Tour Tibet in December

Snow in Tibet depends on where you are. Lhasa does see snow in winter, though normally it is only a light dusting that barely covers the ground. In some years the snow can be heavier though, and it is really pot luck for heavy snow in the capital. However, across most of central and western Tibet, January and February are ideal for seeing snow on the plateau.

Many of the major roads in Tibet in the winter months are still fairly clear of snow, especially around Lhasa. With better road conditions across the plateau, it is still possible to travel all the way to EBC without getting stuck in snow.

However, there are some routes that may be blocked by snowfalls, especially on the higher passes. These are normally the colder areas, such as the pass over the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains to Lake Namtso, and the road to Ngari and Mount Kailash. The pass at Drolma La, on the Kailash Kora trek, is usually blocked by snow in the depths of winter.

While temperatures in the region can drop as low as -15 degrees in the most remote places, the major tourist destinations are normally sunny in the daytime, with temperatures above freezing. In Lhasa, it can reach up to 7-8 degrees, while in Shigatse, 6-8 degrees is normal. Even at EBC, you can expect to see temperatures as high as 4-5 degrees during the daytime. You should plan on bringing warm clothing for the trip, and layers to help you keep warmer more easily. Down or fleece jackets are a must, and you will need to have warm hats and gloves, as well as thick socks and long underwear.

If you are staying in Lhasa, Shigatse, and the busier and larger towns in Tibet, you can expect to have heating in the hotels. Many of the hotels have air-conditioning for heating throughout the year, and only the more remote and lower quality establishments will not have heating. Monastery guesthouses and tent guesthouses, such as at EBC, often have no heating to keep you warn at night.

If you want to visit a local family to celebrate New Year in Lhasa, we can arrange that as part of our 7-day Tibet New Year Festival Tour. For the week, you will spend your time touring around Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse, visiting the main sites of the region. You can spend the New Year with a local family, eat traditional food, join in the dancing and singing, and take part in the ceremonies around the religious sites.

While it is possible to travel to Mount Everest in the winter, Mount Kailash is normally too cold and too snow-bound to travel safely. In the coldest months of the year, the snow around the mountain can get deep, and strong winds bring in stormy weather. Lake Namtso is also open in the winter months now, thanks to better roads and operations to keep them clear through the winter months in the Namtso National Park area.