TOP 6 Tibet Small Group Tours
8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour
Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Dinggye - Sakya - Shigatse - Lhasa
From USD949 p.p
15 Days Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar Small Group Tour
Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - E.B.C - Lake Manasarovar - Kailash Trek - Saga - Shigatse - Lhasa
From USD2069 p.p
7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Small Group Tour
Lhasa - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Gyirong Border - Kathmandu
From USD989 p.p
10 Days Everest Base Camp with Lake Namtso Small Group Tour
Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Shigatse - Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Damxung - Lhasa
From USD1299 p.p
8 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Driving Across Himalaya Overland Adventure Tour
Kathmandu - Gyirong Border - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa
From USD1019 p.p
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How to Visit Tibet: The Best Tips for Planning Your Tibet Tour
Unveiling the Best Time to Visit Tibet: 5 Facts You May Not Know
How Many Days Do I Need to Tour Tibet? 7 Days, 10 Days or Longer?
How Much Does It Cost to Travel to Tibet? Less Than You Think
The weather in Tibet is not as harsh as many people think. Tibet's weather is famously unpredictable, with plenty of sunshine, thin air, low humidity, and noticeable temperature changes between day and night. The climate also varies depending on the terrain, from the low valleys in the east to the high mountains in the west. However, with average temperatures between -10°C and 25°C, your trip to Tibet can still be quite comfortable and enjoyable.
So When is the Best Time to Visit Tibet?
The best season to visit Tibet is from April to early June, and Sept. to Oct. However, winter is also a good time to visit Tibet because of its lower cost and fewer tourists. Also, since the weather conditions are different by region in the large Tibetan plateau, the best time to go for the best weather may be different when traveling to a specific destination.
To help you plan a smooth journey to Tibet, here we gather the most detailed information about Tibet weather. From month to month, from destination to destination, you will get a clear understanding of the climate and weather conditions before you go.
If you have any inquiries or trip ideas, feel free to contact us. We’re here to provide detailed information at no cost!
Haven’t decide which month to visit Tibet? Here is the guide on Tibet weather in different months for your reference. Click to find our travel experts’ tips for inspiration.
January in Tibet is cold but sunny, with temperatures ranging from 13°C to -12°C and very little rainfall. With fewer tourists, and lower costs, it's an ideal time for a peaceful, budget-friendly visit. Travelers can enjoy cultural highlights like the Shigatse New Year Festival and explore popular destinations such as Lhasa, Shigatse, and Mount Everest Base Camp.
Average Temperature: -12 to 13 °C
Average Rainfall: 1 mm
Clear Days: 30 days
Crowds: Fewer tourists, more Locals
Travel Cost: Lower prices with more flight and hotel discounts
Festivals: Shigatse New Year (Jan 1, 2025)
Cold and sunny weather continues, with a slight overall warming. Temperatures don't reach the same lows as earlier in the winter, with averages between -8°C and 15°C. Few tourists visit during most of February, and it’s the time for Losar (Tibetan New Year), when cities are filled with a festive atmosphere.
Average Temperature: -8°C to 15°C
Average Rainfall: 2 mm
Clear Days: 27 days
Crowds: Quiet with few tourists; Festivals attract locals to major destinations
Travel Cost: Prices remain low; discounts on flights and hotels continue
Festivals: Tibetan New Year (Feb 28, 2025)
Spring arrives unevenly throughout Tibet. Nyingchi is warm enough to be above 0°C all month, while Ngari remains frozen. Average temperatures across the region are between -2°C and 12°C. The sunny weather warms up the days, but nights in most places are cold. It can still be a budget-friendly time to visit. The Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival is a great way to celebrate the arrival of warmer weather.
Average Temperature: -2°C to 12°C
Average Rainfall: 3 mm
Clear Days: 29 days
Crowds: Still relatively quiet; tourists start to slightly increase
Travel Cost: Affordable rates and discounts are still common
Festivals: Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival; Tsongkhapa Butter Lamp Festival
April offers ideal weather with clear skies and temperatures ranging from 1°C to 16°C, perfect for outdoor activities. Crowds are small, and early bookings may secure discounts. It's a great time to visit Everest Base Camp, as Lake Namtso begins to thaw, and conditions are favorable for the three-day trek around Mount Kailash.
