| Lhasa , Everest, Kailash & the Saga Dawa festival - 22 days |
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Our wanderings round Kang - Rinpoche, the ‘holy ice mountain’ or the ‘ice jewel’ is one of my most memorable recollections in Tibet, and I quite understand how the Tibetans can regard as a divine sanctuary this wonderful mountain which has so striking resemblance to a chorten, the monument which is erected in memory of a deceased saint within or without the temples. ...
S. Hedin, Tran Himalaya, 3 vols, London , 1910 |
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Saga Dawa Festival, May / June
This is the holiest day in Tibet , three memorable occasions coincide on this day, Buddha’s birth, death and Buddha’s enlightenment. Almost every person within Lhasa joins in circumambulations round the city and spends their late afternoon on picnic at "dzongyab lukahng" park at the foot of Potala.
Tibetans believe that one merit on this day, equals myriads of merits accumulated in a life. People keep from killing animals, refrain from eating meats and liberate animals. Sutra chanting, prayer turning, Cham dancing and other religious activities dominate the session. Sacrifices are also offered to the female deity enshrined in the temple on the islet of the Dragon King Pond, and it is a merry and festive occasion day with boating and picnicking.
In Kailash, ritual prayers are performed at Tarboche and all the other monasteries of the region, before the raising and placement of a new prayer pole, accompanied by dances and merriment. |
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| Highlights of the tour |
- Forbidden Lhasa and the Potala Palace
- Gyantse and the Kumbum monastery
- Shigatse and the Tashilunpo monastery
- Dza Rongbuk monastery and the Everest base camp
- Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
- Saga Dawa festival
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Day 1: Kathmandu-Lhasa, 3650 m, 90 kms
Transfer to airport to connect CA 408 KTM-LXA flight. Upon arrival you will be met by our Tibet representative and transfer to Hotel.
Day 2 & 3: Lhasa
We will have two full days in Lhasa to make excursions to the following places:
The Jokhang
The Jokhang is the principal and holiest Buddhist temple in Lhasa , as well as all of Tibet . It is the focus of devotion of hundreds of Tibetans from near and far who circle it to gain spiritual merit. The Jokhang was first constructed in the 7th century and has a large gold image of Sakyamuni Buddha.
Sera and Drepung
Sera monastery, founded in 1419, is a monastery of the Gelugpa order. Its many white buildings sit at the base of a rocky hill. Gilded, bell-shaped gyamtschens grace the roofs of many of the larger buildings. Drepung used to have 8,000 monks who were taught in the traditions of Vajrayana, Mahayana, and Sutrayana, the three vehicles of Tibetan Buddhism.
Potala Palace
The 13-story Potala Palace is reputed to contain 1,000 rooms and hundreds upon hundreds of brilliant thangkas, frescoes, and images built in an era when religious art was created anonymously as a means of gaining merit for future lives. It's one of the world's most extraordinary buildings and completely covers the mountain it stands upon.
Day 4: Free day in Lhasa for acclimatization
This is a day for you to spend as you wish. Explore and soak in the sights and sounds of the old city, revisit a favorite monastery, go souvenir hunting in the local markets, or simply sit in a café and watch pilgrims as they circumambulate the Jokhang Temple.
Additional tour options to the Tibetan Medical Centre, Ganden Monastery and Tsurphu Monastery. Please consult us when booking this tour.
Day 5: Lhasa - Gyantse, 3990 m, 350 kms
Drive via Yamdrok, the Turquoise Lake to Gyantse across Kampa La <La in Tibetan means pass>, 5050 m & Karo La, 5045 m. Visit Kubum stupa & Pelkor Chode Monastery
Day 6: Gyantse – Shigatse, 3860 m
Drive to Shigatse. Visit Tashilunpo monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama who is the 2nd in the Buddhist religious hierarchy and Shigatse market.
Day 7: Shigatse - Rongbuk, 5050 m
We head off the main overland route and the road rise steeply up the foothills of the Himalayas via Pangla Pass to arrive at Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest monastery situated at 5200 m, just below the Rongbuk glacier.
Day 8: Rongbuk Monastery – Everest Base Camp - Tingri
We have the option to hike or drive to Everest Base Camp. Return to Rongbuk monastery & then continue to Tingri.
Day 9:Tingri – Saga
The road follows south of the Pelgu-Tso, continues across the plain with stunning Himalayan views. The route then follows a narrow gorge before climbing to a pass and dropping steeply down to a ferry crossing over the Yarlung Tsangpo.
Day 10: Paryang, 4750 m, 250 kms, 8-9 Hrs
From Saga it is 145 km to Zhongba. The road is good and the trip can be completed in 4-5 hrs. There is also a small monastery at the western end of town on a hill. From Zhongba onwards the southern road deteriorates. There is also danger of vehicles getting stuck. But this section of the road has panoramic views of mountains on either side of the road.
