December isn't the first month most people think of for Bhutan. Winter brings cold nights, and snow can cover the high ground. But if you're happy to wrap up, it shows you a quieter side of the country: clear Himalayan views, butter tea by the stove, and monasteries with hardly anyone else there. Here are ten reasons to come in December, with the weather, where to go and what to do.
10 reasons to visit Bhutan in December
1. Clear Himalayan views
With the monsoon long gone and dry winter air settled over the valleys, December has some of the clearest skies of the year. At Dochula, the 108 chortens stand against a line of snow peaks, and the low winter light is lovely for photographs.
2. Fewer crowds
Compared with spring and autumn, the famous sights are much quieter. In a monastery you'll have time to take in the paintings and the atmosphere, rather than moving along with a stream of other visitors.
3. The black-necked cranes are in Phobjikha
The cranes fly in from the Tibetan plateau from late October, and by December they've settled into the Phobjikha valley for the winter. You'll see them feeding in the marsh or flying overhead, a sight that disappears again when they leave in February and March.
4. The cosy side of Bhutanese life
The cold is part of the charm when there's somewhere warm to come back to: a farmhouse, a meal beside the bukhari wood stove, a hot drink after a day outside. For the full winter experience, try a hot stone bath, where river stones heated in a fire are dropped into a wooden tub.
5. Winter festivals
The Druk Wangyel Tshechu is held every 13 December at Dochula Pass. Unlike the big spring and autumn festivals, its mask dances are performed by the Royal Bhutan Army and are unique to this festival, with the snow peaks behind. The Trongsa Tshechu in central Bhutan usually falls in December too. Festivals here are more than a show: they're living Buddhist ceremonies, and families come in their best gho and kira. See the dates in our festival calendar.
6. Comforting food
Bhutanese food is rich and warming at any time of year, but chillies, cheese and hearty stews make even more sense on a frosty evening. A cup of butter tea on a cold morning, ema datshi and red rice at night: food is another way into Bhutanese life. See our guide to Bhutanese food.
7. Village life in winter
With the harvest in, villages slow down. It's a good time to spend a night in a farmhouse, share a meal with your hosts and see everyday life away from the main sights, without feeling you're in the way of the farm work.
8. The warm south
While the high valleys settle into winter, the subtropical south stays mild. Royal Manas National Park, with its forests, rivers and rich wildlife, is comfortable in December, while summer there can be very hot and wet. It makes a striking contrast within one trip, especially for birdwatchers.
9. Good weather for day hikes
High treks are closed by snow, but the cool, dry air makes lower hikes and day walks very pleasant. With warm layers and sun cream, long walks are a joy.
10. A different Bhutan
Bhutan is usually pictured with spring rhododendrons or autumn festivals. December shows you a version of the country most visitors never see.
Bhutan weather in December
Bhutan in December is cold, but how cold depends on height. Thimphu and Paro have chilly mornings and evenings and freezing nights; Punakha, lower down, has a much milder winter; the high valleys and passes are colder still, with frost, ice and sometimes snow. Clear days can be bright and pleasant, but the temperature drops fast once the sun goes behind the mountains.
| Place | What December feels like | Typical range (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Thimphu | Sunny days, very cold nights | -1 to 14 |
| Paro | Chilly mornings and evenings | -2 to 11 |
| Punakha | Mild, the warmest of the western valleys | 8 to 15 |
| Phobjikha | Cold, with frost and possible snow | -4 to 12 |
| Royal Manas (south) | Warm days, cool nights | 11 to 25 |
Does it snow in Bhutan in December?
Sometimes, mostly on the passes and in the high valleys. Don't expect Thimphu or Paro to be white all month: in most winters, snow in the towns lasts a day or two and melts quickly. Conditions change from year to year and can close high roads for a while, so come for the winter landscapes rather than a guarantee of snow.
What to wear in December
Layers. You may be warm in the sun at midday and need a down jacket, hat and gloves by evening. Bring thermal layers, warm socks and comfortable shoes for walking, and see the packing list in our dress code guide.
Best places to visit in December
Thimphu. The capital is an easy place to start, with plenty to see indoors and out: Buddha Dordenma above the city, the takin at the Royal Takin Preserve, museums and markets, and good restaurants to warm up in.
Paro. The Tiger's Nest hike is possible in December on clear days, and the cool air makes the climb more comfortable than in summer. If it's bitterly cold, Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum are good alternatives.
Phobjikha. If the black-necked cranes are on your list, December is a great time. The wide marshes, ringed by forest, feel very different from the busier towns.
Punakha. Lower and milder, Punakha is a welcome break from the cold. Its dzong, where two rivers meet, is beautiful in any season, and the valley is lovely for gentle walks.
Royal Manas National Park. For something completely different, head south to the subtropical forests and rivers of Royal Manas, a sharp contrast to the cold valleys of the west and centre.
Things to do in Bhutan in December
- Walk the Gangtey Nature Trail, an easy downhill walk through forest into the Phobjikha valley.
- Hike to the Tiger's Nest on a clear, crisp day.
- Browse Thimphu's Centenary Farmers' Market for chillies, cheese and red rice, and the craft bazaar for textiles.
- Spend a night in a farmhouse, help cook dinner, and sit by the bukhari with butter tea.
- Soak in a hot stone bath at the end of the day.
Is December a good time to visit Bhutan?
Yes, if you're ready for cold weather and want to see Bhutan in a quiet season. Clear mountain views, the cranes, winter festivals and Bhutanese hospitality give the month a character of its own. It's not the month for warm weather or high-altitude trekking, but if you're happy to layer up, winter is a special way to see the country. Compare the seasons in the best time to visit Bhutan, browse our Bhutan tours, or tell us your dates and we'll plan a December trip around you.
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About the author
Pema · Itinerary designer & travel writer. Pema designs our itineraries and writes our travel guides. She plans each route so the drives, hikes, festival dates and quiet days fit together, and writes about Bhutan the way she'd explain it to a friend visiting for the first time.
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