Asia

Bhutan in March

Rhododendrons begin to bloom and spring festivals start. A great balance of weather and moderate demand.

BestParo highs near 61F (16C), warming, occasional showers

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

The straight answer

March is one of the best months of the year to visit Bhutan. Rhododendrons begin to bloom and spring festivals start. A great balance of weather and moderate demand.

Weather: Paro highs near 61F (16C), warming, occasional showers
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What March is like in Bhutan

March is one of Bhutan's best months. Paro highs warm to about 61F (16C), with occasional showers. Rhododendrons start to bloom on the hills, and spring festivals begin. The Paro Tshechu sometimes falls in March, set by the lunar calendar, and the Punakha festivals can also land now. Demand is moderate, so it is a great balance of weather, color, and cost.

This month suits nearly everyone, from families with hiking kids to couples and photographers. Book early if your dates overlap a festival. If you want the clearest views of the high peaks, October and November are slightly better.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Bhutan this month.

Rhododendrons in bloom

Spring color starts on the hillsides and passes, including around Dochula.

Paro Tshechu, in some years

When the lunar calendar puts it in March, Paro hosts five days of masked dances ending with the dawn unveiling of a giant thangka.

The Druk Path Trek

Spring is one of the two best seasons for this classic trek between Paro and Thimphu past high lakes.

What to pack for March

Layers for cool mornings and warm afternoons
A light rain jacket
Hiking boots
Sunscreen and a hat for high altitude
Modest clothes for festivals and dzongs

Our timing tip

Check the Paro Tshechu dates for the year early, because Paro hotels book out months ahead when it falls in March.

Book Bhutan for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Bhutan
Opens a hotel search for Bhutan in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for March
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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. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Bhutan
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Bhutan for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in March

Paro Tshechu

Spring, usually March or April, set by the lunar calendar

Five days of masked dances, ending with the dawn unveiling of a giant thangka. Hotels in Paro book out months ahead.

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 March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Bhutan?

March is one of the best months of the year to visit Bhutan. Rhododendrons begin to bloom and spring festivals start. A great balance of weather and moderate demand.

What is the weather like in Bhutan in March?

Paro highs near 61F (16C), warming, occasional showers.

Is Bhutan crowded in March?

Crowds in Bhutan are moderate in March; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Bhutan in March?

Paro Tshechu (spring, usually march or april, set by the lunar calendar); Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu (late february or march, varies by year).