Saga Dawa Festival of Tibet: A spiritual journey to Mount Kailash

When and where is Saga Dawa Festival held

Saga Dawa Festival held at Mount Kailash Manasarovar, Tarpoche each year on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar usually in May/June. Summer seasom from May to August is the best time in Tibet and around Mount Kailash Manasarovar. which brings stable weather conditions and mild temperatures. During this time, roads are open and you will experience minimal rainfall, with clear skies offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes.

Outline Itinerary of Saga Dawa Festival tour

Day 1: Drive to Rasuwagadhi 2500m, 160km – Kerung 2,700m, 7-8 hours

Day 2: Rest day for acclimatization

Day 3: Drive to Saga 4650m via Pelku Lake 300km, 7-8 hours

Day 4: Drive to Lake Manasarovar 4500m, 370km 7 hours

Day 5: Drive to Darchen 4670m 45 km,  2 hours

Day 6: Trek to Dirapuk 5000m 18km, 3-4 hours

Day 7: Trek to Zuthul Puk 4760m 19km,  8-9 hours

Day 8: Trek to Darchen 4670m, 16 km, 3-4 horurs

Day 9: Drive to Kerung 2700m, 290 km, 7-8 hours

Day 10: Drive to Kathmandu about 7-8 hours

Accommodation and meals during Saga Dawa festival tour

Accommodation facilities in Tibet are available from a basis local Guesthouse to a luxury 5 star hotels. Hotels before Manasarovar faly comfortable with sharing basic but very basis guesthouse with common dormitory rooms around Kailash even you booked a luxury tour. 

Why to join Saga Dawa Festival tour

Saga Dawa 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.

Witness the sacred Saga Dawa festival celebration near Mount Kailash

Experience Tibetan Buddhist culture and ancient religious tradition

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Tibetan plateau and the Himalayas

Doing challenging and rewarding walk of Mount Kailash Kora

Visit ancient historic monasteries and important cultural sites

Health and preparation for the journey

A journey to Mount Kailash takes place at a high altitude from 2700m to 5650m, so proper preparation is essential. Travellers should allow time for acclimatisation and follow the advice of experienced guides and medical professionals

Good physical fitness, early physical training, personal medical check-ups, suitable clothing, proper trekking equipment and a flexible attitude can make the journey more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. However, it is suggested not to do if you have heart or lung issues, very high blood pressure, previous history of severe altitude sickness and recent major illness or surgery.

Required essential packing checklists

Thermal base layers of breathable and waterproof clothing, sturdy waterproof trekking boots, high-SPF sunscreen and sunglasses, sleeping bag, towel, flashlight/headlamp with extra batteries, camera with extra batteries, warm trousers, down jacket, dry energy foods, water thermos and high-altitude safety gears and first-aid kit bag. 

How to reach Saga Dawa Festival

Mount Kailash is accessible both via overland drive and flight. These days the most of Mount Kailash tours are operated through the shortest and easiest road option which is most preferred route from Kathmandu via Kyirong border in the north west then into the Tibetan plateau through Saga, Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash.

Likewise; Simikot Hilsa border another road accessible options to travel to Manasarovar Kailash which is less used compare to Kyirong border as the flight to Simikot is not normally reliable and trekking from here to border takes few days.

Flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa 

This option is suitable for those who have longer time and want to make sightseeing tours of Lhasa city and it’s wonders then an amazing journey to Mount Kailash via Mount Everest Base Camp. This option need more days but gives enough time for acclimatisation and a complete exploration the Tibet.

Required Documents and permit, visa process

To travel to Mount Kailash, all travellers need two travel documents. A Chinese group visa and a Tibet Travel Permit. Booking confirmation is needed at least two months before travel date with required documents.

Clearly scanned passport copy in colour and the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your travel dates

Original passport is required before 3 to 4 working days to apply visa to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. 

Passport size photograph with a white background showing both ears and no glasses or smile on face.

Completely filled visa application form to apply for the group visa to China.

After the Tibet travel permit with minimum 5 persons in a group; the visa is proceeding with Chinese Embassy in Nepal. It usually takes 3 to 4 official working days to get a visa approval. All members of the groups, may need to visit the China Visa Application Centre in Kathmandu in person to provide your biometric data, fingerprints and a photo.

Saga Dawa Festival tour organiser in Nepal

Whether in a small or big group travel, Holiday Mountain Treks is specialised for such a trip with a decade experience in the Himalaya.  

Join us and go to Kailash for a lifetime sacred journey of spirituality, culture, adventure and discovery in the high Tibetan plateau