16 Days Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tibet Group Tour

In 2019, Saga Dawa is celebrated on June 17th. Tour date is from June 8th to 23rd,  2019.

In 2020, Saga Dawa is celebrated on June 5th. Tour date is from May 27th-June 11th, 2010.

Upon arrival in Lhasa, our local Tibetan driver and Tibetan guide will bring you to your hotel. Acclimatization to high altitude: please drink more water than usual and rest well, and you will get acclimatized to the high altitude gradually.

Overnight at Tashi Nota Hotel or Shambhala Palace or House of Shambhala Hotel or similar one if late booking (all these are Tibetan style hotel with good location in downtown)

We begin visiting Jokhang Temple, the most sacred monastery in Tibet. It was founded in the 7th century by the first great Buddhist king Songtsen Gampo. Later you can explore the surrounding Barkhor old quarter and spend time walking around Jokhang Temple following pilgrims from all over the Tibetan plateau. In the afternoon, we go to visit Sera Monastery, one of three great universities of Gelugpa Sect. We will attend the debating session of the monks.

Overnight at Tashi Nota Hotel or Shambhala Palace or House of Shambhala Hotel or similar one if late booking

Today we visit the beautiful Potala Palace and Norbulingka Palace. Potala winter palace was built in the 17th century by the fifth Dalai Lama. It provides amazing views of the entire city and houses the private quarters of the Dalai Lama, numerous grand state rooms and chapels. Norbulingka Palace is the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, built in the 18th century by the seventh Dalai Lama. During Shoton Festival (August-September), Norbulingka has the tradition of hosting picnics in its beautiful garden and presenting Tibetan opera dance performances.

Overnight at Tashi Nota Hotel or Shambhala Palace or House of Shambhala Hotel or similar one if late booking

Adventure starts: we drive west to reach the second largest city in Tibet. First, we cross Kampala Pass [4797m] and then Karo-la Pass [5050m], where Mt. Noijin Kangsang [7206m] glacier lies near the road. On the way, we enjoy the unreal turquoise waters of holy lake Yamdrok-Tso. Then we stop in Gyantse, where we visit the best Tibetan art paintings in Kumbum Stupa inside Pelkhor Chode Monastery. We will also see the majestic Gyantse Dzong (fortress) overlooking the valley. Finally, we reach Shigatse before dinner.

Overnight at Tashi Choeta Hotel or Gesar Hotel or Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel or similar one if late booking (it depends on the final group booking situation, we will choose a suitable one according to our final booking status)

The journey to New Tingri involves crossing the high pass of Gyatso La [5220 m] and the opportunity to view Mt. Everest and the Himalayas for the first time. Before, we visit Sakya Monastery, the principal seat of Sakyapa Sect founded in 1073, one of four major Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Its powerful abbots governed Tibet during the whole of the 13th century until they were eclipsed by the rise of the Gelugpa Sect. Its Mongolian architecture is very different from temples elsewhere in Tibet.

Overnight at Tingri Everest Hotel or Snowland Hotel

Exciting day today: we reach one of the major highlights of our trip, Mt. Everest North Base Camp [5200m] (trekking or take bus). From New Tingri we continue driving towards Rongbuk Monastery, located at the foot of the Everest and the highest monastery in the world. We enjoy amazing views of several peaks like Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Mount Everest from the top of the Pang-la pass [5150m]. Overnight at tourist camp site located a few kilometers from Rongbuk Monastery and from where we have direct views of Mt. Everest.

Overnight at guesthouse tent (dorm bed without bathroom). Sleeping bag is recommended.

After spending some time at the base of Mt. Everest, we drive northwest crossing high passes with enchanting views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks like Shishapangma and the beautiful lake Peikutso.

Overnight at Saga Hotel or similar

Early morning we enter in the semi-nomadic regions of Tibet’s far west. We will enjoy the authentic Tibetan landscapes during this long drive journey through the biggest and highest plateau in the world. We follow Yarlung Tsampo river west (also called Brahmaputra in India) until we reach the lake Manasarovar (Mapam Yumtso in Tibetan language), one of the three most sacred lakes in Tibet. Hindus believe that bathing in the lake water will wash off all their sins and bring good karma.

Overnight at guesthouse (dorm bed with shared bathroom). Sleeping bag is recommended.

In the morning, we enjoy sunrise at the beautiful holy waters of Lake Manasarovar. After visiting Chiu monastery, we drive to Darchen, at the foot Mount Kailash, where we will get ready for the upcoming pilgrimage trek.

Overnight at Himalaya Kailash Hotel or similar one if late booking

We begin the Pilgrimage Kora of Mount Kailash, the most sacred mountain in several religions. Tibetans and Hindu people from all over the world come here to pay homage. First, we go to an important pilgrimage area called Tarpoche where Saga Dawa Festival takes place every 15th day of the 4th month in the Tibetan calendar to celebrate the birth of Buddha Sakyamuni. Saga Dawa is the most important festival in Tibet and for this reason we all Tibetans are willing to visit Mt. Kailash and complete its kora during this time. Today, full moon, a giant pole is raised with thousands of prayer flags (lungta) hung by crowds of pilgrims. Monks from the nearby monastery perform a special ritual during the celebration. Once the pole is raised, around midday, we start trekking around the mountain. We can pay visit to the nearby Chorten Kangnyi and Sky-Burial Site Of The 84 Mahasiddhas. Coming up next is Chuku Monastery (4820m), where you can find a revered marble statue inside. After some break time when you can take in more views, we will head towards the second prostration point, where you see prayers flags and views of the west side of Mt Kailash. The second Buddha footprint is a short distance ahead. There are several trails to reach our final destination of the day: Dira-Puk Monastery (5080m). It faces the north side of Mt. Kailash, and also provides viewpoints for peaks in other direction. Overnight stay at guesthouse (dorm bed without bathroom) near Dira-Puk Monastery. Sleeping bag is recommended.

We continue on the main Kora path towards the east. We pass through Kangkyam Glacier and Jarok Donkhang (5210m) meadowland. A short distance above is Shivatsal (5330m). Pilgrims go through a symbolic death here and are reborn at Drolma-la (5630m), which is half an hour away. After some rest and refreshments, we soon arrive at lake Gauri Kund. We gradually descent to the grand valley of Lha-chu, and begin a long journey in the grassland. The day concludes at Zuthul-Puk Monastery. Overnight stay at guesthouse (dorm bed without bathroom) near Zuthul-Puk Monastery. Sleeping bag is recommended.

We follow the river and then climbs the Gold & Red Cliffs. Pilgrims search for holy stones on these cliff walls. We will see prayer flags across the river, and Lake Rakshas Tal in the far distance. After reaching the fourth prostration point, the final walk back to Darchen is quite easy. Overnight at Himalaya Kailash Hotel.

Overnight at Saga Hotel or similar

Overnight at Gesar Hotel or Tashi Choeta Hotel or Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel in Shigatse.

We visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in the 15th century by the first Dalai Lama. Today it is the seat of the Panchen Lama. We recommend that you do the kora around Tashilhunpo Monastery. Also, you can walk around the local market. We will then return to Lhasa. 

Overnight at Tashi Nota Hotel or Shambhala Palace or House of Shambhala Hotel or similar one if late booking

Enjoy your last hours in Tibet exploring Lhasa by your own. Your guide and driver meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport.

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