Saga Dawa Festival 2019

Mount Kailash is not just a mountain. It’s a legend, one of the most significant spiritual spots in the world, revered by millions of people from different religions across the world. Surrounded by lakes, high snowy mountain peaks and high altitude deserts, pristine high rounded ice dome in the wild, Mount Kailash is the most sacred pilgrimage and a spiritual power place of four religions Mount Kailash [6714m.] stands off the main chain of the Himalayan Mountains and is a jewel of a mountain is Asia’s most sacred mountain in Western Tibet.
It is a must have journey of a lifetime.

 

Mount Kailash is the home of Hindu gods, Shiva and Parwati and it is the mythical Mount Meru, the axis of the earth, a place where the divine takes earthly form.The ice dome of Kailash is the throne of gods and the seventh chakra of the earth.  It is the home of the Hindu Gods, Shiva and Parvati, it is equally sacred to the Buddhist and is energy source for the Buddhists as well. Culminates in compassion, balance and the highest spiritual aspiration. The four great rivers of Asia Indus, Sutlej, Karnali and the Brahmatputra radiate from Mt. Kailash is one of the most admired journey you can experience.

 

Our adventure includes a two-week long journey starting from Kathmandu. We plan to reach Mount Kailash at the time of the Saga Dawa festival when many thousands of pilgrims from throughout Tibet gather to pay homage to the mountain. After the celebrations, we will undertake a trek to Dzultripuk Gompa, Darche, before driving back to Kathmandu.

 

 

01 Day

Day 01: 11th june - Kathmandu to Shyabrubesi

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will drive to Shyabrubesi after having your breakfast. You will be inside of Langtang National Park today. Rest at local tea house after your long drive via Mountain road. Langtang national park. Tea House. Full Board

02 Day

Day 02: 12th june - Shyabrubesi to New Kerung 2900 m

You will have a short drive to the border and complete all visa permit formalities at Nepal Immigration Office, cross the Friendship Bridge and stop at Tibetan immigration office, where Tibet visa for Kailash Visit will be checked thoroughly. Tibet guide will be there waiting with a permit and also will deal with all the immigration formalities as well. Then, you will be taken in Tibetan bus/van or Jeep to Kerung city (2900m) which is 22 km far from border. Kerung city consists of Beautiful local Tibetan settlement with simple accommodation and fine guest houses for tourists. 

FULL BOARD

NOTE: (WE CAN MAKE 1 DAY REST HERE IN KYRUNG INSTEAD OF SAGA. (THIS IS OPTIONAL CHOICE)

03Day

Day 03: 13th june - Kerung to Saga (4600m, 6 to 7 hours)

Today, you will be driving to Saga. It is 6/7 hrs long drive. You can see Peku Tso Lake, Salt Lake (Nunilo Tal) on the way to Saga. Nomads looking after hundreds of sheep and yaks can be seen here. It looks interesting. Travelers will be served with warm lunch box on the way and you will again stop for lunch near Pekhu Tso Lake or somewhere. Driving again, you will come to cross Bhramha Purtra River (Sangpo) on the way to Tibetan city Saga. 

FULL BOARD 

04Day

Day 04: 14th june - Full rest at Saga for acclimatization

05Day

Day 05: 15th june - Drive to Lake Manasarovar (4590m, 410 km), 8 hours

Today, you will depart in the morning on a 410 km journey, on a smooth road to Lake Manasarovar, the victory lake in the Ngari region, amidst enchanting panoramic views, dotted nomads tents are mingled with their herds of animals on the open plateau. You will pass through numbers of villages and camps of Yak herders with the distance view of snowcapped mountains, cross the Mayun-la pass (5,216m), if lucky you might see many wild animals at the plateau grasslands.

Overnight: Guesthouse at Chiu Monastery near Lake Manasarovar.

06Day

Day 06: 16th june - Visit Chiu Monastery & Manasarovar, then Drive to Darchen via Rakshasta Lake

Today you will have the rare opportunity to talk with Guru Rinpoche in his cave, in Chiu Monastery at Manasarovar. While walking near the Lake, you will enjoy the chance to dip into its cold purifying waters. Early in the afternoon, you will drive to Dharchen via Leke Rakshasta. Here you will find a famous Tibetan medical school where, if you want, you can consult with a Tibetan doctor about your health state. You are ready now to attend the famous Saga Dawa Festival and Kailash Kora that will take place tomorrow!

Overnight: Guesthouse /Dormitory. FULL BOARD 

07Day

Day 07: 17th june - Enjoy Saga Dawa Festival, Trek to Drirapuk (5050m, 10 km, 5 to 6 hours)

The Saga Dawa Festival is held at Darpoche, the starting point of Kailash Kora. During the celebration, Tibetans hang their prayer flags on a vertical prayer flag pole. Lamas circulate around the prayer flag while reciting special prayers. When the ceremony ends, locals do their kora (trek). You will trek along, an easy path, to the 1st Prostration Point. Choku Gompa is considered to be the place where Buddha Shakyamuni left his imprints. Opposite the Choku Gompa was once the place of assembling for 500 Arhats – the spot where, according to the legends, Buddha Sakyamuni prayed and meditated in front of Mount Kailash. The gradually ascending path will take you then to Driraphuk Gompa. The terrain is easy to climb, but the high altitude might make it a bit more difficult than expected.

