Summer Holidays in Tibet 2027
Summer is Tibet’s high season. From late June to the end of August the valleys are green, the nomads are out on the grassland with their herds, and Lhasa holds its biggest festivals of the year. If your holidays fall in the summer, this is a wonderful time to come — as long as you book early.
Is Summer a Good Time to Visit Tibet?
Yes — summer is the most popular time of the year to visit Tibet. Days are warm, nights are mild, and every road and sight is open, from Everest Base Camp to Namtso Lake and Mount Kailash. It is also the rainy season, but in Tibet the rain falls mostly in the evening and at night, so most days are sunny. The only things to plan for are the crowds and some cloud around Everest.
Summer is also the easiest season for the altitude: the air feels softer when it is warm, and the green landscape is a joy after a long winter in the city.
Weather in Tibet in the Summer Holidays
| Place | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Lhasa (3,650 m) | about 22–24°C | about 10–11°C |
| Shigatse (3,840 m) | about 20–22°C | about 9°C |
| Namtso Lake (4,718 m) | about 12–15°C | around freezing |
| Everest Base Camp (5,200 m) | about 10–14°C | below freezing |
| Nyingchi (2,950 m) | about 22°C | about 12°C |
June is still fairly dry; July and August bring most of the year’s rain, usually as showers at night. Mornings are often clear. For more, see Tibet weather in June, July and August.
Can You See Everest in Summer?
Yes, but not every hour. July and August are the cloudiest months at Everest, and the mountain can hide for a day. Clear spells are common, especially early in the morning and in the evening, so we stay a night close to the mountain to give you the best chance. If seeing Everest is the most important thing for you, choose our late June departure, or come in the autumn.
Summer Festivals in Tibet
Shoton Festival. The biggest festival in Lhasa, usually in August and sometimes at the end of July. At sunrise a giant thangka of the Buddha is unrolled on a hillside above the city, watched by tens of thousands of pilgrims, followed by days of Tibetan opera and family picnics in the Norbulingka park. Read the story of the Shoton Festival, told by our guides.
Ganden Thangka Festival. Another giant thangka is shown on the hillside at Ganden Monastery, in July or August.
Nagchu Horse Racing Festival. Around the beginning of August, nomads come from all over northern Tibet for horse racing, archery and wrestling, dressed in their finest clothes. See the Nagchu Horse Racing Festival.
Festival dates follow the Tibetan calendar and change every year. In 2027 the Shoton Festival is expected around 31 August, and our Shoton Festival Departure on 28 August is timed for it. If the unveiling falls on a travel day of your tour, we swap the days around or add a day, so you don’t miss it. For the other festivals, tell us if you want to see one, and we will tell you as soon as the dates are known.
Where to Go in Tibet in Summer
- Lhasa: the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery and the Tibet Museum.
- Namtso Lake and the northern grassland: at their best in summer, with nomad tents, yaks and wildflowers.
- Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse and Shigatse: green valleys, the Karola glacier and Tashilhunpo Monastery.
- Nyingchi: lower, greener and gentler on the body — a much easier start than Lhasa.
- Mount Kailash: summer is pilgrimage season on the kora around the sacred mountain.
Crowds and Booking in Summer
July and August are the busiest months of the year in Tibet, with many travellers from all over China as well as from abroad. Hotels in Lhasa fill up, and Potala Palace tickets are limited each day. We advise booking two or three months ahead, and earlier still for the Shoton Festival. Our small groups of 3–8 travellers keep the trip personal even when the sights are busy.
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 Summer 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.
- Wednesday 16 June 2027 — Saga Dawa in Lhasa: for Saga Dawa, the holiest month, with the full moon expected around 18 June. 5 Days Lhasa & Yamdrok Lake (farewell 21 June, from US$560) or 8 Days Lhasa–Everest Round Trip, Relaxed Pace (farewell 24 June, from US$831).
- Sunday 27 June 2027 — Early Summer Departure: 7 Days Lhasa & Everest Round Trip (farewell 4 July, from US$775) or 9 Days Nyingchi · Lhasa · Yamdrok · Shigatse (farewell 6 July, from US$915).
- Saturday 3 July 2027 — July Departure: 11 Days Nyingchi to Xining by Train (farewell in Xining 14 July, price on request) or 12 Days Lhasa · Nyingchi · Everest · Namtso (farewell 15 July, from US$1,141).