Average Temperature: 1°C to 16°C
Average Rainfall: 9 mm
Clear Days: 25 days
Crowds: A moderate increase is in tourists, but it is far from crowded
Travel Cost: Early bookings can help secure good deals, but there is a rise in prices
Festivals: Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival
In May, temperatures range from 5°C to 19°C, with only remote high-altitude areas dropping below 0°C. Clear skies and ideal trekking conditions continue, though tourist numbers start to rise. It’s a great time for an overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu, including an overnight at Everest Base Camp, where you can enjoy clear views and warm daytime temperatures.
Average Temperature: 5°C to 19°C
Average Rainfall: 30 mm
Clear Days: 22 days
Crowds: Popular sites start to get busier with a noticeable increase in tourists
Travel Cost: Prices are at an average level, still lower than the peak season
Festivals: Chawalong Horse Racing Festival
June marks the start of summer in Tibet with warm temperatures, highs over 20°C, and lows around 9°C, though rainfall begins to increase. In 2025, the Saga Dawa festival, honoring Buddha, will occur in June, making it an auspicious time to visit, especially for the Mount Kailash Kora.
Average Temperature: 9°C to 24°C
Average Rainfall: 63 mm
Clear Days: 20 days
Crowds: Peak tourist season by the end of the month
Travel Cost: Peak season prices with few discounts available
Festivals: Saga Dawa Festival (June 11, 2025)
July is peak travel season in Tibet, with domestic and international tourists arriving for warm weather. The monsoon brings rain, reducing visibility, especially at Everest Base Camp. Lulang forest and Nagchu's grasslands are lush, though hiking can be challenging on wet trails. July also features Horse Racing Festivals in Gyantse and Nagqu, and the Thangka Festival at Ganden Monastery.
Average Temperature: 9°C to 23°C
Average Rainfall: 122 mm
Clear Days: 17 days
Crowds: Peak season with a big rise in domestic tourists
Travel Cost: Tours and accommodations can be more expensive
Festivals: Gyantse Horse Racing Festival; Ganden Thangka Unveiling Festival
August remains peak season in Tibet, with busy sites and quick bookings for accommodations and tours. While monsoon rains may affect visibility, the weather is warm and pleasant. The Shoton Festival brings vibrant celebrations across Tibet, with performances at Norbulingka Palace.
Average Temperature: 9°C to 22°C
Average Rainfall: 135 mm
Clear Days: 20 days
Crowds: Peak season continues, and popular spots will be busy
Travel Cost: Peak season prices continue
Festivals: Shoton Festival (Aug.23,2025); Nagchu Horse Racing Festival
September brings ideal trekking weather as summer crowds fade and the rains stop. With temperatures between 7°C and 21°C and clear skies, it's perfect for visiting Everest Base Camp, Namtso Lake, or the Guge Kingdom ruins. The scenery remains lush and vibrant from the monsoon season.
Average Temperature: 7°C to 21°C
Average Rainfall: 65 mm
Clear Days: 23 days
Crowds: Crowds drop down to shoulder season levels
Travel Cost: Prices drop from summer peak season levels
Festivals: Tibetan Bathing Festival
October brings cooler weather, with comfortable daytime highs of 15-17°C in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi. Tourism is quiet, except for a brief spike during China's National Day Holiday on October 1st. It's the end of trekking season, offering great views at Everest Base Camp and Mount Kailash. Cultural exploration in Lhasa and Shigatse is also ideal with fewer crowds.
Average Temperature: 1°C to 17°C
Average Rainfall: 13 mm
Clear Days: 27 days
Crowds: The first week is busy; the rest of the month has fewer tourists
Travel Cost: peak season prices during the first week
Festivals: Ongkor Festival; Buddha's Descent Day
Tourism and temperatures decline in November, with averages between -3°C and 13°C, and places like Nagchu often below 0°C. The weather is dry with sunny skies, leading to lower hotel and tour prices as the off-peak season begins. Mount Kailash closes to visitors, but migratory birds arrive at the Lalu Wetlands, making for a nice day trip. Visiting monasteries and temples offers an intimate experience with fewer travelers.
