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Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour - 14 Days

Get ready to experience the exotic culture of Tibet! The Saga Dawa Festival is an important festival for Buddhists to celebrate the life of the Buddha. It is said that the Buddha had asked his partner not to cry or mourn his death when he died.

Days 14
Nights 13
Max Altitude 1,400m (4,600ft)
Group Size 1-15 pax
Activity Sightseeing
Location Tibet
Grade Moderate

Journey details

Get ready to experience the exotic culture of Tibet! The Saga Dawa Festival is an important festival for Buddhists to celebrate the life of the Buddha. It is said that the Buddha had asked his partner not to cry or mourn his death when he died. After his death, he strictly restricted everyone to present flowers and lights. He had asked everyone to be happy and to work hard to follow his teachings and live a noble life. Death is an ultimate truth, and all compound objects such as the human body will surely collapse.

The Saga Dawa Festival is celebrated every year on the day of the full moon of the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. Every year, during the period of Saga Dawa, pilgrimages from all over the world come to Mount Fuji. Kailash plays Cora. The pole of the giant Tarpoche flag was demolished and replaced by a new flagpole. The colorful flagpoles point high to the Gyandrak monastery. The monks in the monastery performed a series of rituals accompanied by the music of long horns, shell cells and other instruments. The flagpole should stand upright, otherwise I think some bad things can happen in Tibet.

In addition, on this sacred occasion, the people visited many temples, monasteries and prayers. They lit the butter lamps and found peace in their hearts. Therefore, together with the HAN, be happy in the auspicious occasion of the Daga Saga Festival on the Saga Dawa Festival Tour.

Trip Profile

Destination: Tibet

Trip Grade: Moderate, Strenuous

Max Elevation: 5600 m

Total Duration: 14 days

Best Time: May - June

Group Size: 03 - 20 People

Day by day

Detailed itinerary.

