October is the clearest month of the year, and the busiest. The mountains stand out sharply, all eight treks are open, and in Bumthang one festival follows another.
- Good for: mountain views; Trekking: every route is open; Festivals, in Bumthang above all.
- Less good for: company: this is the busiest month; Flights and hotels that fill early.
The weather in October
In October Thimphu averages 24°C by day and 9°C at night, with 43 mm of rain on about 5 days. Punakha, a thousand metres lower, averages 27°C and 17°C. Rain falls on only about five days in Thimphu. Days are warm in the sun, and nights are turning cold: about 9°C in Thimphu and Paro, and 7°C in Bumthang.
| Valley | Day | Night | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paro | 21°C | 9°C | 49 mm |
| Thimphu | 24°C | 9°C | 43 mm |
| Punakha | 27°C | 17°C | 46 mm |
| Bumthang | 19°C | 7°C | 57 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 October
October is one of the two fullest months of the festival calendar. Thimphu Tshechu falls in October in some years, and the Jomolhari Mountain Festival is held in the middle of the month at Dangochong, below Jomolhari base camp, where it can be reached only on foot. The festivals that begin in October on the official list:
- Jakar Tshechu: 18–21 October 2026, Jakar Dzong, Bumthang
- Pemagatshel Tshechu: 18–21 October 2026, Pemagatshel Dzong
- Chhukha Tshechu: 19–21 October 2026, Chhukha Dzong
- Haa Tshechu: 19–21 October 2026, Lhakhang Karpo, Haa
- Dechenphu Tshechu: 21 October 2026, Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu
- Jambay Lhakhang Drup: 26–29 October 2026, Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
- Prakhar Duchhoed: 27–29 October 2026, Prakhar Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang
- Thimphu Drubchen: 5 October 2027, Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
- Wangdue Tshechu: 8–10 October 2027, Wangdue Phodrang
- Tamshing Phala Chhoepa: 10–12 October 2027, Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang
- Thimphu Tshechu: 10–12 October 2027, Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
- Gangtey Tshechu: 13–15 October 2027, Gangtey Goenpa, Wangdue Phodrang
- Jomolhari Mountain Festival: 14–15 October 2027, Dangochong, Thimphu
- Thangbi Mewang: 15–16 October 2027, Thangbi 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 October
This is the best month of the year to trek, and the only one in which all eight routes are open.
- Bumdra Trek
- Tsaluna Trek
- Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek
- Druk Path Trek
- Soi Yaksa Trek
- Jomolhari Trek
- Laya–Gasa Trek
- Snowman Trek
All eight are set side by side on our page of Bhutan’s treks compared.
Where to go in October
Everywhere, and for walkers the high country above all. Bumthang is at its liveliest, and the views from Dochu La and from the road passes are at their sharpest.
Good to know
Book early. Flights to Paro and hotels fill early for October. What to bring is on our packing list.
Trips for October
- Jomolhari Trek (11 days)
- Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival Tour (10 days)
- Kingdom in Full (11 days)
Tell us your dates and we will say plainly what October is like for the trip you have in mind.
Other months
Bhutan in September comes before, and Bhutan in November 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.