Speaking of Mount Kailash in Tibet, it is called "the mountain of Gods" in Tibetan, and is loved as the holiest mountain by four different religions. Meanwhile, a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash has become very popular among all of the Tibet tours. Every year, there are many people going to worship the mountain. However, many tourists don’t know when the best time is to visit the Mount Kailash. So, let's discuss about it in this article.
In the mysterious legends of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, Janism, and Bon religion, Mount Kailash have a sublime status, and is revered and loved as the holiest mountain. Before the tourists find the charm of Mount Kailash, pilgrims traveling from Tibetan-inhabited area, India or Nepal, etc., wound travel the long journey to this remote region to fulfill their dream of worshiping the holy mountain and pray for their loved ones and all the sentiment beings.
Location: Mount Kailash is located in the western Tibet, in Purang County, Ngari, one of the seven prefecture-level cities of Tibet. It is 1,988 kilometers from Lhasa, the capital city, 1,612 kilometers from Shigatse, the second largest city, 195 kilometers from Shiquanhe Town, the government resident of Ngari.
Altitudes: Mount Kailash is the main peak of the Gangdise Mountain Range, with an altitude of 6,656 meters. The surrounding areas circling the peak is about 5,000 meters high and is now famous for the 52 kilometers long trekking route.
Transportation: For foreigners who travel within a Tibet tour, the travel agency normally set out from Lhasa or Shigatse, and transfer them to Mount Kailash by road, via lots of other attractions along the route, such as Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse Kumbum, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Mount Everest, Lake Manasarovar, etc..
Note: There is an airport in Ngari, the Kunsha Airport, within Shiquanhe Town, which is only 199 kilometers away from Darchen, the nearest village of Mount Kailash.
Nearby Attractions: Lake Manasarovar(68 kilometers to the southeast) and Lake Rakshastal(50 kilometers to the south)
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash is situated in one of the few coldest regions of Tibet. The annual average temperature in Mount Kailash region is only 0℃. The warmest months are July and August, with an average monthly high of 14 ℃ during the day, and the average low of 2℃ overnight. The coldest period is long, which is from November to March, when the average high temperature hardly remains above the freezing.
Generally, there are only half a year suitable for traveling in this region, which is from May to October, among which May, June, September and October are believed as the best times to take a Mount Kailash trip.
Here below is the historical weather data of the town in the vicinity of Mount Kailash, for you to have an idea of what to wear and pack.
Past Weather Data of the Mount Kailash Region | ||||||||
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Months/Weather | Ave. High | Ave. Low | Precipitation | Humidity | Wind | Sunrise | Sunset | Length of Day |
Jan. | -4℃ | -20℃ | 5.6mm | 33% | 8km/h | 9:41am | 7:44pm | 10h3m |
Feb. | -2℃ | -17℃ | 2.3mm | 34% | 9km/h | 9:34am | 8:12pm | 10h38m |
Mar. | 2℃ | -13℃ | 1.2mm | 27% | 10km/h | 9.07am | 8.36pm | 11h29m |
Apr. | 7℃ | -8℃ | 2mm | 24% | 11km/h | 8:27am | 8:59pm | 12h31m |
May | 12℃ | -4℃ | 5.4mm | 25% | 11km/h | 7:53am | 9:20pm | 13h27m |
June | 18℃ | 3℃ | 8.9mm | 26% | 12km/h | 7:33am | 9:41pm | 14h8m |
July | 21℃ | 7℃ | 24.2mm | 33% | 12km/h | 7:35am | 9:51pm | 14h15m |
Aug. | 20℃ | 7℃ | 31.2mm | 39% | 10km/h | 7:53am | 9:38pm | 13h44m |
Sep. | 16℃ | 1℃ | 5.2mm | 29% | 10km/h | 8:14am | 9:05pm | 12h50m |
Oct. | 8℃ | -9℃ | 0.9mm | 22% | 8km/h | 8:33am | 8:25pm | 11h51m |
Nov. | 2℃ | -15℃ | 0mm | 19% | 8km/h | 8:56am | 7:49pm | 10h53m |
Dec. | -2℃ | -19℃ | 0.1mm | 22% | 9km/h | 9:23am | 7:34pm | 10h11m |
Note: The above data is collected from Shiquanhe Town, the seat of Ngari City, which is 200km north of Darchen, the nearest town of Mount Kailash. | ||||||||
The actual climate in Mount Kailash region can vary a bit. |
November to March (not suitable): During these five months, heavy snows would blanket the towering mountains and the trekking paths. Even in the daytime, the average high temperature is only -0.8℃. Plus, the length of a day during the period is the shortest of a year, which is around 10 hours per day. The most popular activity of Mount Kailash trip, trekking, will be very challenging due to the overnight or early morning low temperature, which can be down to -20℃. What makes the weather even harsher is the wind chill that happens almost all year round in this region. Therefore, in conclusion, these five months are not suitable for most visitors to travel Mount Kailash.
