Tibet Weather Guide: Best Time to Visit & Travel Tips
Tibet is on most travelers' bucket list, but making sure that the weather cooperates with your travel plans is important for having a good time. Although you can go to this beautiful place all year-round, April to October is the best time to visit Tibet. The weather is more temperate, hiking is excellent, and you can see great views of Mount Everest. Read on to discover what you can expect during each season and how to make the most of your trip to Tibet.
The Potala Palace in a Sunny Day
April - October (High Season in Tibet)
Yamdrok Lake in Tibet
April to October is high season in Tibet. Once you visit, you'll fully understand why. The temperature ranges from 0 Celsius (32 Farenheight) to 15 Celsius (59 Farenheight); ideal hiking weather. Plus, the peach blossoms come into bloom this time of year, especially in Nyingchi, and you can clearly see Mount Everest from Everest Base Camp.
Other key spots, like Mount Kailash and Lhasa, are great to visit thanks to warmer temperatures and less rainfall, and Namtso Lake is lovely during this season.
Travel Recommendations & Tips
Visit Nyinchi in April to see the pink and white peach blossoms and make the Mount Kailash pilgrimage. This pilgrimage takes place every year around the sacred Mount Kailash and typically lasts three to four days. You need to book your visit through a licensed tour guide. We can help you set everything up and give you recommendations on what to see along the way.
Festivals
There are some fantastic festivals during this season, including the Saga Dawa Festival, Tashilhunpo Thangka Festival, and Chokor Duchen Festival.
September - October (Best Time to Visit Tibet)
Mount Everest in Tibet
September and October are the best times to visit Tibet, because you'll find fewer tourists, nice weather, and clear skies with excellent views. If you love the outdoors and want to avoid the crowds, we strongly suggest that you visit during this time. Temperatures range from 10 Celsius (50 Farenheight) to 20 Celsius (68 Farenheight), and there's much less rainfall than in the summer, so it's a great time to be on the trails.
Travel Recommendations & Tips
Our top recommendations include hiking around Lhasa and visiting Everest Base Camp. The weather tends to be drier, and it's before the peak snowy season. Plus, you'll enjoy epic views of Mount Everest, Makalu, and Cho Oyu from the trails. Since there are fewer visitors, cultural tours are a great option during these months.
Festivals
Traditional festivals in September and October include Drak Yerpa Cham and Chongye Janye, both dancing celebrations that follow the lunar calendar but generally fall in the middle of September.
June (Ideal Travel Time)
Norbulingka, a Tibetan-style Garden
With temperatures ranging between 10 Celsius (50 Farenheight) and 23 Celsius (73 Farenheight), June is an ideal time to travel to Tibet. The lovely weather makes it a perfect time to visit places like Namtso Lake, which is at 4,718 meters above sea level and is pleasantly warm during the summer. Plus, there are plenty of festivals happening during June, specifically the Saga Dawa Festival, which is one of the holiest times of the year.
Travel Recommendations & Tips
Visiting Namtso Lake and Lhasa are excellent ideas this time of year because you'll see plenty of wildflowers in bloom and the weather tends to be dry and sunny. We can help you organize day hikes around Lhasa to see the best of the village and countryside. Additionally, Everest Base Camp and the Mount Kailash pilgrimage are very popular and accessible during June.
Festivals
The Saga Dawa Festival, observed on June 11, is one of the most important and holiest days in Tibetan Buddhism. It celebrates Buddha's birthday and enlightenment. Places like Potala Palace in Lhasa will be full of pilgrims, and it's an excellent time to experience authentic Tibetan culture.
July - August
Namtso Lake in Tibet
July and August are very popular times to visit Tibet. Places like Lhasa's Potala Palace tend to be very crowded, so these months are an excellent time to take in nature instead. Temperatures are similar to those in June, so the weather is warm, sunny, and perfect for going outside. Note that the rainy season starts in July and runs through August, so surprise showers are common. Always bring an umbrella.
Travel Recommendations & Tips
As these months are a top time to visit Tibet, you need to book your travel in advance. Train tickets are in high demand and sell out quickly. We can help you make reservations and ensure a smooth trip.
We recommend getting out in nature during these months. Lake Manasarovar is a stunning high-altitude lake with deep spiritual significance. Lake Yamdrok is another great option, with lovely turquoise waters. It's also a sacred lake and offers spectacular views of the Himalayas. Mount Kailash is another excellent place to visit, as the weather is warm and it's a pleasant trek.
Festivals
Enjoy celebrations like the Shoton Festival, which features traditional opera performances and marks the end of a 100-day fast for Tibetan monks, and the Nagchu Horse Racing Festival during July and August.
November - March (Low Season in Tibet)
Drepung Monastery in Tibet
Tibet's low season falls between November and March, when the peaks are snowier and temperatures plummet to as low as -10 Celsius (14 Farenheight) in Lhasa, especially at night and in the early morning. On the other hand, there are far fewer tourists, and you can enjoy excellent views of Mount Everest, especially at the beginning of winter.
Travel Recommendations & Tips
As these months are the coldest time in Tibet, layers and warm clothing are an absolute must. Even so, the sun is still very strong in the mountains, and it's a good idea to pack a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself. You'll find far fewer tourists in places like Lhasa, and popular destinations, like Potala Palace and Jokhand Temple, are peaceful and not crowded. If you don't mind winter hiking, Karola Glacier is beautiful during December.
Festivals
Tibetan New Year, also known as Losar, happens in February and is one of the year's biggest celebrations. Visiting Tibet during this time will certainly give you a deep insight into the unique culture of this region, with prayer flag-hanging ceremonies and feasts happening all across Tibet. There are also other festivals, such as the Great Prayer Festival and the Butter Sculpture Festival, held during this time.
Enjoy the Beauty of Tibet All Year
Tibet truly has something to offer everyone, no matter what time of year you visit. Let us help you plan the ideal trip to this wonderful part of the world. Email trip@odynovotours.com or visit our contact page to get started on your dream vacation today.
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