Lhasa Saga Dawa Festival

Visit Kathmandu and sightseeing around the valley, Saga Dawa Festival, visit Lhasa and all the sightseeing places, Visit Tibet's oldest monastery Samey and Ganden, Yamdrok Lake, Sigatse, best Everest view from Tingiri, Karo La 5200m pass and wonderful Tibetan Landscape and Probably the best mountain flight over the Everest and Himalaya.

Duration:12 days
Trip Grade:Moderate
Max Elevation:5200 m.
Max Group Size:2
Best Time:May till October

Trip Overview

Saga means fourth and Dawa refers to month in Tibetan. This festival is celebrated for whole month and is one of the most significant festival celebrate in Tibet. But the fifteenth day of the month is very special as Sakyamuni was born, attained Nirvana(enlightenment), stepped into Parinirvana (death). Tibetans believe that it would accumulate immense of merits during that particular day by giving generosity, stop killing animals, stop eating meats, monks chanting in monasteries, cham dancing and other religious activities dominate the occation. In Tibetan the festival is called “qiong ren jie”.

In this tour, we will explore the major monasteries, temples and sacred sites under the guidance of our experts through hiking and overland drives across spectacular mountain ranges. We can also take part in prayer ceremonies, visit the homes of local Tibetans and discuss religious customs throughout the trip. By experiencing the wonders and the spiritual challenges experienced by Tibet’s pilgrims, we may gain an understanding of why Tibetans draw an equal sign between religion and life.

What you can see during the festival?

Hundreds of Tibetan people gathering around the Barkhor, Tsekhor(Circuit around Potala) and Lingkhor.
Liberation of fishes in Lhasa river(Kyichu) and other animals according to their budgets.
Monks reciting prayer in Assembly hall in monasteries and serving butter tea during intermission.
Hundreds of Tibetan people lined up in Drepung kitchen for making their donation for the monks during chanting prayers in assembly hall.
Tibetan people will never eat meats during 15th day of the Saga Dawa and you can see every Tibetans eating vegetables in restaurant after finishing their gathering.
Tibetan peoples busy with visiting various monasteries.
Tibetan peoples’ generosity to the poor people by giving them material help.
After finished visiting monasteries, Tibetans will go for picnics in different picnic centers in Lhasa.
Even in picnics, older Tibetans mumbling mantras by roaring in left hand and small prayer wheel in their right hand.

Outline Itinerary

04 June-Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu /day at leisure/hotel
05 June-Day 02 Full day sightseeing/Hotel
06 June-Day 03 Fly to Gonggar /Transfer to Tsetang /Hotel
07 June-Day 04 Sightseeing of Sayme and drive to Lhasa/Hotel
08 June-Day 05 Visit Potala, Sera and Norbulinka /Hotel
09 June-Day 06 Visit Drepung, Jorkhang & Barkhor "SAGADAWA FESTIVAL"/Hotel
10 June-Day 07 Visit Ganden Monastery/excursion around back to Lhasa
11 June-Day 08 Drive to Shigatse via Yamdrok Lake/ Hotel
12 June-Day 09 Drive to Nyalam/ Hotel
13 June-Day 10 Drive to Dhulikhel/Hotel
14 June-Day 11 Drive to KTM /rest day at leisure/Hotel
15 June-Day 12 Drive to airport

Cost Includes

Kathmandu

International airport pickup and drop service
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu & Dhulikhel
Welcome and farewell dinner

Tibet

Accommodation in twin sharing room on bed and breakfast basis
Air ticket; Kathmandu to Lhasa
Transportation by Mini coach as per group size
Sightseeing with Tibetan guide as per itinerary
Monastery entrance fees
Tibet visa and travel permit
Oxygen bag inside the Mini coach

Cost Excludes

Kathmandu

Food
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Nepal entry visa fee

Tibet

Insurance & emergency rescue charges
Extra porter & transport charges in the event of landslides
Personal clothing & accessories including sleeping bags
Permit for trek above Everest base camp
Others not specified in above cost inclusions list

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Client's Reviews

Nepal is a nation between India and Tibet known for its temples and Himalayan mountains, which include Mt. Everest. Kathmandu, the capital, has a mazelike old quarter filled with Hindu and Buddhist shrines.

Patrik E,

Sydney, Australia

From Kathmandu to Pokhara alone, trekking team was very organized and professional! advice to anyone who wants to move to contact the agency, Hari and his brothers will realize your dreams! The landscape was simply extraordinary and people are very hospitable!!

Leonardo,

United Kingdom

I have been from Kathmandu to Pokhara alone, trekking team was very organized and professional! advice to anyone who wants to move to contact the agency, Hari and his brothers will realize your dreams! The landscape was simply extraordinary and people are very hospitable!!

Allessandra L,