Visit Bhutan in January
Bhutan Tour in January. Discover a destination that even the most seasoned traveller considers a privilege to visit Bhutan with Tour Bhutan. Even though it was voted the top destination by Travel Lemming in 2022 to visit, very few have the privilege to visit this hidden Kingdom of Bhutan. A landlocked country in south Asian country covering an area of around 39000 sq. km, it stretches 300 km from east to west and 140 km from North to South. Bhutan is home to rare species like the Snow Leopard, Musk deer and Takin.
Best Things to Do in Bhutan in January
January is cold in central-eastern and Northern Bhutan where you mostly spend your time during Bhutan visit. Trekking is not possible due to cold weather but you can do many indoor activities like cultural tours and heritage tours and maybe you can attend a festival which falls in January. The best and most popular things to do in Bhutan in January are:
- Hike up to Popular Tiger Nest Temple in Paro.
- Hike the amazing Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Monastery.
- Enjoy the beauty of Dochula Pass.
- Visit the Fertility temple at Punakha.
- Explore the winter Trekking.
Hike the Popular Tiger Nest Temple
Hike the Tiger Nest Temple: The monastery is home to a wealth of Buddhist history. Legend has it that Padmasambhava, the ‘Second Buddha’, meditated here for three months when he brought Buddhism to Bhutan. He’s said to have arrived on a flying tiger; for those without such transportation, a steep, two-hour climb is the only way it can be reached.
Trek the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Monastery
Follow the Mo Chhu upstream from Punakha Dzong, and the gleaming apex of the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten will soon appear on the opposite bank, a gold-topped beacon guiding you upstream. Seven kilometres (4 miles) northeast of the dzong, the tiered chorten stands 30 meters (100 feet) tall, it is three stories covered with a painted pageant of characters from the annals of Vajrayana Buddhism – including one protector deity pictured riding a shaggy brown migoi or yeti.
A path leads from the roadside to a bridge across the Mo Chhu, before climbing steeply up to the chorten itself. Visit in the cool of the morning then sit to catch your breath and enjoy fabulous views up and down the lush Mo Chhu Valley.
Visit the Fertility Temple at Punakha
It is famous throughout Bhutan as a place that induces fertility for all the visitors who come here wishing for a child Several pilgrims, including couples with a newly born child, come here to seek the blessings of the saint who is said to have the Magical Thunderbolt Of Wisdom.
Hike the amazing Phajoding monastery in Thimphu
It’s a 3 hour’s uphill hike from BBS tower to Phajoding monastery.
The start point is above the Takin Reserve. If you’re feeling adventurous you can walk to Pomola Goempa, where there’s a trail that joins the Phudjoding path (this route would be 15.0 km, 6-9 hours, 3,600 m elevation). Give yourself plenty of time, especially in the winter months. You may also start this trek at BBS Tower (you can drive up to the tower), which won’t take as long as starting from the tea shop.
There are several times when the track splits and at one point where 5 paths converge under an oak tree. That is a nice place to pause for lunch or a snack. As with most Bhutan tracks, just keep heading up. There is minimal signage, but you can look for a red plank with yellow writing pointing the way.
At the top, enjoy the view, sit on the tree swing, or watch the monks play soccer in their spare time between studies. If it’s winter, there is a chance of snow, so pack accordingly. The monastic body is very welcoming of guests. Be prepared for a chat and to share food with them.
Hike the Takin Trail in Thimphu
Explore the beautiful hike starting from Takin Zoo to Motithang open air Gym. This is just 20 20-minute nature walk, best for small children and senior citizens to relax in the wild.
Hike from Kuenselphodrang to 6th Century Changangkha Lhakhang
Embark on a breathtaking two-hour hike from the Largest Buddha Point to the 6th Century Changangkha Lhakhang, winding through scenic pine forests. Revel in the best panoramic views of Thimphu city along the trail, and don’t be surprised if you encounter friendly locals during your journey. Once you reach the final destination, be sure to explore the enchanting monastery.
