Mt. Kailash Tour in Saga Dawa Festival (2024)10 days

Mt. Kailash Tour in Saga Dawa Festival's 10-day itinerary is based on a fixed departure date as this festival lies on a specific date i.e. 23rd May, 2024.

Mt. Kailash tour in Saga Dawa Festival 10 days allows you to participate in one of the most important festivals of Tibet (Saga Dawa). As the name of the festival, ‘Saga Dawa’ itself means the fourth month, it lies on the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar or Lunisolar calendar. This is taken as the most crucial day in Buddhism as on this day; Buddha was born, got enlightened, and died. Mt. Kailash is the most sacred abode of the Hindus and the Buddhists where the major of the Saga Dawa festival on the full moon day takes place. Thousands of pilgrims go for the holy circuit around Mt. Kailash, some prefer to release fish in the rivers, birds in the sky, and animals in the open land on this occasion. You can also see people placing new flagpoles with thousands of little flags attached. Hundreds and thousands of Tibetan people circumambulate around the Barkhor and the Potala Palace on this day.

Outline Itinerary

18th May: Day 01: Early morning drive from Kathmandu to Kerung Border 6-7 Hrs - (3750m)

19th May: Day 02: Rest for Acclimatization in Kerung

20th May: Day 03: Drive to Saga (230km – 6 hours) 4400m overnight in the guest house

21st May: Day 04: Drive to Lake Mansarovar (370km – 7 Hours) 4500m overnight in the guest house

22nd May: Day 05: Attend Saga Dawa Festival at Tarboche. Overnight in the guest house

23rd May: Day 06: Drive to the Valley of God and start Kailash Kora (making Circle). Reach Dirapuk (18km – 7 Hours) 4800m. Overnight in Guest house/Tented Camp

24th May: Day 07: Second day of Kailash Kora, reach at Zuthulpuk (4760m) via Drolma La pass, 5634m. (19km – 9 Hours) Overnight in Guest house/Tented Camp

25th May: Day 08: Last day of Kailash Kora /End of Kailash Kora. Drive back to Saga (16km walk with 3 hrs and Drive to Darchen then to Saga Overnight at Guest House.

26th May: Day 09: Drive back from Saga to Kerung Overnight at Guest House

27th May: Day10: Drive back to Kathmandu via Kerung (7-8 hrs)

 

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Transfer by tourist or private van or tourist bus
  • Twin-sharing accommodation as per the itinerary on a bed and breakfast (BB) basis
  • Sightseeing in Tibet by an experienced Tibetan English Speaking guide
  • Potter (1:2) 2pax 1 yak
  • Monastery Entrance fees
  • Emergency Oxygen Cylinder in the Vehicle.
  • Tibet Travel Permit and Alien Permit

PRICE EXCLUDES

  • Lunch and dinner ($5 to $15 USD per meal depending on the choice of menu you choose)
  • Train or Airfare of any sectors
  • Insurance of any kind
  • Nepal and China Visa fees (Nepal Visa fee $30 on arrival at the airport for 15 days) (Do let us know which passport you hold so that we can give you the exact visa fee for Tibet)
  • Expenses of any personal expenses such as drinks, tips, potter charge, etc.
  • Any trekking equipment.

* This tour can be fully customized as per your requirement.

18th May: Day 01: Early morning drive from Kathmandu to Kerung Border 6-7 Hrs - (3750m)

19th June: Day 02: Rest for Acclimatization in Kerung

20th May: Day 03: Drive to Saga (230km – 6 hours) 4400m overnight in the guest house

21st May: Day 04: Drive to Lake Mansarovar (370km – 7 Hours) 4500m overnight in the guest house

22nd May: Day 05: Attend Saga Dawa Festival at Tarboche. Overnight in the guest house

23rd May: Day 06: Drive to the Valley of God and start Kailash Kora (making Circle). Reach Dirapuk (18km – 7 Hours) 4800m. Overnight in Guest house/Tented Camp

24th May: Day 07: Second day of Kailash Kora, reach at Zuthulpuk (4760m) via Drolma La pass, 5634m. (19km – 9 Hours) Overnight in Guest house/Tented Camp

25th May: Day 08: Last day of Kailash Kora /End of Kailash Kora. Drive back to Saga (16km walk with 3 hrs and Drive to Darchen then to Saga Overnight at Guest House.

