Asia

Bhutan in February

Still cold but clear, and some years bring the Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu festivals late in the month or in March.

Quiet valueParo highs near 54F (12C), cold nights, mostly dry

Paro Taktsang, Bhutan — BhutanPhoto: Original: Nina R from Africa Derivative work: UnpetitproleX, CC BY 2.0

The straight answer

February is a quiet, good-value month to visit Bhutan. Still cold but clear, and some years bring the Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu festivals late in the month or in March.

Weather: Paro highs near 54F (12C), cold nights, mostly dry
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What February is like in Bhutan

February is still cold but clear, with Paro highs near 54F (12C) and chilly nights. The skies stay mostly dry, and crowds remain small. In some years, the Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu fall late in the month, with masked dances and a reenactment of a 17th-century battle at Punakha Dzong. Cranes are still wintering in Phobjikha, and prices stay moderate.

It suits travelers who want quiet valleys and a chance at an early festival. Check the lunar calendar before booking. If you want spring flowers and warmer days, March and April are the best months.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about Bhutan this month.

Punakha Drubchen, in some years

When it falls in late February, this festival reenacts a 17th-century battle at Punakha Dzong. Dates vary by year.

The last weeks of crane season

Cranes usually stay in Phobjikha until about February, so it is one of the last chances to see them.

Empty temples and dzongs

With few visitors, you can linger in the courtyards of Punakha Dzong and Thimphu's temples.

What to pack for February

A warm jacket and layers
Good walking shoes
A warm hat and gloves
Modest clothes for dzong and temple visits

Our timing tip

Ask your tour operator for the year's Punakha festival dates before you book flights, since they shift with the lunar calendar.

Book Bhutan for February.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Bhutan
Opens a hotel search for Bhutan in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
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Vacation rentals in Bhutan
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets in Bhutan
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Bhutan for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in February

Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu

Late February or March, varies by year

Includes a reenactment of a 17th-century battle, staged at Punakha Dzong.

Things to do in Bhutan

Full guide

Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)

The cliffside monastery is a steep 2 to 3 hour hike up. Start early for cooler air and softer light on the temple.

Tickets and tours →

Punakha Dzong

The most beautiful dzong in the country, especially in spring when the jacaranda trees bloom around it.

Tickets and tours →

Dochula Pass

108 memorial chortens and, on a clear fall or winter morning, a sweeping view of the eastern Himalaya.

Tickets and tours →

Thimphu

The capital without traffic lights: the giant Buddha Dordenma statue, the weekend market, and the National Memorial Chorten.

Tickets and tours →

Phobjikha Valley

A glacial valley where black-necked cranes winter from about late October to February. Quiet farmhouse stays and forest walks.

Tickets and tours →

Bumthang Valley

Bhutan's spiritual heartland with some of its oldest temples. A long drive east, best in spring or fall.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Visit in November rather than October: the weather is just as clear and demand eases after the Thimphu Tshechu.
If you want a festival without the biggest crowds, look at smaller district tshechus rather than Paro or Thimphu. Your tour operator can match one to your dates.
Hike Tiger's Nest as early as the trail opens, or pick a weekday outside festival weeks when domestic visitors are fewer.
Consider December through February for Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha: cold, clear, and very quiet, with lower hotel demand.

Know before you go

Most visitors book through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, and a licensed guide is required for most travel beyond Thimphu and Paro. Check current entry rules before booking.
Dzongs usually open to visitors only outside office hours on working days and fully on weekends and holidays; some sections stay closed to visitors at all times.
Monsoon landslides (June to August) can close sections of the lateral highway for hours or days, especially heading east toward Bumthang.
High treks such as the Snowman Trek have short windows, mainly in October, and are often cancelled when passes are snowbound.

Bhutan in February, quick answers

Is February a good time to visit Bhutan?

February is a quiet, good-value month to visit Bhutan. Still cold but clear, and some years bring the Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu festivals late in the month or in March.

What is the weather like in Bhutan in February?

Paro highs near 54F (12C), cold nights, mostly dry.

Is Bhutan crowded in February?

February is one of the quieter months in Bhutan; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Bhutan in February?

Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu (late february or march, varies by year).