Bhutan Weather and Tour in March: is it appropriate to visit Bhutan in March?

March is the month that the winter drives away the bleakness and spring finds its way to land in Bhutan. The warm spring breeze brings everything in nature back to life. In March, the temperature keeps rising and the weather tends to be great, perfect for outdoor activities like touring and trekking in almost every part of Bhutan. From March, Bhutan tourism enters its high season.

Bhutan’s world-popular nature scenery tends to be at its finest. With the temperature rising constantly, tree branches begin to sprout and the rhododendron blankets the mountain hills. No matter where you travel, you may possibly be impressed by the visual shock of the vibrant spring in Bhutan.

The Weather and Climate of March in Bhutan

The weather and climate are comfortable in almost all parts of the country. Despite the terrain differences, the temperature has entered a period for overall rising. The sky remains to be remarkably clear through the entire country while the air, affected by still less rainfalls and low humidity, maintains to be dry, but not as dry as in winter since in the capital city Thimphu, the rain falls first.

The weather and climate differ from the places you choose to visit. In western and northwestern parts, the weather is perfect with the temperature ranging from -2 to 16 degrees. The sky is perfectly clear for the grand view of Bhutan Himalaya Mountains, and the snow-stricken trails are now sided by the wildflowers in their early buds. So, trekking in this season becomes the most popular outdoor activity in Bhutan.

In central parts like Bumthang valley, the warm breeze blows green the vast fertile valley in March. Branches of coniferous trees start to shoot in the woodland and the wildflowers begin to prosper. Farmers are busy sowing the seeds of buckwheat, rice and other grain crops in the fields while the apple orchards and dairy farms are also in their lovely spring sights here in the valley.

Short time rain showers fall in 3 days a month, making most of the central parts dominated by comfortable sunshine and comparatively dry air. With 8 hours sunshine per day, the temperature in this area ranges from 8 to 11 degrees, which is perfect for sightseeing and trekking in this valley.

In southern parts, the temperature tends to be much higher than any other place in Bhutan. The maximum temperature maintains above 20 degrees in the daytime while the minimum temperature stays no less than 10 degrees at night.

To help you get more information about the Mar. weather and climate in Bhutan’s most attractive towns and regions, we have collected the latest and detailed weather and climate information about the towns and regions listed below.

Paro weather in March

Average Maximum Temperature: 14 °C
Average Minimum Temperature: 4 °C
Average Temperature: 9 °C
Clear Days: 25
Precipitation: 2 mm
Wind Speed: 5 km/h

March is the month that all Paro flowers are in their full bloom. With the maximum temperature rising to 14 °C, the rhododendrons prosper in clusters in the valley and color the entire mountain in the forests, making Paro back to vitality from the bleak winter.

Trekking in flower blanked Bhutan Mountains in March.

The precipitation in March becomes very little, mainly the early morning showers or the afternoon rainfalls followed by the clear up. The wind in Paro March tends to soothe a little bit with the wind speed approximately at 5 km/h. Paro has entered the best tourist season not only for a city-themed visit or a splendid trek.

Thimphu weather in March

Average Maximum Temperature: 13 °C
Average Minimum Temperature: 4 °C
Average Temperature: 8.5 °C
Clear Days: 25
Precipitation: 2 mm
Wind Speed: 5 km/h

The capital city Thimphu (2,334 m) is just 55 km away from Paro and only 2-hour drive from it. So the weather of both major towns bare a lot of similarities in March. You can expect a balmy temperature ranging from 12 °C to 15 °C in the daytime, however, at night, the temperature drops to around 4 °C or even to the freezing point. March is also regarded as the transferring month of Bhutan’s winter to spring. The capital Thimphu rushes into its splendid period with all possibilities. The daytime temperature becomes comfortably warm while at night, the weather soothes a lot, making the outdoor activities or camping outside much warmer than the previous month. Trekking tours near the Thimphu become increasingly popular in locals as well as in foreign visitors.

Insider tips:
1. The higher place you reach, the colder the weather tends to be. It still works in March Thimphu. So if you travel to places with higher altitude around Thimphu, the daytime temperature still maintains to be low.
2. Besides the museum and some cultural attractions, the relatively broad valley surrounding Thimphu is prevailed with splendid out-of-town sight. With little rainfall and perfect sunshine, kinds of wildflowers are in their early blossom and the lush forests along the trekking route are penetrated with sunbeams. Trekking with overnight accommodation in the hotel becomes increasingly popular among foreign tourists.

Jakar weather in March

Average Maximum Temperature: 12 °C
Average Minimum Temperature: 3 °C
Average Temperature: 7.5 °C
Clear Days: 29
Precipitation: 3 mm
Wind Speed: 8 km/h

Jakar (2,587 m) is another popular town located in Bumthang valley in central Bhutan. With plenty sunshine and great visibilities, the daytime weather becomes perfect for trekking and broad valley sightseeing.