26th May: Day 09: Drive back from Saga to Kerung Overnight at Guest House

27th May: Day10: Drive back to Kathmandu via Kerung (7-8 hrs)

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Note : The given cost are per person and exclude international flights. Given below are the departure dates available for online booking. If the given date is not favorable then please contact us and we will happily customize your trip on dates more appropriate for you.

Departure Date Price Available Seats Action

Visa Information

Flying out to Tibet requires a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit which can both be acquired in Kathmandu with the help of a travel company (Tibet via Nepal). A valid visa for China isn't the same as a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese traveler visa will at present need to apply for a Tibet travel permit. The permit is still required for remote foreign travelers traveling to Tibet from the territory of China. To obtain the permit you have to book a guide for your whole trip and pre-organize private transport for trips outside Lhasa. The trip outside Lhasa likewise requires extra permits which are arranged by the travel agent you are going with.

 Passport

All who intend to enter Tibet must hold at least 6 months' valid passport.

Passport - valid for 6 months

Chinese Visa — you can apply for one from a Chinese Embassy or through China Highlights (who entry from China)

Group Visa — entry from Nepal to Tibet after the Tibet tour traveler can visit China mainland with a valid group visa.

Individual Visa will be canceled when we apply for group visa (if a visa is in the passport)

Tibet Entry Permit — it is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is an absolute necessity for outsiders entering Tibet.

A few people who wish to travel to specific areas in Tibet must also obtain:

Travel Permit — it is required when you are planning to move to closed areas in Tibet. These are issued after you land in Tibet.

Military Permit — it is acquired to travel to some militarily sensitive regions.

Weather Information

The weather in Tibet is similar to that of Mainland China, though with lower temperatures due to higher altitudes. Summers have warm days with strong sunshine and cool nights, but summer days can even be chilly at higher elevations. Winters are cold but there isn't all that much snow. Lhasa enjoys a lot of sunshine even in winter. Most Tibet experiences frost at least 6 months of the year. Some high lakes are frozen from October to March. The weather varies a lot from region to region. Lhasa is an ideal destination because it is in a valley area of lower elevation.

Safety Guidelines

We recommend you go through our following safety guidelines and stay tuned with the latest happening.

  • Have at least 2 copies of the Tibet Permit.

  • Keep your belongings properly.

  • When you feel uncomfortable due to altitude change or have any troubles, report to your guide promptly.

  • Never rush to visit attractions shortly after you arrive in Lhasa.

  • Shop around but avoid undue bargaining with street vendors and never buy wildlife and unknown Tibetan herbal medicine and fake products.

  • Take your money and important belongings with you all the time.

  • Spend a few days in Lhasa for acclimation and always follow a gradual ascent when traveling to higher places to avoid altitude sickness.

  • Refrain from heavy drinking and smoking.

  • Respect the religion, and customs and avoid taboos in Tibet.

  • Pay special attention to the unique alpine climates (such as sunburn, dramatic temperature change, etc.)

  • Keep necessary medicines at the consult of your doctor.

  • Never travel alone at night or venture into unknown places without informing your guide.

  • In most places, cash is only accepted. Do prepare enough and small changes.

  • If an emergency arises, report it to your guide promptly.

  • Don’t carry any documents or papers related to Dalai Lama or free Tibet.

  • We also recommend not carrying any guidebook to Tibet.

1. Where is Tibet?

Tibet is situated toward the southwest of China, likewise bordering India, Nepal, Burma, and Bhutan. Tibet's three original provinces are U-Tsang, Kham, and Amdo. The general population in these locales all thinks about themselves as Tibetan, although everyone has a solid identity and diverse tongues of Tibetan is used.

