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Buddhist Mantra and Yak Horn at Tarboche valley
Buddhist Mantra and Yak Horn at Tarboche valley

Kailash Tour During Saga Dawa Festival - 16 Days

Highlights

    • 16 days Overland Kailash Tour via Kerung boarder . It has also option to start your tour from Lhasa Tibet.
    • Drive to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar by spending overnights at other Tibetan cities. Explore major highlight on the way
    • Enough time to explore Lake Manasarovar, surroundings. Drive to Tarboche valley and full day exploration Saga Dawa Festival with locals.
    • Involve 3 days walking around Mount Kailash. Kailash Kora through valley of the God, derapuk, Juthulpuk via highest mountain pass Dolma La (5,645m)
    • Sightseeing in major highlights, historical monuments, monasteries, and natural places 

Saga Dawa Festival in Kailash is celebrating on 5 June, 2020. Every year, we organize small group departure to Mount Kailash during Saga Dawa festival. 16 days tour starts and ends at Kathmandu Nepal. It also has option to start your tour from Lhasa, Tibet. Tour itinerary include days in Kathmandu for trip preparation and visa. Drive to Kerung boarder, about 8 hour’s adventure driving route through Langtang trekking area. Drive to Lake Mansarovar via Saga and Pariyang town. We will have enough time to visit Chui Gumba, to deep or take bath in Lake Mansarovar. The next destination Darchen is the last city in Kailash region. From here we drive to Tarboche valley where the main day of Saga Dawa Festival celebrates. After spending full day, we start Kailash Kora from next day. After 3 days walking around Mount Kailash, drive back to Kathmandu Nepal via Kerung boarder.      

Small group joining Kailash Tour during Saga Dawa festival 
Nepal Highland Treks operate small group joining tour to Kailash every year. Private tour cost is huge in Tibet and it may be hard to afford for everyone. We can provide you an opportunity to join our small group in Saga Dawa festival tour too. Comfortable group size is only foreigners. Our fixed tour cost is base on group joining. Tour cost including basic category accommodations on group sharing room in entire tour. It has also option to upgrade accommodation in deluxe guest houses on twin sharing. 3 nights’ accommodation of Manasarovar, Derapuk and Juthulpuk only have option of basic and group sharing guest houses.   

Private Tour
If you want to make this tour as privately, we can provide you varies prices accordingly group size, services and also can customize itinerary as per interest. There are option to add extra spots like Everest Base Camp, Namtso Lake, Everest Base camp and Guge valley along with Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour.  

Itinerary extension
It is option to extend your itinerary along with Kailash Tour. Guge Kingdom is ancient ruin valley near from Mount Kailash region. Another famous destination Tibet north Everest Base Camp is on the way from Lhasa to Mt Kailash. It is also a good option to add in your itinerary. The Namtso Lake, a day of 2 days trip from Lhasa is another option to add in your tour itinerary. 

Outline Itinerary

Day 01:27 May - Arrival in Kathmandu Nepal. Transfer to Hotel we will collect your original passport to get final Tibetan visa

Day 02:28 May - Day in Nepal, you can choose your own activities either in Kathmandu valley or any part of Nepal. We provide you accommodation.

Day 03:29 May - Day in Nepal, Choose your own activities in these 4 days. Either around Kathmandu valley or out of Kathmandu

Day 04:30 May - Day In Nepal accommodation by us and activities on your own. we can suggest you a good plan

Day 05:31 May - Day In Nepal, stay in trip briefing and final preparation of the trip. overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

Day 06:01 Jun - Get final visa from Chinese Embassy and Drive towards Nepal Tibet boarder. Overnight at Hotel at Nepal side (Timure)

Day 07:02 Jun - Cross Nepal Tibet immigration and drive to Kerung (24km - 1 Hour) stay for acclimatization. Overnight at Guest house

Day 08:03 Jun - Drive to Saga (230km – 6 hours) 4450m. Overnight at guest house

Day 09:04 Jun - Drive to Lake Mansarovar (370km - 9 Hours) 4580m Overnight at Guest house

Day 10:05 Jun - Drive to Tarboche valley. Explore Saga Dawa Festival. Back to Darchen and Overnight at Hotel

Day 11:06 Jun - Start first day kailash kora. Reach at Derapuk and Overnight at Guest house

