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Best Time to Visit Tibet 2025: When to Go to Tibet

Written by Senior Expert Roxy|Updated: 2025-02-18

When is the Best Time to Visit Tibet? Simply put, the best time to travel to Tibet is from April to October. However, winter is not as cold as you might imagine, making Tibet a year-round destination.

We at Asia Odyssey Travel have been in Tibet for more than ten years, so you can definitely count on us for the best tips on when to go to Tibet.

Key Takeaways about Best Time to Visit Tibet:

1️⃣ Ideal Months: April to October.
2️⃣ Spring: The weather warms up and the peach blossoms bloom. Climbers gather near Mt. Everest.
3️⃣ Summer: High Oxygen content, the maximum temperature does not exceed 30 degrees, suitable for family travel. Night rain. Numerous festivals (Shoton Festival, Horse Racing Festival)
4️⃣ Autumn: Little rain and lots of sunshine for outdoor outings.
5️⃣ Winter: Budget-friendly and less crowded. The weather is not particularly cold, with average daytime temperatures around 14°C

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Content Preview

  • triangleBest Time to Visit Tibet: From April to October
  • triangleSummer (June to August)
  • triangleAutumn (September to October)
  • triangleWinter (November to March): Best Budget-friendly Season
  • triangleBest Time to Visit Tibet Attractions
  • triangleBest Time to Visit Tibet for Trekking
  • triangleBest Time to Visit Tibet for Festival
  • triangleWhat to Pack for Tibet: Tibet Packing Tips for 12 Months
  • triangleExplore Tibet with Asia Odyssey Travel

Best Time to Visit Tibet: From April to October

Apring to October is the best time to travel to Tibet with its comfortable weather and vibrant cultural events.

Speaking of best season to visit Tibet, some travel blogs suggest avoiding summer in Tibet due to the rainy season.

However, this isn't necessary. Summer is actually the peak season in Tibet. Rain in Tibet often comes and goes quickly, with most rainfall occurring at night.

From Spring to Autumn, you have the freedom to begin various Tibet tours.

Spring (April to May)

Lhasa Potala Palace
Lhasa Potala Palace
Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet
Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet

Temperature & Rainfall:

Average Temperature Highest Temperature Lowest Temperature Precipitation Days
5°C to 15°C (days are crisp, nights remain chilly) 25°C -9°C 6-8 days/month (light rain/snow at higher elevations)

Why Visit Tibet in Spring:

Ideal for Outdoor Activities: Climbers gather at Everest Base Camp from mid to late May. The mild climate also brings tourists to other popular destinations, such as Lhasa with Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, the holy lake Namtso Lake, the sacred mountain Mount Kailash, and the peach blossom countryside of Nyingchi.

Fewer Crowds: Compared to other seasons, there are fewer tourists in spring.

Alpine Blooms: Valleys like Nyingchi erupt in pink rhododendron forests, framed by snow-capped peaks.

Festival Glimpses: Catch local celebrations like the Saga Dawa Festival (May/June), honoring Buddha’s enlightenment.

Summer (June to August)

Lhasa Potala Palace
Lhasa Potala Palace
Mount Kailash in Tibet
Mount Kailash in Tibet

Temperature & Rainfall:

Average Temperature Highest Temperature Lowest Temperature Precipitation Days
10°C to 25°C (chilly above 4,500m)
Maximum temperature does not exceed 30°C.
25°C 12°C 12-15 days/month (brief afternoon & night showers; lush green landscapes)

Why Visit Tibet in Summer:

Oxygen-Rich Period: Tibet has the highest oxygen levels in the summer, about 3%-5% higher than other seasons, which is friendly to altitude sickness. You can visit Tibetan attractions more comfortably.

Sacred Pilgrimages: Summer unveils perfect trekking conditions. Gentle temperatures allow you to travel light and free.

Join devotees circling Mount Kailash or exploring Jokhang Temple under cobalt skies.

Cultural Peak: Experience the Shoton Festival (August), featuring giant thangka unveilings, Tibetan Yogurt and Tibetan opera.

Autumn (September to October)

Lhasa Jokhang Temple
Lhasa Jokhang Temple
Pelkhu-tso in Tibet
Pelkhu-tso in Tibet

Temperature and Rainfull:

Average Temperature Highest Temperature Lowest Temperature Precipitation Days
5°C to 18°C (dry, sunny days, frosty mornings). 20°C 3°C 3–5 days/month (clearest visibility for Everest views)

Why Visit Tibet in Autumn?

Suitable for Outdoor Activities: The weather is clear, sunny and pleasant.

Golden Landscapes: The grasslands of Namtso Lake turn amber, contrasting with turquoise waters.

