Hz. If you bring electric appliances, take along an international converter kit. The plugs that can be used are Type D, F and G.
Guide and company
It is an obligation to book your tour in advance from a certified tour operator. The Tourism Council and the government won’t be responsible in case you book with an uncertified tour operator.
The guides are well informed and provide easy as well as clear explanations. The guides are friendly and are readily eager to answer your questions. The guide can also modify you’re your itinerary if you inform them beforehand.
Visa Information
Except citizens from India, Bangladesh, and Maldives; all visitors to Bhutan require a visa. Local Travel Agency will be managing your Bhutan visa. For that, you’ll need to send a clear scanned copy of your passport photo page. After approval, your travel agents send you a visa confirmation letter. You need to print it and carry along with you. Your passport will be stamped at immigration after arrival in Bhutan.
Getting into Bhutan
The easiest way to enter Bhutan is by a fly. Paro Airport of Bhutan has flight connection with Singapore, Bangkok (Thailand), Kathmandu (Nepal), Dhaka (Bangladesh); Delhi, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Gaya and Kolkata of India.
You can also get into Bhutan using roadways as there are three border crossings while entering from India. They are Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Gelephu.