Under China's occupation, Tibet has been partitioned up, renamed, and joined into Chinese territories, with little reference to the original borders between Tibet's areas. At the point when China refers to Tibet, it implies the Tibet Autonomous Region or TAR, which incorporates just U-Tsang and part of Kham. The rest of Kham was isolated amongst Sichuan and Yunnan Chinese areas. Amdo was partitioned between Gansu, Sichuan, and Qinghai territories. The region covers a region of around 1.22 million km2, which represents 12.8% of the aggregate of China. The pristine snow-capped view and inescapable Tibetan Buddhism environment and simple access to its neighboring nation Nepal make Tibet rank high on the movement travel bucket list. Its unmistakable geography and land area enable it to share the world's most amazing mountaineering and trekking asset with its neighbor nation Nepal.

2. What is the time difference in Tibet?

Tibet  Standard Time ( IST ) is 0800 hours (6 hours) ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8).

3. How can I obtain a Visa?

Flying out to Tibet requires a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit which can both be acquired in Kathmandu with the help of a travel company (Tibet via Nepal). A valid visa for China isn't the same as a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese traveler visa will at present need to apply for a Tibet travel permit. The permit is still required for remote foreign travelers traveling to Tibet from the territory of China. To obtain the permit you have to book a guide for your whole trip and pre-organize private transport for trips outside Lhasa. The trip outside Lhasa likewise requires extra permits which are arranged by the travel agent you are going with.

 Passport

All who intend to enter Tibet must hold at least 6 months' valid passport.

China Visa or Tibet Group Visa

To enter Tibet using Mainland China, right off the bat, you have to apply China visa for entry to China. Tibet is a part of China, under the Chinese Central Government's Sovereignty. Therefore to travel from China to Tibet, you need to acquire a China Visa at the first stage before all are followed up. Visas for individual travel in China are very easy to get from most Chinese embassies. Most Chinese embassies and consulates will issue a standard 30-day, single-passage visitor visa in three to five working days (an 'L' Visa means to travel). If you are lucky, some embassies abroad may give you 60 or even 90 days. However, in Hong Kong it is very easy to get a 90-day visa; most agencies can organize it in one day. If you need greater adaptability to enter and leave China a few times, most Chinese embassies will issue a double-entry visa. Indeed, for individuals who are to work, study or live temporarily in China, you may require other related China Visa, for example, an "F" Visa, "X" Visa, or "Z" Visa, and so on. All these sorts of visa holders can go to Tibet with Tibet entry permits and other travel permits which can be obtained by a neighborhood travel agency in Tibet with strict and serious procedures.

4. How to enter Tibet?

By Road: There are five main highways in Tibet, to be specific:

Sichuan-Tibet Highway – it runs between Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, and Lhasa.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway – it runs between Xining, the capital city of Qinghai, to Lhasa.

Yunnan-Tibet Highway – it runs between Yunnan territory and Tibet.

Xinjiang-Tibet Highway – it runs crosswise over boundless deserts and lofty and steep peaks.

The China-Nepal Highway – it is the main international highway in Tibet

By Air: Flying to Lhasa dependably requires a stopover in either China or Nepal. Lhasa Gonggar Airport is situated around 98 kilometers (around 61 miles) toward the south of Lhasa City. The main international trip to and from Tibet is between Lhasa and Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

By Rail: The Gormo to Lhasa railway extends for 1,142 kilometers (710 miles) and serves as a connection between the territory of China and Tibet.

5. How is the weather in Tibet?

Since the country expands at high elevations, usually difficult to predict the climate. It is cold for the most part. Lhasa and around it is a cool, and bright day during the day time however evening, night, and morning will be cold. Need to bring sufficiently warm clothes.

