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HomeTibet Tour15 Days Mount Kailash and Lake Manasaover Saga Dawa Festival Tour

15 Days Mount Kailash and Lake Manasaover Saga Dawa Festival Tour

Ngari Saga Dawa Festival
Mount Kailash
Mount Everest
  • Duration: 15 Days 14 Nights
  • Destinations: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery, Drepung Temple, Yamdrok Lake, Korola Glacier, Pelkor Monastery, Tashilunpo Monastery, Everest Base Camp, Lake Manasarover, Mount Kailash, Sakya Monastery
  • Seasons: May 19, 2021
  • Group Type: based on number of clients’
  • Trip Level: 5 stars
  • Highlights:

    1) Experience unique and authentic Saga Dawa Festival at Mt. Kailash
    2) Face the challenging visit to Mount Everest, enjoy the sunset and sunrise at EBC
    3) Do 3 days pilgrimage kora around the holy Mount Kailash
    4) Historic Potala Palace, traditional home of the Dalai Lama

  • Tour Price: On Request
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Saga Dawa Festival is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Tibet. The festival celebrates the birth, enlightenment and Nirvana of Sakayamuni. During the festival period, many pilgrims flood to Mount Kailash to watch the Tarboche flagpole covered in prayer flags is replaced. It’s a special experience to understand the authentic Tibetan culture and religion.

15 days western Tibet Lhasa to Ngari tour is one of the popular Tibet pilgrimage tours. Tourists can kora around the holy Mt. Kailash and see the sacred Lake Manasarovar on full moon dates, which brings you ultimate experience. Because there will be three days trek and about 50km, you need a healthy body to join this group.

After arriving at Lhasa, you will have first three days acclimatizing visit in Lhasa allows you to see the Potala Palace, Johkang Temple and other famous places at this holy sunny city. Then, we set out on a thrilling journey across Shigatse via historical Gyantse to EBC. The first part of the adventure overlaps the classic travel route of Lhasa to EBC tour and will leave you in awe with amazing Himalayan mountain ranges. Then we head westward to Darchen via Saga and holy Lake Manasaovar for the long-awaited Mt.Kailash kora. Our Tibetan guide will accompany you to experience the ultimate hoy trek around the sacred Mt.Kailash. Then drive back to Lhasa for departure. On the road, you will not miss Sakya monastery with amazing murals and huge collection of scriptures and statues.

Day Route Attractions & Activities Accommodations Meals
1 Arrival in Lhasa (3600m) Pick up and transfer to the hotel. In Lhasa /
2 Lhasa City tour Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery In Lhasa B
3 Lhasa City tour Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street In Lhasa B
4 Lhasa-Shigatse (3900m) 350km, 7-8hrs Yamdrok Lake，Karola Glacier，Kumbum Stupa, Pelkor Chode Monastery In Shigatse B
5 Shigatse-EBC (5200m) 350km, 7-8hrs EBC, Rongbuk monastery EBC guestroom B
6 EBC–Saga(4500m) 450km, 8-9hrs Mt.Shishapangma, Lake Peiku tso In Saga /
7 Saga to Darchen (4600m), via Lake Manasarover (450km, 8-9hrs) Lake Manasarover In Tarchen /
8 Darchen-Drirapuk
driving 7km, Trek 13km		 Mount Kailash guestroom bed during trekking /
9 Drirapuk-Dzutrpuk
Trek 18km		 Mount Kailash guestroom bed during trekking /
10 Dzutripuk-Darchen
Trek 7km, driving 5km		 Mount Kailash In Tarchen /
11 Darchen-Saga (450km) Lake Manasaovar In Saga /
12 Saga to Sakya (350km) / In Sakya /
13 Sakya-Shigatse Sakya Monastery In Shigatse /
14 Shigatse-Lhasa (3600m) 280km, 6-7hrs Tashi Lhunpo monastery, Yarlung Tsangpo In Lhasa B
15 Depart from Lhasa Send off to train/airport / B

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lhasa (3650m)

Welcome to Lhasa! Upon your arrival at Gonggar airport or Lhasa Railway Station, your professional Tibetan guide will meet you right in the hall on time, with your name sign. Then a comfortable private car and experienced driver will take you to Lhasa hotel safely. It is about 65km from the airport to Lhasa city and takes less than an hour through the Airport Expressway. It is only 25km from the railway station and takes about half an hour.