A short trek in the dense rhododendron clustered forest near Jakar in Bumthang area.

Rainfall is rarely seen in this month and the air remains to be dry. As the capital of Bumthang District, Jakar attracts a large number of visitors to come every year mainly by its natural sceneries and short-day treks around it in March.

Insider tips:
1. Jakar Dzong, located on a ridge above Jakar town, is one of the oldest and most venerated Temple in Bhutan. It is now believed to be largest dzong in the country with a circumference of more than 1,500 meters. So once you are in Jakar, Jakar Dzong is the iconic spot you can’t miss.
2. Besides the historical and spiritual legacies, the most attracting outdoor activities for visitors in Jakar are the splendid hikes and treks around it in this month. These treks take you to some awesome sacred sites with dense rhododendron clustered forest around or located in some lush bamboo laden areas.
3. Sunscreen and moistures are the musts. No matter wherever you go, prepare a down filled cloths in case of the temperature drop in late afternoon.

Bumthang weather in March

Average Maximum Temperature: 4 °C
Average Minimum Temperature: -5 °C
Average Temperature: 1 °C
Clear Days: 29
Precipitation: 5 mm
Wind Speed: 9km/h

Bumthang area is famous for its gorgeous and lovely valleys. The four grand valleys of Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor top the most. The largest Choekhor valley, with fields of farmland and the most important temples, is commonly referred as the “Bumthang Valley”.

Bumthang in March is a little bit cold for the average temperature lingers from -5 °C to 4 °C. However, the perceived temperature is much higher than you can expect in the daytime, for most of the days are sunny.

Rains are hardly seen in this month, and, if any, are always rain showers in the morning or at night. In valleys, the wind is moderate but the air remains to be dry, so keep your skin moisturized with sunscreens if you stay outside.

Insider tips:
1. In Bumthang area, there are plenty of opportunities for treks and hikes, most of which offer splendid sceneries of remote sacred sights including unique temples and monasteries, wide valley reviews and sublime of picnic spots.
2. Treks in Bumthang region are mainly the short-term treks with soft trails either in the forests or along the rhododendron clustered mountain roads. If your travelling schedule is not very tight, you are recommended to explore as many places as possible, for the views along the different trekking routes may bring you totally different surprises.

Punakha weather in March

Average Maximum Temperature: 22 °C
Average Minimum Temperature: 10.5 °C
Average Temperature: 16.4 °C
Precipitation: 2 mm
Wind Speed: 12 km/h

Punakha area lies between the Thimphu valley and the Bumthang valley at a much lower altitude of 1,214 m. Punakha weather in March is much warmer than most of Bhutan’s western and central towns. The average maximum temperature continues to rise and sometimes reaches to 22 °C or even higher. At night, the average minimum temperature lingers at a comparatively higher level of 11 °C, making comfortable for staying overnight in hotel or outside.

Large fields of farming land can be sighted from an overlook perspective on the mountain hills.

Rainfall are barely seen in this month. If any, it is just a few hours’ shower in the afternoon. So, most of Bumthang areas are dominated by comfortable sunshine and comparatively dry air, which is perfect for sightseeing and trekking here.

Insider tips:
1. Punakha valley is believed to be a great place for rice farming. So the breathtaking terraced fields can be sighted from the hills or along the trekking route.
You can find farmers are busy sowing the seeds of buckwheat, rice and other grain crops in the fields while the apple orchards and dairy farms are also in their lovely spring sights here in the valley.
2. The warm breeze blows green the vast fertile valley in March. Branches of coniferous trees start to shoot in the woodland and the wildflowers begin to prosper. Make an early start and ascend to some higher places to enjoy a splendid overlook of this charming place in the beginning of spring.
3. The farming work in some of the towns in this area is mechanized and the power-tillers instead of bullocks are used to plough the fields. So if you happen to have a machine caught in your eyes, then you must enter a town with a much faster development.

What about Bhutan tours in March?

In March, the weather and temperature are appropriate to feel the early Bhutan spring, so the outdoor activities are among the top recommendations. Bhutan city tours take you to experience Bhutan’s traditional cultures like art, handicraft, national sport, architectural style, and the pristine ways of local livings.

Bhutan religious tours take you to visit Bhutan’s religious dzongs (fortress) and lhakhangs (monasteries or temples) in major towns or remote villages, where you can feel the serenity sent by this last Himalaya Kingdom and appreciate the magnificence of Buddhist culture in the country.

Early spring festooned Punakha Dzong with light-green buds and majestic mountains.

March means that the spring in Bhutan is coming and most places of this kingdom are turning into a multicolored world with the increasing temperature and the balmy sunshine. Trips during this month will guide you to the upper gorgeous Bumthang regions or lead you down to the rhododendron ridden Punakha areas, where a handful of amazing valleys can be explored and the lovely Bhutan animals can be found.