Day 12:07 Jun - Second day Kailash kora. Reach at Juthulpuk via Dolma La pass. Overnight at Guest house

Day 13:08 Jun - Finish third day Kailash Kora and drive back to Saga. Overnight at Guest House

Day 14:09 Jun - Drive back to Kerung boarder and Overnight at Guest House

Day 15:10 Jun - Cross Nepal Tibet immigration (Kerung) and drive back to Kathmandu. overnight at Hotel

Day 16:11 Jun - Day of Departure

Cost Includes

    • Arrival and departure arrangement from and to Kathmandu Airport
    • 4 nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu on twin sharing - 3 star category hotel 
    • Twin sharing Hotels and group sharing guest houses in entire Kailash tour
    • Kathmandu Kerung drive and back with private transportation
    • Comfortable transportation as per group size in Kailash region  
    • Every morning breakfast in tour
    • English speaking Tibetan guide
    • Tibet travel permit
    • Entrance fees of Lake Mansarovar/ Kailash region
    • Yak and yak man or helper to carry your goods during Kailash Kora
    • Duffel bag for Tour 
    • Sleeping bag in returnable based if you need 
    • Immigration formalities 
    • Management of emergency evacuation 
    • Agency service charge and government taxes

Cost Excludes

    • Lunch and Dinner in entire tour
    • Any tour or activities in Kathmandu / Nepal 
    • Bottled drinks including drinking water and bar bills
    • Personal horse or personal helper if you need during Kailash Kora
    • Personal expenses, equipment, insurance, medical expenses and cost of emergency evacuation is case of need
    • Extra activities, Any tipping
    • International flight ticket
    • Extra cost on Tibet visa, USD 90 for Amerian passport holders, USD 70 for canadian, Romanian and Brazilian passport holder 
    • Upgrading accomodation from standard hotels to deluxe Hotels in Kathmandu. Hotels in Kathmandu is on 3 star category hotels 
    • Any extra cost rise because of any rules change from Tibet or from Chinese embassy Nepal. 
    • Extra cost for single supplementary, it is only possible in Kathmandu, Kerug and in Saga. Three nights during Kailash Parikrama/ Kailash circuit is not possible to get single accommodation

Important Note

Special Note: With the new rules of Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, they put your original passport and other documents from our office for 3 whole working days. So your arrival in Nepal should be either at morning time of 10th June or any time in 9th June. You should handover your original passport by 12 on 10th June. 

Join Saga Dawa Festival Tour from Lhasa
We also operate joining group from Lhasa. You can reach at Lhasa from your place and join our group. Or have your own private tour. It is 15 days trip counting from your arrival and till departure dates. Tour route is Lhasa, Shigatse, Everest Base Camp Kailash and back again to Lhasa. You will get chance to explore major monuments in Lhasa, Shigtase, on the way driving and be at base camp of Highest peak Mount Everest. Tour for 2019 is from 10th June and till 24th June. Arrive at Lhasa is either by train or by flight. Train to Lhasa operates from major cities of China and flights to Lhasa are from major cities of China or from Kathmandu Nepal.  

Tibetan visa and permit information for Saga Dawa festival Tour
There are different rules for Tibet travel permit and Tibet visa as per your travel route. If you reach at Lhasa from mainland China and make your Tour from Lhasa to Kailash you should issue Chinese visa from your country and send us Passport scan copy and Chinese visa copy so that we can issue Tibetan travel permit and send to you. Travelling Kailash from Nepal does not need to issue Chinese visa. You only send us your passport scan copy, with that we prepare Tibet travel permit. After you land in Nepal, we need your original passport, one copy of passport size picture and have to fill an embassy form to get Tibet visa. 3 full working days are require to issue Tibet visa from Nepal.   