After arriving at hotel, tour guide will help you check in. You can take a rest and get acclimatized to high altitude.

Tips:
1. To adapt to the high altitude ( over 3,600m ), you are recommended to have a good rest in the hotel, no running and intense activity, no smoking and no alcohol, no shower.
2. Please drink sufficient water and eat more vegetable, fruits, meat and eggs for more energy.
3. For the first-time visitors, it is common to have different degrees of high altitude sickness symptom.

Day 2: Lhasa tour

After breakfast at your hotel, driven to visit Drepung Monastery. Drepung Monastery was ever the largest monastery with more than 10 thousand monks, and now is one of three great monasteries in Lhasa. Seen from the distant, its grand, white construction gives the appearance of a heap of rice.

In the afternoon, driven to visit Sera Monastery, which is famous for the unique “Daily Scriptures Debating” activity held from 3:30pm to 5pm in the central courtyard. Then transfer back to the hotel.

Tips:
1. The road condition to Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery is good.
2. Pack plenty of drinking water, sun glasses, suncream and some food.

Day 3: Lhasa tour

After breakfast, your tour guide & driver will pick you and drive to visit the splendid Potala Palace, which is Lhasa’s cardinal landmarks. You will have a whole morning to explore this world-level architectural works: White Palace, Red Palace, corridors and stairs and countless lama’s dormitory. Others include: Buddha statues, red-robed lamas and devoted, murals, etc.

In the afternoon, you will walk to visit the age-old Jokhang Temple, as the spiritual center of Tibet, which will deeply impress you with its magnificence and sincere pilgrims. You will see pilgrims donating butter oil to keep the lights burning for the Buddha; learning Tibetan Buddhism; hearing the red-robed Lamas praying; taking photos of the gold roof and enjoying the beautiful sunshine of Lhasa.

Finally, you will have a relaxing walk around Jokhang Temple at Barkhor Street, which is the oldest street in Lhasa, and full of religious atmosphere, showcasing Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble. Then transfer back to the hotel.

Tips:
1. In Potala Palace, your visiting time is limited on 1 hour. Climb up there, you might experience slight shortness of breath, please take your time and rest when needed.
2. Don’t disturb pilgrims and Lama. Don’t take photos of them without permission.
3. In Barkhor Street, remember to bargain and compare the price in different shops for the souvenirs if you are purchasing.

Day 4: Lhasa - Gyantse (3900m) – Shigatse (3800m) (350km, 7-8hrs)

On leaving the Tibetan capital, we will first drive southwest towards the beauty of Lake Yamdrok taking the winding road up to the crest of the Gampa La pass at 4794 meters. From the pass you get the first glimpse of the beauty of Lake Yamdrok below ringed by snowy mountain peaks and stretching out across the whole landscape before you. In the distance the holy Mount Nyenchen Khangsar stands tall in the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain Range. We will drop down to the lake shore for a closer look before continuing on to Nagartse for a delicious local lunch.

On the way to Gyantse, after lunch, we cross over the pass at Karo La (5159m) where we can view the beautiful glacier that falls from the slopes of Mount Nyenchen Khangsar. In Gyantse we will stop at the Pelkor Chode Monastery to explore both the monastery and the outstanding 32-meter stupa that is the highlight of the day. Known as the Kumbum Stupa this one-of-a-kind stupa has nine floors and 108 chapels which contain thousands of images and statues throughout. Then we will continue on in the late afternoon to reach Shigatse before nightfall.

Day 5: Shigatse - EBC (5200m) (350km, 7-8hrs)

In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery. Then, we’ll leave Shigatse after getting your Alien’s travel permit, and then drive direct to the base Camp of Mount Everest near the Rongbuk Monastery. The route takes us over several high passes and the first outstanding view you will see is from the Gyatso La pass at 5400 meters. From the viewpoint at the crest of the pass you can see Mount Everest standing tall in the distance.

At Old Tingri we will turn off the Friendship Highway and take the Zhufeng Road over the Gawu La Pass (5250m) from which you get an amazing view of the Himalayan panorama. The view of the peaks includes several mountains above 8000 meters including Mount Everest (8848m) Mt. Lhotse (8516m) Mt. Makalu (8463m) Mt. Shishapangma (8020m) and Mt. Cho Oyu (8201m).

