Punakha Weather and Climate: Best Time to Visit Punakha
14 September 2022 Last updated at 09:14
Though Bhutan lies in subtropical climate zone, weather and climate vary greatly in different regions of Bhutan. The mixture results from two main factors: location in southern foot of the Himalayas with north high and south low - sharp change of altitude and influence of warm and wet monsoon current from the Indian Ocean.
Compared to hot and humid southern border region and cold and dry northern mountains, the central Bhutan, where Punakha is located, has distinct four seasons, temperate climate suitable for farming, living and sightseeing. Located in Punakha Valley at an elevation of nearly 1,300 m, Punakha has a higher monthly temperature than Paro, Thimphu and other destinations. Just because the warmer winter, it still serves as the “Winter Palace of Bhutan”. Temperature ranges from the lowest below zero degree (in January) to the highest nearly 30°C (in July). And lush forests bring high humidity in Punakha all year round. Its yearly average rainfall is around 1,000 millimeters. There are some thunderstorms in late spring and summer, abundant rains in autumn, valley areas seldom snow in winter but peaks at high altitude does. Due to geographic location, temperature differences go up to 10°C and above in Punakha between day and night.
Punakha Monthly Temperatures - Select a Month to Visit Punakha
| Month | Recommended Rate | Max Temp. | Min Temp. |
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When is the Best Time to Visit Punakha
According to your holiday and schedule, you can travel to Punakha all through the year and visit ancient religious sites. Months from March to May in spring and from September to November in autumn are the two best times to visit Punakha. During spring, the weather is pleasantly warm, and natural scenery is very colorful with various kinds of beautiful flowers. Purple jacaranda blooms outside Punakha Dzong has been a postcard-like attraction of Punakha. The grand Tshechu Festival and green rice terraced valley can also be seen during this period. In autumn, temperature is quite moderate and there are many stunning views, like golden rice fields, clean and blue skies with lovely sunshine.
Punakha Four Seasons - Which Season to Go
Spring (March, April, May)
❀ Average Temperature: 0°C~19°C, a little chilly to comfortable, warm
Spring is one of the most beautiful seasons of Punakha, where you can see large scale of verdurous rice terraces in the valley and lots of blooming flowers. It’s still a little chilly in Punakha in early spring, and the average highest daytime temperature will be over 20°C gradually. Meanwhile, nights change from below zero to a few degrees Celsius. Don’t miss the pretty Punakha Dzong and picturesque jacaranda blooms, peach blossom and alpine azalea, and the local Tshechu Festival if you visit Punakha at a right time.
• Recommended Attractions: Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
• Featured Festivals: Punakha Tshechu Festival (late Feburary~early March), Punakha Drubchen (early March), Talo Tshechu (early April)
• What to Wear: long skirts and sweaters, windbreakers, casual clothes, jackets, trousers and comfortable shoes...
Picturesque Punakha Dzong in March
Green Punakha Valley in Spring
Punakha Weather in March
- High Temperature: 9°C / 48.2°F
- Low Temperature: 1°C / 33.8°F
- Sunshine Hours: 10 h
- Rainfall: 310 mm
- Rainy Days: 11 days
- Sunrise: 5:52am-6:24am
- Sunset: 6:07pm-6:17pm
- UV Index: 3
Punakha Weather in April
- High Temperature: 11°C /51.8°F
- Low Temperature: 5°C / 41°F
- Sunshine Hours: 12 h
- Rainfall: 42 mm
- Rainy Days: 17 days
- Sunrise: 5:21am-5:50am
- Sunset: 6:18pm-6:33pm
- UV Index: 3
Punakha Weather in May
- High Temperature: 14°C /57.2°F
- Low Temperature: 8°C /46.4°F
- Sunshine Hours: 12 h
- Rainfall: 67 mm
- Rainy Days: 21 days
- Sunrise: 5:05am-5:21am
- Sunset: 6:34pm-6:51pm
- UV Index: 4
Summer (June, July, August)
☂ Average Temperature: 10°C~22°C, hot and rainy
Summer is the hottest season of Punakha and the lower elevation makes it nearly 5 Degrees Celsius higher than Paro and Thimphu. It’s usually hot in the day but quite comfortable at night. Thunderstorms are common in summer and most are sudden showers coming in the evening. It possibly is sunny and cloudy in daytime. Rainy season normally ends in late September. Considering weather conditions, travel convenience and seasonal scenery, summer is the off-season for Punakha travel.