6. When is the best time to visit Tibet?

The Tibetan atmosphere isn't as harsh as we imagine it to be. Tibet's climate is ideal to travel from April to the start of November, and most perfect in August and September. In any case, Lhasa's climate is more clement than the rest of Tibet and is suitable to travel year-round. The sun radiation in Tibet is extremely strong. It's not for nothing that Lhasa is known as the Sunlight City. The months of May, June, and September are the primary tourist season in eastern Tibet.

7. What are the documents necessary for visiting Tibet?

Passport - valid for 6 months

Chinese Visa — you can apply for one from a Chinese Embassy or through China Highlights (who entry from China)

Group Visa —entry from Nepal to Tibet after the Tibet tour traveler can visit China mainland with a valid group visa.

Individual Visa will be canceled when we apply for group visa (if a visa is in the passport)

Tibet Entry Permit — it is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is an absolute necessity for outsiders entering Tibet.

A few people who wish to travel to specific areas in Tibet must also obtain:

Travel Permit — it is required when you are planning to move to closed areas in Tibet. These are issued after you land in Tibet.

Military Permit — it is acquired to travel to some militarily sensitive regions.

8. Can I organize a Tibet visa myself? Can I travel alone in Tibet?

Sadly, because of China's extremely strict tourism policy for Tibet, you can't get a visa independent from anyone else and it isn't conceivable to not possible to travel Tibet on your own. As an authorized travel company we can organize everything; visa, allow to permit, and all other paperwork.

9. Is altitude sickness a problem?

As Tibet is known as the Roof of the World it is one of the highest places on the earth. Due to this many visitors from lower altitude areas may suffer from altitude sickness. Most people endure minor effects of altitude sickness only including loss of appetite, headache, and a propensity to have no vitality until the point when their bodies conform to the high landscape. This adjustment can take place for a few hours and in rare cases for a few days. If visitors do some simple preparations before going to Tibet, most of the symptoms of altitude sickness can be avoided. We recommend you talk to your local physician about AMS pills to help combat altitude sickness. Your guide will be there to assist you and help you throughout the trip.

10. Are there ATM counters in Tibet?

There are ATM facilities easily available in Lhasa and Shigatse; however, it might be difficult to find one in other small towns.

11. What currency do I have to use in Tibet?

The unit of currency is the Chinese Yuan. The Bank of China can exchange all foreign currencies. The bank in Tibet /China is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Traveler’s cheques and credit cards are very difficult to be cashed outside the banks, especially outside Lhasa.

12. Is politics a problem? 

Most tourists, who stay with their tour and avoid getting engaged in the politics of the country, will not encounter issues.

13. What vaccination is recommended for Tibet travelers?

The suggested vaccination you should consider for this trip includes the following:

  • Chickenpox (Varicella)
  • Diphtheria & Tetanus Vaccinations
  • Hepatitis A The vaccine for Hepatitis A (eg Avaxim, Havrix 1440, or VAQTA)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Influenza The flu vaccine
  • Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
  • Pneumonia A vaccine
  • Polio
  • Rabies
  • Tuberculosis
  • Typhoid
  • Yellow Fever

14.  Will the language barrier be there are problem?

Visitors to Tibet don't have to worry about the language barrier at all. Every visitor will have an English-talking visit guide, and most of the front work area staff in the big hotels can communicate in English. The main languages used in a part of Tibet are Chinese, Tibetan, English, and Nepali.

15. Is there internet access in Tibet for foreign travelers?

Certainly, there is web access for the foreign traveler in Tibet yet just limited areas like Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, and Tsedang where some bistro gives web offices. Moreover, hotels in some cities like Lhasa and Shigatse also provide internet facilities to their customers.

Price From

1550 per person

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Trip Details
Price : USD 1550
Country : Tibet
Trip Start From : Kathmandu
Trip End In : Kathmandu
Max. Altitude : 4900 m
Group Size : +2
Best Seasons : June (2023)
Transportation : Private Van or Tourist Bus
Accomodation : Guest house and Camping
Meals : Breakfast Only
Duration : 10 Days
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