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We had a wonderful time in Tibet. We have learned a lot about this unique destination because of the wonderful guide Degyi who is so knowledge and always available towards our tours. We stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa, and we would never imagine a Tibet travel could be so nice and amazing without the help of Degyi.

Also, thanks a lot to our Tibetan driver Mr.Wongdun for his safe driving and a good sense of service along the way.

We shall return Tibet in the near future!

P.B. and A. A - Europe
Tibet Travel

June 2018 (Private Tibet Journey from Kathmandu)

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  You are here: Home > China Theme Tours > China Festival Tours > Saga Dawa Festival at Mt.Kailash
Saga Dawa Festival at Mt.KailashTour Name:         Saga Dawa Festival at Mt.Kailash
Tour Code:          M82D291
Duration:            16 Days & 15 Nights
Destination:        Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya, Manasarovar Lake, Mt.Kailash
Features:            Saga Dawa Festival is called "the festival to free captive animals" in local Tibetan custom. Through the whole fourth month, monks don't take meat and don't commit slaughter. They only concentrate themselves on turning prayer wheels and reciting Buddha's scriptures. It is said that on the 1st of the fourth month is the day that Shakyamuni was born, became enlightened and achieved nirvana. On this day every year, people in their holiday best, singing and dancing, go into parks for their dinner party. This tour takes you to Mt.Kailash where the Saga Dawa is held to attend the festival among with Tibetan, Indian, Chinese and Western pilgrims from all walks of life, a once-in-a-life-time experience!
Departure Date:
 You Choose!
Tour Price:          From $ P.P

Trip Summary

Detailed Itinerary

Dates & Prices

 Tour Dates

 Destinations

 Tours & Services

Meals

 Accommodation

Day01

 Lhasa

Arrive in Lhasa, be met and transferred to hotel. Free at own leisure for altitude acclimation. N/A  Lhasa Kyichu Hotel

Day02

 Lhasa

Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and walk on the holy Barkhor Circuit. B, L  Lhasa Kyichu Hotel

 Day03

Lhasa

Visit Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka Park and see monk debating at Sera Monastery. B, L  Lhasa Kyichu Hotel

 Day04

 Lhasa - Shigatse

Drive to Shigatse and have a hike along holy lake Yamdrok before reaching Gyantse, visit Pelkor Chode Monastery and Kumbum Chorten in Gyantse. B, L Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel

 Day05

 Shigatse - Lhatse

Visit Tashilunpo Monastery then drive to Lhatse. B, L, D Local Hotel
    Day06

 Lhatse - Paryang

Transferred to Paryang, have a short break at Saga en route. B, L, D Local Lodge
    Day07

 Paryang - Darchen

Drive to Darchen where the Mt.Kailash locates. B, L, D Local Lodge
    Day08

 Darchen

Full day enjoy Saga Dawa Festival at Tarboche camping ground. B, L, D Camp or lodge
    Day09

 Mt.Kailash

Mt.Kailash Kora. B, L, D Camping Tent
    Day10

 Mt.Kailash

Mt.Kailash Kora. B, L, D Camping Tent
    Day11

 Manasarovar Lake

Trekking ends at Darchen, transferred to holy lake Manasarovar. B, L, D Camp or lodge
    Day12

 Paryang 

Walk and visit little gompa by the lake, then drive to Paryang. B, L, D Local Lodge
    Day13

 Paryang - Shigatse

Leave for Shigatse and walk in a local free market in Shigatse. B, L Shigatse Manasarovar Hotel
    Day14

 Shigatse - Lhasa

Transferred back Lhasa and visit a local Tibetan family en route.  B, L, D Lhasa Kyichu Hotel
    Day15

 Lhasa

Transferred to airport for your departure flight. Trip ends.  B  N/A




Day01 Arrival Lhasa
You will be greeted and received by your Tibetan guide and driver with Hadda (snow white silk ribbon for Tibetan to greet distingue guests). Transferred to your hotel in the city and free at own leisure to acclimatize to the altitude.