- Friday 30 July 2027 — Peak Summer Departure: 7 Days Lhasa & Everest Round Trip (from US$775), 8 Days Lhasa–Everest Round Trip, Relaxed Pace (from US$831) or 9 Days Everest & North Tibet Grassland Loop (from US$915), with farewells from 6 to 8 August.
- Saturday 14 August 2027 — Mid-August Departure: 9 Days Everest & North Tibet Grassland Loop (farewell 23 August, from US$915) or 16 Days Everest · Kailash · Guge Kingdom (farewell 30 August, from US$2,114).
- Saturday 28 August 2027 — Shoton Festival Departure: timed for the Shoton Festival, expected around 31 August. 5 Days Lhasa & Yamdrok Lake (farewell 2 September, from US$560) or 8 Days Lhasa–Everest Round Trip, Relaxed Pace (farewell 5 September, from US$831).
See all dates on our small group departures page.
Which Tour Fits Your Summer Holiday?
- About one week: 7 days Lhasa and Everest Base Camp, or 8 days at a slower pace.
- Nine or ten days: the grassland loop to Everest and Namtso Lake, or start in green Nyingchi and go on to Lhasa and Shigatse.
- Two weeks or more: 12 days Lhasa, Nyingchi, Everest and Namtso; the train across the plateau to Xining; or 16 days to Everest, Mount Kailash and the Guge Kingdom.
Families in the Summer Holidays
Summer is the best season for a family trip to Tibet: warm days, open roads, yaks and nomad tents that children love. 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. A family can join a departure, or travel privately on their own dates and at their own pace.
What to Pack for Tibet in Summer
- Light summer clothes for the day, and a fleece or medium jacket for the evenings.
- A light rain jacket for the showers.
- A down jacket for Everest, Namtso and Kailash — nights are cold up there even in summer.
- Sunglasses, a sun hat and strong sun cream — the summer sun at altitude is very strong.
How to Book Your Summer 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 Easter in Tibet or Christmas & New Year in Tibet.
Frequently asked questions
Is summer a good time to visit Tibet?
Yes. Summer is the most popular season in Tibet: warm days, green valleys, big festivals in Lhasa, and every road open, including Everest Base Camp, Namtso Lake and Mount Kailash. The rain falls mostly at night, so most days are sunny. Book early, because July and August are the busiest months.
Does it rain a lot in Tibet in July and August?
July and August are the rainy season, but in Tibet the rain falls mostly in the evening and at night, as short showers. It is very different from the monsoon in lowland Asia. Most mornings are sunny and good for sightseeing.
Can I see Mount Everest in summer?
Often, but not always. July and August are the cloudiest months at Everest, and the mountain can hide for a day. Clear spells are common early in the morning and in the evening, which is why we stay a night near the mountain. For the best chance, choose late June or the autumn.
How hot is Tibet in summer?
Lhasa is about 22–24°C in the day and 10–11°C at night. Namtso Lake and Everest Base Camp are much colder, with nights around or below freezing, so bring a down jacket even in summer.
Which festivals can I see in Tibet in summer?
The Shoton Festival in Lhasa, usually in August, the Ganden Thangka Festival in July or August, and the Nagchu Horse Racing Festival around the beginning of August. The dates follow the Tibetan calendar and change every year.
How far ahead should I book a summer trip to Tibet?
Two or three months ahead is best, and earlier for the Shoton Festival. July and August are the busiest months, hotels in Lhasa fill up and Potala Palace tickets are limited each day. There is no deposit to hold a seat.
Is Tibet crowded in summer?
Yes, July and August are the busiest months, with many visitors from all over China as well as from abroad. Our small groups of 3 to 8 travellers keep the trip personal, and we plan visits to the busiest sights at the quieter times of day.
Is summer a good time for a family trip to Tibet?
Yes, it is the best season for families: warm days, open roads, yaks and nomad tents. We advise not to bring children under three to the Tibetan plateau. A family can join a departure or travel privately at its own pace.
How many days do I need for Tibet in the summer holidays?
With about a week, choose 7 days Lhasa and Everest Base Camp. With nine or ten days, add Namtso Lake or start in green Nyingchi. With two weeks or more, take 12 days Lhasa, Nyingchi, Everest and Namtso, or 16 days to Everest and Mount Kailash.
What should I pack for Tibet in summer?
Light clothes for the day, a fleece for the evenings, a light rain jacket, and a down jacket for Everest, Namtso and Kailash. Bring sunglasses, a sun hat and strong sun cream.
We answer within 12 hours, Monday to Saturday.