On our arrival at the Rongbuk Monastery we will first check into the tent guesthouse or Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse depending on the time of year. The tent guesthouses are not available in the winter months from November to March and are sometimes full in the peak months of summer. After a light lunch we will get time to explore the famous Rongbuk Monastery the official highest Buddhist monastery in the world. Housing both monks and nuns the monastery was a regular stopping point for explorers heading for Mount Everest in the early days after it was first discovered.

Tips:
1. The road condition from Shigatse to EBC is a mixture of paved and rough road around mountains.
2. Staying overnight near the Rongbuk Monastery will be quite cold, please pack warm clothes.
3. Remember to get up early in the morning to see the sunrise over Mt. Everest.

Day 6: EBC–Saga(4500m) (450km, 8-9hrs)

In the morning, we can enjoy the sunrise of Everest Peak at lodging area if weather permits; then as we head to saga, you can view of the worlds’14th highest peak Mt.Shishapangma (8012m), and Turquoise Lake Peiku tso(4590m). If you are lucky enough, you are very likely to see wild animals like wild donkey, wild antelope etc.

Day 7: Saga to Darchen (4600m), via Lake Manasarover (450km, 8-9hrs)

On the way to Darchen, you will have a chance to appreciate the stunning view of the Saga valley between Gangdise Range and Himayala Range. Meanwhile, the beautiful grassland and local's villages can also be seen. As we cross the Mayomla Pass(5112M), you can enjoy the spectacular vista of Mt. Naimonanyi (7694M). Then we are supposed to pass by the holy Lake Manasarover and finally arrive at the southern foot of Mt. Kailash, the most holy mountain in Tibet.

Day 8: Darchen-Drirapuk (driving 7km, Trek 13km)

In the morning, we are supposed to take eco-bus from Darchen to Sarshung valley. Then we will meet Yaks and porters at Sarshung village. (the cost of hiring yaks, horses, and porters are not included in the package) After that, we can begain the trek (Around 13km) from Sarshung to Drirapuk Monastery along the Lachu valley and rivers. You can enjoy the both west and north face of mountain Kailash today. Finally, we will visit Drirapuk Monastery.

Day 9: Drirapuk-Dzutrpuk (Trek 18km)

Today, we will trek over Dromala pass(5630m), the highest pass of the Kora. On the way you can have a rest in a teahouse. All the way, you can see locals Tibetans prostrating in the Kora path and beautiful Kadoe Lake when walk downhill. We may also visit Zutulpuk Monastery.

Day 10: Dzutripuk-Darchen (Trek 7km, driving 5km)

On the day three of the kora. you will trek 7km to Zongto where you can take bus to Darchen. Along the Kora, you can see piles of Mani Stones. We will end the Trek around noon, rest in the lodging place.

(Optional): Taking bath in Lake Manasarova and enjoy hot spring

Day 11: Darchen-Saga (450km)

Drive from Darchen to Saga via Lake Manasaovar

Day 12: Saga to Sakya (350km)

Drive from Saga to Sakya.

Day 13: Sakya to Shigatse (170km)

In the morning, we will visit ancient Sakya town and you can tour Sakya monastery with amazing murals and huge collection of scriptures and statues. Originally, it comprised both the Northern and Southern Monasteries. In 1073, Khon Konchog Gyalpo, the founder of Sakyapa Sect, built a white palace on a grey clay hill near the northern bank of the Chun Qu River. The locals named the palace 'Sakya' which means grey soil. This was the Northern Monastery but today it is visible only as a ruin. The Southern Monastery was built like a fortress and was surrounded by a moat. Construction work began in 1268 and was led by Benqen Sagya Sangbo under the commission of Choygal Phakpa, the fifth descendent of Sakyapa Sect. The walls here were painted in red, white and grey which indicate Manjusri Bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara and Vajradhara. Then we are about to drive from Sakya to Shigatse.

Day 14: Shigatse to Lhasa (280km, 6-7hrs)

After breakfast we will spend the first part of the morning touring around the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery the seat of the Panchen Lama before heading off along the Friendship Highway towards Lhasa. Built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, the monastery is now the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama Tibet’s second highest religious incarnation. There you will be able to see the tombs of 7 Panchen Lamas explore the twisting cobbled streets and get a peek into monastic life.

