Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour

Day 1: May 27, 2023 Arrive in Lhasa (3658m)

Arrive in Lhasa either by train or by plane where your driver will receive you and deliver you to your accommodation in Lhasa City. Day 1 is an important acclimatization day and you will want to make sure to take it easy, by resting and drinking plenty of water. Overnight: Ganggyen Hotel (4-star)

Day 2: May 28, 2023 Sight-seeing in Lhasa City (3658m)

Today your guide will give you a tour of Lhasa City, where you will have a chance to see some of Tibet’s most important and iconic sites, like the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa’s famous Barkhor Square, the renowned Potala Palace, and Ramoche Monastery. Overnight: Ganggyen Hotel (4-star)

Day 3: May 29, 2023 Lhasa’s Surrounding Monasteries

Today you will have a chance to see two of Tibet’s most famous Gelugpa monasteries, Sera and Drepung. Located just (north) of Lhasa on Mt. Gambo Utse, Dreqpung once housed ten thousand monks. Meander your way through the dormitories and prayer halls before making a visit to the former home of the state oracle at Nechung Temple. In the afternoon, take a trip to Sera Monastery, best known for its lively tradition of debate. Take a walk around the monastery or catch the monks debating in the late afternoon before returning to Lhasa City and preparing to hit the road the following morning. Overnight: Ganggyen Hotel (4-star)

Day 4: May 30, 2023 Day trip to Drak-Yerpa Meditational Caves (4800m)

Today we will take a day trip out of Lhasa City to Drak Yerpa Hermitage, a spiritual power center for the whole valley surrounding Lhasa and home to more than 80 meditation caves. Overnight: Ganggyen Hotel (4-star)

Day 5: May 31, 2023 Lhasa (3658m) – Shigatse (3750m)

A day of adventure awaits as us as we leave Lhasa for Shigatse. Experience breathtaking views as we cross the Kamba Pass (4795m) when we will have an opportunity to stop at the sacred Yamdrok Lake. After crossing the Karo Pass (5010m) we will arrive in Gyantse, stopping to visit Pelion Chode monastery and Kumbum Stupa. From Gyantse to Shigatse, only 90km of driving remain. Overnight: Gesar Hotel (4-star)

Day 6: June 1, 2023 Shigatse (3750m) – Saga (4560m)

Before leaving Shigatse, we will make a morning visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery, the historic residence of the Panchen Lama lineage of reincarnate lamas. Today we catch our first glimpses of the Himalayas as we traverse the gorgeous countryside. Depending on the time of year, you may even see nomad camps in the valleys below. Late in the afternoon we will cross the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River and arrive in Saga. Overnight: Xibu Yizhan Hotel (Best Choice)

Day 7: June 2, 2023 Saga (4560m) – Lake Manasarovar (4590m)

Today we will finally see Mt. Kailash as we head out west. On the way we explore the holy Lake Manasarovar, a large, high altitude fresh water lake which, like Mt.Kailash, is sacred for followers of Buddhism, Bon, Hinduism, and Jainism. Overnight: Local guesthouse (Limited facilities)

Day 8: June 3, 2023 Lake Manasarovar (4590m) – Dharchen (4700m)

We will spend the morning at the lake before driving to Dharchen, our campsite for the night and the starting point for our trek. Overnight: Himalayan Hotel (Best Choice)

Day 9: June 4, 2023 Enjoy Saga Dawa Festival, Trek to Drirapuk (Outer circuit) – 10km (4800m)

• Highlight: Saga Dawa Festival

• Highest Altitude: 4800m
• Distance: 18km

The Saga Dawa Festival is held at Darpoche, the start point of the Kailash circumambulation route, or “Kailash Kora”. During the celebration, Tibetans hang prayer flags on vertical prayer flag poles. Lamas circulate around the prayer flags while reciting special prayers. We will begin our route leaving Dharchen and travelling along the north side of Mt. Kailash. Today’s path is easy and we will gradually ascend. Passing through Choku Gompa where the Buddha Shakyamuni is said to have meditated, before arriving to Dirra Puk Monastery. Overnight: Local Dirra Puk Guesthouse

Day 10: June 5, 2023 Kailash Saga Dawa Trek Day 2, Dirra Puk (4800m) – Zultrul Puk (4700m)

• Highest Altitude: 5700m (Dolma Pass)
• Distance: 22km

Day 2 is a tough one. We set out from Dirra Puk Monastery and cross the highest point of our trip on the Dolma Pass (5460m), a holy pass where monks perform rituals for souls trapped in the space between death and rebirth and where pilgrims leave mementos in their wake. After crossing the pass, we will head down into a long valley, the location of Zultrul Puk Monastery; home to a meditation cave used by Tibet’s most famous yogi-bard, Milarepa. Overnight: Zultrul Puk Monastery Guesthouse

Day 11: June 6, 2023 Kailash Saga Dawa Trek Day 3, Zultrul Puk (4700m) – Manasarovar (4560m)

Highest Altitude: 4700m (Zultrul Puk) Distance: 13km Our last day will be an easy walk back to Dharchen from Zultrul Puk Monastery. Where our driver will pick us up and take us back to Lake Manasarovar to spend the night. Overnight: Local guesthouse (Limited facilities)

Day 12: June 7, 2023 Way Back to Saga

Today we take a day trip to the historically rich ruins of the ancient Kingdom of Guge. Founded after the collapse of the Tibetan empire in the 10th century, Guge was a cultural and intellectual hub for 200 years. Overnight: Xibu Yizhan Hotel (Best Choice)

Day 13: June 8, 2023 Way Back to Lhasa

Today we make our way back to Lhasa from Guge by car. Overnight: Ganggyen Hotel (4-star)

Day 14: June 9, 2023 Departure

Last day of the Saga Dawa Festival Tour! Today your driver will transport you to either the airport or the train station. Good luck on the rest of your journey! We would much appreciate to involve in forum to discuss and share your recent Tibet experience.