January is winter: high mountain passes are cold and some are snowbound while lower valleys are cool and dry. Many tourist facilities in high-altitude areas operate with reduced hours or limited access. Festivals tied to the lunar calendar may fall in this period.
Average daily low and high (°C) and monthly rainfall. The badge shows how it feels, allowing for humidity.
Average temperature across Bhutan in January.
Samtse, Sarpang, Phuentsholing
Mornings in January here are humid and often fog-bound, with daytime temperatures pleasant around 18-25°C while nights can feel cool; Phuentsholing’s streets are bright with market activity but expect dew and lingering mist. This is one of Bhutan’s driest months in the lowlands, so border crossings and road travel are straightforward, though you’ll still want a light sweater for early starts and taxis with windows up against the damp.
Paro, Thimphu, Haa
Clear, crisp skies in January make the Paro and Thimphu valleys feel sharply cold by Himalayan standards-daytime highs sit around 6-12°C while nights often dip below freezing at higher spots like Chele La. Snow dusts higher passes and hiking to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) is cold but dramatic when the sky is blue; pack layered thermal clothing and sturdy shoes for icy trails. Festivals are sparse now and flights into Paro can be quieter, so this month is good for unobstructed photography if you can handle the cold.
Punakha, Wangdue, Trongsa, Bumthang
January mornings in Punakha are cool and pleasantly crisp with daytime highs often 10-18°C, while higher valleys in Bumthang hold a sharper winter chill with overnight frosts. Rivers are low and the valleys are quiet - a good time for visiting Punakha Dzong and the rice terraces when paths are dry, though you’ll want warm layers for early mornings. Road travel is generally reliable but remote guesthouses can be basic and chilly after dark.
Trashigang, Mongar, Trashiyangtse
January in eastern Bhutan often arrives as a cool, dry month with clear skies and sharp mornings-Trashigang and Mongar see daytime highs around 10-16°C but nights can be close to freezing at higher elevations. The roads are generally passable and local markets bustle, making it a good month to experience rural eastern town life without the rain. Bring warm layers for dawn and a windproof for exposed ridge drives between towns.
Gasa, Laya, Lunana, high passes
January up here is true alpine winter: heavy snowfields, sub-zero temperatures and strong winds are common above 3,000-4,000 m, and many remote trails and high passes are impassable. Gasa and Lunana regions are deep into snowpack, so only experienced, well-equipped expeditions should consider travel-most organized high-trekking routes are closed. For travelers, January is a month to plan rather than walk: arrange logistics, acclimatize lower down, and bring serious cold-weather kit if you must go.
The lunar New Year is observed with family gatherings and varies between January and February depending on the lunar calendar.
See how January compares with the rest of the year, then read the full guide.