Bhutan Tour Packages in January
Bhutan Tour in January. The raw and natural beauty of the earth characterizes much of Bhutan’s environment which has made it so stunning and captivating to visitors. From tropical plains right up to the alpine highlands, Bhutan’s environment is as diverse as its culture. The land of the Thunder Dragon is today, one of the World’s top ten global hotspots, boasting rich and varied biodiversity. Keeping this in mind the best tour you can do is a Cultural tour to explore the hidden tradition of Bhutan and a festival tour to witness the authentic lifestyle of the Bhutanese people. Most of the tour takes place in central Bhutan which does not involve high pass crossing.
Bhutan Trekking in January
Bhutan Trekking in January is guaranteed with clean and unspoiled trails. Trekkers are lucky because they get the chance to experience the beautiful Kingdom clothed with trees from lush valleys to the mighty Mountains. Inhale pure air and live healthily. All Trekking is not possible due to the cold climate and passes blocked by heavy snowfall. Low-altitude trekking like Samtengang Winter Trek, Bumthang Owl Trek, and Gangtey Trek is recommended for trekking in January.
Festivals in January 2025
Festivals are an important event and are celebrated throughout Bhutan. During festivals, religious dances are performed either by monks or by laymen. Besides Dancing and Singing, there are also Jokers with big red masks with big noses and carrying phallus. It is believed that they are teachers or saints. More importantly, people visit festivals to gain merits.
Some of the popular festivals of Bhutan are in January.
* Dagana Festival at Daga Dzong
* Dagapela Tshechu at Goshi Town.
* Gelephu Festival at Rabdeyling Monastery.
NOTE: Please mail us for exact festival date to combine with your tour.
Places to Visit Bhutan in January
The Bhutan Tour in January is not complete if you do not visit this popular place. Some of the Best Places to visit Bhutan in January are Phuntsholing, Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Wangdiphodrang. Due to extremely cold weather, places like Bumthang and Haa will not be accessible due to icy roads and dangerous driving.
- Phuntsholing: The place is warm and very favourable to spend a few days but there is nothing much to see in Phuntsholing. The district is the gateway to India and the busiest border in Bhutan. The popular places to visit in Phuntsholing are the Kharbandi viewpoint, the Crocodile breeding centre, and Kharbandi Gompa. January month is best in Phuntsholing.
- Paro: The Paro is the only International airport in Bhutan. January is a lean season and very few visit Paro. It is the best time to visit Bhutan if you hate crowds. The popular must-see places in Paro are Paro Rinpung Dzong, Duntse Lhakhang, Drugyel Dzong, and a hike to Tiger Nest temple.
- Thimphu: Thimphu is the modern capital of Bhutan with over 135000 people living in the city. Indoor activities like nightlife, Yoga, and Gym are some of the favourite things you can do in Thimphu in January.
- Punakha: is a fertile temperate valley in western Bhutan not to be missed. In Punakha, you can visit Punakha Dzong, the amazing longest suspension bridge connecting Village with dzong and hike to the beautiful Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Monastery. These are some of the best places to visit in Punakha in Bhutan.
- Wangdiphodrang: The most popular and beautiful place to visit in Wangdi is Phobjikha Valley. the valley is famous for preserving the Black Necked Crane and that is why all electrical connections is underground to prevent any accident with the crane, there is no TV line in hotel rooms and 75% of the valley is swampy land and protected by the law.
Bhutan Weather in January
Climates and weather vary vastly across the country. One can be in shorts and T-shirts and within a few hours of travel, you need warm jackets, hats, and pullovers. There is also a large fluctuation in temperature in different areas in Bhutan. January is usually cold throughout Bhutan and one can prepare to face the cold weather that drops below zero degrees in places like Thimphu, Paro, Haa and Bumthang in January. More about Bhutan weather in January
Weather, Temperature and Climates of different regions of Bhutan
The Climates and weather vary widely depending on elevation. Southern Bhutan is warmer compared to other parts of Bhutan. The central valleys, Punakha, Wangdue, Mongar, Trashigang, Trongsa, and Lhuntse have a semi-tropical climate with cool winters. Whereas places like Paro, Thimphu, Haa, and Bumthang have colder climatic conditions with some of these places covered with light snow. Only in Northern Bhutan, the snow remains throughout the year, Heavy rainfall in the monsoon season is expected and raincoats and umbrellas are highly recommended.
Maximum and Minimum Temperature of Bhutan
Thimphu (Capital of Bhutan) Maximum Temperature is 14.6 and Minimum Temperature is -3.3 Degrees.
