Insight Nepal | TIBET - Roof of the World

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Climate :

Tibet is cold in winter, cool in summer and generally dry. Temperatures can vary greatly within a day. Daytime can be warm and nights can be very cold. Winds in winter are ferocious. Due to its high altitude and thin air, solar radiation is extremely strong in Tibet hence easily causing sun burns. Tibet is not affected by the monsoon, although Zhangmu is. Most annual rainfall starts from July to August and it normally rains at night in Lhasa, Shigatse and Chamdo area.

The best time for travel in Tibet is from April till October.

Best Season to visit Tibet :

In general, the best season for travel to Tibet is from April through November and best trekking season for trek in Western Tibet is from May through October. The weather is generally at its best during the first and last months of this season, though temperatures are typically windy and cool to cold during the day and below freezing at night. The other months are warmer, but include the period when the monsoon pushes beyond the Himalaya, swelling the creeks and coating the valleys with greenery and wildflowers. During the monsoon, snowfall is also possible when occasional storms hit the higher altitudes while you are on the Kailash circuit, particularly near the pass. So regardless of the season, trekking in this region requires preparedness for all weather conditions.

Overland tours to Tibet from Kathmand is closed from December through March due to heavy snow.

Here is some more specific information in different areas :

Lhasa - Shigatse - Lhatse - Tingri - Nyalam: Along the Friendship highway is basically in ood conditions throughout the year but heavy snow in December to February,could cause road blocks making overland travel impossible. During July, August – rainfall can cause landslides at certain places.

Mt. Everest Area: Early May and early October is the best time to visit Mt. Everest due to the clear weather. December through February is extremely coldand hence not the right time to visit this area.

Ali (Mt.Kailash): Even without climate restrictions, this area is relatively difficuly travel due to rough terrain and dusty road conditions. Occasional rain and snow could make the journey even more worse. However, for those adventurous tourists it is possible to travel to this area from April through December though the most appropriate time would be May, June, July, September and October.

Eastern Tibet : July or August (the rainy season) is probably not the right season for this area because the rain could ruin the road, and cause terrible landslides. In winter, the road could be frozen. Though it is possible to visit this area from March through November. The best time to visit this area is from Late March to Late April, or Late September to early November.

Northern Tibet : With the average altitude of 4,500m, this area offers very limited time for tourists. Summer (July to August) is the prime time to enjoy the great plain in northern Tibet

Average temperature, rainfall and sunshine hours in Lhasa :

Photos are not required to obtain a visa for Tibet, but we suggest you carry at least 4 copies of passport size photos to be on the safe side.

A. We require full passport details at the time of booking to process the Tibet Travel permit. It should be noted that the details should be exactly as in the passport word for word. Any mistakes in spellings and or any other details can result in heavy fines or even cancellation of visa.

Month	Temp.©	Rainfall(mm)	Sunshine(Hours)
January	+ 09 to -13	0.2	251
February	+ 10 to -12	0.5	226
March	+ 13 to -5	2	241
April	+ 16 to +1	5	244
May	+ 20 to +5	25	284
June	+ 25 to +9	77	227
July	+ 26 to +10	129	224
August	+ 27 to +9	138	221
September	+ 21 to +8	56	238
October	+ 17 to +1	8	285
November	+ 12 to -7	2	271
December	+ 08 to -13	0.5	261