• Saga Dawa Festival - 2025
    Saga Dawa Festival - 2025

Saga Dawa Festival - 2025

Trip Facts:
Tour Name : TIBET – SAGA DAWA FESTIVAL - 10 Days
Entry / Exit : Fly in / Driveout
Grade : Adventurous
Max Elevation : 5630m/18466Ft.
Accommodation : Hotel/Guest House
Meal : Bed & breakfast
Transport : Flight/ Private vehicle
Tour Days : 10
Date : 11 June, 2025

Saga Dawa is one of the most sacred festival of Tibet as it is related to the enlighten, birth and death of Buddha. This festival is celebrated throughout the Tibetan region but Tarboche, base of Mt. Kailash is the focal point of this festival where thousands of pilgrimage gather during he festival to circumbulate the Holy Mt. Kailash. Monks from local monasteries and devotees erect the new flagpole hanging hundreds of prayers flags offered by the pilgrimage. Monk will perform special rituals for good health, prosperity and peace by offering Tsampa (barley flower) and do the holy procession around the flag pole and receive blessing. After the ceremony pilgrimage proceed for the Kailash pilgrimage.

Itinerary

07 June: Drive Kathmandu – Kyirong (2300m/7544ft) 170 km, 8 – 10 hrs:

Early morning we drive to drive to Kyirong. It is around 07 hours drive via Pasang Lhamu highway to Kyirong Bridge. It is around 170 km, you reach Tibet border (China / Nepal Border). After completion of immigration formalities at the border, we will enter to the Chinese Autonomous Region. We cross the Bridge at the border & enter Tibet. We will be staying at the hotel/guest house nearby Kyirong border. Overnight at Kyirong.

08 June: Acclimatization in Kyirong (2300m/7544ft):

We have a rest day in Kyirong for acclimatization. O/N in Kerung (BB)

09 June: Drive to Saga (4840m/15875ft) 270km, 5hrs:

Today we drive approx 5 hours to the huge lake called Peiku-tso crossing two high passes. After a quick stop at bank of Peiku-tso Lake, we continue our drive to Saga along many small lakes and cross the Yarlong Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river on the way. Further ahead, a river valley sprawls over and then traditional picturesque villages come into picture. This scenically rewarding drive provides plenty of opportunities for photography. O/N at Guest House in Saga (BB)

10 June: Drive to Lake Mansarovar (4558m/14950ft) 560km, 9hrs:

Today is a longer day’s drive travelling more than 500km. First we begin our journey towards Paryang which is almost 450km drive from Saga. From Paryang, we set out across the plains to Mansarovar located just 30km south of Mt Kailash. As you near this breathtaking sacred lake, historic Chiu Monastery becomes visible on the North West shore of the lake. From this vantage point, you can even glimpse at majestic Mount Kailash. This journey stimulates you spiritually. O/N at Guest House in Lake Mansarovar (BB)

11 June: Drive to Tarpoche (50km, 1 hr). Trek to Dirapuk (4900m/16072ft.)

Leaving the lake early morning as possible to witness the Saga Dawa festival ceremony, we drive for about 50 km towards Tarpoche, the Base Camp of Kailash or the starting point of Kora. Special ceremony will take place raise the auspicious flag pole of prayers flag, local monks along with hundreds of pilgrim will gather to offer prayers for world peace and harmony. Cremony take place for about 2 hours. After we trek to Dirapuk for overnight stay. We spend an overnight in Dirapuk. O/N at Guest House in Dirapuk (BB)

12 June: Trek Dirapuk to Zutulpuk. Cross Dolmala Pass (4790m/15711ft):

Lha Chu Valley blurs as you turn towards Drolma Chu Valley. Looking forward to the amazing Mount Kailash tour and trek, you ascend to Drolma La (5630m), the highest point of the trip. Enjoy the breathtaking view of Thukpe Dzingbu Lake, known as the Lake of Compassion at the summit, you realize that this tough and challenging ascent has indeed been very worthwhile and fruitful. Several prayer flags can be seen at the summit. Further on, the trail descends to the flat fields of Zuthulpuk which houses a monastery and several fascinating caves. The caves at this locale are most popular for meditation; Milarepa’s cave being one of them with Milarepa’s footprints and elbow prints believed to be imprinted all over this cave of Mani stones. After a tough challenging day walk of approximately 10 hrs, we reach Zuthulpuk, our overnight place. O/N at Guest House in Zuthulpuk (BB)

13 June: Finish Trek. Drive to Lake Mansarovar (4558m/14950ft) 30km, ½ hr:

The Last day of Kailash Parikrama/ Kora is easy walking on beautiful valley. We will walk for about 4-5 hours to where our vehicle will be waiting for us to bring us back to Mansarovar.  O/N at Guest House in Mansarovar (BB)

14 June: Drive to Saga (4840m/15875ft) 560km, 9 hrs:

We continue driving today along a 250km stretch of road to Saga through dusty town of Zhongba. O/N at Guest House in Saga (BB)

15 June: Saga to Kyriong (2300m/7544ft) 300km, 5hrs:

Drive past Tingri before Lalung La pass at 5050m, we take left turn from Gutso. We drive along Peku Tso ( Lake) and arrived Dzonkha (Kyirong Xian), then  drive further 70km cross high pass Yangdo La 5326m/17470ft to Nepal border town of Kyirong. O/N at Hotel/ Guest house in Kyriong (BB)

16 June: Drive to Kathmandu (1300m/4265ft) 170 km, 8-10 hrs:

After breakfast, drive 25 km to the border and the immigration point. After Chinese Immigration formalities we cross into Nepal by foot and meet Nepali representative and vehicle at the Nepal side called Timure, Rasuwa Ghadi. After Nepali immigration formalities, you drive to Kathmandu. It is an interesting combination drive of dirt and paved road along the Langtang national park through smaller town of Syabrubensi and Dunche (ideal place for lunch) and finally reaches the main national highway at Galchi. You will experience more traffic along the road. Tour Concludes.

Rates

SERVICES INCLUDED:
·Twin sharing accommodation as per the itinerary on bed & breakfast (BB) basis.
·English speaking Tibetan Guide.
·Transportation as per the itinerary by necessary vehicle.
·Monastery entrance fee.
·Tibet Travel permits and Yak and Yak man
·2 bottles mineral water daily during tour
·Emergency portable oxygen cylinder in the vehicle.
·Trip briefing by Tibet expert & entertain question.
·Trip Information pack.
·Gift pack (prayer flag or string of flag & paper prayer Lungtha).
Note: Offer Prayer flag or Lungtha (string of prayer flag) in high passes, temple for good fortune & long life.

SERVICES EXCLUDED:
·Tibet Visa Fee (Acceptable in US$ cash only).
·Travel insurance.
·Any Nepal Service
·Transportation Kathmandu-Kyirong-Kathmandu.
·Expenses during any rescue operation.
·Nepal re-entry visa fee.
·Lunch and Dinner in en routes
·Alcoholic beverages & bar bills.
·All expenses of personal nature, phone calls, laundry etc.
·Gratuity to staff.
·Services of Porterage and other vehicles in between in case of landslides and other natural calamities beyond our control and expenses incurred during rescue services.
·Services not mentioned herein.