Overnight: Guesthouse / Dormitory FULL BOARD 
  

08Day

Day 08: 18th june - Trek from dirapuk to dzultripuk (4820m, 6 to 8 hours)

Around Kailash, you will encounter the most difficult section of your trek, especially when you will have to climb from Driraphuk Gompa, 5000-meter altitude, to Dolma-La Pass, at 5670 meters.  The atmospheric pressure is one-half over the pressure of sea level, so it is recommended to slow down to 3-5 steps, alternated with deep breaths (only 50% of oxygen) rather than collapse somewhere along the way. Dolma La Pass is a holy place where Lamas perform Bardo rituals, and people symbolically leave behind pieces of their hair, nails, hats, clothes etc., hang up prayer flags and burn incense. After reaching this point, you will descend into a long valley that takes you to Zutrulphuk Gompa, where you can visit Milarepa’s Cave. Milarepa is Tibet’s most beloved yogi, and meditating inside this cave is one of the purest and most fulfilling experiences for Tibetans. Don’t forget to learn Milarepa’s mantra – Je milazhe pa dorje la sol badep so!

Overnight: Guesthouse / Dormitory. FULL BOARD 

09Day

Day 09: 19th june - Trek to Darchen (4670 m - 13 km - 2 hours. ) and then drive to saga (530 km - 7 hours)

The last section includes a fairly easy walking itinerary from Zutruphuk Gompa to Darchen.  The Kailash pilgrimage officially ends at Dakini Dancing Ground, with a fantastic view over Lake Manasarovar in the background. Then, you will start driving back to Saga retracing the same route, you will have a last view of the Mt.Kailash on the way.

Overnight: Saga Hotel. FULL BOARD

10Day

Day 10: 20th June - Saga/Pelku Tso Lake/Old Tingri/Everest Base Camp (340 km, 7 hours)

Today, you will cross the Brahmaputra River and continue driving through a sandy plain, nomads herders with their yaks and sheep also can be seen along the road. At the middle of the way, you will take a stop at the stunning view of Pelku Tso Lake on the left and Mt. Shishapama(8012m) on the right. After driving further, you will reach friendship highway and then to Old Tingri, from there you can see the mighty peaks of Mt. Everest(8844m) and Mt. Cho Oyu(8201m). You will continue driving another 100km to reach Rongbuk where the Everest Base Camp is located. You will be enjoying the stunning sunset at your guest house.

Drive to Kerung
After breakfast, we will proceed to beautiful drive through a series of switchback bends, and the road descends to Nyalam within the Matsang Tsangpo gorge and beautiful waterfalls can be seen on the both side of the road. The trip continues to pass over two spectacular passes: Thong La pass (5050m) and Lalung La pass (5082m). Along with the two passes, we also get to enjoy fabulous views of the high mountains including Shisha Pangma (8,013m). We will eventually reach Sino Nepal border.
Overnight at Kerung port: Guest House. FULL BOARD

After breakfast, we will have a short drive to border, complete immigration formalities, and this will be the end of the trip. We will then bid farewell to Tibetan guide and Driver. After that, we will cross the border, meet Nepali driver and jeep, continue driving to Kathmandu. 
Overnight at Kathmandu. B/F AND LUNCH

Overnight at monastery guest house or tent guest house. (Dorm bed). FULL BOARD

11Day

Day 11: 21st June - Kerung to Border (19 km), Drive to Kathmandu (8 hours)

After breakfast, you will have a short drive to the border, immigration formalities. This marks the end of the trip. You will be bidding farewell to Tibetan guide, driver and cross the border. You will meet Nepali driver and jeep, and drive back to Kathmandu.

Overnight at Kathmandu. B/F AND LUNCH

12Day

Day 12: 22nd June - Free Day or South Valley Tour

 

13Day

Day 13: 23rd June - FLY hOME

Your safety is of paramount concern while traveling with Himalayan Trailfinder. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; However, as this is adventure travel in remote mountain regions, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions, health condition of a member, unexpected natural disasters etc, can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

Enquiry About This Trip

Trip Facts

  • Duration13 Days
  • Tour GradeModerate to Technical
  • Best Month:May and June
  • Trip start/End:Kathmandu/ Kathmandu

Trip Maps

 

  • Twin sharing accommodation as per the itinerary on Full Board
  • English speaking tibetan guide and nepali guide 
  • Private Transportation as per the itinerary by by bus and van
  • Monastery Entrance Fees
  • Tibet Travel Permit
  • Jeep : Kathmandu to Kyrung to Kathmandu

 

  • Meals and Hotel in Kathmandu
  • Porter if required
  • Beverages
  • Horses