The kora is viable from June through September, when the high passes are reliably free of snow. July and August can bring afternoon thunderstorms on the upper sections; mornings are typically clear. The grasslands are lush and green in summer, with wildflowers at lower elevations.
Avoiding the peak summer months (July and August) means fewer pilgrims and more flexibility at nomad camp shelters, but the weather is less reliable in June and September. The Tibetan New Year (Losar, in January or February) and the 4th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar see increased pilgrim activity, but winter conditions make the kora route impractical for most trekkers.