On the rout drive back to Lhasa by following Yalong Valley, you can stand on the viewing platform and view the vast Yalong River bed. Finally the guide will transfer you back to your hotels in Lhasa.

Day 15: Depart from Lhasa

Today is free for you until you are escorted to the airport or railway station for departure and the guide will help you get on board.

Inclusion & Exclusion

Inclusions:

1. Permit: All necessary Tibet Travel Permits (Incl. Tibet Entry Permit, Alien Travel Permit, Boarder Pass, etc.);

2. Accommodation: all hotels or guestrooms listed in the itinerary;

3. Ticket: All entrance tickets fees for all tourist sites listed in the itinerary;

4. Guide: Professional English-speaking Tibetan local tour guide;

5. Vehicle: 5-29 seats Comfortable Tibet tourist vehicle with licensed and experienced driver;

6. Meal: Breakfasts in the hotel;

7. Insurance: Tourists Accident/Casualty Insurance;

8. Drinking water provided during the trip;

9. A container of Oxygen for emergency use;

10. Accommodation and meal allowance to the guide & driver;

11. Arrangements include planning, handling, operational and communication charges;

Exclusions:

1. Meal: not specified in the itinerary (All lunches & dinners).

2. Single room supplement: If you are a solo traveler, you need to share twin room with another tourist (same sex in most cases). You can pay the single room supplement to stay in one room by yourself. And the exact cost depends on market fluctuation in high and off season of Tibet tourism.

3. Tips: If you are satisfied with the service of guide, driver and waiters, you may consider tipping them appropriately ( Tips is not required but expected).

4. International and domestic flight/train (we can offer the ticket booking service at the competitive price).

5. Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional tour activities, etc.

6. Any losses incurred from the force majeure factor like government control, natural disaster etc.

Addional Info

Knows before You Book

1. Book at least 20 days in advance so tour operator may apply for your Tibet Permit. Tibet Permit will be delivered to your delivery address / hotel address in one city of China.

2. Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level. Patients with serious hypertension, heart disease, asthma, bronchities, diabetes and cold should be restricted from going to Tibet.

3. Your airport/train station pick-up and drop-off in Lhasa need to be arranged by the tour supplier.

4. If you fly to Lhasa from Kathmandu, please do not apply for China L Visa in advance. You need to apply for Tibet Group Visa from China Embassy in Kathmandu via travel agency. If you have your China L Visa, it will be automatically expired when applying for Tibet Group Visa.

5. Price is based on double occupancy. Single room supplement is subject to availability and additional charge.

6. Please read the Payment Methods, Terms and Conditions and Cancellation policies.

 

Knows after You Book
1. Travelers are required to provide photocopy of passports and China L visas at least 15 days prior to travel date, letting tour operator to have enough to apply for your Tibet Travel Permit. If you have other type visas, please contact with your travel consultant.

2. Normally, it takes around 8-9 days to process your Tibet Permit from Tibet Tourism Bureau. Then, we will have it delivered to your address in mainland China.

3. You should wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.

4. It is better to bring spending cash for a whole trip. In Lhasa and Shigatse, it is OK to withdraw money with foreign bank card or change your foreign currency into Chinese Renminbi (RMB, CNY).

5. The insurance is provided by The People’s Insurance Company (Group) of China Limited (www.epicc.com.cn), which covers only tourist accident risks in China. We recommend that tourists purchase additional insurance on their own.

6. We understand you may worry about the High Altitude Sickness. It is common reaction in the plateau. It is better to consult your own doctor and bring some medicine, such as: Hongjingtian and Gaoyuanan; Acetazolamide, Dexamethasone, Vitamin and Nutrient Supplements.

7. Please keep a relaxed and happy mood, avoid drinking alcohol and doing strenuous exercises. First-timers at high altitude may have symptoms like headache, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, and loss of appetite, fatigue, insomnia, etc. It is common. Normally such symptoms will disappear in 2 days.

8. During your trip in Tibet, please obey the law; respect the local’s religion and customs.
Do not do things that are beyond your tourist identity, such as photograph military facilities, and other politically sensitive areas;
Do not accept any news media’s interview;
Do not collect secret intelligence;
Do not wave antisocial banners, yelling antisocial slogans;
Do not use aerial camera;
Do not venture into areas beyond planned itineraries.

9. Some souvenirs like Knife, antique, animal skulls, etc. are not allowed to take out of China at custom, please don’t buy this kind of souvenirs.