Photographer's Paradise: Capture Everest's summit unobscured by clouds or the Potala Palace glowing at sunrise.

Winter (November to March): Best Budget-friendly Season

Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet
Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet
Lhasa Potala Palace
Lhasa Potala Palace

"Too cold" is not true for Tibet winter! While the nights are cold, the days in Tibet are warm enough for travel.

Traveling through Tibet is especially rewarding in this season, offering clear skies, smaller crowds, lower prices, and unique opportunities to experience the local culture.

Temperature & Rain/Snow Days:

Sunlit Days Night Chill Rain/Snow Days
Average daytime temperature -4°C-13°C (crisp air with intense solar warmth) Drops to -5°C to -15°C at high altitudes (e.g., Everest Base Camp) Only 2-4 days/month (90% clear skies for Himalayan panoramas)

Why Visit Tibet in Winter:

Cost-Saving Season: Scenic area entrance fees dropped by 50%. Hotel prices are reduced by 30%-40%, and flights to Tibet drop by half.

Least Crowded: Crowds are 50%-80% smaller than other season. You can enjoy the exclusive tranquility. Stroll around the Potala Palace or other attractions.

Celebrate Tibetan New Year Festival: Experience Tibet's most important festival, Tibetan New Year (Losar) in February. Join Asia Odyssey Travel for a family visit and learn to make traditional foods like tsampa.

Asia Odyssey Travel offers professional services and the best possible price for your Tibet Winter Tour. Get in touch to discuss your trip and let us see what we can do for you.

Related Article:Best Time to Visit China & Tibet (Xizang): A Complete Seasonal Guide

Best Time to Visit Tibet Attractions

Tibet is vast, and the ideal time to visit each attraction varies. Our Tibet experts at Asia Odyssey Travel have personally experienced the different seasons to recommend the best times to visit Everest Base Camp, Lhasa, and Mount Kailash for you.

Best Time to Travel to Mount Everest

Mount Everest Base Camp
Mount Everest Base Camp
Mount Everest Base Camp
Mount Everest Base Camp

Prime Months: late April to early June & September to October.

During these periods, the weather conditions are optimal, with comfortable temperatures and clear views of the summit. The average temperature ranges from 0°C to 15°C (32°F to 59°F), so it doesn't get too cold even at night.

The days are long with good visibility, making for spectacular sunrises over Mount Everest in the mornings. Get more: Best Time to Visit Everest Base Camp ->>

This is a great time for trekking. Check 12 Days Classic Tibet Adventure Tour with Old Tingri to EBC Trek.

Best Time to Visit Lhasa

Lhasa Barhkor Street
Lhasa Barhkor Street
Lhasa Sera Monastery
Lhasa Sera Monastery

When to Go to Lhasa: All year round.

At any time of the year, you can travel to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, known as the "City of Sunlight." Lhasa enjoys over 300 sunny days a year, with an average annual temperature of 8-15°C (46-59°F).

Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures and clear skies, while summer is the time for the famous Shoton Festival and Horse-Racing Festival. Winter in Lhasa is cool and less crowded.

When is the Best Time to Visit Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash in Tibet
Mount Kailash in Tibet
Mount Kailashand and Lake Manasarovar
Mount Kailashand and Lake Manasarovar

Prime Months: May to October

Mount Kailash is located in a high-altitude area with highly variable weather conditions, experiencing all four seasons in a single day. The rainy season, from May to October, sees lush vegetation growth, with streams trickling through the valleys, making the entire trekking experience more comfortable.

Temperatures range between 5 and 20 degrees Celsius, relatively warm, humid, and pleasant. You can choose to trek during this period.

In May, you can participate in Saga Dawa Festival, Tibet's grandest Buddhist festival, near Mount Kailash, joining in the kora (circumambulation) pilgrimage. Check more on Best Time to Visit Mount Kailash ->>

Contact us if you'd like to know more about other destinations like Yamdrok Lake and Namtso Lake. We look forward to helping you plan your trip!

Best Time to Visit Tibet for Trekking

Drepung Monastery Trek, Lhasa
Drepung Monastery Trek, Lhasa
Old Tingri to EBC Trek
Old Tingri to EBC Trek

Golden Windows: Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to October)

Spring and autumn are the two best seasons, with no wind or rain, making them perfect for Tibet trekking tours.

Summer is also good, with a slightly humid and warm climate, and the summer rainfall in Tibet usually occurs at night, which has little impact on hiking, and the hiking load will be lighter.

You can arrange trekking tours in Mt Kailash and pay homage to the holy mountain with the Tibetan people.

