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Best Time to Visit Tibet

  • by Nance
  • Last Updated: 2023-06-19

The beauty Tibet has to offer is just incomparable. With plateau climate and picturesque landscape, the place offers to be a perfect tourist destination.

Deciding what’s the best time to visit Tibet is an important question. Generally speaking, April to October is the best time to travel to Tibet. But the specific month depends entirely on your interest, or what you want to see and to do. In fact, Tibet can be visited at any time of the year, but at certain times of the year is better than other times.

Best places to visit in Tibet in the season of Summer:

  • Namtso
  • Mt.Kailash and Lake Manasarovar

Best places to visit in Tibet in the season of Winter:

  • Lhasa, the City of Sunshine
  • Mt. Everest, the Peak of Heaven

Best Time to Visit Lhasa

Barkhor Street is actually a circumambulation around Jokhang Temple.

Lhasa is suitable to be visited all year round. In spring, everything in Lhasa comes back to life with a landscape full of greenery. Summer is the peak season and the air is humid. You can walk around the unique highland temples and Barkhor Street.  Although the air in Lhasa is a little bit drier in autumn, it is suitable for hiking.  There are several classic trekking routes around Lhasa such as Lhasa--Tsurphu Monastery—Yangpachen or Lhasa--Ganden Monastery--Chimpuk--Samye Monastery. Winter in Lhasa is cheap and warm, making it a good time to see the snow-capped mountains.

Monthly temperature overview of Lhasa,

Month Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Jun.
Average High Temp 8 ℃ 11 ℃ 13 ℃ 17 ℃ 21 ℃ 25 ℃
Average Low Temp -8 ℃ -4 ℃ -1 ℃ 3 ℃ 7 ℃ 12 ℃
Month Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Average High Temp 24 ℃ 23 ℃ 22 ℃ 18 ℃ 13 ℃ 10 ℃
Average Low Temp 12 ℃ 12 ℃ 10 ℃ 4 ℃ -3 ℃ -7 ℃

>>See more Lhasa tour

Best Time to Visit Everest Base Camp

Golden summit of Mt.Everest.
The golden summit of Mt.Everest.

April-June and September-October are the best time to visit Everest Base Camp. In the spring and autumn season, there is less rain and more sunny days so tourists are more likely to see the summit of Mount Everest clearly.

July-August is the peak tourist season for Everest Base Camp. This season is the rainy season in Tibet, and the air is warm and moist. But it’s the most comfortable season for tourists. Tourists who are worrying about altitude sickness can choose to travel in summer. During this period, they will get the best physical comfort experience in Tibet.

Monthly temperature overview of Everest Base Camp in Tingri,

Month Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Jun.
Average High Temp 3℃ 5℃ 7℃ 12℃ 16℃ 21℃
Average Low Temp -17℃ -15℃ -11℃ -5℃ 0℃ 6℃
Month Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Average High Temp 20℃ 19℃ 19℃ 13℃ 9℃ 6℃
Average Low Temp 8℃ 7℃ 4℃ -6℃ -11℃ -15℃

>> See More Everest Base Camp Tour

Best Time to have Kailash Manasarovar Yatra

Devout pilgrims.
Trek around Mt. Kailash.

A “yatra” is a pilgrimage with a religious purpose and a kora is a circuit around a sacred site. The best time for a Mount Kailash Manasarovar yatra and kora is May to October. This is due to the warmer temperature and higher oxygen content.

From July to August, although it's the rainy season in Tibet, it usually rains at night. So it's still a good time to have a kora around Mt.Kailash due to the warmer temperature and higher oxygen content.

Monthly temperature overview in Ngari,

Month Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Jun.
Average High Temp 0℃ 0℃ 4℃ 11℃ 15℃ 19℃
Average Low Temp -15℃ -13℃ -9℃ -3℃ 1℃ 7℃
Month Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Average High Temp 22℃ 21℃ 19℃ 13℃ 9℃ 5℃
Average Low Temp 10℃ 10℃ 6℃ -2℃ -7℃ -11℃

>> See more Kailash Manasarovar Tour

Best Time to Visit Namtso

Namtso Lake

The best time to visit Namtso Lake is from May to September. The weather is pleasant and not hot even in July and August. There is a clear blue sky, green meadows, many nomads, rare birds, wild cattle and sheep. Autumn is a good time to see the starry sky at Namtso. It is not recommended to visit Namtso in winter or spring as the lake is frozen and there's no accommodation.

