Saga Dawa Tibet Kailash Kora

Route: Kathmandu –  ⇒ Saga ⇒ Lake Manasarovar ⇒ Tirthapuri ⇒ Darchen ⇒ Saga Dawa Festival in Tarboche ⇒ three days trek around Mt. Kailash ⇒ Lake Manasarovar ⇒ Paryang ⇒ Saga ⇒ Kyirong ⇒ Rasuwa Gadi ⇒ Kathmandu 

---

---

Nepal part of the trip

To be a part of this tour, you’ll require a group visa for China/Tibet, which we’ll assist you with in Kathmandu. The visa processing window is scheduled from May 12th to May 17th. During this period, it’s essential for you to be present in Kathmandu, as there might be an interview conducted by the Chinese embassy.

While the Nepal part of the tour is not mandatory, it’s worth considering. We’ve curated all the key attractions of Kathmandu, providing you with the opportunity to explore Nepal’s capital and surroundings and make the most of your time while awaiting your group visa.

Itinerary: 

May 12/Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
You can arrive in Kathmandu at any time, but no later than this date. Optionally, we can meet you at the airport and arrange a transfer to your hotel.

May 13/Day 2: Kathmandu
In the morning, visit the Chinese Embassy in Nepal to submit documents for the group visa to China. After lunch, enjoy an excursion: you’ll visit the Pashupatinath Temple complex, the most significant Hindu religious center in Nepal. Pashupatinath, an epithet of the god Shiva, resembles a corner of Varanasi in Kathmandu, with Hindu temples, cremation ghats, and rituals.

Later, transition from this mini India to a unique atmosphere at the Boudhanath Stupa, a glimpse of Little Tibet. This colossal stupa, Asia’s largest chorten, marks the beginning of the trading route to Lhasa, where Tibetan merchants once prayed before their arduous journey. Today, Boudhanath is home to numerous Tibetans and shelters multiple Tibetan monasteries.

May 14/Day 3: Kathmandu
Begin your day with biometric registration at the embassy, followed by further exploration of Kathmandu. First, embark on an excursion to Swayambhunath Stupa, one of Nepal’s holiest stupas, surrounded by an intricate temple complex. Nestled around the grand Buddhist stupa, various monasteries representing Tibetan Buddhist schools and Hindu shrines coexist. Sometimes referred to as the Monkey Temple, Swayambhunath’s hill is inhabited by many monkeys.

Later, visit Patan, an ancient city once among the world’s largest, now a part of the Kathmandu urban area. Despite its urbanization, it remains one of the most stunning cities, earning its other name, Lalitpur, meaning “beautiful city.” Explore Durbar Square in Patan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the royal palace.

May 15/Day 4: Kathmandu – Nagarkot
Morning takes you to Bhaktapur, another ancient capital in the Kathmandu Valley. Like Patan, Bhaktapur holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Experience the medieval Newari architecture, intricate stone carvings adorning temples, and immerse in the city’s history. In the evening, transfer to Nagarkot. Overnight at a Nagarkot hotel.

May 16/Day 5: Nagarkot – Namobuddha – Kathmandu
Situated at 2,195 meters, Nagarkot was once a summer retreat for Nepalese monarchs. Now a quaint mountain resort, it’s renowned for its sunrise and breathtaking Himalayan views. On clear days, even Everest is visible. Several hiking routes of varying lengths are available in Nagarkot.

Afternoon return to Kathmandu with a stop at Namobuddha, a significant pilgrimage site where legend has it that Buddha sacrificed himself to save a tigers.

May 17/Day 6: Kathmandu – Kirtipur – Pharping and Asura Cave – Dakshinkali – Kathmandu
Today’s excursion introduces you to the Kathmandu Valley’s heritage. Visit Kirtipur, once a fort safeguarding southwestern Kathmandu, later an independent city-state. It boasts numerous Buddhist and Hindu temples. Stroll its cobbled streets that ascend and descend the hill, relishing the Newari architecture that transports you to the medieval era. Afterwards, explore the Asura Cave, a meditation site of Guru Padmasambhava. On the way back, visit Dakshinkali, a complex dedicated to the goddess Kali. On this day, you’ll also receive your group visas for China.

