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EBC Helicopter Tour – Daily Departures Guaranteed! Book Now
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The best time to explore a place is when it unmasks itself and reveals its vivid colors, authentic beauty, and unparalleled majesty.
The Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour is a mesmerizing tour that auspiciously coincides with the most important festival of Tibetan Buddhists all over the world, the Saga Dawa Festival and it is when the pilgrims and tourists get to see the obfuscated beauty of Tibetan people, culture, and traditions.
Along with the apropos travel conditions, impeccable weather, and a chance to explore one of the most sacred spots on the planet, Mount Kailash, travelers get to witness the extravagant celebration that features the pageantry of authentic Tibetan culture, traditions, and values.
The main day of the Saga Dawa Festival will be observed on June 11 for the year 2025.
Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour is a meticulously planned tour itinerary with a fixed departure that allows travelers to observe the mesmerizing Saga Dawa Festival while also visiting and Trekking around Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake.
The Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour of 2025 is a comprehensive cultural and religious tour package that provides travelers with insight into the culture, traditions, and rituals of different religions.
Saga Daw Festival is one of the major festivals for Tibetan Buddhists all over the world. The festival commemorates the major life events of Shakyamuni Buddha; the birth, nirvana(spiritual liberation), and para-nirvana (death).
All these major life events of Buddha’s life coincided with the same Tibetan Lunar Month, so the Saga Dawa Festival is celebrated for a whole month. Saga Dawa festival is celebrated on the fourth Tibetan Lunar Month. The fourth Tibetan Lunar month is considered the month of prayers and rituals. The 15th day of the fourth Tibetan Lunar Month, which is also a full moon day, is the most important day of this month-long festival as it coincides with the day that Buddha was born, enlightened(spiritual liberation), and achieved para-nirvana(physical liberation).
For 2025, the main day of the Saga Dawa Festival is on June 11, 2025.
Tibetan Buddhists believe that a good deed done during this month brings them 1000 times good karma and vice-versa. So during this month, Tibetan Buddhists make donations and charities, pray and recite mantras, go on a picnic with friends and family, and buy and release captured animals about to be slaughtered.
Because of how generous Tibetan Buddhist people become, the Saga Dawa Festival is also called “Poor Mans’ Day”.
Tibetan Buddhists also make pilgrimages to the holy sites and circumambulate shrines, monasteries, temples, and stupas.
Mount Kailash is a major pilgrimage tour that Tibetan Buddhists take during the Saga Dawa Festival. Due to the deep religious significance that Mount Kailash, circumambulating the holy peak is considered a major pilgrimage during the festival. It is believed to cleanse the sins of a lifetime and purify one’s soul.
Saga Dawa Festival provides a window to get a sneak peek at the values, traditions, and rituals of Tibetan Buddhism.
Kailash Kora is a sacred circumambulation of Mount Kailash, through the valleys and crossing high mountain passes on its periphery.
Kailash Kora holds a major significance for all four religions that consider Mount Kailash sacred. It is believed that doing the Kailash Kora will cleanse one of the sins and purify the soul.
Kailash Kora is an ethereal spiritual odyssey, regardless of the time of the year you do it. But the Kailash Kora done during Saga Dawa Festival is an enriching experience that surpasses the cultural exploration experience of the Kailash Kora done during other times of the year.
During the Saga Dawa Festival, travelers get to meet pilgrims of different religions, observe their rituals, and learn about their faith and beliefs. Travelers get to see the perspectives of pilgrims belonging to different religions.
Trekkers doing the Kailash Kora get to see the vibrant Saga Dawa Festival and Flag Pole Raising ceremony at Tarboche.
All in all, the auspicious Saga Dawa Festival is one of the most favorable times to do the Kailash Kora Trek, where different people with different faiths congregate at the holy premises to pay their reverence to the sacred Mount Kailash.
The Tarboche Flag Pole Raising ceremony is an amazing celebratory spectacle that can be witnessed during the 15th day or full moon day of the fourth Lunar Tibetan Month during Saga Dawa.
During this exuberant celebration, the old poles and prayer flags are replaced with new ones. The ceremony is guided and ritually instructed by a senior master monk. Prayer flags have a profound meaning. It denotes prayers for prosperity, well-being, good fortune, and peace for all sentient beings.
