Best Time to Visit Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar: Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter

Mount Kailash is known as the center of the world. Together with Lake Mansarovar, it is a sacred mountain and lake. It is a pilgrimage site revered by the followers of the four major religions.

Whether you want to complete a spiritual pilgrimage or an exciting adventure, planning a trip to Mount Kailash requires careful consideration of the best time to travel. In this article, we will provide you with all the necessary information on the best time to visit Mount Kailash, including weather details, recommended visiting seasons, and practical suggestions to help you complete this trip easily.

Climate Overview of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar

Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are located in the Ngari region. The region has a plateau mountain climate with low air pressure, thin air, and low oxygen content. The winter is extremely cold and long, with no obvious seasonal changes. The sunshine time is long and the radiation is strong. The precipitation is scarce and unevenly distributed, and there are many disastrous weather conditions, such as strong winds.

Nagri’s Weather in Four Seasons

Spring and Autumn: Due to the special geographical and topographical conditions in Nagri, the spring and autumn are extremely short, and the two seasons are not very obvious.

Summer: From May to September every year, the Ngari region begins to enter summer, with temperatures ranging from 5℃ to 20℃. The weather is cool during the day, and the temperature drops to around 5℃ at night. July and August are the rainy season in Tibet. However, the weather in Ngari is mostly sunny during the day. It is recommended to bring sweaters, trousers, outdoor jackets and light down jackets.

Winter: October to April of the following year is the winter in Nagri, which is also the dry season. At this time, Nagri is often windy and the temperature is very low. Although there is sunshine during the day, the temperature is still low, and you need to wear thick down jackets to keep warm. At night, the temperature can reach around -20℃, which is not suitable for outdoor activities.

Average Monthly Temperature and Precipitation in Nagri

Weather at Mount Kailash by Month

Below, we will provide you with detailed information about the monthly weather conditions at Mount Kailash so that you can have a whole understanding of the conditions during your pilgrimage.

1. Kailash in April

People have been in kora since April, mostly experienced Tibetans. Supply points along the way usually open in mid-April, and the scenic area generally reopens in late April or early May, and resumes selling tickets. At this time, it is still possible to have heavy snow, and the temperature is still relatively low. The snow is more extensive and deeper in the high-altitude sections. Therefore, it is not recommended for first-time travelers to start at this time.

The road condition in April

Notice: The local management department will decide the reopening time every year based on the weather and snow conditions on the road. The specific time of the kora is subject to the announcement issued at that time.

2. Kailash in May

The temperature gradually rises in May, the scenic area has been opened, and pilgrims undertaking the Mount Kailash kora will start to increase gradually. The weather is generally sunny, but there is a lot of ice on the river that has not melted, there is still snow at high altitudes, and the grass along the way is basically still dry and yellow.

Kailash in May

3. Kailash in June

June typically sees stable weather with occasional rain or snow. After mid-month, snow accumulation on high-altitude routes gradually diminishes. This month also becomes a peak season for Kailash kora. During this period, the 15th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar is the most important festival of Tibetan Buddhism, the Saga Dawa Festival. It usually falls between late May and mid-June in the Gregorian calendar. Before and after the festival, many pilgrims come here to do the kora. Accommodation at Darchen and the supply points along the way are very tight. In recent years, the festival will be held on June 11, 2025, May 31, 2026, and June 18, 2027, according to the Gregorian calendar.

Mount Kailash during the Saga Dawa Festival in June

4. Kailash in July and August

The weather is warm in July and August, the pilgrim way is lush with grass and blooming flowers, brimming and vitality. These two months are the rainy season in Tibet, especially after mid-July. It may snow in high-altitude areas, but the temperature is not low, and the new snow will melt quickly. During this period, the water vapor is strong, the clouds are low, dense, and thick, and there are few opportunities to see Mount Kailash in its entirety. If there is too much rain, it may even cause natural disasters such as mudslides.

Kailash is full of vitality in July and August

5. Kailash in September

After early September, the weather gradually becomes dry and stable, with less cloud cover, higher cloud levels, and more sunny days, so you can see the entire mountain more often. But the temperature starts to drop slowly, and the grass along the way gradually turns yellow. From mid-September, strong southerly winds start to blow around noon every day around Mount Kailash, and sometimes the gusts can exceed level 8. On the way you turn back to Darchen, the wind is head-on, which is very uncomfortable and affects your walking speed. The strong wind will not die down until after sunset.

High visibility Mount Kailash in September

6. Kailash in October

The weather in October is dry, with often clear skies. Around mid-October, the scenic area will begin to close for winter, most employees will leave, and tickets to the scenic spots will gradually stop being sold. From this time on, the temperature will drop rapidly, and the number of pilgrims will also decrease significantly. Some teahouses, hotels, and supply points along the way will also be closed one after another, or reduced in size and stop providing freshly made meals. Supply will not be as convenient as in the peak season, and most of the pilgrims after that will be local Tibetans. For general tourists, we recommend that mid-October to the end of October is the latest time to Kailash kora.

7. Kailash in November

Starting from early November, due to low temperatures and few tourists, hotels, restaurants, and shops in Darchen will gradually close. After the travel company closes for winter in mid-October, if there is no bad weather, the kora activities will generally be allowed to continue for some time. Since the "Winter Closure Notice" was issued at the end of October, it will no longer be responsible for accidents involving tourists entering the "scenic area" during the closure period. Usually by mid-November, all the supply points on the route will be closed, and the Kailash kora season will end completely.

Mount Kailash in winter

Notice: The complete suspension of the Mount Kailash kora is subject to the official announcements issued by the local authorities in Darchen.

8. Kailash in December to March of the Following Year

The winter period from December to March of the following year is the coldest time in Nagri. It often snows in Mount Kailash. The snow along the way is very thick, and the high-altitude sections can be more than 1m deep. The temperature can drop to below -30℃. At this time, Mount Kailash is in the "mountain closure" stage, and ordinary people cannot do the Kailash kora. Even experienced Tibetan pilgrims will not choose to go to Kailash in winter. They usually go to the nearby holy lake, Mansarovar.

The above is the general pattern of the local climate in Mount Kailash. The specific weather conditions may vary from year to year.

Conclusion

In summary, the best time to visit Mount Kailash Mansarovar is from May to October, when the weather is pleasant and the hiking trails are in good condition. The best period is from May to the end of June, when Tibet has clear skies and pleasant weather, and you can feel the strong spiritual power during the Saga Dawa Festival. The second-best period is from early September to mid-October, when the hot summer gradually passes and the rainy season is coming to an end, and you can also avoid the peak season in July and August. I believe that through the above content, you can have a deeper understanding of Mount Kailash and make this journey meaningful and unforgettable.