Day 11: Lake Manasarovar , 4560 m, 260 kms, 10 Hrs
From Paryang to Lake Manasarovar is a long drive of 10 hrs or more. There will be several river crossings and we drive past Mayum la pass, 4600 m. The scenery is stunningly beautiful with panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Day 12: Darchen, 4560 m, 30 km / Tarboche, 7 kms
About 30 kms north of Lake Manasarovar is Darchen, the main gateway and the village. The monastery at Darchen, Darchen Gon, is part of the Drukpa sect. Within the dukhang (assembly hall) are new and old thangka paintings and some statues, the main image being Sakyamuni. West of the Gompa is the Mani Lhakhang that has a large, new Mani prayer wheel. This is the site where the original old flagpole (a darchen is a flagpole for prayer flags) of Darchen was located. When beginning their kora around Kailash, many pilgrims often circumambulate the Darchen Gon monastery and the Mani Lhakhang before setting out. After this we drive to our camp at Tarboche, in anticipation of the festive activities of the next day.
Day 13: Tarboche
Participate in the annual flagpole raising ceremony of the Saga Dawa festival.
Day 14: Kailash Circuit Trek – Diraphuk, 6 Hrs
This Kailash circuit covers 53 kms and can be done in 3 days. We head west in clockwise direction and after a few kilometers the trail climbs up to a cairn at 4730 m from where the southern face of Mt. Kailash comes to view.
Day 15: Diraphuk - Zutrulphuk, 4790 m, 6 Hrs
Toady we cross Drolma la pass, 5630 m and Gauri Kund Lake , 5608 m where Hindus worship and immerse themselves in the icy waters of the lake.
Day 16: Darchen - Tirdapuri
The final end of the parikrama is an easy 2-3 hrs walk down to where the river emerges on to the Barga plain. We complete the 3 day circuit trek of Mt. Kailash and drive to Tirdapuri where there is a hot spring. For the Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash is not complete without visiting Tirdapuri.
Day 17: Tirdapuri - Lake Manasarovar
Day 18: Lake Manasarovar – Rest day or self exploration
Day 19: Paryang
Day 20: Saga
Day 21: Nyalam
Day 22: Nyalam - Kathmandu
Across Friendship Bridge to Kodari border where you will be met by our representative and driven to Kathmandu . |
| Tour code / Name |
Tour cost |
Lhasa , Everest, Mt. Kailash & the Saga Dawa festival
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2 pax |
US$ per person |
| 3 - 4 pax |
US$ per person |
| 5 - 7 pax |
US$ per person |
| 8 - 9 pax |
US$ per person |
| 10 - 15 pax |
US$ per person |
| Single room supplement |
US$ per person |
| Airfare extra |
Kathmandu - Lhasa
Chengdu - Lhasa
Beijing -Lhasa |
US$ 356 per person
US$ 254 per person
US$ per person |
| Note: All tour costs based on twin share basis. Individual (single) travel is also possible. Please contact us for details and costs. |
Departures:
2010 May †15, 22, 29 Jun 5, 12, 19, 26, Jul 3, 17, Aug 14, 28 Sep 4, 11, 18, 25
2011 May 7, 14, 21, 28 Jun 4, 11, 18, 25 Jul 2, 16 Aug 13, 27 Sep 3, 10, 17, 24
2012 May 5, 12, 19, 26 Jun 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Jul 7, 21 Aug 11, 25 Sep 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
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- (†) Saga Dawa Festival falls on: 2010 May †27, 2011 May †17 , 2012 May † 5
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- 2011 Saga dawa program details
- 2012 Saga Dwa program details
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Cost Includes |
- Tibet visa authorization
- Tibet travel permits, monument, parks entrance fees and conservation fees
- Hotels / Guest houses on availability
- All meals
- Guided tours in Tibet as per the itinerary
- Transportation by 4WD Land Cruiser with support truck
- Airport transfers
- Fully catered camping trek supported by Nepalese (Sherpa) crew & Tibetan guide
- Required yak, yak herder and porters during trek
- Staff & equipment transportation
- Portable Altitude Chamber, first aid medical kit and other life saving equipments
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Cost Excludes: |
- Tibet Visa Fee
- Nepal visa
- Airport tax
- Insurance coverage against all eventualities
- Any international flights
- Any cost incurred in emergency evacuation due to any reason
- Kathmandu hotels and meals
- Kathmandu sightseeing tours
- Tips, and expenses of personal nature
- Any other expenses not specified in our includes column
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Note:
°Clients should reach Kathmandu at least two days before trip departure dates.
°Rates are subject to change without prior notice
°Also during the monsoon season the Arniko Highway linking Nepal-Tibet border is often disrupted by landslides. In such an eventuality any additional porter or transport charges incurred, shall be borne by clients’ themselves. |
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| Our Hotels |
- In Lhasa using the Lhasa Hotel or similar
- In Tsedang using the Tsedang Hotel or similar
- In Shigatse using the Shigatse Hotel or similar
- In Gyantses using the Gyantse Hotel or similar
- Best available hotels in other areas enroute
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| ± Standard hotel and budget hotels packages are also available. Please email us at info@abcsikkim.com |
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