The Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour is a once in a lifetime chance to get immersed in the spirituality and beauty of Tibet. June 3 to June 16, 2025, 14 days of cultural and spiritual experience of Saga Dawa Festival and Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. Join us as we visit sacred places, attend festivals and trek the Himalayas.
What is Kailash Saga Dawa Festival?
Saga Dawa is one of the most important Buddhist festivals celebrated to mark the three most important events in the life of Lord Buddha: his birth, enlightenment and parinirvana (passing into nirvana). It is celebrated on the full moon day of the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, a day of great spiritual significance and joy for all Buddhists.
Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva in Hinduism and a sacred mountain in Buddhism, Jainism and Bon tradition, is the center of this festival. During the festival, pilgrims from Tibet, India, Bhutan, Nepal and beyond gather at the foot of this mountain to pay homage and perform rituals.
One of the main attractions of Saga Dawa is the ceremonial replacement of the Tarboche prayer flagpole, a tall wooden structure with colorful prayer flags. This is a symbol of spiritual renewal and hundreds of pilgrims gather to chant prayers, spin prayer wheels and offer incense.
Why this Tour?
Pre Trip Information
Book Now for 2025 Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour
The Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour is not just a journey, it’s a life changing experience that will stay with you after you return home. Whether you are drawn by the spirituality, cultural immersion or the beauty of Tibet, this tour will be an amazing adventure.
You also have the option B to start the tour from Kathmandu. Just let us know if you want to Enter and Exit Nepal.
Upon arrival you will welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel in Lhasa. You will spend the day as you prefer, and take your time to acclimatize to the high altitude of 3650 meters. Around 6:30pm, your guide will take you to one of the best local restaurants to enjoy a welcome dinner with our staffs.
Overnight: Banak Shol Hotel (Near Jokhang Temple)
The day starts with a visit of the historically famous Potala Palace, the Johkang Temple and a stroll along the crowded Barkhor Street. These places date back to the 7th century, and were built during the reign of Tibet’s 33rd King, Songtsen Gonpo, 647 A.D.
Overnight: Banak Shol Hotel (Near Jokhang Temple)
We will visit the Drepung and Sera Monasteries, housed by two of the three largest gelugpa schools in central Tibet. The monasteries were founded during 14th century. We recommend attending the monks’ debate held in the courtyard and admire the gigantic chapels.
Overnight: Banak Shol Hotel (Near Jokhang Temple)
We will take you to see the Pabongkha Monastery, an important historical monastery dating back to 7th century, and the birth place of Tibetan calligraphy, created by Tonmi Sambhota.
This experience is followed by a hike over the active Sky-burial to the Tashi Choling Monastery, and a stop at the Takten Mediation Cave (4200m). Lunch (packed lunch) will be enjoyed here, along with a taste of the cave’s blessed spring-water.
The day continues with a hike towards the Sera Monastery, where you will have a chance to capture a bird’s eye view of the Lhasa city.
Overnight: Banak Shol Hotel (Near Jokhang Temple)
We will set out for Gyangtse, a rich cultural city in central Tibet, in the morning. During this journey, we will enjoy Yamdrok Lake with its deep blue water, from the top of the Kampala pass (3975m), and then we will head to the Karola Glacier(4960m) from the shore of Yamdrok Lake.
We arrive at Gyangtse early in the evening, and visit the Pekor Choede Monastery. Then, we will drive another 90km through the farm villages.
Overnight: Shiga Yangcha Hotel (4 Star)
We will set out for Saga county with a distance of 480km. You will cross highest mountain passes to reach Himalayan ranges.
Overnight: Xibu Yizhan Hote (Best available)
We will depart in the morning on a 500 km journey, on a smooth road to Lake Manasarovar, the victory lake in the Ngari region. We will also cross several rivers and Mayumla Pass (4600m), from where we can admire the spectacular panoramic views of the Himalayas. If we are lucky, we will see wild animals enjoying their life, free, on the world’s highest plateau.
Overnight: Guesthouse at Chiu Monastery near Lake Manasarovar.
Today you will have the rare opportunity to talk with Guru Rinpoche in his cave, in Chiu Monastery at Manasarovar. While walk near the Lake, you will enjoy the chance to dip into its cold purifying waters.
Early in the afternoon, we will drive to Dharchen via Leke Rashastha. Here you will find a famous Tibetan medical school where, if you want, you can consult with a Tibetan doctor about your health state. You are ready now to attend the famous Saga Dawa Festival and Kailash Kora that will take place tomorrow!
Overnight: A good hotel
The Saga Dawa Festival is held at Darpoche, the start point of Kailash Kora. During the celebration, Tibetans hang their prayer flags on a vertical prayer flag pole. Lamas circulate around the prayer flag while reciting special prayers.
When the ceremony ends, locals do their kora (trek). You will trek along, an easy path, to the 1st Prostration Point.
Choku Gompa is considered to be the place where Buddha Shakyamuni left his imprints. Opposite the Choku Gompa was once the place of assembling for 500 Arhats – the spot where, according to the legends, Buddha Sakyamuni prayed and meditated in front of Mount Kailash.
The gradually ascending path will take you then to Driraphuk Gompa. The terrain is easy to climb, but the high altitude might make it a bit more difficult than expected.
Overnight: Guesthouse at Drirapuk Monastery
Around Kailash, you will encounter the most difficult section of your trek, especially when you will have to climb from Driraphuk Gompa, 5000 meter altitude, to Dolma La Pass, at 5670 meters. The atmospheric pressure is one-half over the pressure of sea level, so it is recommended to slow down to 3-5 steps, alternated with deep breaths (only 50% of oxygen) rather than collapse somewhere along the way.