Below, we have selected some Bhutan tours for you:
>> The classic Bhutan city and scenic tourist tour
>> The Classic Thimphu-Paro and Taktsang Ghoempa Tour
>> West and Central Bhutan Tour

Besides the listed tours we recommend above, we still provide you with some other tour routes which are still quite appropriate for you in March. Check to get the most popular Bhutan Tours for detailed information

How about Bhutan trekking in March?

March is widely regarded as one of the best months to embark on a Bhutan trekking. With an overall temperature-rising in every part of Bhutan, the minimum temperature at night increasingly tends to be appropriate for outdoor camping and accommodation. So trekking in Bhutan becomes popular from this month till the beginning of the monsoon season in mid-June.

During this month, tender green leaves appear on tree branches, wildflowers stealthily blanket the mountain hills and spread along the trekking trails in clusters near the gorgeous valleys, the trout-filled lakes are back to their vitality. Bhutan steps into one of its most dynamic seasons in the year.

Turquois trout filled lake found along the Jhomolhari Loop Trek in March.

The treks in March mainly start from towns or places near Thimphu and Paro or in the Bumthang valley, and follows a wilderness trail to a fairyland of dense pine or bamboo forests, high ridges, pristine lakes or rhododendron clustered gardens.

The weather is dominated by the sunshine. With barely rainfalls and clear sky, the awe-standing scenery of the Himalaya Range paralleling to your trekking trail can be another highlight in March’s trekking tours.

Insider trips:
1. We have provided some other popular Bhutan trekking routes to present more choices.
2. In March, the following trekking routes are not recommended:
12 days Jomolhari Trek - The Jomolhari trek takes you to Linzhi, a high altitude place in northwestern Bhutan which, with chilly weather and snow blocked trails, is inappropriate for trekking in March.
31 Days Snowman Trek - The Snowman trek is generally regarded as the most difficult trek in the world and it is not wise to embark on this tour in early spring. Besides, in some sections of this trek, up on the places at higher altitude, the heavy snow has not melted so any attempt to accomplish this trek may eventually turns in vain.

What to pack for a visit to Bhutan in March?

Depending on where you are heading, you may need to pack some warm weather clothes, as the south of the country rarely gets cold at all. In the north, however, you will need to have warmer clothing to beat the colder weather of the winter.

If you are trekking, then you should include trekking boots and plenty of layers to keep you warm or cool as you trek. For those not trekking, a decent strong pair of boots or shoes is essential, as the roads in Bhutan are not all paved, and ground can be rough in some places.

The spring is a sunny time of year, so you will need sunglasses and a hat, since the sun can get a little stronger than you might expect. The northwest is quite windy too, so moisturizer and lip balm for the chaffing winds is a good idea.

Otherwise, you can bring normal clothes that you would wear anywhere else, such as t-shirts and slacks, jeans and other pants, trekking pants for trekkers, and bring a warm jacket or sweaters, as it can get chilly at night in March.

Is it easy to get the Bhutan Visa in March?

All tourists need a Bhutan Visa before their travelling to Bhutan except visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives. For Thai and Swiss nationals holding official and diplomatic passports whiling coming to Bhutan do not require visa. There are no other embassies abroad to grant the Bhutan tourist visa. It is only issued in Thimphu and directly or through a foreign travel agent.

We will apply the visa for you and provide you with the visa reference number issued by Bhutan government before your departure. With the visa reference number, you are allowed to board the flight to Bhutan or enter this country by road at Phuentsholing.

Bhutan does not have any restrictions on when you can visit the kingdom, and is open all year round. However, as March is the first month of the high season for tourism, the number of foreign tourists applying for Bhutan visa ushers into a conspicuous increase.

The Department of Immigration does say that visas are normally processed within five working days in the peak season, it is not that hard to get the visa, as long as you meet the requirements for travel to Bhutan and are choosing a reputable tour operator.

Conclusion

Bhutan’s Tourism enters its high season from March. Bhutan weather in March goes through a general increase in almost all parts of Bhutan. The day time temperature has risen slightly, but the temperature at night has obviously gone up quite a bit, making the stay outside more comfortable when comparing to February.

The sky remains to be crystal clear with excellent visibilities while the mountains and valleys begin their early splendors during this time. Early buds growing out of trees and blossom of the rhododendron clusters are the reminders to inform you that the warm spring breeze has revived every corner of this country.

With only a few days short-time rainfalls, March becomes one of the best months for outdoor activities, especially for trekking. Set your feet up to the dense forest-covered trails to enjoy the jaw-dropping Bhutan Himalaya Mountains with glows and down to the gorgeous wildflower clustered valleys to explore their early beauty.

Despite that the cost of the Minimum Daily Package has risen a bit, the sceneries in Bhutan March definitely worth the money.

Turquois trout filled lake found along the Jhomolhari Loop Trek in March.

Taktsang Ghoempa clinging to the abrupt slope and sided by the lush trees in March.

Sceneries along the trekking route in March with clearer sky and more enchanting distant views.