• Recommended Things to Do: Visit Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, take river rafting
• What to Wear: light clothes, long sleeve shirts and slacks, T-shirt with coat, sunblock, etc.
River Rafting near Punakha Dzong in Summer
Punakha Weather in June
- High Temperature: 16°C / 60.8°F
- Low Temperature: 11°C / 51.8°F
- Sunshine Hours: 11 h
- Rainfall: 93 mm
- Rainy Days: 24 days
- Sunrise: 5:04am-5:08am
- Sunset: 6:51pm-7:00pm
- UV Index: 4
Punakha Weather in July
- High Temperature: 17°C / 62.6°F
- Low Temperature: 12°C / 53.6°F
- Sunshine Hours: 10 h
- Rainfall: 148 mm
- Rainy Days: 27 days
- Sunrise: 5:08am-5:22am
- Sunset: 6:50pm-6:58pm
- UV Index: 4
Punakha Weather in Aug
- High Temperature: 17°C / 62.6°F
- Low Temperature: 12°C / 53.6°F
- Sunshine Hours: 11 h
- Rainfall: 127 mm
- Rainy Days: 25 days
- Sunrise: 5:23am-5:38am
- Sunset: 6:22pm-6:49pm
- UV Index: 4
Autumn (September, October, November)
☀ Average Temperature: 3°C~18°C, pleasantly cool
Autumn is another peak tourist season and beautiful time for Punakha, because it’s the harvest season when rice terrace turns to golden paintings and Punakha Valley is covered by extensive yellow forests. Moreover, temperature in Punakha is really cozy during the day and cool in the evening. You can take nice photos because there are many sunny days with clear sky and crisp air.
• Recommended Attractions: Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
• What to Wear: casual wear, sportswear, jacket, long-sleeve shirts and trousers…
Golden Rice Terraces in Punakha During Autumn
Punakha Weather in September
- High Temperature: 16°C / 74°F
- Low Temperature: 10°C / 59°F
- Sunshine Hours: 10 h
- Rainfall: 75 mm
- Rainy Days: 20 days
- Sunrise: 5:40am-5:53am
- Sunset: 5:49pm-6:22pm
- UV Index: 4
Punakha Weather in October
- High Temperature: 13°C / 71°F
- Low Temperature: 6°C / 51°F
- Sunshine Hours: 8 h
- Rainfall: 32 mm
- Rainy Days: 11 days
- Sunrise: 5:53am-6:10am
- Sunset: 5:18pm-5:48pm
- UV Index: 3
Punakha Weather in November
- High Temperature: 10°C / 64°F
- Low Temperature: 2°C / 41°F
- Sunshine Hours: 7 h
- Rainfall: 8 mm
- Rainy Days: 5 days
- Sunrise: 6:10am-6:32am
- Sunset: 5:05pm-5:17pm
- UV Index: 3
Winter (December, January, February)
☃ Average Temperature: -4°C~9°C, warm and dry
p> January is the coldest month of Punakha with ten degrees Celsius during the day and maybe below zero at night. However, due to a lower elevation, winter in Punakha is still much warmer than Paro and Thimphu in the west, approximately 5°C to 8 °C higher. So, Bhutan’s Central Monastic Body moves to Punakha from Thimphu to reside every winter. It’s the dry season, mostly are bright sunshine days with clean air.• Recommended Attractions: Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
• What to Wear: warm clothes and shoes, down jacket, thick coat, sweater, trousers…
Chimi Lhakhang and Nearby Lawn
Punakha Weather in December
- High Temperature: 7°C / 44.6°F
- Low Temperature: 0°C / 32°F
- Sunshine Hours: 7 h
- Rainfall: 6 mm
- Rainy Days: 4 days
- Sunrise: 6:33am-6:50am
- Sunset: 5:06pm-5:16pm
- UV Index: 2 ndex: 5
Punakha Weather in January
- High Temperature: 6°C / 42.8°F
- Low Temperature: -3°C / 30.2°F
- Sunshine Hours: 7 h
- Rainfall: 6 mm
- Rainy Days: 2 days
- Sunrise: 6:47am-6:50am
- Sunset: 5:16pm-5:40pm
- UV Index: 2
Punakha Weather in February
- High Temperature: 7°C / 44.6°F
- Low Temperature: -1°C / 30.2°F
- Sunshine Hours: 7 h
- Rainfall: 17 mm
- Rainy Days: 4 days
- Sunrise: 6:26am-6:47am
- Sunset: 5:40pm-6:00pm
- UV Index: 2
How to Plan Your Bhutan Tour
