Saga Dawa festival at Mt. kailash Tibet

About Saga Dawa festival

This festival tour is not only to see the pristine beauty of the region but also to experience highly colorful festival at the holiest Mt. kailash Parbhat and Manasarovar . 

SAGA DAWA is very important festival in the Tibetan society, which held each year on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. This festival is celebrated in honor of Sakyamuni's and his enlightenment as well as his birth, has a special significance during the Year of the Horse. The 15th day of the fourth month on the Tibetan calendar is said to be the birthday of Sakyamuni, and the day when he died and attained Nirvana. During this period, hundreds of thousands of people turn their prayer wheels singing and dancing. Every year, they replace the Tarboche flagpole, a huge pole that stands round of Kailash. It is said that the flagpole should stand perfectly upright, or else things are not good for Tibet . So it has to result in the perfect upright position of the flagpole, A steel cable is attached to two trucks, engines are warmed up, and then, on the sign of the Lama, and they go backward, pulling the flagpole. To be able to control the movement, on both sides of the flagpole people pull ropes too, to prevent it doesn't incline to one or the other direction. Once the trucks start moving, it all go very fast, the flagpole is moving, the A-structures that were supporting it, fall down and it is all over. And then big magic occurs, the flagpole stands upright, and at that moment, thousands of wind horses fly into the sky... like an explosion of prayers going to the heavens. You can really feel a sudden great sense of happiness surrounding you.

The festival is observed by turning prayer wheels, having vegetarian lunch and a picnic and so on by the Mt. Kailash region. Folk entertainers will perform Tibetan tradition; they will pay their homage to Buddha, observe a vegetarian rule, refrain from killing domestic animals and give out alms during the month. People donate large sums to the religious orders, monasteries and to the beggars that gather at this time of year. During Saga Dawa, the karmic results of virtuous and non-virtuous actions are magnified and it is believed that the merit earned on this day is multiplied. As a result, the tradition in the Tibetan community is to make offerings to their temple, Lama, and their community. One important offering that is made is to poor people. Tibetans give money to the beggars also give money to save the lives of animals. For instance, giving money to the butcher to save the life of a sheep.

The Saga Dawa festival has been celebrated by the Tibetan Buddhists for past thousand years and to be there at this moment is more like being part of a magic event, something that gets a total grip on all of your senses and of course a powerful experience.

Day 01: Kathmandu to Nyalam 3750m. 150km

Drive to friendship bridge ( Nepal – China boarder) by private coach. After Nepal immigration and custom formalities cross the bridge and introduce with Chinese guide and land cruiser drivers then precede the journey to Zangmu, where all the immigration and custom formalities are ought to be accomplished then drive further to Nyalam. Overnight stay at guesthouse.

Day 02: Rest day at Nyalam for acclimatization for further adventure journey. 

Day 03: Nyalam to Saga/4450m. 245 km: On the first long driving day over the sandy and rocky land of Tibet and crossing Labug-La 5050m and Peku-tso, lakes, nomads chasing thousands of yaks and sheep keep you busy.  By the late afternoon you will cross Bhramha Purtra River way to typical Chinese and Tibetan town. Over night stay at Guesthouse.

Day 04: Saga to Paryang 4600m 230 km 7-8 hrs: Drive on the wide valley following rivers and grazing land of yaks and sheep viewing snow covered peaks, lots of rocky peaks and sand duns give you an ideal world. Normally nomads and other mobile shopkeepers are attired by beautiful traditional costume, waiting your arrival with hot tea and other supplies along with big smile. Over night stay at guesthouse.

Day 05: Paryang to Manasarover Lake 4558m. 277km 8 hours: The longest driving day starts with full of excitement; by the late afternoon you can have the first sight of Holy Kailash Parbat and Manasarovar lake. Arrive at Hore, a small village near by Lake Manasarover for the overnight. Over night at guesthouse 

Day 06: Puja and drive to Tarchen (14975ft) 40km: The moment is here for which you are traveling there. Finally attend the Saga Dawa festival whole day and experience it for a lifetime. Over night stay at guesthouse or tent.

Day 07: Trek to Dehara Puk/5000m. 15kms. 7hrs. It is one of the exciting days walking along the beautiful rocky cliffs; water falls with some clouds in the clear blue sky make you feeling that great God Shiva is every where with tons of blessing to you. Over night at tent.

Day 08: This is the hardest but adventure holiest day of the pilgrimage Yatra with Dolma-La (pass) of 18600ft between two valleys: Yamasthal should be crossed to reach the Shiva-sthal while your steps go closer to the pass. Once you reach the top, just do the holiest offering and sit down for meditation to forget yourself. On the way down you can see Parvati-sthal and Gauri Kunda are on the way. By the late afternoon you will arrive at Zuthal Puk which is the cave of Miracles . The great ascetic Milerappa is supposed to have performed miracles here. Over night stay at tent. 

Day 09: The last day of Kailash kora (Parikrama). Trek about 3 hrs and drive to Manasarovar. By the late afternoon you will be at your lodge/camp.

Day 10: Drive to Paryang (277km) 7-8 hr.

Day 11: Drive Paryang to Saga (185km) 7-8 hrs

Day 12: Drive to Nyalam or Zangmu  (296km) 6-7 hr.

Day 13: Drive down to Friendship Bridge and transfer to Dhulikhel.118 km 5-6 hrs

Day 14: Transfer to kathmandu (32 km) 2-3 hrs.

TOUR COST
PER PERSON US$ 1700
SGL SUPPLEMENT US$ 170

Cost include
Accommodation on twin sharing basis at Guest Houses  & Camping Tents as per itinerary, Landcruisers  (4 Person in 1 Landcruiser Basis) and Support Truck, Freshly cooked full board meals, Dining / Kitchen & Toilet tents, English speaking Tibetan Guide, 1 Nepali Team Leader, Experienced Sherpa Staff, Freshly cooked western meals, Monastery entrance fees, Yaks & Yak-men for Porterage during Kailash Parikarma, Gamow Bag, Oxygen, Basic first aid kit, 1 Satellite Phone, Kailash Permit and  Tibet / China Visa fee.

Cost exclude
Nepal re-entry visa fee, Travel Insurance, Extra cost in the event of landslide, for hiring porterage or arranging additional transportation and expenses of personal nature. 

Group size  
Normally above 15+ people in each group

Booking condition
All the personal details must be sent 1 months in advance with 25% (out of total trip amount) non-refundable advance payment.

Recommended clothing and equipments for the trip
Down sleeping bags/jacket with polar fleece/with rain and water proofed, thermal underwear, wind / rain-proof trousers, woolen and sun hats, scarves (muffler), woolen or cotton socks, gloves, trekking boots, sun/snow glassed, towel, t-shirt/s, sunscreen/sun lotion, flash light with extra bulbs and batteries, sandals, water bottles, day pack, kit or duffel bag, first aid box /personal medicine (for headaches, fever, colds, stomach disorders and diamox for altitude sickness, walking stick,  sun tan lotion utility knife, dust musk water bottle, water
purification tabs etc.

Our advice
Generally travelers do not need to submit any health certificate those with a history of medical problems, particularly cardiac or respiratory, should consult a doctor before deciding to undertake the trip. It is rigorous and challenging trip where all the time spent at high altitudes. At least 2 months regular practice is recommend either 2 hours daily running, swimming, or joining on a health club may help to complete the yatra very successfully. Also good to carry dry fruit , juice powder , breads, candy, canned or packed food, nuts, pickles and biscuits etc.