Tibet Tour with Kailash Kora and Visit to the Guge Kingdom

May 18/Day 7: Drive Kathmandu (1300m)  –  kyirong border (2300m), 200km, 7 hours
Drive 150km towards northeast with a nice scenic view, you will get to the Nepal –Tibet border town of Kodari. Once you cross the border, our Tibetan guide and driver will be waiting for you at the border and take you to the town of Kyirong.  Kyirong is located in the Kyirong Tsangpo River side in a beautiful green valley in the Himalayan ranges, There are spectacular forests, waterfalls, pastures on the both sides of the border.  Stay in a hotel in Kyirong. 

May 19/Day 8: Kyirong town to Kyirong County (3950m), 70km, 2 hours.  
First we will move from the border to a bigger town of Kyirong via Pakpa Lhakang temple (if time allows). We will stay in Kyirong today to acclimatize altitude for the coming highland road trip.  Kyirong is one of the four counties in Tibet which consists of Everest National Preserve. Kyirong is also one of the favorite meditation place for many famous scholars including Indian Master Atisha, Tibetan Yogi Master Milarepa. Milarepa’s folk songs are still singing in the region today. We will do some small hikes around Kyirong to prepare for Kailash Kora, visit Milarepa Monastery in Kyirong and Guru Rinpoche cave. Overnight in Kyirong. 

May 20/Day 9:  Kyirong – Peikutso Lake – Saga (4450m), 150 km, 4 hours 

Driving up towards some of the most remote region in Tibet.  Along the way, you will pass through some of the nomads camps with their yaks and sheep herders around the lake Peikutso (4450m) as well as enjoy great views of some of the tallest mountains in the world such as , Mt.Shishapangma(8013m).  We will also cross the world famous River Brahmaputra ( “Yarlung Tsangpo” in Tibetan ) to reach Saga (4600m). Overnight in a guesthouse in Saga.

May 21/Day 10: Saga – Paryang (4700 m) –  Manasarovar (4550m)

Drive through a wide valley along a scenic river and look out on the grazing lands of yaks and sheep. Towards the south, you can see sand dunes, rocky mountains, and snow-capped peaks. Depending on the season, nomads and other mobile shopkeepers will be attired in beautiful traditional costume. Join them for a cup of hot tea in their home. Continue to drive West. In the late afternoon, you will catch your first sight of Holy Lake Manasarovar, we check in the guesthouse and then walk to the lake. Overnight at Manasarovar guesthouses. Accommodation condition is very basic here. 

May 22/Day 11: Manasarovar – Tirthapuri – Darchen (4570m)

In the morning, we drive west about 70km to Tirthapuri. Tirthapuri is said to be the gate of Mt. Kailash and many pilgrims visit Tirthapuri first and then make the Kailash Kora. Tirthapuri, located on the Sutlej River just above the Tirthaburi hotspring, is famous for being the meditation site of Padmasambhava and his consort and student Yeshi Tsogyel. It was a pure meditation cave site 13 years ago, but later two Buddhist temples were built there. If you make a circumambulation around the monastery, you will see some other mediation caves and stupas scattering on the mountain slope. Afterwards, walk down to the river side and enjoy a natural hotspring. You can join local pilgrims to take a dip at the end of hotspring (Do not was feet at the upstream of hotspring). After that we drive back to Darchen. 

May 23/Day 12: Saga Dawa Festival in Tarboche [Full Moon]

Walk about 40-50 minutes, we will get to the ground of  Saga Dawa Festival, witness the ritual performances and renew the Tarpoche prayer flag pole. Saga Dawa Festival is the biggest festival in Ngari area. Many Tibetans all over the Ngari region come to join this festival. Many rituals like Buddhism, Bon and Hinduism will be taking place around Tarboche. The Saga Dawa Festival honors the life of Buddha Shakyamuni, and the main point of the festival is to pray for the long life of all the gurus, for the spreading of teachings of Buddha, and for the happiness of all the sentient beings. This festival also offers a great opportunity for photo shootings. Spend the night in a guest house in Darchen.

May 24/Day 13: 1st Day of the Mount Kailash kora, trekking distance 19km and 6 -7 hours.

