Autumn Holidays in Tibet 2027
Autumn is the favourite season of many of our guides. From September to early November the rain stops, the air turns clear and dry, the barley fields turn gold, and the mountains stand out sharp against a deep blue sky. If your holidays fall in the autumn, this is one of the best times of the year to see Tibet.
Is Autumn a Good Time to Visit Tibet?
Yes — autumn is one of the two best seasons to visit Tibet. The other is from mid-May to the end of June, when the weather is much the same: little rain and clear skies. The summer rain ends in September, and October and November are sunny almost every day. Views of Everest are the clearest of the year, and every road is open, from Namtso Lake to Mount Kailash. There are fewer visitors than in summer. The only thing to plan for is the cold at night, which grows through October.
Weather in Tibet in the Autumn Holidays
| Place | September | October |
|---|---|---|
| Lhasa (3,650 m) | about 21°C by day, 8°C at night | about 17°C by day, 2°C at night |
| Shigatse (3,840 m) | about 19°C by day, 6°C at night | about 15°C by day, around freezing at night |
| Everest Base Camp (5,200 m) | about 12–15°C by day, around freezing at night | a few degrees above zero by day, well below freezing at night |
| Nyingchi (2,950 m) | about 20°C by day, 10°C at night | about 17°C by day, 5°C at night |
Early September can still bring a few showers. From late September it is the dry season: about eight to nine hours of sunshine a day and very little rain. For more, see Tibet weather in September, October and November.
Is Autumn the Best Time to See Everest?
Yes. From the second half of September to November, Everest is in full view on most days, often from sunrise to sunset. The air is clear after the rains and the weather is stable. In October the nights at Everest Base Camp are cold, so we choose warm rooms, and a good down jacket is essential. For the clearest views, choose our late September or October departures. The other best time for photographers to shoot the peak of Everest is from mid-May to the end of June.
What Is Special About Tibet in Autumn
Harvest time. In September the barley fields in the valleys around Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse turn gold, and families work together in the fields, singing as they cut and thresh.
Autumn colours in Nyingchi. The forests of eastern Tibet turn yellow and red from late September to the end of October, below snow peaks such as Namcha Barwa. Nyingchi is lower and milder than Lhasa — a much easier start to a trip.
The Bathing Festival. For about a week in early autumn, when a star called Karma Dunba appears in the night sky, Tibetans wash in the rivers to clean away illness and bad luck. Read more about the Bathing Festival.
Clear light for photography. Golden fields, deep blue lakes and white peaks make autumn the best season of the year for photographers.
Where to Go in Tibet in Autumn
- Lhasa: the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery and the Tibet Museum, under the blue autumn sky.
- Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse and Shigatse: harvest in the valleys and golden light on the road.
- Everest Base Camp: the clearest views of the year.
- Nyingchi: the autumn colours of the forests.
- Namtso Lake: still open in September and October, deep blue under clear skies, with freezing nights.
- Mount Kailash: September and early October are a fine time for the kora, after the summer rain.
Crowds and Booking in Autumn
Autumn is quieter than summer, with two busier times. Early September can be busy, because many Chinese families travel to Tibet with a son or daughter who has just been admitted to university, before the new term begins. China’s National Day holiday, 1–7 October, has less effect than you might think: most Chinese families spend those seven days on road trips closer to home, and Tibet is far away. Apart from these times, Tibet in autumn is not as crowded as people imagine, and after 7 October it becomes even quieter. In late October and November many of the people around you are Tibetan pilgrims. We advise booking about two months ahead for September and early October, and at least one month ahead for later dates, so there is time for your Tibet permit. Our small groups of 3–8 travellers keep the trip personal.
There is no deposit to hold a seat. If your Tibet Travel Permit is not issued, you get a full refund — see our terms and conditions for the details.
Our Autumn Holiday Departures 2027
Small groups of 3–8 travellers, assembling in Chengdu or Xining. Every date can also run as a private trip — for a family, a group of friends or a photography trip.
- Saturday 4 September 2027 — Golden Autumn Departure: 7 Days Lhasa & Everest Round Trip (farewell 11 September, from US$775) or 9 Days Everest & North Tibet Grassland Loop (farewell 13 September, from US$915).
