Visit Bhutan in August: Weather Guide and Best Things to Do in Monsoon Season

Visiting Bhutan in August may not seem ideal for most travelers, as the monsoon season brings frequent rain and high humidity, making it less suitable for long overland journeys and trekking adventures in Bhutan.

However, August in Bhutan offers a peaceful retreat for those who seek tranquility in this hidden kingdom of the Himalayas. Since August is the low tourism season in Bhutan, you'll encounter fewer visitors, and the valleys and villages after rain become serene and quiet, which is perfect for meditation tours.

If your travel schedule is fixed and August is the only time you can visit Bhutan, this detailed travel guide for Bhutan tours in August will help you make the most of your trip and experience the unique charm of Bhutan during the monsoon season.

Bhutan Weather and Temperature in August

Generally, August is a pretty wet month across most of Bhutan. Except for the high altitudes in the Himalayas, almost all of Bhutan sees rainfall to some degree throughout August.

On average, rainfall across Bhutan ranges from as little as 230mm for the month to as much as 550mm in some areas with lower altitudes. In the far south, the rainfall can be even higher, though few tourists venture to the south of the kingdom.

Average temperatures across most of the popular tourist areas of Thimphu, Bumthang, and Paro range at around 17°C-18°C, with areas like Punakha being higher at around 23°C due to lower altitudes.

Influences of the heavy rainfall in August

The heavy rainfall in August, while not as heavy in and around the central and western regions as in the south, can cause some severe problems for normal tours. Trekking is pretty much impossible in August, as the rain covers most of the country, and can make the trekking trails muddy and dangerous, with mudslides and landslides in certain areas.

Flights to Bhutan can also experience some delays if the weather is particularly inclement. The inability to see clearly due to low clouds, excessive rain, and other factors means that flights cannot take off or land, and can be turned away to other airports if the weather looks to be in for the day.

Recommended Things to Do while Visiting Bhutan in August

#1. Go Sightseeing in Western Bhutan

Sightseeing is the obvious thing to do in Bhutan in August, and you have hundreds of amazing sights that you can see. Since the main tourist areas are not hugely affected by flooding and landslides, you can travel between Paro and Thimphu and Punakha easily, and visit some of the ancient sites.

When visiting Paro, you can explore the amazing Paro Dzong, also known as the Rinpung Dzong, which once housed the government of Bhutan.

In Thimphu, you can tour around the Tashichho Dzong, seat of Bhutan’s modern government, and the famous National Folk Heritage Museum, filled with aspects of Bhutan’s long and varied history.

In Punakha, take in the stunning beauty of the Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan, set at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers.

#2. Do Some Meditation in Local Monasteries

Monasteries are ideal for meditation practices! With so many monasteries across the country, a Bhutan meditation tour in August offers plenty of peaceful spots where you can sit in quiet reflection. You'll be surrounded by others who are also meditating, making it easy to find tranquility without disturbance.

#3. Homestay Tour to Experience the Authentic Local Life

A homestay in Bhutan is the ideal way to experience the real-life lifestyles of these devout Buddhist people. You can spend one night or two with a local Bhutanese family, either in a house or on a farm, and truly experience what the Bhutanese way of life is really like.

#4. Taste Local Wild Mushrooms in Bumthang

In Bumthang in August, the locals hold an unusual festival for the Matsutake Mushrooms. One of the most expensive forms of fungi in the world, Bhutan is well-known as a major producer of the Matsutake Mushrooms, prized in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisines because of their distinct aroma of spiciness.

However, this is not always available for visiting, and it depends on the weather in August to see if you can get there.

What can you expect on a Bhutan tour in August?

While you cannot expect to go on an adventurous trekking tour in August, you do have a unique opportunity to explore more of the culture of Bhutan and deeply experience the local lifestyle. There are also many other benefits of visiting Bhutan in the low season.

Cheaper Tour Cost

Cost is sometimes one of the major factors for people who are visiting Bhutan in August. As part of the low season for tourism in Bhutan, August has a lower overall cost for tourists.

Instead of paying US$250 per day for a tour in the peak season, the low season Bhutan daily fee is a mere US$200 per day. Single and couple supplements still apply, though, so it still pays to travel with a group.

Flights to Bhutan are generally no different with either of the two airlines. However, they are a little cheaper in the low season, as fewer people are taking flights to Bhutan. And aircraft are expensive to run, so often the number of flights per week can be reduced.

More Choice of Hotels

In comparison with the peak seasons of Bhutanese tourism, there are a lot more hotels to choose from for your tour, as fewer tourists are booking them in advance. You can get a better choice of where to stay for your Bhutan trip, instead of being restricted because of more advanced bookings.

Fewer Tourists

With fewer tourists during the low season, a Bhutan tour in August offers a rare chance to experience peace and quiet in Bhutan. The drop in visitor numbers means you might have entire attractions to yourself. Imagine wandering through the National Folk Heritage Museum as the only guest. With fewer people around, you'll feel more personal and immersive, and at times, it may even feel like you have the whole country to yourself.

Scenery after the Rain is Beautiful

If you love the rain, then August is the ideal month to travel. The aftermath of the rain showers is one of the most beautiful sights in the kingdom.

Already lush and green and verdant, the scenery of the country after the rain stops is spectacular. Small droplets of water drip from the bright green leaves, and the air has that smell of rain on dry earth, an enticing smell that makes you want to go out and explore.

If you are lucky, rainbows may appear just for you.

What to pack for the Bhutan tour in August?

August in Bhutan is still a rainy month, and the drop in rainfall from July is fairly small. Raincoats, macs, and umbrellas are definitely for a trip to Bhutan in August. Just bring a light jacket for chilly evenings.

Boots are essential for sightseeing, even in the major towns. Ground around Dzongs and monasteries can be slippery and muddy, so a good pair of hiking boots with deep tread can help you maintain your footing.

Light pants, preferably not jeans, are better for this time of year, as they dry quickly and are enough to stop your legs from getting cold in the cooler evening.

Towards the end of the month, you are more likely to see brighter weather more often, so bring a hat and your sunglasses for the brighter days.

Safety Tips for Visiting Bhutan in August During Monsoon Season

Generally, traveling to Bhutan in August is safe as any other time of year, as long as you are careful and do not try to do something incredibly ridiculous. Even with the monsoon rains bringing hundreds of millimeters of rain throughout the month, it is low in comparison with other Asian monsoon countries at lower altitudes.

Wear proper hiking gear

In August, Bhutan's trails and roads can get slippery due to frequent rain. A good pair of hiking boots with deep tread and a sturdy hiking pole can help you stay safe and keep your footing.

Pay attention to Landslides and mudslides in central Bhutan

While landslides and mudslides are a common occurrence in Asia in the monsoon season, in Bhutan in August, they are normally restricted to the regions of central Bhutan where many of the valleys are lower in altitude and get more rainfall. If there are heavy rains that mean the possibility of landslides and mudslides in Central Bhutan are increased, your tour guide will advise you that it is not possible to travel there, and changes can be made to your itinerary to compensate.

Conclusion

August may be one of the wetter months of the year in Bhutan, but it has its own distinct attraction for tourists who are unable to take Bhutan tours in the peak seasons.

Lower tourist numbers, warmer weather, more affordable Bhutan tour costs, and lush green scenery are just some of the benefits of traveling in August in Bhutan.

If you are not a fan of crowds (even the Bhutanese idea of a crowd), then August is an ideal month to make the most of the low season for tourism in this Land of the Thunder Dragon.