10. The train ticket to Lhasa is normally issued 15-60 days before departure. During the Tibet’s Peak Tourism Season (from June to Mid-October, during Chinese Spring Festival and other public holidays in China), the train tickets may be issued only 1-9 days before departure

FAQS

  • Which tourist sites are what international travelers must visit for a private Tibet tour?

    Most of international travelers who come to Tibet at the first time take a short Lhasa tour and visit the landmarks: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the “Great Three Monasteries of Gelugpa” - Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery.

    If you come to Tibet not only for Buddhist culture but also for natural scenery, you shouldn’t miss Namtso Lake, Yamdrok Lake, and Mount Everest, even the depth sites like Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake.

  • How many days tour is the best choice for travelers travelling to Tibet?

    Well, the answer should depend on your time and interest. You can plan as the following:

    1 day for pickup from Lhasa Airport or Railway Station;

    1 day for seeoff arrangement;

    1-2 days visit to Namtso Lake

    2-3 days Lhasa city tour at low altitude to acclimatize high altitude;

    2-3 days trip to Nyingchi from Lhasa and back;

    3-4 days trip to visit Tsedang, Gyantse and Shigatse;

    4-5 days visit to Mount Everest and back, or overland to Kathmandu;

    8-10 days to trek around Mount Kailash and visit Ngari Prefecture;

    and so on.

  • How many members is the best group for a private Tibet tour?

    Because in a private Tibet tour, only your friends, family or colleagues are in a group. We will arrange the Tibet tourist vehicle according to your members, such as 5-7 seats car or van for 1-4 clients, 8-9 seats van for 5-6 clients, 14 seats van for 7-9 clients, 17-23 seats bus for 10-13 clients, 29 seats for more than 13 clients. If you want not only to save money and but also to enjoy better comfortable tour, we advise 7-9 clients in a private group.

  • When/ which months are the best time to visit Tibet?

    Traditionally, May to June and September to middle October are two of the best time frame to visit Tibet, free from the influence of monsoon season, with mild weather and fantastic visibility. If you want to save money and not to come in peak season or crowed time, the months from November to next February are better.

  • Which one is the better? By flight, by train or by overland?

    By flight: save time. You can fly to Lhasa from any one of mainland China cities within 3 hours and then start your Tibet tour.

    By train: save money and acclimate high altitude. The train ticket is the relatively cheaper. And most clients think that they can acclimate high altitude as the Qinghai-Tibet train runs up gradually.

    By overland: see more scenery along the route and acclimate high altitude. Taking overland tour from Sichuan, Qinghai, Xinjing or Nepal to Tibet, you can see different scenery on the route each day.

  • For private Tibet tour, how to choose Tibet hotel? 3-stars, 4-stars or 5-stars hotel?

    Due to the extreme altitude and inhospitable environment, in Tibet, the hotel facilities are some what inferior to those hotels in other mainland China cities like Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu, etc. But you can also find International 5 stars hotel in Lhasa: St. Regis Hotel; ordinary 5 stars hotels in Lhasa, Shigatse and Nyingchi. In other places like Tingri, Bomi or Ngari, you can find 3-stars or 4-stars hotels or business hotels.

  • What food to eat in Tibet when taking a Tibet private tour?

    Usually, after you arrive at Lhasa, your tour guide will ask about your eating habits. He/she will recommend restaurants for your reference.

    We recommend the local traditional Tibetan food like home-made Tsampa, Tibetan momo, dried Yak meat, Tibetan noodles and Tibetan yogurt, etc. Of course, you can also taste buds with finger-licking Nepali and Indian cuisines like yak curry, yak steak, butter chicken and chicken tikka masala, etc. But in Tibet, the most dishes should be Sichuan cuisine and you can also find western-style food in some restaurants.

  • Which is the better choice, small group tour vs private tour?

    Group tour refers to a group of tourists who have the same tour plan booking the same trip separately via the local travel agency in Tibet. They don’t know each other. The travel agency arranges travel date and route in advance. The tour cost is fixed and cheaper.

    Private tour means a group of tourists who are family or friends or colleagues book the same trip together through Tibet local travel agency. The travel agency design the tour according to traveler’s needs and interests. The tour cost is quoted based on different plans and relatively high.

    You can choose small group tour or private tour depend on your plan.

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