Day 1 Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Our representative at the airport will receive you and explain the plan. There were no planned activities on the day, so stay at the hotel. Enjoy your night at the hotel.
Day 2 Tour preparation and visit to the Kathmandu valley.
Visit the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage, which includes: the Durbar Square in Kathmandu, the Temple of the Monkeys, the Bodhha Pagoda and the Temple of Passo Panath. Accommodation at the hotel, breakfast included.
Day 3 Drive Kathmandu to Niagram 3,750 meters (150 km)
After breakfast, we drove through Bhaktapur, Dhulik, towards the Friendship Bridge (the border between Nepal and China). Walk about 10 minutes from here, cross the Friendship Bridge and meet with Tibetan tour guides and cruise ship drivers. After all the immigration and customs procedures have been processed at the Chinese checkpoint here, we continue driving for 35 kilometers, this route can take almost 3 hours to travel to Nyaran through the winding roads. Then you will be transferred to a hotel in Nyalam (3700m). The hotel facilities are very simple and basic. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 Nie Ram - Free from the environment.
Adapting to today's environment is free. We will take a short trip to prepare for Kailash Parikrama, which will help us adapt quickly to the environment. Overnight at the hotel.
Day5 Nyalam - New Dongba 4600 meters (390 kilometers)
After breakfast, drive to Paryang. Go through many villages and yak shepherd camps. In the south, you can see the snowy peaks. Most of the time you will drive through the plains, so you will drive comfortably. Arrive in Paryang and enjoy a hot tea. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 New Dongba - Mansarovar 4558 meters (277 kilometers) Duration: 7-8 hours
Breakfast and preparation for the longest driving day. Later in the afternoon, you can see the sacred mountain for the first time. Kailash and Lake Mansarova. Hore - A small town near the Santo Mansarovar Lake. Sacred Mansarovar (14,950 feet / 455 m): the highest freshwater lake in the world, turquoise, full of fish and swans. Mount Gurula-Mandala on Mount Kailash, Rakshash Lake is located around it. The area is considered rich in gold and other mines, hot springs and hundreds of wildlife. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 Mansarovar - Tarchen (40 km) Duration: 2-3 hours
The sacred Mansarovar is a lake of compassion, tranquility and happiness. After completing the unforgettable morning bath and the puja, we will take a land cruise to Holy Mansarovar Parikrama, take a packed lunch and continue to Tarchen (Darchen). If time permits, we will visit Chui Gompa. Tarchen is considered the base of Holy Kailash Parikrama. During the auspicious pilgrimage, this place will be full of pilgrims, surrounded by hundreds of shops. Overnight at the hotel.
Day8 (May 25, 2015): Saga Dawa Festival on the full moon of Tarboche (Festival)
The Saga Dawa Festival was held on the fifteenth day of the fourth month of Tibet and is one of the most important religious festivals in Tibet. This auspicious day coincides with three important events in the life of the Buddha, namely, his birth, Nieana and Parnirvana (death). As the Saga Dawa Festival is in the most sacred month of the Tibetan calendar, it is believed that good works and prayers will multiply during this event. Then we can see that everyone is immersed in prayer and trying to please God. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 Tarchen - Tarboche (13 km by car) - Dirapuk (4860 m) (7 km long trip / 5 - 6 hours)
After breakfast, drive to the starting point of Tarboche - Kailash Parikrama. Tarboche is also known as the external "Asthapath". This is one of the exciting days to walk the beautiful rocky cliffs, there are some clouds in the blue sky that make you feel that the Great God Shiva is everywhere and gives you countless blessings. The faces of Kailash Parbat will appear from time to time. The 7 km route takes almost 7 hours. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 Drapuk - Zuthulpuk (4760m) (18 km long distance / 9-10 km) (through the Dolma-la pass 5,200)
Today it will climb to Drolma-la (Dolma-La 18600 ft) and then descend gradually to Zuthulpuk (4760 m). When your step is near the pass, you must cross Yamasthal to reach Shiva-sthal. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 Zuthulpuk - Tarchen (Darchen) (10 km / 4-5 hours) - Mansarovar- Dongba (at the end of Kailash Parikrama)
In the morning, have free time to explore the caves, temples and sanctuaries around the caves of Milarepa. After 3 hours on foot, all drivers will be waiting for you. Later in the afternoon, you will arrive at the hotel
Day 12 Drive Dongba to Nyalam
Drive Dongba to Nyalam (376 km) 7-8 hrs. Overnight at the Guesthouse
Day 13 Drive to Kathmandu
Today, we leave Nyalam behind. We pass the Bhote Koshi River and cross the Chinese – Nepalese border. After a short drive, we bid our Tibetan guide a goodbye. We then drive and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari. Our Nepalese staff will complete the re-entry formalities and we drive to Kathmandu. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 14 Farewell
Approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight, a representative from the HAN will take you to the airport.

Your trip price

What your journey covers.

Cost Included

  • All Meals
  • All ground and plane transportation
  • All accomodation
  • Full trek guide and staffs
  • All trek pack and equipment

Cost Not Included

  • Alcohol or Beverage
  • Camera and other non trek accessories

Tripadvisor traveler reviews

Trusted on the trail.

5.0 118 reviews on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor

Well organized from arrival to trail

Ann highlighted seamless airport pickup, Kathmandu stays and Everest Base Camp logistics, with guide Sagar and porter Phulman adapting thoughtfully along the way.

Ann DVisited December 2025
Tripadvisor

Everything handled for EBC

Amina valued proactive communication, equipment support, reliable guides and calm handling of flight and accommodation changes throughout her solo trek.

Amina CVisited November 2025
Tripadvisor

A memorable Nagarkot morning

Richard praised the communication, flexible pace, sunrise viewpoint visit, zipline experience and comfortable transport arranged for his family.

Richard EVisited December 2025
Tripadvisor

Annapurna Circuit with a caring team

Iona praised Raju’s planning and the care provided by guide Keshar and porter Tek, helping two friends enjoy the trek with confidence.

Iona MVisited February 2025

Review highlights are concise summaries of traveler feedback. Visit Tripadvisor to read the complete reviews.

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