Is travelling to Bhutan in July a good idea?
In Bhutan, monsoon season generally starts from the middle of July, more so in the higher altitude areas. July is, therefore, a warm and wet month in Bhutan with high levels of humidity. For the ones who wish to travel to Bhutan for trekking, July is not a great month to do so. However, for sightseeing and spending an out-of-the-box holiday, July can be a good option for planning a trip there. One of the greatest things about visiting Bhutan in July is that the roads are empty and the sightseeing places are devoid of unnecessary crowds. Also, there are a number of things to do in Thimphu and Paro. Also, in case the rain stops for a few days, travellers can even get accommodation at a much-discounted rate this month.The weather of Bhutan in July
July sets the beginning of the monsoon season in Bhutan, and hardly any travellers are too keen on visiting the country during this time of the year. The monsoon precipitations, which come up from India and the Indian monsoon, make July probably the wettest month of the year in Bhutan, which is also an exceptionally damp period in the country as well. In the higher altitudes, visibility can be poor, with low cloud spread, and a great part of the country is extremely wet and sloppy for trekking, which is the most popular tourist activity in Bhutan.
Paro Weather in July
July is the wettest month in July, with more than 450mm of precipitation all throughout the month. This place experiences an upsurge of cloud cover and most of the days are usually overcast with pretty low visibility. Temperature average from 18 degrees lowest, which can go up to 22 degrees during the day time and around 14 degrees at night.
Bumthang Weather in July
In July, a greater part of Bumthang is warm, with a very low percentage of rain than the other parts of Bhutan like Paro or Thimphu. The surrounding mountains actually protect Bumthang from heavier rains and hence, it is one of the few drier places in Bhutan during July. During the daytime, the temperature can go up to 21 degrees, and at night, it can go down to 13 degrees or so.
Thimphu Weather in July
Thimphu is located just a few hours away from Paro and it is the capital city of Bhutan. It is one of the wettest parts of Bhutan during July and the rate of precipitation during this month in July is around 373 mm. At night, the temperature may go down to 13 degrees and it is around 18 degrees during the day. For travellers, Thimphu is a little cooler during July.
Jakar Weather in July
July in Jakar is all about warm temperatures all throughout the day with just a little bit of precipitation. Jakar, therefore, is relatively less wet and warmer than other parts of Bhutan. During the day, the temperature ranges up to 22 degrees and at night, it goes down to around 13 degrees Celsius. Hence, planning a trip to Jakar during July is pretty comfortable.
Punakha Weather in July
Punakha is situated in the northern part of Bhutan and it is one of the wettest areas during the month of July. This place sees a very high amount of precipitation with as much a 740 mm all throughout the day. Temperatures are also warmer and it’s around 27 degrees during the daytime, which dips down to around 19 degrees at night. Punakha, therefore, is usually hot and humid during the month of July.
Sightseeing in Bhutan during July
Although July is usually the monsoon season in Bhutan, there are places in the country where the weather conditions differ from one another during this time. Some places are, on the one hand, experiences high precipitation ranges, with cool weather conditions, and on the other hand, some are absolutely dry and humid. So, in case you are planning to visit Bhutan in July, you can still keep a few places to visit in your itinerary.
Kuensel Phodrang
Firstly, the Kuensel Phodrang, also known as the Buddha Point, is one of the heritage sights in Bhutan which you shouldn’t miss. It is a huge statue of Lord Buddha and is commonly known as the Buddha Point.
National Library
In case you are a history buff, the National Library of Bhutan will give you an insight into the country along with a glimpse of its cultural heritage.
Tashichho Dzong Fortress
Tashichho Dzong Fortress is another Buddhist Monastery in Bhutan which is located in the northern part of Thimphu and is a good place to explore during the month of July.
The Folk Heritage Museum
This is a 150-year-old 3 storey, timber and mud building, which is actually a museum, conserving the heritage and culture of the Buddhist community.
Punakha Dzong and Punakha Suspension Bridge
These two places should not be missed in case you are up for a trip to Punakha in July.
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
And finally, this place will give you a feeling of peace and tranquillity as it was built to keep off the evil spirits and was built as per the designs in their Holy Scriptures.
Local Festivals in Bhutan during the Month of July
Bhutan is all about celebrating life and happiness and hence, it has a bunch of local festivities which happens all throughout the year. Here are a few which you can experience being a part of during the month of July. Let's have a look!Haa Summer Festival
Timing: The mid-July.
This is a festival to celebrate the unique nomadic traditions and culture of the Haa valley in Bhutan. It explores the traditional living-culture of the valley with local songs, dances and indigenous sports, and also gives an insight into the real lifestyle of the nomadic herders. This festival also celebrates the local cuisines and especially the food options of the Haa Valley. Hence, once you are there during this festival, do not forget to try out their buckwheat dumplings which are known as ‘hoentoe’ locally.
Bumthang Nimalung Tsechu Festival
Timing: End of June-Early July.
This beautiful country celebrates each festival with grandeur. During this Buddhist festival in the Bumthang region of Bhutan, the local people perfectly captures the traditional Bhutanese heritage and culture through celebrations of dance, song, and food. This festival is actually the perfect mix of old and new in Bhutan which you must not miss in case you are there in July.
Tips for Travellers in July
- Bhutan in July is generally wet in most parts of the country. Hence, you need to carry clothes accordingly.
- As it is the low tourist season in Bhutan, you can get the best rates in hotels and resorts. However, make sure that you book your stay early.
- Hiking is not safe during this month in Bhutan and hence, you must avoid it at any cost.
- Buying tobacco or smoking in public is absolutely prohibited in Bhutan. You need to be extra careful regarding this in order to avoid any unnecessary issues during your stay there.
- In case you wish to explore the real Bhutanese culture, you can opt for a homestay. There are plenty of options regarding this and choosing one shouldn’t be a problem.
- Tuesdays are national dry days in the country and the sale of alcohol is prohibited during this day of the week.