Dolma La Pass is a holy place where Lamas perform bardo rituals, and people symbolically leave behind pieces of their hair, nails, hats, clothes etc., hang up prayer flags and burn incense.
After reaching this point, you will descend into a long valley that takes you to Zutrulphuk Gompa, where you can visit Milarepa’s Cave. Milarepa is Tibet’s most beloved yogi, and meditating inside this cave is one of the purest and most fulfilling experiences for Tibetans. Don’t forget to learn Milarepa’s mantra – Je milazhe pa dorje la sol badep so!
Overnight: Guesthouse near ZutrulPuk Monastery
The last section includes a fairly easy walking itinerary from Zutruphuk Gompa to Darchen. The Kailash pilgrimage officially ends at Dakini Dancing Ground, with a fantastic view over Lake Manasarovar in the background. Then, we will be crossing the grasslands drive back to Saga.
Overnight: Xibu Yizhan Hotel (Best Available)
We will be crossing the grasslands, and come back down east to Saga.
Overnight: Shiga Yangcha Hotel (4 Star)
Today is dedicated to a long journey to Lhatse along the northern route.
Overnight: Banak Shol Hotel (Near Jokhang Temple)
Transfer to airport, so you can connect to your next destination. Your Saga Dawa Festival Tour officially ends here.
The Kailash Saga Dawa Festival is an important Buddhist and Hindu celebration held annually in honor of Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. The festival takes place around Mount Kailash in western Tibet and attracts pilgrims and travelers who want to witness its spiritual rituals and vibrant cultural practices.
The festival occurs on the full moon day of the fourth month in the Tibetan calendar, usually falling in late May or early June. The exact dates vary each year according to the lunar cycle.
During the festival, you can witness the raising of the Tarboche prayer flagpole, join pilgrims in chanting prayers, observe traditional Tibetan performances, and participate in the kora (circumambulation) of Mount Kailash. The kora is a deeply spiritual walk, considered one of the holiest pilgrimages for Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains.
While prior trekking experience is beneficial, it is not mandatory. The kora is physically demanding due to the high altitude and challenging terrain. Adequate preparation, including acclimatization, a good fitness level, and appropriate gear, is essential for completing the journey safely.
Travelers need a Tibet Travel Permit, an Alien Travel Permit, and a Mount Kailash trekking permit. For international tourists, a valid Chinese visa is also required. If entering Tibet via Nepal, a Group Tourist Visa must be obtained. These permits are usually arranged by travel agencies in Lhasa specializing in Tibet tours.
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Adventures In Tibet is a highly trusted and reliable travel agency, renowned for offering the best-organized tours across the Tibetan plateau. With expert planning, personalized services, and a commitment to exceptional experiences, we ensure every traveler enjoys a seamless and unforgettable journey to the Roof of the World.
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Bob –
The Saga Dawa Festival tour was better than we even thought! I still can’t believe we did so much in such a short time, but we did not feel stressed. We really loved the tour and would do it all over again in a minute! Thanks.
Thanks You Adventures In Tibet for Such an Amazing Arrangement
Sulojana –
This is a very good and efficient local Tibetan tour operator with a touch of “gold”. From the first email that I sent 5 months before the trip to finally I said ‘good bye’ to them in Tibet, they never let us down. They have both the wisdom and compassion to understand us fully and accommodate our needs, whatever they were.
I travelled by myself, but was one of five in the group of Saga Dawa Mt Kailash kora tour (16 rich days of activities). I also did pre and post Mt Kailash trip tours, covering so many places in the north and west of Tibet.
I had some difficulty adjusting to the high altitude initially so Norbu (the tour organiser) and Tadhon (our guide) took me to the hospital to be checked thoroughly (which gave me the peace of mind as I was travelling by myself) the very first day evening. I was touched by their warmth and personal care and felt being at home immediately.
The itinerary was superb and allowed us to acclimatise well before heading west from Lhasa. We also had a great view of Mt Everest and trekked to the base camp one fine morning, enroute to Mt Kailash and Manasarovar.
Another good thing about this tour organiser is that they carry a couple of oxygen cylinders that are useful at times at higher altitudes.
The highlight was the kora around Mt Kailash, which was the very first time for me and the other four in the group. Because our group is only five people, we had such a personal attention from the guide and driver all through the trip. We all finished the kora, which takes 3 days. Although the second day was really tough climbing up the Drolma La (the highest pass in the kora at an elevation of 5,650m), Tadhon (our guide) and Muthu (the driver) helped immensely to make sure we climbed OK. It was sad some people could not make the second or third days due to altitude sickness so acclimatisation and a good guide is really essential!
We all had some incredible experience in this tour and I feel much indebted to the tour organiser, guide and driver, who always gave their undivided attention and care throughout our stay.
I am really looking forward to my next kora around Mt Kailash now that I have found a home away from home in Tibet!
Norbu is excellent with organising and taking all the fine details into consideration. I highly recommend Adventures in Tibet for fellow pilgrims / tourists!
My sincere thanks and gratitude to the team of Adventures in Tibet for giving me such an unforgettable experience of Mt Kailash and Tibet in general! Thanks guys and best wishes!
Great Experience of Saga Dawa Festival
Hiten & Jaimini –
The Saga Dawa Festival 2017 and tour was a truly amazing adventure for us. We had sure a fantastic 16 days in Tibet, and it will be very difficult to forget Tibet, it’s people and culture. You are truly blessed people on this planet. Norbu and his team were just wonderful from the beginning and many thanks to Mutu and Tangkon. What a truly inspiring two young Tibetan gentlemen we had. We absolutely loved the Saga Dawa tour of 201 7 and all the places we visited. Adventures in Tibet are simply the Best. May Buddha and all bodhisattvas bless you all and your families.