Monthly temperature overview of Namtso,

Month Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Jun.
Average High Temp 2℃ 4℃ 7℃ 10℃ 14℃ 19℃
Average Low Temp -16℃ -14℃ -9℃ -4℃ 0℃ 6℃
Month Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Average High Temp 18℃ 18℃ 17℃ 12℃ 7℃ 5℃
Average Low Temp 7℃ 6℃ 6℃ -3℃ -11℃ -15℃

Best Time to Experience Tibet Culture

Shoton Festival
During the Shoton Festival, you will see more about Tibetan Buddhism and culture.

If your wholesale reason to visit Tibet is to see their nomadic culture then June through early September would be the best choice. There are several big festivals meanwhile, such as Saga Dawa Festival in Jun, Samye Dolde in Jul, Shoton Festival in Aug, etc.

These summer months let you see nomads who are on the high grasslands with their sheep and yaks. These months undoubtedly bring some clouds & rain. However, to see their culture, no other month would be as appropriate as June and all the way to September. Tibetan people are very glad to invite you to attend the celebration. It’s a time to experience Tibet folk customs and Buddhist culture.

>> See more Tibet Cultural Tour

Best Time to Trek in Tibet

Take a break during trekking.
Have a stop and enjoy the scenery on the way!

The trekking season in Tibet is from late April through late October, out of which the most suitable months are:

  • Starting in May until the end of June
  • Early September through late October

These months give you good views of the mountains along with the ideal conditions for trekking and camping as it is generally dry during this period. Trekking in the summer months is not advised as it will rain in these months at least 3 times per week. There will be a cloudy sky, and you'll not witness any clear skies during the daytime. Proper trekking equipment and clothing can make your trekking time delightful and hassle-free.

>> See more Tibet Trekking Tour

Best Time to Be a Part of The Tibetan Horse Festival

Horse racing competition.
A wonderful moment of the Horse Racing Festival.

The Horse Racing Festival is an important part of Tibet culture, especially the daily life of people in Tibet. Horse Racing Festival is the most distinctive holiday in Tibet especially in the pastoral areas of Tibet. From July to August, it is the most beautiful season in grasslands with lush aquatic plants, so a Horse racing festival will be held in these months.

It usually lasts about 10 days. At present, the influencing horse racing festivals in Tibet are Nagqu Horse Festival (around August ) and Gyantse Horse Race (around July). On the eve of the horse racing festival, thousands of herdsmen wear colorful costumes, riding horses to go to the horse racing festival. Around the racetrack, a tent village was pulled out in the twinkling of an eye, and the grand horse racing festival suddenly brought a spectacular, fully functional tent city to the prairie. The whole event can be divided into two major categories: horse racing and horse riding skills. In the evening, the herdsmen will ignite a pile of bonfire in the prairie, staying around the flaming fire, singing and dancing happily.

>> See more Tibet Festival Tour

Best Time to Visit Tibet for Budget Travelers

Yamdroktso Lake
Yamdroktso Lake in winter.

From November to April of the following year, traveling to Tibet is relatively cost-effective, and it is the best season for travelers with a tight budget. Winter is the off-season in Tibet, with relatively lower consumption in scenic spots, transportation, accommodations, etc. Excluding some places like Namtso Lake, Mt. Kailash and some trekking routes, all other destinations in Tibet can be visited in the winter.  By the way, Tibet's winter is not as cold as most people imagine. Instead, it's warm due to the intensive sunshine.

Note:

From February to March, most of the Tibet area is closed to foreign travelers, because February and March are sensitive months for Tibetans. The authorities usually stop issuing Tibet travel permits from the beginning of February. However, Tibet will reopen in early April.

>> See more Tibet Winter Tour

Summary

The most suitable time for your visit to Tibet is based on the reason for your visit.

  • January- February, April- May and then October- December is considered to be the best months to see Everest clearly.
  • June to September is the ideal period for seeing the Tibetan nomadic lifestyle.
  • The perfect months for trekking in Tibet are April through late October.
  • The major cities of Tibet can be traveled all year round even during winter.
  • February- March, Tibet usually gets closed till April.

Related Articles

  • Tibet Weather in June
    June is a good time for traveling in Tibet. Before you go, you may know what to wear, how to acclimate yourself, and what places to visit.

  • Tibet Weather in November
    November is still a good time to visit Tibet. Here're the upsides of traveling this month and related travel guides, such as what to wear, place to visit, etc.

