Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour
Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour Overview
The Tibet Saga Dawa Festival Tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the most sacred month in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar. Saga Dawa, celebrated on the full moon day of the fourth Tibetan lunar month (usually May-June), commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana (death) of Lord Buddha. This 15-day journey combines profound spiritual traditions with the iconic Kailash Kora.
During this holy month, Tibetans engage in acts of kindness, giving alms to the needy, refraining from killing animals, and releasing captured creatures back into the wild. It is known as the "month of merits." The festival atmosphere is palpable, with thousands of pilgrims circulating sacred sites like Lhasa's Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, chanting prayers, and lighting butter lamps.
The tour includes a spectacular visit to the Tarboche flagpole ceremony, where participants attach their prayer flags to a newly erected pole, symbolizing their prayers and hopes for the future. You will also have the opportunity to perform the full Kailash Kora (Parikrama), the 52km circumambulation of Mount Kailash, which holds immense spiritual significance during this month.
The journey begins in Kathmandu, followed by a flight to Lhasa for acclimatization and exploration of its sacred sites: the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung and Sera Monasteries. You then travel overland through Gyantse and Shigatse to Lake Mansarovar and finally to Darchen for the 3-day Kailash Kora, crossing the challenging Dolma La Pass (5,630m). This tour is ideal for spiritual seekers, festival enthusiasts, and adventure travelers wishing to experience Tibet's deepest religious traditions.
Things That You Need to Know
Festival Significance:
Saga Dawa is the most sacred month in Tibetan Buddhism, commemorating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. It is considered a "month of merits" when virtuous actions have multiplied karmic effect.
Duration & Difficulty:
This is a 15-day tour that includes a challenging 3-day Kailash Kora at altitudes over 5,600m. It requires excellent physical fitness, mental strength, and proper acclimatization.
Best Season:
The tour is timed for May-June, coinciding with the Saga Dawa festival (dates vary based on the lunar calendar). This is also an ideal time for the Kailash pilgrimage.
Accommodation & Meals:
The package includes a star hotel in Kathmandu and twin-sharing hotel/guesthouse accommodation in Tibet on a bed & breakfast basis. Meals during the trek are provided.
Permits & Visa:
Travelers need a Tibet/China visa and a Tibet Travel Permit. The package includes assistance with visa arrangements in Kathmandu. Insurance and emergency evacuation are not included.