A Bhutan trip usually starts from Paro where the Bhutan’s only international airport is located in, then travel eastward to Thimphu and Punakha, which is the most classic itinerary in Bhutan, taking 5~6 days to finish. Never miss the icon of Bhutan - Tiger’s Nest (the symbol of Bhutan) in Paro. If your time is quite limited, you can skip Punakha. If you want an in-depth Bhutan tour, we suggest you extend your trip to Phobjikha, Gangtey, Trongsa and Bumthang in central Bhutan, which costs you about 9~10 days. You can also spend more time in Bhutan to explore more features of Bhutan, such as trekking, birding, Tshechu festival, etc. It is strongly recommended to travel Bhutan with Nepal. Check Nepal Bhutan tours to find a suitable tour or contact us to customize your own unique experience.
☞ 5 Days Bhutan Classic Tour (Paro & Thimphu & Punakha)
☞ 9 Days Bhutan In-depth Natural and Cultural Tour
☞ 12 Days Nepal Bhutan Leisure Vacation Tour Package
Travel with Us
Traveling with Himalayas Discovery, you are assured to use our high-quality travel services, including vehicles, professional tour guide and experienced driver, well-organized itinerary, assistance of visa and permits application and other travel related services. We will settle all arrangements in advance to make sure you always enjoy a worry-free journey.
Our dear guests visiting Bhutan
Tips for Bhutan Travel
1. Book Your Bhutan Tour in Advance
Air tickets and hotels would be quite tense during peak tourist seasons from March to June and September to October. Thus, you are high suggested to confirm your Bhutan travel months earlier. Afterwards, we will take some time to help you apply for Bhutan Visa and book your flight ticket and hotels in Bhutan.
2. Worry Free of High Altitude Sickness
Though Bhutan is located in south side of the Himalayas and mountains covers large area in Bhutan, most places tourist will visit are valleys at lower elevation. You don’t need to worry about the high altitude sickness during your Bhutan trip. If you are going to places at high altitudes, you are suggested to acclimatize yourself in lower altitude areas first, have a good rest, keep warm and follow the advice from tour guide.
We list some elevations of major destination for your conference:
Paro twon (alt: 2,250m) / Paro Airport (alt: 2,200m)
Thimphu (alt: 2,500m) / Punakha (alt: 1,300m)
3. Packing and Dressing During Your Bhutan Trip
With great altitudinal variations, Bhutan has a mixed climate and weather in various areas. So tourists should pack and dress properly and accordingly. Also Bhutan is a religious country full of monasteries, Dzongs (fortresses) and sacred religious sites, therefore, long pants and long sleeved tops should be worn to show respect while visiting those places. Even in summer,it's better for visitors to wear long pants and long skirts. Also, you may need to take off your shoes and hats when entering important religious temples. You can dress in layers, easy to put on and off. Warm clothes are needed for winter travel and high-altitude areas. As for trekking, a pair of comfortable and durable shoes is recommended.
Punakha Travel Guide
Bhutan Travel Guide
Most Recommended Bhutan Tour Packages
Following are 3 most recommended Bhutan tour packages that you may be interested in. All tour packages are customizable to meet your personal requirements. You can also contact us to customize a trip if you want.
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9 Days Bhutan In-depth Natural and Cultural Tour
Paro / Thimphu / Punakha / Phobjikha / Trongsa / Bumthang / Wangue Phodrang / Paro
