2024 Saga Dawa Festival, Tibet Highlights and Kailash Trekking

Date of Saga Dawa Festival: May 29th, 2018

Day01 Arrival Lhasa (May 21st, 2018)

-Lhasa arrival, transfer to hotel.

Day02 Lhasa Potala Palace

-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. )
-Jokhang Temple ( the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. )
-Barkhor Circuit ( do some shopping if desired. )

Day03 Lhasa Norbulingka Park, Lhasa

-Drepung Monastery ( the sacred land of Gelug Sect, which was established in 1416AD and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in.)
-Norbulingka Park ( the former Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas. )
-Sera Monastery ( which was created in AD1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. )

Day04 Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse Kumbum Stupa,Gyantse,Tibet

-Kamba La (4.796 m) ( to 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. )
-Pelkor Chode Monastery ( the only one large building complex in Tibet that old monastery and stupas are completely preserved and characterized as a monument. )
-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. )

Day05 Shigatse – Sakya – Lhatse Sakya Monastery, Tibet

-Tashilunpo monastery of Gelug Sect ( the biggest Gelugpa monastery in the Tsang regions of Tibet, sprawls on the slope of Mt. Niser, south-west of Shigatse. )

Day06 Lhatse – Paryang Tibetan nomads in West Tibet

-Paryang ( a small town lies on the road to Kashgar. We might see lots of Indian and Nepalese Pilgrimage groups camp here. )

Day07 Paryang – Darchen Mt.Kailash,West Tibet

-Transfer to Darchen, the starting point for Kailash Kora.

Day08 Darchen, Saga Dawa Festival Saga Dawa Festival at Mt.Kailash,West Tibet

-Saga Dawa ( 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.)
-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 Mt.Kailash Kora,Tibet

-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. )
-Dira-puk Monastey ( your first night camp. Camping or stay at local primitive tented guesthouse for the pilgrim )

Day10 Mt. Kailash Kora Mt.Kailash Trekking Kora,West Tibet

-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. )
-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 Lake Manasarovar, West Tibet

-Dzong Chu ( viewing prayer flags and countless Mani Stone Walls leading you to Darchen and starting and finish point of the Kora. )
-holy Lake Manasarovar ( 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. )
-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 Paryang, Western Tibet

-the holy lake Manasarovar ( take a short walk and enjoy the sunrise )
-transfer to Paryang.

Day13 Paryang – Shigatse Wildlife in Western Tibet

-Shigatse via Lhatse ( explore and shop around at a local free-market in town )

Day14 Shigatse – Lhasa Ralak Yungdrungling Monastery, Tibet

-local Tibetan family ( to observe what their today’s life is. )
-local Tibetan restaurant ( with good food and good dancing and singing performance.)

Day15 Depart Lhasa

-Transfer to airport for your departure flight. Journey ends.