Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour

"Journey Across the Roof of the World, Walk the Pilgrims on the Kailash Kora, Join the Saga Dawa Festival"
Duration
19 Days
Activities
  • City Sightseeing
  • Pilgrimage Trip
  • Trekking & Hiking
Accommodation
  • Some Day at Hotel
  • Some Day in Camping
Meals
  • 18 breakfast

Price starts from

US$ 1600

10% Discount for Group

Overview & Highlights

Download trip Note
Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour Highlights

Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour is a tour package specially developed in Tibet that offers you a comprehensive view of the dynamic part of the Tibetan mountains. It is spiritually full of natural landscapes. The tour begins with a tour of the city of Lhasa, the cultural centre of Tibet, as well as historical palaces and world-famous monasteries. You arrive at Everest base camp, Mansarovar lake, the Saga, and finally the city of Lhasa.

Main Highlights

·       Mansarovar sacred lake and hot springs

·       Beautiful view of the Kailash Mountain

·       Discover of Saga Dawa in the Tarboche Valley 

·       Enjoy the Tibetan Society, culture, and landscape.

·       Great view of the Himalayas from Tibet and Nepal.

·       Three days Kailash Parikrama (Kora) with 39 km on foot

·       Driving on a well-paved path to the base of Mount Kailash

·       Cross the highest pass of the Dolma La on Mt. Kailash Parikrama

·       Lhasa and the back on a scenic Himalayan flight from Kathmandu

·       Travel in more than 5,000 meters elevation with beautiful prayer flags and vast mountain landscapes

Itinerary Highlights

Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour itinerary can be customized according to your choice. Please write to us for the individual travel Itinerary. The price varies depending on hotel category, transportation, private vehicle, and flight service.

Day 01: Flight to Lhasa from Kathmandu (3650 m)

Day 02: Sightseeing Tour around Norbulinka, Sera and Jokhang temples

Day 03: Continue to Visit the Potala Palace and the Drepung monastery.

Day 4: Drive to Shigatse from Lhasa (3,900m)

Day 05: Drive to Sang-Sang from Shigatse (4,250 m) – Duration 7 to 8 hours

Day 06: Drive from sang-sang to Saga (4,440 m) - Duration 6 to 7 hours

Day 07: Drive to Paryang from Saga (4,550m): Duration 6 to 7 hours

Day 08: Drive to Mansarovar from Paryang (4,550 m) – Duration 6 to 7 hours

Day 09: Rest day in Lake Mansarovar

Day 10: Mansarovar to Dorchen and start hiking Mt. Kailash circle to Damding Donkhan.

Day 11: Walking to Jarok Donkhang from Damding Donkhan (5,200 m) - 5 to 6 hours.

Day 12: from Jarok Donkhang to Zutul-Puk: Duration 6 to 7 hours

Day 13: Walk to Darchen from Zutul-Puk and Darchen to Mansarovar.

Day 14: Drive to Parayang from Mansarovar (4,550 m) – Duration 6 to 7 hours

Day 15: Drive to Saga from Paryang (4,550 m) – Duration 6 to 7 hours

Day 16: From Saga to Pagutshaw Lake- Duration 6 – 7 Hours

Day 17: To Nayalam from Paigutsho Lake – Duration 7 to 8 hours

Day 18: Drive from Nyalam to Zhangmu, Kodari and then Kathmandu 9 to 10 Hours

Day 19: Drop at Kathmandu international airport

Overview of Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour

The Tibet Saga Dawa Festival tour is the most important festival in Tibetan Buddhism. This festival commemorates the illumination of Shakyamuni and the death of his body. This day is known as the birthday of the great Buddha Shakya, and the day he died and became a Buddha, as well as the arrival of Princess Wencheng, Queen of the Great Tibetan King Sangtsen Gumpo in the 7th century AD in Lhasa. People believe that this festival brings 300 times more profit as a reward for good deeds per month, and leads to large donations to orders, monasteries, and beggars every year. The Saka Dawa Festival tour is celebrated on April 15 of the Tibetan calendar. Every day there are sutras and cham dances, as well as many other religious events in each monastery. People leave their homes and wander the Jokhang Temple and the Potala Palace. At the three main circumambulation roads in Lhasa, a group of devotees pray and offer themselves respectfully. In the afternoon, everyone gathers at Zongjolukang behind Red Hill, where they dance and chat. The festival reaches its charm on April 15, which is considered the birthday and the day Shakya enters nirvana.