Day02 Lhasa (B, L)Potala Palace
Today you will have a full day guided tour in Lhasa. You will first of all visit Potala Palace, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. Then you will admire Jokhang Temple, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. Walk on the holy Barkhor Circuit and do some shopping if desired. 
 


Day03 Lhasa (B, L)Norbulingka Park,Lhasa
Visit Drepung Monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect, which was established in 1416AD and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. After that you will be transferred to Norbulingka Park, the former Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas. Additionally you will be transferred to visit Sera Monastery, which was created in AD1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. Here in Sera, you have chance to see the grand occasion of the Buddhist monk debating at one big courtyard. Lunch served at a good local restaurant and dinner will be arranged at your hotel.


Day04 Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse (B, L)Kumbum Stupa,Gyantse,Tibet
In the morning drive to Gyantse along the Kyichu River. On the Kamba La (4.796 m) have a fantastic view of the holy lake Yamdrok Yumtso (4441 m), one of the three holy lakes in Tibet and the largest habitat of waterfowls in south Tibet. The Yamdok Yumtso, one of the three largest lakes of Tibet, lies about a hundred kilometers' distance to the southwest of Lhasa, is within Langkamu county, with an area of 638 square kilometers and a coastal line of 250 kilometers. The deepest point is 60 meters. To the interior of the lake ten or so hilly islands stand independently one from the other which give homes to flocks of wild ducks. A lot of colorful ducks and geese are swimming on the surface of the lake. There is also plenty of natural fodder for the fish in the lake. The lake has a fish reserve of about 300 million kilograms. That is why it is called "the Fish Store of Tibet". The coast of the lake is an ideal pasture. All these make an intoxicating quite picture. Then drive over the 5, 010 m high Karo La and the Simi La to Gyantse (approx. 3.950 m). On arrival, you will explore the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the splendid Kumbum Stupa (100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda) nearby. Built in the15th century and situated in the northwestern edge of Gyantse, Pelkor Monastery is the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. It is recorded 14,000 kilograms of copper was used to make the 8-meter-high sitting statue of Sakyamuni Buddha housed in the grand hall of the temple. The 8-storey stupa is 42m high and 62m in diameters contains a total of 76 chapels with wonderful murals revered by art scholars around the world. Kumbum Stupa opens 8 doors, which are decorated with relief sculptures of lively flying dragons, running lions and walking elephants. It is a master-piece of the joint efforts of the Nepalese, Tibetan and Chinese. Then you will drive to Shigatse.  

 
Day05 Shigatse - Sakya - Lhatse (B, L, D)Sakya Monastery,Tibet
In the morning visit Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect, the seat of the Panchen Lama built in 1447. The monastery is the biggest Gelugpa monastery in the Tsang regions of Tibet, sprawls on the slope of Mt. Niser, south-west of Shigatse. Tashilhunpo is associated with the Gelugpa order and is one of the six great Gelugpa institutions along with Drepung, Sera and Ganden in Lhasa and Kumbum and Labrang in Amdo. It is probably the largest functioning monastic institution in contemporary Tibet and is an impressive place to explore. Then you will drive to Lhatse and stay overnight.

 
Day06 Lhatse - Paryang (B, L, D)Tibetan nomads in West Tibet
Drive on the new paved road to Paryang, a small town lies on the road to Kashgar. We might see lots of Indian and Nepalese Pilgrimage groups camp here. However they might not interested in chating with us but only focus with their own companions.

 
Day07 Paryang - Darchen (B, L, D)Mt.Kailash,West Tibet
In the morning you will be transferred to Darchen, the starting point for Kailash Kora.

 
Day08 Darchen, Saga Dawa Festival (B, L, D) Saga Dawa Festival at Mt.Kailash,West Tibet
You will join in the festival celebration today, when thousands of pilgrims from all corners of Tibet gather to pay homage to the mountain. Saga Dawa is an important Tibetan Buddhist festival, held each year on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, to celebrate Buddha's birth and Buddha's enlightenment. In the morning we drive to Tarboche camping ground to see the raising of the Tarboche prayer pole, watch festival and encounter local pilgrims for all corners of Tibet.