Asia Odyssey Travel has extensive experience in organizing Tibet trekking tours, covering classic routes around Lhasa, Shigatse, Everest Base Camp, and Mount Kailash.

Here are some specific trekking options:

Around Lhasa: For a light trek near Lhasa, you can complete the 4-day trek from Drubde Monastery to Yampachen, or the trek from Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery.

Everest Base Camp (near Shigatse): For the Everest Base Camp trek, you can complete the 4-day trek from Old Tingri to EBC.

Mount Kailash: For the Mount Kailash trek, you can complete the sacred Mount Kailash circuit in 3 days.

Best Time to Visit Tibet for Festival

Wondering when is the best time to visit Tibet? Consider adding a Tibet festival to your trip. These unique celebrations, blending nature and religion, are found nowhere else on earth.

1. Tibetan New Year Festival (Losar) - Most Important Festival

When: Feb 28 in 2025

Where: Lhasa's Barkhor Street

What to Do:

  • Visit a Tibetan family, make Tibetan dumplings together, and raise a glass of highland barley wine while exchanging “Tashi Delek” greetings.
  • During Tibetan New Year, Barkhor Street becomes exceptionally lively, with locals shopping for New Year's goods. You can go there to experience the festive atmosphere.
Qiema for Tibetan New Year Festival
Qiema for Tibetan New Year Festival
Lhasa Drepung Monastery
Lhasa Drepung Monastery

2. Shoton Festival - Most Lively Festival in Summer

When: Aug 23 in 2025

Where: Lhasa City

What to Do:

  • Witness the unveiling of a giant thangka at Drepung Monastery.
  • Have a family picnic with traditional Tibetan yogurt at Norbulinka.
  • Enjoy a Tibetan opera performance at Norbulinka and Zongjiao Lukang Park.

3. Saga Dawa Festival - Most Sacred Festival

When: Jun 11 in 2025.

Where: Mount Kailash

What to Do: When you go to Mount Kailash, you can join the local Buddhists in their kora - they walk around the mountain and circle this huge 25-meter-tall prayer pole 13 times.

Traditional Saga Dawa Festival
Traditional Saga Dawa Festival
Nyingchi Peach Flower, Tibet
Nyingchi Peach Flower, Tibet

4. Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival - Admire a Thousand Miles of Peach Forest

When: Mar 10 - Apr 10 in 2025.

Where: Nyingchi

What to Do: Visit Gala Peach Blossom Village, the first village in Gala Peach Blossom Township, to see over 1,200 wild peach trees.

What to Pack for Tibet: Tibet Packing Tips for 12 Months

Season Clothing Accessories
Spring (Apr-May) long-sleeve shirts, light sweater or fleece,warm coat or down jacket, long pants, waterproof and windproof jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf, comfortable, sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Water bottle
Travel towel
Camera Chargers
Extra memory cards
Personal hygiene items
Summer (Jun-Aug) short-sleeve shirts, long-sleeve shirts for sun protection and cooler evenings, light sweater or fleece, light waterproof and windproof jacket, long pants and shorts, hat, gloves, and scarf (for higher altitudes), comfortable, sturdy shoes or hiking boots
Autumn (Sep-Nov) long-sleeve shirts, warm sweater or fleece, warm coat or down jacket, long pants, waterproof and windproof jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf, comfortable, sturdy shoes or hiking boots
Winter (Dec-Feb) Thermal or woolen base layers, warm long-sleeve shirts, heavy sweater or fleece, warm coat or down jacket, long pants and thermal or woolen leggings, waterproof and windproof jacket and pants, hat, gloves, and scarf, warm, comfortable, sturdy shoes or hiking boots.

Explore Tibet with Asia Odyssey Travel

With over a decade of local experience in Tibet (Xizang), Asia Odyssey Travel offers meticulously planned tours for an authentic experience.

We offer a variety of tour packages, including Lhasa tours, Everest Base Camp tours, Mount Kailash tours, Tibet trekking tour, train, and overland tours, available as private or group options to suit every traveler.

Asia Odyssey Travel has a variety of options to meet your needs, whether you are entering the Himalayan region of Tibet from mainland China or Nepal.

Popular Tibet Trip:

For those interested in exploring Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, a 5-day stay is recommended to visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and experience Tibetan incense making and calligraphy.

If Mount Everest is calling your name, extend your Lhasa trip with an 8-day excursion to Everest Base Camp (EBC) in Shigatse.

For those drawn to the sacred and unclimbed Mount Kailash, a 16-day trip encompassing Lhasa, EBC, and Mount Kailash is a popular option.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact us by submitting the following form and we'll immediately get back to you.

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