This Saga Dawa festival trip with Kailash and Mansarovar is an essential part of the holy pilgrimage to replace the famous giant Tarboche Flagpole, tower on the way to Kailash Kora. Every year the flagpole is lowered, and a new pole is placed. The survey replacement event is followed by surprise and amazement by locals and foreigners alike. All Tibetans roam from one place to another to attend the event and put their little prayer flags on the pole.

At the Saga Dawa Festival, we see plateaus of Tibetan windmills, cliffs upon cliffs, wild-looking, non-resilient, and hospitable people, yak travellers travelling through snow-covered regions, and assembling herds on the magnificent peaks of the Himalayas, with leather shops. The magnificent turquoise lake will delight your trip. On this cleverly guided land tour with the 4WD Land Cruiser, you can explore the colourful mosaics of Tibetan history, art, crafts, customs, lifestyle, and food while achieving more profound spirituality. During your three-day trek around Mount Kailash and through the main cities of Tibet, you can see many indigenous cultures during your Saga Dawa festival tour. From there, cross the vast dry plains and return to Kathmandu before heading south towards the border with Nepal. You can make this trip to Lhasa or Kathmandu.

Important note

Your safety is essential when you travel with us. Please note that your leader has the right to change or cancel part of the trip if he deems it necessary for security reasons. Every effort is made to complete the journey. However, since this adventure trip revolves around remote mountain areas, we cannot guarantee that we will not be distracted. Weather conditions, the health status of group members, unexpected natural disasters, etc. contribute to travel changes. The leader tries to go according to the plan to the route but is ready to feel comfortable if necessary.

Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour Itinerary

We will transfer you to the Kathmandu international airport for your flight to Lhasa, one of the most spectacular and beautiful flights over the Mountain, including Mount Everest. You will meet our Tibetan representatives at Gonggor airport and help you move to Lhasa after an hour's drive to the hotel. The rest are on vacation today to relax and admire in Lhasa.


After breakfast, take time to explore the sacred and beautiful city of Lhasa, the heart of Tibet. Today, you will visit the Norbulinka Palace, the beautiful Gardens, and the Summer Palace House for the 14th Dalai Lama and visit the tranquil Sera Monastery, where you will find an incredible collection of ancient murals, sculptures, and writings in gold dust and awesome scrolls enjoy. Join the medieval hustle and bustle of pilgrims, artists, worshipers, and merchants around Jokhang Temple and the most revered religious structure in Tibet, and return to the hotel for the night.

Today, after breakfast, you will explore the heart of Tibet, the sacred, and the Forbidden City of Lhasa. You will visit the impressive Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lamas, and the vast hallways and reference temples that dominate the Lhasa skyline. Then, you will go to the sacred Drepung monastery, once the largest monastery in the world, and now the most significant and richest monastery in Tibet, founded in 1416, and return to the hotel. Overnight.

You begin your journey towards Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet and home of the Panchen Lama. On the way, you visit the headquarters of the Panchen Lama and the Monastery of Tashilumpo, one of the most important monasteries in Tibet. It is located in the western part of Shigatse, on the Drolmari Mountain. It is one of the most influential monasteries in Tibet and was founded in 1477 by the first Dalai Lama, Gundun Drubba. Inside the monastery, Maitreya Chapel is the tallest building and tallest bronze statue in the world of the 26.2 meters tall Buddha, sitting on a 3.8-meter great eczema throne made of gold, brass, and precious stones. The hotel in Shigatse is enormous and comfortable.

Today's trip is a smooth but long day drive to Lhatse. From here, your route derives from the main Lhasa-Kathmandu highway. You continue along the dirt road with breathtaking views of the rural bell and cross only a few high passes of almost 5,000 m until the last stop of the day in Sang-Sang, a growing city. You will spend your night in a camp.

Today your journey runs on wild air ramps that traverse some towns and farms and then cross several high routes with small stops along the way to stretch and feed your legs. After a 6 hour trip, you will arrive at the checkpoint near Saga. After completing the passport and visa procedures, a half-hour trip takes you to Saga. Saga used to be a small town, now a thriving city with almost modern conveniences.