 
Day09 Mt. Kailash Kora (B, L, D)Mt.Kailash Kora,Tibet
Enjoy sunrise in the morning and then drive half an hour to Darchen where you get ready for your forth coming trekking (Kora) around Mt. Kailash. You will have your first hour walking to Tarbochen where the annually Saga Dawa Festival takes places and this year it is on 4th JUNE. Keep walking towards Chorten Kangnyi and getting to Chuku Monastery and finally you reach Dira-puk Monastey your first night camp. Camping or stay at local primitive tented guesthouse for the pilgrim

 
Day10 Mt. Kailash Kora (B, L, D)Mt.Kailash Trekking Kora,West Tibet
Enjoy hot tea and coffee in the morning and get ready for the Day ii trekking. You will cross a bridge and get over Dromla La Pass. This part of the trekking towards Dromla La is hard as you will climb up three steep slopes and altitude rising to 5300 metre above sea level. Have some good views at the pass and then get down to Lham Chukhir Valley and take another 10km walking to Zutul-puk where Milarepa took meditation here. Camping or stay at local primitive guesthouse for the pilgrim

 
Day11 Trek back to Darchen, drive to Manasarovar Lake (B, L, D)Lake Manasarovar,West Tibet
This morning is leisure walk. You trek along Dzong Chu and viewing prayer flags and countless Mani Stone Walls leading you to Darchen and starting and finish point of the Kora. Meet with your driver again and have lunch break at Darchen before transferring to holy Lake Manasarovar. The lake is situated 30km southeast of Mt. Holy (Kailash). It has an area of 400 square kilometer. The Buddhists believe that the lake is the bestowal from the heaven. The holy water can cure all kinds of diseases, wash people clean and get rid of people's worries. After walking around the lake and taking baths at the Four Bathing Gates, the pilgrims can be free from sins and be bestowed happiness. The small monastery Chiu Gompa standing on rock offers a splendid view over the lake. Walking along the holy lake. 1N at local guesthouse or camping for the night

 
Day12 Manasarovar - Paryang (B, L, D)Paryang,Western Tibet
In the morning you can enjoy sunrise over the holy lake Manasarovar and take a short walk. Later in the morning you will be transferred to Paryang.

 
Day13 Paryang - Shigatse (B, L)Wildlife in Western Tibet
Leave in the morning for Shigatse via Lhatse. On arrival Shigatse, we can explore and shop around at a local free-market in town.

 
Day14 Shigatse - Lhasa (B, L, D)Ralak Yungdrungling Monastery,Tibet
Get back near noon for a good recovery from the West Tibet Expedition. Have a good lunch in town before heading back to Lhasa. On the way you will visit a local Tibetan family to observe what their today's life is. Dinner tonight is arranged at a fine local Tibetan restaurant with good food and good dancing and singing performance.

 
Day15 Depart Lhasa (B)
Transfer to airport for your departure flight. Journey ends.



Tour costing varies upon group size, travel season and hotel accommodation levels etc. For price details please email us at info@splendidchinatours.com.



Price inclusions:
01). All accommodations based on two persons sharing one room (single occupancy is subject to supplement);
02). China internal flights with airport tax or train as stated in the program;
03). Round-trip transfers between airports or railway stations, hotels, and scenic spots in each city by private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced licensed drivers;
04). All admission fees and activity expenses as listed in the itinerary;
05). Daily meals as specified in the itinerary: B denotes breakfast, L denotes lunch, and D denotes dinner (SD signifies special dinner);
06). Services of a local English speaking guide in each city (other languages can be arranged upon request, supplement may apply);
07). Tibet local travel permits such as Tibet Entry Permit (TTB), Alien's Travel Permit (PSB) and Military Permit etc. when applicable;
08). Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour;
09). Governmental taxes and fees.

Price excluded:
01). International airfare to/from China;
02). Chinese Visa fees;
03). Expenses of personal natural such as laundry, telephone, drinks, mini bar etc;
04). Personal shopping, optional activities and excess baggage charges;
05). Gratuities for local tour guides, drivers and hotel bellboy etc;
06). International travel insurance;
07). Services and activities that are not mentioned in the itinerary.

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