April (ready for travelers): The Mount Kailash region in April is still cold and covered with snows after the long winter. But the late April is worth a try if that's the only time you're available. And it hardly rains in April, making it a good time for trekking. Just remember to keep yourself warm enough and watch out for the altitude sickness.
May & June (great time): This is the golden time for traveling Mount Kailash, not only because it is weather wise (with no rain and getting warmer), but also for the intense cultural and religious atmosphere (the Saga Dawa Festival often starts in May and ends in June). So, if you time it right, you can have a tour with both nature exploration and local events participation.
July & August (good time): These are the rainiest months in this region. However, with an average precipitation of 27.5mm, we don't think the rain could make a big problem. And these two months are also the warmest times. So, you can worry less for the frigidity. Just check the weather prior to your departure and make sure you have the necessary gear for potential shower.
September & October (OK to go): September is still warm enough, while October has a similar temperature figure with April both in the highs and in the lows. Since the rainy season just departs and the windy season hasn't arrived yet, this is a good time for trekking as well.
Trek around the Mount Kailash in April
The most popular time to visit Mount Kailash is during the Saga Dawa Festival, the most important religious festival for the Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Bon believers. Saga Dawa Festival is a month-long festival that happens in the whole April according to the Tibetan lunar calendar, which falls in May or June in the modern calendar. During the festival, thousands of pilgrims from Tibet, India, Nepal and other Asian countries, gather together at Mount Kailash to celebrate the enlightenment of the Shakyamuni Buddha. As Mount Kailash is the indispensable holy mountain, the most grandeur ceremony is held in here, with an array of rituals and events, such as erecting a giant prayer flag pole, demonstrating dharmas, chanting sutra, and so on. And once the ceremonies are done, the pilgrims, as a tradition, set out on their pilgrimage kora. Therefore, if you check the Tibetan calendar for the April 15th, and mark the corresponding date, you may make it to be part of the Saga Dawa, so that you can join the devout pilgrims while doing your trekking.
The Raising of the Tarboche Prayer Pole During Saga Dawa at Mount Kailash
According to the Tibetan tradition, the Year of the Horse is the holy year (once in every 12 years) for the blessings of the Bodhisattvas and Dharma protectors of Tibetan Buddhism. In Tibetan pilgrimage practice, the beneficial effects of “Kora” (pilgrimage circuit walk) around the Mount Kailash during the Horse Year are considered to be multiplied, and equivalent to completing 12 Kora as usual year.
Pilgrims Doing Kora around the Mount Kailash
Conclusion:
Although the Mount Kailash can be visited all year round, the best time to come are from May to October, as it is very cold at the Mount Kailash in winter season. Also, the unpredictable weather and the danger after snow at the Droma-la Pass is another reason why we strongly recommend not visit the mountain in winter.
Tibet Tours you may be interested in:
15 Days Mt. Kailash Pilgrimage Tour
15 Days Mt. Kailash Kora of Saga Dawa Festival
16 Days Nepal to Tibet Tour with Mt. Kailash & Guge Kingdom