After having breakfast, start the next long trip to Pariyang, just an hour from Camp in Saga, for the high pass of the 5,000m pass. The path leads to a broad valley with great views of snow-capped peaks some distance from the border with Nepal. A few hours before reaching Prairie, your drive leads in sandy section to reach to Paryang

When you walk to Mount Kailash, you will have to cover the 270 km route from Paryang to Manasarovar. This route takes you through the essence of Lake Manasarovar amidst extraordinary scenery. As you approach this impressive sacred lake, the historic Chiu Monastery becomes visible on the northwest shore of the lake. From this viewpoint, you can even take a look at the majestic Mount Kailash.

It is your day of rest after a long multi-day trip, usually from Paryang. You camp in the grasslands with a spectacular view of the lake on the northeast side of the lake. Today, you will visit the east bank of the lake to visit the Chui Gompa and return to your camp and spent the rest of the time enjoying the natural beauty of the area. Spend the night in the camp.

A two-hour trip takes you to Darchen, a small colony with some people. The place is very busy with pilgrims during the holy season for Kora. The shrine is located west of the Cairn and the prayer flag from the guest house complex on Barkha Maidan, from which you have a beautiful view of the Mountain. An hour before the path crosses the field from Kailash Bridge, Chuck climbs up the hill. The way to the west leads to a partially steep slope in your camp near Donding Dongchang, which offers a better view of the west side of the Mount Kailash

The hike begins on the second day over the wooden bridge with the north face of Kailash's insight. When you arrive at the Gompa and Guest House in Dirapuk, you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the north wall of the Holy Palace. On the Kailash route, Kora climbs up the moraine and finally completes the way from the east bank. Then the path slowly leads to a meadow for the night camp.

Today, the path leads to an earlier pile of clothes, where local Tibetan pilgrims leave a history of clothing or their belongings; Korea crosses a stone hut and thousands of small rock cranes on a rock. Continue towards this area and up to the high pass of Dolma La (5, 470 m). A large rock represents the goddess Dolma, which is decorated with prayer flags. This place is the physical and spiritual height of the Kora pilgrimage centre. From here, the path descends to the ground. After a few hours' walk, you will reach the overnight camp in Jutul-puk Gompa. The place is named after a cave where the poet Sant Milarepa stopped meditating. You can still see his footprints on the ceiling.

It is the last day of your holy walk "Kora" and leads to the Kailash stream, then towards the river plain. The last stage of the hike leads dramatically from the river valley to the ground and then to the gem wall, which is decorated with carved yak skulls. A short walk will take you to the festival in the small town of Darchen after you've completed the most magnetic attraction of the trip. A short excursion takes you to your overnight camp near Lake Mansarovar or the Mayum-La base.

After having breakfast, you leave Lake Mansarovar today and drive 300 km through Mayur-la and various rivers to Paryang, a beautiful and small Tibetan town where you will camp overnight. The landscape in this part is stunning throughout the trip and offers a realistic view of the distant storm that flows behind the Tibetans, horses, and sheep.

After breakfast, you will leave Perayang and drive through the beautiful scenery and public activities back to Saga, where you will camp for the night.

Today, you will take a boat through the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River). When you reach the riverbank, you boarded the barge with the vehicle to reach the other bank of the river. From this point on, drive on the valley to reach Paigutsho Lake, where you will spend the night in a camp near a lake.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the beautiful landscape with a spectacular panoramic view of the Mount Cho-Yu and Lal Shung La Pass to Mount Shishpagama. You will spend the night at your camp in Nylam.

It is the day of your last visit to Tibet. You will first drive from the Tibetan Plateau to the Chinese border city of Zhangmu and then cross the border to Kodari in Nepal to complete the necessary border formalities for the Nepalese border city of Tatopani. After completing the re-entry formalities, you can continue to Kathmandu, which can take 5 to 6 hours, depending on the road and weather conditions.

Today you can do the last minute shopping for friends or family or book additional trips or activities that you can give away with your family until your departure. According to the departure time, we will take to the international airport. 

Includes/Excludes

  • Pick up and drop at airport

    Travel permits to Tibet and participation fees.

    Hotel or guest house accommodation based on viability.