Booking procedure and documentation
- Nepal Highland Treks need your passport scan copy in the time of booking confirmation. As well as advance amount. It is in the case of starting your trip from Kathmandu Nepal
- If you like to start your trip from China, you need to send us your passport scan copy and Chinese visa copy
- Normal time of the booking is at least 25 days from the date of trip starting. We require booking as earlier as possible to make every thing on time.
- Start your trip from Kathmandu Nepal, need 3 full working day to prepare Tibetan visa. So your arrival should be 3 days earlier to handover your original passport. A passport size of recent picture is also require  

Payment and cancellation policy
Advance payment of the tour is USD 200 per person. Rest of the tour cost is paid in the day of your arrival in Kathmandu. Advance payment can be paid by bank transfer or online (we will provide you link). Rest of the payment can be paid by any cash, Bank transfer or paying by credit card. Paying by credit card charges more 4 %.
- Cancel your tour after we apply permit in Tibet – cancelation charge is USD 200 per person
- Cancel your tour in less than a week time – cancellation charge us USD 600 per person
- Cancel your tour in less than 72 hours – cancellation charge USD 1000 per person

Detail Itinerary

Day 127 May - Arrival in Kathmandu Nepal. Transfer to Hotel we will collect your original passport to get final Tibetan visaRepresentative from Nepal Highland Treks will pick up from international airport and transfer to hotel. collect original passport, white background clear picture for visa and fill form of Chinese embassy for your final visa approval. Overnight at rest at hotel

Day 228 May - Day in Nepal, you can choose your own activities either in Kathmandu valley or any part of Nepal. We provide you accommodation. It is day of visa preparation for Kailash. You can choose any activities in Nepal. Inside of Kathmandu or outside Kathmandu. Your original passport will be hold inside Chinese embassy. we provide you 3 star category accommodation on twin sharing based

Day 329 May - Day in Nepal, Choose your own activities in these 4 days. Either around Kathmandu valley or out of Kathmandu You will have free time and wait for your final visa, your visa and original passport will receive only on Monday. Choose your own activities inside Kathmandu valley or anywhere in Nepal. You can plan to reach Kathmandu on Sunday 31st May.

Day 430 May - Day In Nepal accommodation by us and activities on your own. we can suggest you a good planDay In Nepal, choose your own activities. It is one of the suggestion to make 3 or 4 days hiking around Kathmandu valley including Chisapani, Nagarkot Dhulikhel and Namobuddha. This is an experience and preparation of Mount Kailash trekking for 3 days.

Day 531 May - Day In Nepal, stay in trip briefing and final preparation of the trip. overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu Day In Nepal. If you have gone out of Kathmandu, today is the day return and involve in trip briefing. Make final packing your bag to Kailash. We will provide you duffel bag, so you can safely leave your bag in the Hotel and put your goods in provided duffel bag

Day 601 Jun - Get final visa from Chinese Embassy and Drive towards Nepal Tibet boarder. Overnight at Hotel at Nepal side (Timure)About 10:30 am, we will be able to receive final Tibet/ Kailash visa from Chinese Embassy Kathmandu. Start driving towards Nepal Tibet border. It is about 7 hours driving through Nuwakot, Betrawoti, Dhunche and Dhyaprubesi. stay overnight at Timure very near by Tibet immigration.

Day 702 Jun - Cross Nepal Tibet immigration and drive to Kerung (24km - 1 Hour) stay for acclimatization. Overnight at Guest house Acclimatization activities and rest in kerung. we make short hiking around the valley. which really help your body to move on altitude. take Lunch prepared by our cooking team than rest at guest house.

Day 803 Jun - Drive to Saga (230km – 6 hours) 4450m. Overnight at guest houseIt is driving via high passes with panoramic Mountain View. Decorative Buddhist praying flags at the top of passes are so unique and picturesque. Stop and view several lake views on the way. Reach at saga by crossing Brahmaputra River and overnight at guest house

Day 904 Jun - Drive to Lake Mansarovar (370km - 9 Hours) 4580m Overnight at Guest house Today is the day we can view Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash. it is long way drive to reach Lake Mansarovar. Lots of stops on the way to capture good pictures and visit local movement. we spend night today at bank of the Lake.

Day 1005 Jun - Drive to Tarboche valley. Explore Saga Dawa Festival. Back to Darchen and Overnight at Hotel The main day of Saga Dawa festival. All the peoples and Lamas gather at Tarboche valley on the way to Kailash Kora today. we also drive to the spot and explore festival. stay almost whole day with locals, explore their activities

Day 1106 Jun - Start first day kailash kora. Reach at Derapuk and Overnight at Guest house Start Kailash Kora from today. The first day of Kailash kora is starting from Tarboche valley after we drive shortly from Darchen. it is easy walking today to reach Derapuk (4,900m) fro where we view North face of Kailash.

