Mount Kailash in December

May through September is your only realistic window. Before May, snow blocks the Dolma La pass. After September, temperatures plummet to -20°C and roads become impassable. July and August bring the most pilgrims, especially during Saga Dawa festival when the spiritual merit of completing the kora multiplies. But crowds mean higher prices and fully booked guesthouses. June and September offer the best balance — clearer skies, fewer people, and manageable temperatures that still drop below freezing at night. The monsoon barely reaches this high desert, so rain isn't a major concern.