Average Temperature: -3°C to 13°C
Average Rainfall: 1 mm
Clear Days: 29 days
Crowds: A quiet month overall as the colder weather starts to arrive
Travel Cost: Lower prices as the off-peak season begins
Festivals: Lhabab Duchen Festival; Palden Lhamo Festival
December is cold in Tibet, with average temperatures between -6° and 9°C, and nights below 0°C. It’s the driest month, typically without rainfall, leading to significant discounts on tours and accommodations due to the low number of travelers. For those who don't mind the cold, views of Everest from EBC are exceptionally clear. Lhasa remains comfortable, making it a great time to immerse in local culture without the crowds.
Average Temperature: -6°C to 9°C
Average Rainfall: 0 mm
Clear Days: 30 days
Crowds: Noticeably fewer tourists
Travel Cost: Lower prices with discounts on flights and accommodations
Festivals: Ganden Ngachen Chenmo Festival
Not a single trip to Tibet can include all its hot attractions and cities. Therefore, we edit the weather guide respectively for the most popular destinations, which you may cry out for. Check for the details.
When is the best time to visit Tibet?
Tibet can be visited year-round, and there is something different to offer in each season. Spring, from March to mid-June, and autumn, in September and October, are considered to have the best weather. Days are warm, even at Everest Base Camp. Sunny days, with clear, blue skies make for great visibility of the breathtaking landscapes.
Summer, from mid-June to August, is the peak travel season in Tibet. The weather is mild and comfortable, though occasional rain showers occur. The lush green scenery and blooming wildflowers in the high-altitude meadows make summer a beautiful time for photographing. However, popular tourist spots may be busier, and prices can be higher.
Winter is a special time for anyone who doesn’t mind the cold. Prices in the off season are lower, and tourist sites are empty of travelers. The snowy landscape is beautiful, and with crystal clear visibility, there is no better to see the peak of Mount Everest.
When is the best time to do trekking in Tibet?
In spring, the ice in Tibet begins to melt, and good trekking weather arrives. Daytime highs start to reach double-digit temperatures, and flowers start to bloom across the plateau. Dry weather in spring brings clear blue skies and keeps the trekking routes dry and easy to navigate. Good visibility lets you see far into the distance to enjoy the stunning landscapes.
Good trekking conditions return in September after the summer rains. Lush green grasses cover the landscapes, and muddy trails dry out for great outdoor adventures. Temperatures start to drop in October but remain comfortably above 0°C during the day, leaving a few good weeks of trekking before the early winter in November.
When is the best time of year to go on a bike tour in Tibet?
The best cycling weather is from May to mid-June and September to October. Cycling takes some endurance, and the warm spring weather is pleasant for being outdoors. The dry spring and autumn ensure that roads and bike trails are free of ice and mud, providing safe riding conditions.
Road conditions in the rainy summer months are not always suitable for long rides across the plateau. It’s still possible to enjoy cycling tours in and around Lhasa. The winding streets and vast grounds around Potala Palace are great to explore on a leisurely ride.
Can I visit Everest Base Camp in winter?
It’s not only possible to visit Everest Base Camp in winter, it’s one of the best times for amazing views of Mount Everest. Winter is the dry season with the clearest skies around the Himalayas. It is cold, daytime temperatures average -5°C from November to February, and drop to -22°C at night. Strong winds over 14 kph can make it feel colder.
The tent hotels at Everest Base Camp are closed during the season, but visitors can stay at the Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse. Rongbuk Monastery offers one of the best views of Mount Everest and is only 8km from EBC. Even in winter, there is little snow around EBC, so the short trek from Rongbuk Monastery is possible as long as you dress in warm layers.
Can I go to Namtso Lake in winter?
Namtso Lake is open to tourists year-round, but it is generally not recommended that tourists visit between December and March. Winter weather in the lake area is harsh. Temperatures often reach -20°C and harsh winds make it feel colder.