  • Tibet Weather in January
    It takes courage to travel to Tibet in January because it's the coldest month. You are suggested to know more about the winter weather and prepare well.

  • Tibet Weather in April
    April is a fantastic month to travel to Tibet. The climate becomes warm, but it's better for tourists to take precautions before they come to Tibet.

  • Tibet Weather in March
    The weather in March is cold, dry, and sunny. You can visit Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi but Tibet travel permits would not issue this month.

  • Tibet Weather in May
    May is a good time to travel to Tibet with dry, sunny and cool weather. It's getting warm with little rainfall, trees turn green, and flowers start to blossom.

  • Tibet Weather in October
    October is the best time to visit Tibet, as the weather starts to cool down with less rain. Tibet is covered with golden yellow color, like a fairy tale world.

  • Tibet Weather in December
    December is the low season for tourists. Before you choose to travel to Tibet during this month, it's good to know more about the weather and places to visit.

  • Tibet Weather in July
    July in Tibet is warm, and it is the beginning of the rainy season. Recommended travel places include Lhasa, Namtso Lake, Shigatse, etc.

  • Tibet Weather in February
    Tibet weather in February is still cold but the travel cost would be low. Only a few destinations like Lhasa, Shigatse, Everest are recommended to visit.

  • Tibet Weather in September
    September is the peak tourism season in Tibet. The climate is comfortable and cool. Recommended activities include Lhasa tour, Shigatse tour, hiking tour, etc.

  • Tibet Weather in August
    Tibet weather in August is warm and comfortable because of the high altitude. It's the best time to travel to Tibet and many festivals will be held this month.

Ask a Quick Question Below?
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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Asked by Mark***

Dear staff, We are interested in visiting Tibet in March. However I heard in March Tibet is closed to foreigners. Is that true? If Tibet is open we would be interested in a tour 8-10 days. Thank you for your help.

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Markus****,

Tibet is open to foreign tourists except for February this year. We can arrange the Tibet tour for you in March. Please kindly note, that the weather in March is cold and the tour cost will be a little higher than the ordinary season because people in Tibet just finished the New Year and there are still fewer vehicles and guides in business.

Asked by Stev***

My partner only wants a group tour. Period china and Tibet Dates flexible want to ve in China for moon festival

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Steven,

Good morning! This is Jennie at your service.

We can arrange the Lhasa Mt. Everest Kathmandu Overland Group Tour for you in September. I suggest you first arrive in China's other cities to celebrate the moon festival on 17 September 2024 then go to Tibet, and we will arrange for you to Kathmandu after your Tibet tour. You can also arrive in Lhasa on 10 September, and you can fly from Lhasa to other cities in China to celebrate the moon festival on 17 September. 

Here below are my suggested itineraries according to your schedule & preference. If you agree, I will quote you. If not, I will tweak it until your satisfaction.

OptionⅠ: 7-day Lhasa Mt. Everest Kathmandu Overland Group Tour

OptionⅡ: 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour

Asked by Nico***

I want to celebrate my birthday in Tibet (February) and would like tot ravel for 15 days to main monasteries and places of interest. I’m also interested in staying in monasteries and experiencing Buddhism. I hope I can travel with you!

Jennie
Answered by Jennie

Dear Nico****,

Thank you for sending us an inquiry!

We can arrange a 15-day Tibet tour for you to visit the main Monasteries and places of interest.

Please kindly note, Tibet may not be open to foreign tourists in February and March. And the weather is very cold. I suggest you consider the tour after late April. Please let me know your idea.

Asked by Mrs.***

We plan to visit Tibet in 2024, please select best route for us. We can stay 10 days in Tibet.

Merry
Answered by Merry

Dear Mrs. Sur****, 

As per your request, I recommend 8 days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour. For the 8 days tour, we can open a group tour(other guests can join) in June 2024 for you or arrange a private one for you(only 6 members of you).

Asked by Sere***

3 adults from Singapore interested to travel to Tibet (2 singaporean and 1 Malaysian) plan to travel to tibet, please recommend which month best to travel and 2 rooms please, preferably 4 stars hotel. Thanks!

beatrice
Answered by Beatrice

Dear Sere***, The best months to travel to Tibet are from May to October when the weather is moderate, and oxygen content is high and the air is not too dry as it is in winter and spring. Actually the best time is also depending on the destination you are going to visit. If you are going to Mt.Everest, May to June and September to October is the best time. If you are going to Mt.Kailash, September to October is recommended. If you just want to visit Lhasa and its around, all year round is applicable.

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