November is autumn turning to winter. The skies stay clear, the rice has been harvested, and the black-necked cranes arrive in Phobjikha for the winter. The nights are cold again.
- Good for: the cranes, and their festival; Clear mountain views; Trekking, early in the month.
- Less good for: cold nights in camp; The higher treks, which close from mid-month.
The weather in November
In November Thimphu averages 20°C by day and 3°C at night, with 1 mm of rain. Punakha, a thousand metres lower, averages 24°C and 11°C. It is the driest month of the year: Thimphu averages a single millimetre of rain. Days are bright, and nights fall towards freezing in the high valleys.
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 November
November is the other of the two fullest months of the festival calendar. The Black-Necked Crane Festival is held at Gangtey Goenpa on 11 November, and Jambay Lhakhang Drup, in Bumthang, falls in October or November. The festivals that begin in November on the official list:
- Ap Chundu Lhasel: 1 November 2026, Jangkakha, Haa
- Black-Necked Crane Festival: 11 November 2026, Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha
- Goenpai Drupchen: 14–16 November 2026, Trongsa Dzong
- Mongar Tshechu: 17–19 November 2026, Mongar Dzong
- Phuentsholing Tshechu: 17–19 November 2026, Phuentsholing, Chhukha
- Trashigang Tshechu: 18–20 November 2026, Trashigang Dzong
- Rongtse Nye Tshechu: 19 November 2026, Rongtse Nye, Sangbaykha, Haa
- Rongtse Nye Festival: 20–21 November 2026, Sangbaykha, Haa
- Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham: 24 November 2026, Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
- Nalakhar Tshechu: 24–26 November 2026, Ngaa Lhakhang, Bumthang
- Ap Chundu Lhasel: 1 November 2027, Jangkakha, Haa
- Chhukha Tshechu: 6–8 November 2027, Chhukha Dzong
- Haa Tshechu: 6–8 November 2027, Lhakhang Karpo, Haa
- Jakar Tshechu: 6–9 November 2027, Jakar Dzong, Bumthang
- Pemagatshel Tshechu: 6–9 November 2027, Pemagatshel Dzong
- Dechenphu Tshechu: 8 November 2027, Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu
- Black-Necked Crane Festival: 11 November 2027, Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha
- Jambay Lhakhang Drup: 14–17 November 2027, Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
- Prakhar Duchhoed: 15–17 November 2027, Prakhar Lhakhang, Chumey, 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 November
Seven treks are still open, the higher ones until about the middle of the month. Nights in camp are cold.
- Bumdra Trek
- Tsaluna Trek
- Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek
- Druk Path Trek
- Soi Yaksa Trek
- Jomolhari Trek
- Laya–Gasa Trek
All eight are set side by side on our page of Bhutan’s treks compared.
Where to go in November
The Phobjikha valley, for the cranes, which breed on the Tibetan plateau and fly south over the Himalaya each autumn. Bumthang and the east, for their festivals.
Good to know
November is a little less busy than October, with the same clear skies. Bring warm layers for the mornings and evenings. What to bring is on our packing list.
Trips for November
- Black-Necked Crane Festival Tour (8 days)
- Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival Tour (10 days)
- Bumdra Trek (7 days)
Tell us your dates and we will say plainly what November is like for the trip you have in mind.
Other months
Bhutan in October comes before, and Bhutan in December 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.