Tibet tour cost varies as you visit Tibet in different seasons. Understanding the seasonal change of Tibet tour costs helps you easily allocate the Tibet tour budget and make the wisest decisions for the Tibe tour deals.

In this tutorial, we will walk you through the best Tibet travel season to get the best value for your money. So, let’s dive into it, now!

For Great Time & at Reasonable Price: April, May, June, Second Half of October, November

April, May, June, the second half of October, and November are outside the high tourist season when many domestic travelers visit Tibet. These times also have good weather with warm and dry conditions for being outdoors during the day. The clear skies have some of the best visibility during the year and are perfect for getting great shots of Mount Everest or other famous sites.

It’s not the least expensive time of year, but prices are not as high as the peak season. You can expect tours and accommodations to cost around 20% less than in the summer and during Chinese national holidays. For a balance between weather and price, this is the best time to go.

Several exciting Tibetan festivals take place during this time. In May and June, the Gyantse Horse Racing and Archery Festival showcase the horsemanship skills of local riders. The Saga Dawa Festival in May is the holiest time to visit Mount Kailash. The Ganden Monastery near Lhasa has a Thangka Festival in November, during which large paintings depicting scenes from Buddhist mythology are unveiled.

15 Days Kailash and Manasarovar Small Group Tour: A pilgrim’s final fantasy and the greatest overland trip in Tibet.

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - E.B.C - Saga - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Lake Manasarovar - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

Price from USD2069 p.p

Tibet High Season with High Tibet Tour Cost: July, August, May 1st and October 1st Holiday

The peak tourist season in Tibet coincides with domestic holidays. Summer break in July and August, Labor Day on May 1st, and the National Day holiday on October 1st bring a surge in travelers from mainland China. Prices for everything from tours to meals, transport, and accommodations reach their peak, and popular sites get very busy.

In July and August, it is very difficult to book train tickets. If you want to take the Qinghai-Tibet railway during these months, you should be 60-90 days in advance. Popular hotels fill up quickly and even finding a seat at a restaurant can be challenging.

July and August are also the monsoon season. Rain is more common at this time, making trekking more challenging with slippery terrain. The rain creates fog in areas like Everest Base Camp, so there’s no guarantee of a clear view when visiting EBC in summer.

For the best experience during the high tourist season, visiting remote areas can be more peaceful. Places like Mount Kailash that are far from Lhasa don’t get as busy. If you want the Qinghai-Tibet Railway experience, outgoing tickets from Lhasa to Xining are easier to buy than incoming ones.

Traveling in Tibet in summer.

Winter Off-Season, the Best Value for Money: December, January, Late March

Most travelers don’t think of visiting Tibet in winter as a first choice, but December, January, and late March have some unique appeals. First, the low number of tourists means there are some great deals on accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities. If you want to save money, this is the time to go.

Smaller crowds make for a more peaceful experience. When visiting monasteries or temples, you can take your time examining the murals and decorations in silence and appreciate the spiritual atmosphere. There are always tickets available for major attractions, and there are no lines.

Winter is an excellent time for photography. The skies are totally clear, and the snow-covered landscapes have a special beauty. You’ll be able to enjoy places like Everest Base Camp in almost complete solitude with nothing to get in the way of the perfect shot.

On the way to Everest Base Camp in winter in Tibet

February/Early March: Experience the Tibetan New Year in Lhasa with Low Tibet Tour Costs

Tibetan New Year, Losar, is on the 1st day of the Tibetan calendar, falling in February or March. The next Losar will be from February 28th to March 2nd, 2025. It’s a special time when you can participate in one of the most significant and joyous festivals in Tibetan culture at a time when travel prices are low.

February and early March are still in the low season for travel, so winter discount opportunities persist. In the build-up to Losar, families will begin preparing special foods and performing purification rituals to get ready for the event. On New Year’s Day, people will be dressed in the best clothes, sending gifts to each other and making offerings at shrines. It’s followed with butter sculptures, fireworks, and colorful processions over the next several days.

Bigger cities like Lhasa and Shigatse are the best places to spend Losar. Festivities take place around the cities, and many people will be making pilgrimages to sacred sites. There will be lots of food to try, the most special being ‘Guthuk.’ It’s a hand-rolled noodle soup with ingredients like garlic, beef, daikon, and spinach. Inside are nine large dough balls containing items like a sugar cube, raw bean, or piece of wood. Each holds a meaning relating to the diners’ New Year’s fortune.

Local Tibetans celebrate Tibetan New Year during the winter months.

How to Get the Best Value for Your Money Other Than Visiting Tibet in Low Season

Our Tibet small group tours are another way to maximize your travel budget during high or low tourist seasons. On a small group tour, some of the large costs are shared between like-minded travelers. The cost of the tour guide, driver, vehicle, and gasoline is spread among a group of people, keeping costs affordable.

We have the widest range of group tours in Tibet and professional advisors on hand to help find the best one for you. By choosing budget-friendly 3-star accommodations, you can control costs, and we’ll make sure you stay somewhere clean and comfortable. All our tours have a fixed departure guarantee, so even if the group doesn’t fill up, the tour will go forward with no additional cost to you.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour: Marvel at Mt.Everest Real Close from 4 Different Viewing Platforms

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD949 p.p

Conclusion

Thoughtful planning can help you find the right time to tour Tibet with the budget you’re looking for. Summer and Chinese public holidays are the busiest times, winter is the least expensive, and the shoulder spring and autumn seasons are a good balance between cost and weather. Join a small group tour for further savings. Contact us for more information about available group tours, and start planning your Tibet adventure today.