    Double or twin sharing accommodation in Lhasa with Breakfast

    All ground transportation in a four-wheel-drive jeep.

    English speaking Tibetan guide with their salary, accommodation, and food.

    Entry fees in all monasteries and temples.

  • China Entry Visa Fees

    Plane tickets from Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu

    Lunch, Dinner, Soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages.

    Tips for hotels, restaurants, travel guides, drivers, and other staff

    Photography fees in monasteries, Temple, palaces, and sites.

    Re-entry visa fees for Nepal.

    All costs are arising due to disruptions, cancellations, program deviations, or any other reasons.

Quick Inquiry

Looks good!
Looks good!
@
Please Insert Email
Please provide a Phone
You must agree before submitting.

Fixed Departure

All our published fixed departure dates are guaranteed. If the date does not suit your travel plans, the cost and duration of the trip, please contact us for your individual private trip, itinerary and price. Since we are a local travel and trekking company based in Kathmandu, we try to find a small private group that fits your travel needs. Let us know what kind of trip you are looking for and our travel experts will help you plan your customized trip to your dream destination. Thank you and Namaste!

Start Date End Date Status Note Price  
No Results

Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour Accommodation

We provide three types of accommodation during the trip to Kailash. You will stay at 4-star hotels in Kathmandu, three or 4-star hotels in Tibetan cities, including Lhasa, and clean, comfortable standard tea houses during Kora. All accommodations along the trip are on twin sharing. The particular room will be available upon request for an additional fee. However, the individual addition may not always be possible, especially in higher altitudes above Mansarovar.

During your trip to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar, you can enjoy Nepalese food in Kathmandu and Tibetan food in Tibet as well as famous international cuisine (Italian, Continental, Indian, etc.). We provide only breakfast during your trip to Mansarovar, but after that, lunch and dinner also include. Our chef, who will accompany you on the way, will prepare delicious and hygienic meals for you during the rest of the trip. Breakfast is served every morning at the hotel, and dinner can buy at the hotel or on the menu at the lodge where you will spend the night. You will have your lunch on the way to your next destination.

Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour Video

Essential Information

Tour Managers and other staff arrangements

During the trip to Nepal part, you are under the guide of Nepal, and the guide of Tibet is your guide in Tibet. Such provision ensures that your guide has in-depth knowledge of the respective specialized area. During the trip to Nepal and Tibet, potters and horses or yaks are responsible for carrying your luggage.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance for each itinerary of our company is a prerequisite for booking vacations. At a minimum, you must have emergency and repatriation insurance that must include the cost of the mountain rescue. Carefully review the terms and conditions of your insurers. You should understand that you will bear the cost of the evacuation and return procedures, and that is your responsibility to pay for the evacuation or medical treatment. You must be fully aware of the effects of travel insurance and understand the limitations and exclusions of your policy. Please note that in certain circumstances, our company guide may initiate helicopter rescue operations (or other necessary operations) in medical emergencies without first seeking approval from your insurance company.

Acclimatization

Being at an altitude can be a challenge for some. All of our trips are planned with a high level of awareness about AMS (acute mountain sickness). Going up to fast can seriously need medical conditions. We understand that for a safe walk, it is necessary to leave enough time for acclimatization. Therefore, a sensible plan is required to reduce the risk of AMS. However, be aware that some visitors are more vulnerable than others.

Physical condition and experience requirements

The trip lasts a few days at high altitude; some time needs a few more hours. The hike is not challenging. However, being at an elevation can be challenging. Therefore, it is highly recommended to stay physically healthy. We recommend that you consult your doctor and take the necessary advice and take medications to travel to extreme heights before going on vacation.

Important information about the Tibet tour

Above all, all travellers travelling in Tibet are asked to point out that Tibet is isolated from the impressive mountains of the Himalayas, remains one of the most fascinating but least developed parts of the world. Although the tourist facilities are updated, they remain pure and limited in scope. Therefore, visitors are asked not to have high expectations of the facilities in Tibet. However, we will do our best to make your trip as pleasant as possible.

The road between Tibet and Nepal is not up to date either; it is rough, bumpy, and winding. Especially during the monsoons (June-August), it can be temporarily hampered by landslides and erosion. Therefore, some sportswear and sports shoes are highly recommended to make it easier for travellers to walk on the landslides.