Walk along beautiful rocky cliffs, take deep breaths of fresh air. From time to time, the face of Mt. Kailash will appear. The trail passes the stone piled pass with colorful prayer flags, famous Tarpoche Flagpole, sky burial site and then enters Lha Chu valley. at the gate of this rocky canyon, a small monastery called Chugu Monastery with meditation cave of Tibetan Great Yogi Melaripa is on the left side of this canyon across the river. If you are a good trekker and interested in meditation, you can follow the small trail leading to this monastery at the left side of the river while others may continually go on main trail.   Pay a visit to this monastery takes extra one hour. Afterwards, you can join the main trail cross the bridge below the monastery. Both sides of this canyon are high steep rocky mountains which are representing Bodhisattvas. Fox example, the three high rocky mountains at the left before reach Dirapuk Monastery represent “Rigsum Gonpo”  in Tibetan or Three Bodhisattvas ( Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani).   After half hour of walking, you will reach sacred Dira Puk monastery which is located at an elevation of 5,000 meters by mid-afternoon. Here you can see the North face of the Mt. Kailash. This sight is also considered as a birthplace of Shiva – one of the primary forms of God in Hinduism. Spend the night in the monastery guest house.

May 25/Day 14: 2nd day of the Mount Kailash kora – Dolma la pass (5650 m) – Zuthal Puk (4815m), Trekking distance 12km and 7 hours.

This place is the the closest place to view Mt. Kailash in entire kora. It’s right behind the guesthouses, so enjoy this last time close-up view of this holy mountain, then we start the day. Hike across a valley up to the Dolma-La Pass. The trail is much more dramatic today as you are ascending from 5050m to 5650m above sea level.  Though this numbers are not big difference but given the altitude in this area, it is the most difficult part of the trek. When you reach at the top, make an offering, take a break (or meditate), and leave behind all your problems and worries. Let the prayer flags at the mountain pass bring the positive energy to you and your families. Afterwards, begin descending. A mirror – like turquoise lake will appear in front of you in the middle of black rocky mountains, which said to be water offering for the holy mountain. By the late afternoon arrive at Zuthal Puk , the cave of miracles where Milerepa once stayed. 

May 26/Day 15: 3rd day of the Mount Kailash Trek, view of Mt. Nemo Nani  and  drive to lake Manasarovar

Start the day by following one of the clearest river you have ever seen. The trail is flat and much greener. At the end of the valley before turning right, a stunning view of snow mountain Nemo Nani (altitude 7728m) will appear in your eyes.  After finishing your circuit of Mt. Kailash, your car will pick you up and take you to the Lake Manasarovar – one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. This turquoise-colored lake is full of fish and swans. Holy Mt. Kailash, Mt. Gurula-Mandala, and Lake Rashekshi surround Manasarovar. The region is considered rich in gold and other minerals, hot springs and hundreds of wild living creatures. Then visit Rakshas Tal lake and Chiu Monastery, a small monastery located upper on a hillside. You can dip into a hot spring there. If your group stay until sunrise, a walk to the mountain slope to see full view of the lake is recommended.

May 27/Day 16: Holy Lake Manasarovar – Paryang – Saga

Begin the journey back to Lhasa with a detour to China and Nepal border. Enjoy a beautiful view of Himalaya ranges. Most travelers usually take this long driving road back as rest time after 3 days of the incredible trek. But this zig-zag scenic drive always bring some surprises such as suddenly appear rain bowls in front of your vehicle, flock of yaks or sheep may stop your bus which gives you a chance to close-up look at this animals, a wild animal running across the road, a beautiful lake or snowy, sunrise or sunset.etc. make your journey alive.

May 28/Day 17: Saga – Kyirong ( 2800m) – Kyirong border customs – Rasuwa Ghadi – Kathmandu

Continually drive in the Himalayans. If weather permits you will have great view of Mt. Shishapangma and other snow peaks as well as Lantang National Park in Nepal side in distance. After ascending up to  Gongtang La pass which is the last highest point of this trip with an elevation of 5300m / 17400ft, the zig zag road will leads us down to the valley. The attitude is getting lower dramatically as you  descend in the valley, and the geography changes from desert-like grassland into greenish forest. You start feel the gentle air with full of oxygen and your body become more and more relax and comfortable.

The customs open 10am and close by 3:30pm. You may take between 1-2 hours depends on how fast the formalities go. Then after cross the bridge, you need to go through Nepal customs. Finally,  you will get to Nepal border town of Rasuwa Gadi . Our guide will help you go through custom and formalities in Chinese side of the frontier Nepal / China. On the way to Kathmandu, you will see Langtang National Park, snow peaks, farm terrains and Rasuwa ethic group of Nepal. Arrive Kathmandu in the evening, it takes about 8-9 hours from Nepal border to Kathmandu. Note: there are parts of the road are unpaved.

Say goodbye to Tibet!

Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice