Best Time to Visit Mount Kailash

Written by Veronica | Updated May 23,2025

Mount Kailash is located in the north of Purang County, Tibet Autonomous Region and is about 1,988 kilometers (1235 miles) from Lhasa. With an altitude of 6,656 meters (21,837 ft), it is the main peak and the second highest peak of Gangdise Mountain Range. The four walls of the snow-capped peak are symmetrical, giving the mountain a pyramid-like shape and making it one of the most beautiful mountains in China.

Known as the Mountain of Gods in many religions, Mount Kailash Yatra is also regarded as the center of the world by four religions: Bon, Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Janism religions. So numerous pilgrims go to worship the mountain every year. But when is the best time to visit Mount Kailash? We will introduce the detailed information of the weather in different seasons for your reference.

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• Overview of Mount Kailash Weather and Temperature
• Best Time to Visit Mt. Kailash for Good Weather: May to June & September to October
• Visiting Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake in July and August is Also Good
• Not Recommended Time – Winter Months from November to Next April
• Best Time to Visit Mt. Kailash for Festivals – During Saga Dawa Festival
• Recommended Years for Pilgrims to Visit Mt. Kailash: Horse Year, Goat Year
• What to Pack for a Mount Kailash Tour?

Overview of Mount Kailash Weather and Temperature

The most notable climatic feature of Mount Kailash is the large temperature difference between day and night. This is a general climate characteristic of Tibet, but the experience is more intense in Mount Kailash than the urban region. Besides, tourists can even feel the temperature difference when walking in the sunless valleys and on the sunny ridges. So remember to pay close attention to the temperature in the Kailash Mansarovar area when trekking.

The average temperature in this area is relatively low throughout the year. In spring and autumn, it ranges from -2 – 19 ℃ (28 – 66 ℉) and 3 – 17℃ (37 – 63 ℉) with low rainfall of 21 – 32 mm and 24 – 54 mm, respectively. In summer, the weather is warm with the average temperature of 9 – 22 ℃ (48 – 72 ℉). It is advisable to avoid visiting in winter, because the highest and lowest temperatures are only 0 ℃ (32 ℉)and -20 ℃ (-4 ℉).

The variable weather in this area is also worth noting. Since the trekking routes is at the height of 4,500 – 5,000 meters (14,764 – 16,404 feet) above sea level, the weather is more difficult to predict and judge. It may be clear sky in the morning, but change to be cloudy or even snowy during the trek.

At high altitude, ultraviolet rays are also exceptionally strong. Even in the cold season, the ultraviolet rays are still extremely penetrating and may burn your skin.

 

Best Time to Visit Mt. Kailash for Good Weather: May to June & September to October

The most frequently asked question about the Kailash Mansarovar tour is “When can I visit Mount Kailash?” May to June and September to October are the highly recommended months for good weather. Mt. Kailash enters spring during May to June when the weather is pleasant and the temperature is moderate, making them the peak seasons for hiking. September and October are also the best months for a Kailash tour. At this time, the weather is relatively stable with less rain, sunny days and blue skies are more frequent.

Temperature of Mount Kailash in May, June, September and October

Month	Average Max Temperature (℃)	Average Min Temperature (℃)	Rainfall (mm)	Humidity (%)
May	13	-2	21	25
June	19	5	32	26
September	17	10	54	29
October	9	3	24	22

 

May – June, the Peak Season for Hike around the Mountain

With daytime temperatures hovering from 8 ℃ (47 ℉) to 19 ℃ (66 ℉) and nocturnal minimum temperatures from -7 ℃ (19 ℉) to 5 ℃ (41 ℉), the weather is getting warmer during May and June. With no snow and ice on the roads and blooming flowers along the way, it is suitable to enjoy a safe and peaceful trekking tour at this time. Besides, you can join in the Saga Dawa Festival to feel the Buddhist culture, which is usually celebrated on the April 15^th in the Tibetan calendar, corresponding to a certain day in May in the Gregorian calendar.

September to October: Best Time to Visit Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar Lake before Sealing the Mountain

As the monsoon rains subside in September to October, the sky becomes crystal clear and the air is fresh. With grassland and alpine vegetation gradually turning yellow, a picture of beautiful scenery in autumn unfolds before your eyes. The daytime temperatures are pleasant, ranging from about 10 ℃to 17 ℃ (50 -63 ℉) and temperature of Kailash Mountain at night is about 3 ℃ (37 ℉), which is also not excessively cold. So you can appreciate the spectacular scenery of the sacred mountain without disturbance by rain, snow or extreme cold.

Visiting Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake in July and August is Also Good

In July and August, the weather in Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake is cool and comfortable during daytime and relatively warm at night with an average temperature of 10 – 22 ℃ (50 – 72 ℉), proving the ideal climatic condition for trek and circumambulation around the holy mountains and Manasarovar Lake. The luxuriant and green grass and colorful flowers around the lakes are worth taking photos.

However, due to monsoonal season at this time, rains, landslides and road closures occasionally occur, which may influence your tour plans and the transportation to the area. Besides, magnificent mountain and the surrounding landscapes may be obscured by the clouds.

Tips:

• Bring warm clothing. After the sunset or during cloudy days, the temperature in mount Kailash may drop, so bring some warm clothes so that you can adjust your clothing timely according to weather changes.
• Bring rain gears and non-slip shoes. Since it may rain unexpectedly, the convenient and useful raincoat is the best choice. And the road surfaces become slippery after rain, it is also necessary to wear non-slip hiking shoes. In addition, slow down your pace and keep an eye out for the road conditions during the hiking.

Temperature of Mount Kailash in July and August

Month	Average Max Temperature (℃)	Average Min Temperature (℃)	Rainfall (mm)	Humidity (%)
July	22	10	107	33
August	22	9	119	39

Not Recommended Time – Winter Months from November to Next April

The winter on Mt. Kailash lasts from November to the next April. Compared to the other seasons, the weather in winter is harsh, making the travel difficult and potentially dangerous.

• Extreme Cold: The temperature drops sharply, even falling below freezing point, and there is heavy snowfall in the season. The severe cold weather poses challenges for outdoor activities and may be hazardous to your health. Altitude sickness is also more likely to occur.
• Blocking Roads: Snow and ice result in the roads and passes to the Kailash and Manasarovar inaccessible, so your tour plans may become complicated.
• Limited Resources: Most lodges and facilities are closed due to the severe weather and the off-season, so there may be inadequate accommodation and infrastructures for use.
• Safety Concerns: The extreme conditions and limited service make the tour challenging, even the experienced explorers may encounter situations difficult to cope with, so safety can not be guaranteed.

Temperature in Mount Kalish from November to April

Month	Average Max Temperature (℃)	Average Min Temperature (℃)	Rainfall (mm)	Humidity (%)
November	4	-4.5	6	19
December	0	-8.5	16	22
January	-4	-20	42	33
February	-4	-18	27	34
March	2	-13	40	27
April	8	-7	24	24

Best Time to Visit Mt. Kailash for Festivals – During Saga Dawa Festival

Held on April 15^th in the Tibetan calendar every year, Saga Dawa Festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. After a long period of development, it has evolved into a festival for the Tibetan people to tour gardens and to wish for a bountiful harvest in agriculture and animal husbandry.

The main activities include display and admiration of the Buddhist statues. Accompanied by the loud and clear sound of chanting, a 40-meter-long and 37-meter-wide thangka of Sakyamuni is slowly unfolded in Drepung Monastery which means the opening of the festival.

During the festival month, pilgrims perform a kora around Mount Kailash to purify their sins, Tibetans gather to picnic in a Lingka to enjoy food, songs and games. At the platform where cypress branches are burned, people scramble to grab zanba from their pockets and throw it on the fire to pray for protection. The most spectacular scene should be the beggars from all over Tibet stretching for one kilometer along Deji South Road.

Tourists can take part in these activities, but please pay attention to the following things: respect local customs, do not affect the pilgrims, do not wear revealing clothes, perform the kora and rotate prayer wheels in a clockwise direction.

Recommended Years for Pilgrims to Visit Mt. Kailash: Horse Year, Goat Year

It is a tradition for Tibetans to circumambulate mountains in the Year of the Horse and lakes in the Year of the Goat. According to the deduction of an eminent monk in Tibet, perform a kora around Mt. Kailash and Manasarovar Lake in years of horse and goat will eliminate all the sins of the whole life and increase numerous merits and virtues. So for thousands of years, countless numbers of pilgrims as well as visitors come to this sacred mountain for worship. The most recent horse and goat years are 2026 and 2027 respectively. But for tourists who are non-believers, you can visit at any year you want.

What to Pack for a Mount Kailash Tour?

• Clothing: a light and thin coat and a windproof and warm windbreaker, a pair of high-top waterproof and anti-slip hiking shoes, thick socks to keep warm.
• Protective Items: a set of portable skin care products and toiletries, sunscreen cream, sun protective clothing, sun hat, sun mask, sunglasses, lip balm, tissues and alcohol wipes to protect you from the scorching ultraviolet rays.
• Other items: two trekking poles, one light and convenient backpack, power bank, small amount of change in cash, raincoat.
• Food: take some light-weight but high calorie foods, like high calorie cookies, chocolates and nuts.
• Documents: passport, Tibet travel permits
• Medicines: Rhodiola rosea capsule, glucose, ibuprofen, medicine for treating colds and diarrhea, and bandages.

Travel to Mount Kailash with Us

With long years of experience in Tibet travel, our professional team is pleasant to help you apply for Tibet travel permits, plan the routes and book tickets and hotels. If you are attracted to include Kailash and Mansarovar in your Tibet tours, we highly recommend the 6 Days Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Tour with Lake Manasarovar and 15 Days Tibet Mt. Kailash Trekking Tour to experience a trek around mountain and indulge in the tranquility of Lake Mansarovar. Just contact us for more details.