Reservation and visa procedures:

You should contact us at least two weeks before with a fixed reservation with full payment along with full passport details. We organize the China / Tibet visa from Kathmandu. The visa procedure takes three full working days if you are available in Kathmandu.

Cancellation:

Fifty percent of the tour cost will be charged as a cancellation fee if you cancel the tour within seven days before the start of the journey. After that, there is no refund in any reason such as no show, late arrival or any other

Risk Liability

We will always do our best to make your trip pleasant and enjoyable. However, since all tours through Tibet are carried out exclusively by the Tibet Tourism Authority or its representatives, you are not responsible for changes or cancellations of programs due to unavoidable circumstances such as road closures, floods, snow, riots, Flight cancellations, late arrival, etc. In the event of illness or accident, the customer bears all additional costs. It is, therefore, advisable that customers have full insurance against the risk of medical and personal disasters. Cancellation insurance is also the most recommended in your country of origin.

FAQs

The weather in Tibet is good from April to mid-November and is best from August to October as the weather in Tibet is not as uncomfortable as people think. The climate in Lhasa is much more favourable than other places in Tibet, which makes Lhasa ideal for year-round travel.

Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour Reviews

Total Reviews: 2
2020-09-26

by Michelle Leong, Malaysia

Excellent Experience

It was a Great experience, certainly mentally and physically challenging, but it was worthy. It is a unique experience. The only drawback is that we are not used to the local flavour; we have to improvise with our style of cooking.

All in all, it is worth enjoying the experience once again.

2020-09-26

by Chandramohan, United Kingdom

Trip of The Life Time:- Tibet Saka Dawa Festival Tour Review

It was our family trip that the Nepal Tour & Trekking P. Ltd service arranged for us. We were a group of a total of 14 people. Mr Kishor, the Manager of this company, and his team were the most helpful since we had sent him our request by e-mail for the trip to Tibet tour during the Tibet Saga Dawa Festival. Mr. Kishor was able to recommend a well-planned itinerary that met the wishes of most of our members. The cost of the trip he offered us was very competitive, and the service was excellent. He carefully completed all the necessary documents for the Tibet visa, and everything was on time.

After receiving the visa, we flew from Kathmandu to Lhasa. We had three days in Lhasa for proper acclimatization; during these days, we visited the Potala Palace, Barkhor Bazaar, Norbulingka Palace, and Jokhang Temple. Afterward, we went to the holy destination, the West of Tibet. Several days of long, but picturesque and exciting journeys followed before finally arriving in Darchen, the small village where the holy three days of the Kora began. During the Kora, we climbed up to 5600 m above sea level; by the grace of God Shiva, everything went well, and fortunately, nobody in our team had problems with altitude sickness. We did not use horses or other means of transportation to complete the Kora. Everyone ended the Kora on foot.

We had a great Tibetan guide. He encouraged us to walk at our own pace and helped us a lot, and without him, we could not complete the Kora. During the trip, Kishor contacted us to ensure that our trip went smoothly. We also enjoyed the Saga Dawa Festival on this trip. Overall it was a lovely experience, and we had a successful and enjoyable trip. Thank you for your valuable time and excellent coordination in making our journey a success. We are already planning the next trip to Nepal or Bhutan with you.

Share:


Similar Tours

3 Nights 4 Days Tibet Tour
3 Nights 4 Days Tibet Tour

Duration

4Days

Price

$ 650

4 Nights 5 Day Tibet Tour
4 Nights 5 Day Tibet Tour

Duration

5Days

Price

$ 650

5 Nights 6 Days Tibet Tour
5 Nights 6 Days Tibet Tour

Duration

6Days

Price

$ 700

6 Nights 7 Days Tibet Tour
6 Nights 7 Days Tibet Tour

Duration

7Days

Price

$ 750

We are Associate and Certified


Registered with Company Registration Office, Government of Nepal Registered with Company Registration Office, Government of Nepal
General Member of Nepal Mountaineering Association General Member of Nepal Mountaineering Association
Proud Member of Trekking Agency's Association of Nepal Proud Member of Trekking Agency's Association of Nepal
Licensed by: Nepal Tourism Board & Department of Tourism Licensed by: Nepal Tourism Board & Department of Tourism