- Saturday 25 September 2027 — Late September Departure: 8 Days Lhasa–Everest Round Trip, Relaxed Pace (farewell 3 October, from US$831) or 12 Days Lhasa · Nyingchi · Everest · Namtso (farewell 7 October, from US$1,141).
- Saturday 9 October 2027 — October Departure: 5 Days Lhasa & Yamdrok Lake (farewell 14 October, from US$560) or 7 Days Lhasa & Everest Round Trip (farewell 16 October, from US$775).
- Saturday 23 October 2027 — Late October Departure: 7 Days Lhasa & Everest Round Trip (farewell 30 October, from US$775) or 9 Days Everest & North Tibet Grassland Loop (farewell 1 November, from US$915).
See all dates on our small group departures page.
Which Tour Fits Your Autumn Holiday?
- Five days to one week: 5 days Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake, or 7 days Lhasa and Everest Base Camp.
- Eight to ten days: 8 days to Everest at a slower pace, or the grassland loop to Everest and Namtso Lake.
- Two weeks or more: 12 days Lhasa, Nyingchi, Everest and Namtso, with the autumn colours of Nyingchi; or ask us for a private trip with Mount Kailash.
Families in the Autumn Holidays
Autumn is a good season for families: dry, sunny and less crowded than summer. Nights are cold, so pack warm clothes for the children. We advise not to bring children under three years old to the Tibetan plateau — read children and altitude in Tibet and our family tours page.
What to Pack for Tibet in Autumn
- Layers: a light jacket or sweater for sunny days, and a medium down jacket for mornings and evenings.
- A warm down jacket, hat and gloves for Everest and Namtso — nights are well below freezing.
- Sunglasses and strong sun cream — the autumn sun is still very strong.
- Lip balm and moisturiser for the dry air.
How to Book Your Autumn Trip to Tibet
Send us a free inquiry with your dates and how many people are travelling. We answer within 12 hours, Monday to Saturday. Travelling at another time? See Summer Holidays in Tibet or Christmas & New Year in Tibet.
Frequently asked questions
Is autumn a good time to visit Tibet?
Yes. Autumn is one of the two best seasons in Tibet; the other is from mid-May to the end of June. The rain stops in September, October is sunny almost every day, the views of Everest are the clearest of the year, and there are fewer visitors than in summer. Nights get cold through October, so bring warm clothes.
Is October a good month to see Everest?
Yes, October is one of the best months for Everest. The air is clear after the rains and the weather is stable, so the north face is in view on most days. Nights at Everest Base Camp are well below freezing, so a good down jacket is essential.
How cold is Tibet in autumn?
In September Lhasa is about 21°C by day and 8°C at night. In October it is about 17°C by day and close to freezing at night. Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake are much colder, with nights well below freezing.
Does it rain in Tibet in September?
Only a little, mostly in the first part of the month. The rainy season ends in September, and from late September to November there is very little rain.
When are the autumn colours in Tibet?
The forests of Nyingchi in eastern Tibet turn yellow and red from late September to the end of October. In the valleys around Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse, the barley fields turn gold at harvest time in September.
Is Tibet crowded in autumn?
Not as crowded as people imagine. Early September can be busy, when many Chinese families travel with a child who has just been admitted to university. China’s National Day holiday, 1–7 October, has less effect on Tibet than people expect, because most Chinese families take road trips closer to home. After 7 October it becomes even quieter, and in late October and November many visitors are Tibetan pilgrims.
How far ahead should I book an autumn trip to Tibet?
About two months ahead for September and early October, and at least one month ahead for later dates, so there is time for your Tibet permit. There is no deposit to hold a seat.
Are Namtso Lake and Mount Kailash open in autumn?
Yes. Namtso Lake is open in September and October, with freezing nights. September and early October are a fine time for the Kailash kora, after the summer rain.
How many days do I need for Tibet in the autumn holidays?
With five days to a week, choose 5 days Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake or 7 days Lhasa and Everest Base Camp. With eight to ten days, add Namtso Lake. With two weeks or more, take 12 days Lhasa, Nyingchi, Everest and Namtso, or ask us for a private trip with Mount Kailash.
What should I pack for Tibet in autumn?
Layers: a light jacket for sunny days and a medium down jacket for mornings and evenings, plus a warm down jacket, hat and gloves for Everest and Namtso. Bring sunglasses, strong sun cream and lip balm for the dry air.
We answer within 12 hours, Monday to Saturday.