The biggest challenge in winter are the conditions on the roads leading to the lake. Heavy snowfall frequently makes Namtso Lake inaccessible. High mountain passes like Largen La Pass (5,190m) between Lhasa and the lake can be unpredictable. Due to the safety concerns, many travel agencies don’t offer winter tours to Namtso Lake, and when tours are offered, they are subject to weather conditions.
Is it cold in Tibet in winter?
Tibet is definitely cold in winter. From November until February, remote and high-elevation areas can experience double-digit negative temperatures, and Lhasa, where it is relatively mild, regularly drops below zero. Nyingchi, in eastern Tibet, is one of the warmest areas, with daytime highs hitting 8-10°C but dropping below 0°C at night.
Places like Nagchu and Ngari experience harsh conditions. Strong winds batter the open grasslands, and Mount Kailash is closed to visitors during the height of winter. The larger cities like Lhasa and Shigatse heat up under the strong winter sun for above 0°C daytime weather. Overall, with warm clothes, the cold is manageable in much of Tibet, and winter offers a peaceful travel experience with beautiful snowy scenery.
Discover our top 6 Tibet small group tours, ranging from 5 to 15 days. With fixed departure dates and the best local prices, you can join like-minded travelers to explore the best of Tibet!
Best Seller
8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour
Tour Route: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Dinggye - Sakya - Shigatse - Lhasa
Best Seller
15 Days Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar Small Group Tour
Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - E.B.C - Lake Manasarovar - Kailash Trek - Saga - Shigatse - Lhasa
Best Seller
7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Small Group Tour
Tour Route: Lhasa - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Gyirong Border - Kathmandu
Best Seller
5 Days Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake Small Group Tour
Tour Route: Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Lhasa
Best Seller
10 Days Everest Base Camp with Lake Namtso Small Group Tour
Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Shigatse - Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Damxung - Lhasa
Best Seller
8 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Driving Across Himalaya Overland Adventure Tour
Tour Route: Kathmandu - Gyirong Border - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa
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I had an absolutely unforgettable journey to Tibet with Tibet Vista, and I cannot thank them enough for the outstanding experience. From the moment we arrived, everything was perfectly organized, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the breathtaking landscapes and rich culture of Tibet.. More reviews
We had an absolutely incredible time with Sonum as our guide. A native Tibetan from Eastern Tibet, he was incredibly friendly and genuine and always in good humor. We felt well taken care of during our time - he even gave my boyfriend a birthday card! .. More reviews
Amazing holidays at Lhasa , went for 4d3n tours with english guide Tserina .. she is patient n friendly .. the whole tour she explain the briefly n knowledgeable with history of Lhasa .. although we got altitude sickness during the tours .. Tserina was understanding which make the trip less stressful .. More reviews
We had an absolutely incredible time with Sonum as our guide. A native Tibetan from Eastern Tibet, he was incredibly friendly and genuine and always in good humor. We felt well taken care of during our time - he even gave my boyfriend a birthday card!...More reviews
Despite the last minute changes that had to occur due to the earthquake, Tibet Vista took very good care of us and were communicative throughout the entire time there. Our guide, Sonam, was friendly, knowledgeable, and very helpful. He went above and beyond to make sure we were all looked after...More reviews
I booked a tour with Tibet Vista online, their staff was incredibly easily and quick to work with. They helped me pick good dates and made the permit process a breeze. They picked me up at the train station after I arrived in Lhasa and made my general travel very easy...More reviews
I booked this tour with Tibet Vista since July 2024 but had to cancel last minute due to the unfortunate earthquake that occured to Tibet last week. Although I could not make it this time, I’m very pleased with the prompt and helpful advice by sales consultant Zoe Leung...More reviews
Our trip to Tibet was unforgettable, thanks to Phurbu (@Phurbu Tsering). His knowledge, kindness, and attention to detail made the journey truly special. I learned so much about Tibetan culture and history. Thank you to Tibet Vista and the group for an amazing adventure! Highly recommend Phurbu as a guide for anyone visiting Tibet.More reviews
Well planned and spaced itinerary. Clean and great hotels, everything was well managed and explanation of histories, background and culture thorough.More reviews
Ten was amazing and accomodating to all our needs. Learnt alot on the trip and covered alot of different sites and Tibetian culture. Once in a life time opportunity.More reviews
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