Day 1207 Jun - Second day Kailash kora. Reach at Juthulpuk via Dolma La pass. Overnight at Guest house Today is the hardest day of the trip. Walk about 23 kilometer and have to cross 5,645 miter Dolma La pass. it is about 10 hours walking. the first section of 5 hours is consider as tough uphill, another 2 hours downhill to the tea house and again more 3 hours flat land to reach Juthulpuk.

Day 1308 Jun - Finish third day Kailash Kora and drive back to Saga. Overnight at Guest House It is easy walking about 3 hours in flat land to finish Kailash Kora. After walking, we drive back with our car to Saga. Probably reach at Saga by evening only. Overnight in same hotel today

Day 1409 Jun - Drive back to Kerung boarder and Overnight at Guest House The same way drive back to Kerung today. We can stop on the way at scenic place to take picture and enjoying the nature. Stay overnight at Tibet part.

Day 1510 Jun - Cross Nepal Tibet immigration (Kerung) and drive back to Kathmandu. overnight at Hotel Early in the morning drive to Nepal Tibet immigration. Cross friendship bridge as immigration formalities both sides.. Tibetan guide and drive escort only up to Tibet part. Next to Nepal site, Nepali guide and driver will pickup. Drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Day 1611 Jun - Day of Departure Departure from Nepal or stay as long as you like. We will provide you airport transportation from Hotel.

Departure Dates

10th June arrival in Kathmandu is the fixed departure date in 2019 for group joining. Saga dawa festival tour is once a year and main day of the festival, we are going to explore in Darboche valley near Mount Kailash. You also can make your own departure date and customized your trip itinerary in your private tour.

Starting your tour from Lhasa is also possible. Itinerary and dates will be different.  

Useful Info

Accommodation in the trip
Accommodation at 3 star category hotel in Kathmandu twin sharing. Deluxe and best available guest houses on the way in Kerung, Saga and Darchen which is for 6 nights on twin sharing. Rest of 3 nights accommodation are in basic guest houses (Mansarovar, Derapuk and Juthulpuk). Upgrading your accommodation to more than 3 star in only possible in Kathmandu.  

Foods and Drinks in the Tour
Every morning breakfast in the tour is including in the cost. Lunch and Dinner is extra. You are staying in touristic hub of Nepal in Thamel and lots of touristic restaurants are around your hotel with all kind of foods. Chinese and local Tibetan restaurants are available in Kailash region. Basic Tibetan restaurants are only available during Kailash Kora days, which is for 3 days. You may spend USD 200 – 300 for your Dinner and drinks in entire tour. Bottled mineral water is available in entire tour even on the way to Kailash Parikrama.  

Extra expenses in the Tour
Cost of lunch, Dinner, drinks, Personal expenses, Personal horse or helper during the Kailash Parikrama in the case of you need, any tipping is extra cost in this tour. If you are fit to walk, you do not need to take any personal helper or horse during Kailash Parikrama. In the case of any emergency evacuation, personal medical expenses are extra from tour cost.

General Packing List
You are travelling in both temperatures. During the day time before reaching at Lake Mansarovar is hot and suddenly after sunset getting cold. Days are normally windy and you are suggesting covering your body properly to safe from heavy windy

  • Sleeping Bag: It is better to have your own sleeping bag. Although all the guest house and Hotel in Kailash region provide you enough blanket. Three days sleeping in basic guest houses in cold temperature is more helpful with your own sleeping bag
  • Warm Jacket: Down jacket with wind and bit water proof  
  • Bags: One duffel bag we provide for your tour. Another comfortable hand bag need to keep your valuable goods and other important things to use during day
  • Raincoat 
  • Normal and warm trekking shoes
  • Light shoes or sandal to use morning and evening 
  • Warm head cover cap
  • Warm inner thermal up and down
  • 1 pair warm trouser / paint
  • 1 pair wind proof trouser
  • 1 pair normal paint to use during your Kathmandu stay
  • Light warm sweeter or jacket
  • 3 pairs warm shocks
  • 2 pair light shocks
  • Sun cream
  • Sun glass
  • 2 pairs of light t-shirt
  • Warm glove

What not to bring
- Any books, magazine that is about Tibet or Lama.
- Fresh fruits, Fresh vegetables
- Liquors like oil, Ghee

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Trip Fact

Starting Price
US$ 1940.00 (Per Person)
  • Duration: 16 Days
  • Trip Grade Moderate to Strenuous
  • Destination Tibet
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