December is the start of winter: cold, dry and bright, with snow on the high passes and very few visitors. For the western valleys it is an underrated month.
- Good for: the view from Dochu La; Black-necked cranes in Phobjikha; Quiet sights and lower prices.
- Less good for: trekking; The cold, morning and evening.
The weather in December
In December Thimphu averages 17°C by day and −1°C at night, with 4 mm of rain. Punakha, a thousand metres lower, averages 20°C and 7°C. Almost no rain, clear skies, and frost at night in Paro, Thimphu and Bumthang. Punakha stays mild, at about 20°C by day.
| Valley | Day | Night | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paro | 15°C | 1°C | 3 mm |
| Thimphu | 17°C | −1°C | 4 mm |
| Punakha | 20°C | 7°C | 4 mm |
| Bumthang | 13°C | −3°C | 2 mm |
Averages for the month: the highest and lowest temperature of an ordinary day, and the month’s rainfall. It is colder on the passes and at any camp on a trek. Figures from the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology, whose stations are at Paro (2,406 m), Thimphu (2,310 m), Punakha (1,236 m) and Jakar in Bumthang (2,470 m).
Festivals in December
The Druk Wangyel Tshechu is held at Dochu La on 13 December each year, danced by soldiers of the Royal Bhutan Army with the Himalaya behind them. The festivals that begin in December on the official list:
- Druk Wangyel Tshechu: 13 December 2026, Dochu La, Thimphu
- Lhuentse Tshechu: 17–21 December 2026, Lhuentse Dzong
- Trongsa Tshechu: 17–21 December 2026, Trongsa Dzong
- Samdrup Jongkhar Tshechu: 22–24 December 2026, Samdrup Jongkhar
- Nabji Lhakhang Drup: 24–26 December 2026, Nabji Lhakhang, Trongsa
- Goenpai Drupchen: 3–5 December 2027, Trongsa Dzong
- Mongar Tshechu: 6–8 December 2027, Mongar Dzong
- Phuentsholing Tshechu: 6–8 December 2027, Phuentsholing, Chhukha
- Trashigang Tshechu: 7–9 December 2027, Trashigang Dzong
- Druk Wangyel Tshechu: 13 December 2027, Dochu La, Thimphu
- Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham: 13 December 2027, Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
- Nalakhar Tshechu: 13–15 December 2027, Ngaa Lhakhang, Bumthang
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and move each year, and the list is the Department of Tourism’s tentative one. The whole year is in our festival calendar.
Trekking in December
The treks are closed for the winter. Day walks are at their clearest.
To see when each route is walked, look at Bhutan’s treks compared.
Where to go in December
Dochu La, for its festival and its view. Punakha, for warmth. Phobjikha, for the cranes.
Good to know
Hotels and flights are at their winter prices. A road pass may shut for a day or two after snow, so we keep a little slack in a winter plan. What to bring is on our packing list.
Trips for December
- Bhutan Photography Tour (8 days)
- Western Valleys Discovery (5 days)
- Bhutan Short Trip (4 days)
Tell us your dates and we will say plainly what December is like for the trip you have in mind.
Other months
Bhutan in November comes before, and Bhutan in January after. For the year as a whole, see the best time to visit Bhutan.
Weather averages are for 1996 to 2017 (Punakha from 1990). Festival dates were checked against the official tentative list on 12 October 2026.