Paro (International Airport of Bhutan) Maximum Temperature is 12.8 Degrees and Minimum Temperature is 1.4 Degrees.
Punakha’s Maximum Temperature is 17.5 and Minimum Temperature is 5.8 Degrees.
Phuntsholing’s Maximum Temperature is 23.9 degrees and the Minimum Temperature is 16.2 Degrees (The warmest in the region).
Haa Valley Max Temp is 10.0 Degrees and Min Temp is -4.0 Degrees
Trongsa’s Maximum Temperature is 17.5 Degrees and Minimum temperature is 5.6 Degrees.
Bumthang’s Maximum Temperature is 11.0 Degrees and the Minimum is -4.2 Degrees.
Wangdiphodrang’s Maximum Temperature is 17.8 Degrees and its Minimum is 5.5 degrees.
What Clothes to wear in January?
Bhutan Tour in January and what clothes to wear if you visit Bhutan. January is cold in Bhutan, with temperatures dropping below zero degrees. Hence, you should be packing thick and woollen clothes. We recommend warm jackets and pants, woollen socks and snow boots, caps, mufflers, and everything to keep you warm. You might experience snowfall in January so it is always advisable to wear layers of clothing. This way you can always remove a layer if it gets warm or add on another one if it gets colder. But please keep in mind that while entering any religious sites, you have to remove your shoes and caps respecting the place and environment.
Bhutan Flights in January
The Country has so far only one international airport that caters to the needs of visitors. The international airport at Paro is located at a height of 7300ft above sea level and surrounded by mountains and hills as high as 16000ft. The two airlines Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines cater to many international destinations like Bangkok, Singapore, Kathmandu, Delhi, and Kolkatta. The most beautiful one can experience is a flight between Kathmandu and Paro as the aircraft passes over four of the highest mountains in the world. In the fine weather as the flight soars high, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga at their best.
Flights to Bhutan from Bangkok 2024
Both Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines operate daily flights to Bangkok. The flight operates from Paro International Airport to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. It is 4 hours flight from Bangkok to Paro Airport.
One-way fare is USD 397.00 pp
Fare Per Person is USD 709.00 pp
Flights to Bhutan from Kathmandu, Nepal.
Kathmandu Paro Kathmandu is one of the busiest flights in Bhutan. Both airlines operate daily flights from Paro to Kathmandu. It is just 50 50-minute flight from Paro to Kathmandu. One-way fare is USD 197.00 pp Fare Per Person is USD 409.00 pp
Flights to Bhutan from Singapore
Singapore flight is only operated by Druk Air and the flight schedule is twice a week. There is one stop at Kolkatta for refuelling and takes about 5 and a half hours.
One-way fare is USD 597.00 pp
Fare Per Person is USD 1009.00 pp
Flights to Bhutan from Delhi, India
There is a daily flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Paro Bhutan operated both by Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines. The direct flights take about 2.5 hours.
One-way fare is USD 197.00 pp
Fare Per Person is USD 629.00 pp
NOTE: The flight Schedule for 2024 is out but pls let us confirm for you.
Domestic Flights in Bhutan
Bhutan also has domestic airports in Yonphula in eastern Bhutan, Bumthang in Central Bhutan, and Gaylegphu in south-central Bhutan. January is the best time to experience domestic flights from Bumthang as some high pass roads are closed by snow and ice during winter.
Is January a good time to visit Bhutan?
Typically, the further east and south you travel, the warmer the weather becomes. Meanwhile, as you get higher, the weather does get colder. In January, the southern areas of the country are still warm to hot, with temperatures ranging from 10 degrees at night to around 18-20 degrees during the day.
How cold is Bhutan in January?
January is a winter month in Bhutan. January is a month with pleasant maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F) and nighttime temperatures around -3°C (27°F) in Thimphu. It is one of the coldest months of the year. January is a dry month with an average snow/rainfall of around 26mm (1 inch) in Thimphu.
How is Thimphu in January?
Thimphu is Cold in January but the weather remains clear with a blue sky. The temperature ranges from 10 degrees high during the daytime to minus 4 degrees at night during peak January.
Top 5 Tours you can do in January