On the main day of Saga Dawa, Tibetan people gather in Tarboche to take part in the flag pole-raising ceremony and hang their prayer flags on the flag pole. Hanging the prayer flag wishing for the wellness, compassion, peace, and prosperity of all sentient beings aligns with the teachings of Lord Buddha.
Tarboche during the main day of the Saga Dawa festival is crowded with Tibetan Buddhist people. People gather, celebrate, and organize picnics with friends and family.
For foreign travelers, the sight is mesmerizing to witness as they get to observe the culture, rituals, and values of the fascinating Vajrayana or Tibetan Buddhism.
In the early morning of June 7, 2025, with your Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit secured, you will depart Kathmandu for Kerung.
The drive stretches 155 km or 96.3 miles crossing international borders. It lasts for approximately 6-7 hours excluding breaks for lunch and the immigration process at border transit.
The scenic drive takes you through the rustic villages and hamlets of Rasuwa and Langtang region. You will drive from Kathmandu leaving behind the cityscapes, through the lush green landscapes of Rasuwa, and to the transitional semi-arid landscapes of Kerung County that bridge the greenery of the south to the mountain deserts of the Tibetan plateau.
Upon reaching Kerung Country you will be checked in at a Hotel.
Kerung County is elevated 2,800 meters or 9,816 feet above sea level.
The chances of you acquiring altitude sickness increase as you travel altitudes above 2500 meters or 8202 feet. To prevent altitude sickness, acclimatizing in Kerung, which is situated at a transitional altitude, is essential.
So the whole day is segregated for acclimatization. On the acclimatization day, you can explore Kerung County. The vivacious and colorful Kerung County has beautiful local markets and shops. Travelers get a sneak peek of the traditional Tibetan lifestyle, culture, and traditions.
The entire city is adorned with characteristic Tibetan-Chinese architecture, which is fascinating to witness.
On June 9, 2025, the third day of the trip, you will be driven to Saga from Kerung. You will gain approximately 1800 meters or 5,905 feet elevation.
The driving distance between Kerung and Saga is 176 km or 110 miles, which takes around 6 hours to cover. The well-maintained road conditions make traveling from Kerung to Saga easy.
The drive itself is a scenic bliss. You will be driven through long and winding roads that pass over hills and through the Tibetan mountain desert with magnificent views.
Travelers get striking views of mountain peaks, see glacial lakes, and ethereal sights of mesmerizing landscapes of Tibetan mountain deserts.
Thong La Pass and Lung La Pass are two popular vantage points that provide impeccable views of the surrounding landscapes.
After reaching Saga you will be checked in at a hotel for the night stay.
On June 10, 2025, after having a hearty breakfast, you will drive to Lake Mansarovar from Saga. The drive is long and takes around 8-9 hours as the distance between Saga and Mansarovar Lake is 478 km or 297 miles. Despite the remoteness of the Tibetan plateau, the road infrastructure is good and well-maintained, so the drive will be smooth.
You will drive through the vast Tibetan Desert and sporadically pass through scarcely populated counties on the Tibetan Plateau. The long drive bestows you an opportunity to enjoy mesmerizing views of fascinating mountain desert landscapes with occasional views of the Himalayas and Gandise Range.
After the long drive, you reach the beautiful holy lake of Mansarovar with a striking view of Mount Kailash. The pellucid water and calm ambiance are perfect for meditation and self-reflection.
You will be checked in at the available Lodging facility near Mansarovar Lake.
June 11, 2025, is the Full Moon Day, the most important day of the Saga Dawa Festival. In the morning you will observe puja rituals on the banks of Mansarovar Lake, carried out by Hindu Pilgrims. You will get to see hundreds of Hindu devotees on the banks of Mansarovar Lake doing puja in hopes of bringing good karma and fortune into their lives.
Afterwards, you will be driven to Darchen. The distance between Darchen and Mansarovar is just 40 km or 25 miles.
From Darchen you will be driven to Tarboche to witness a magnificent celebratory spectacle, the Tarboche Flag Pole Raising ceremony.
It is an annual ceremony held on the full moon day of the Saga Dawa festival during which an old flag pole and prayer flags are replaced by new ones.
Tibetan people, in numbers of several hundred, in their traditional attire congregate at Tarboche to attend the ceremony and hang their prayer flags on the newly erected pole.
The entire ceremony is guided and ritually instructed by a senior monk.
Our team will provide you with prayer flags that you can also hang on the newly erected flag pole at Tarboche and be a part of this traditional and cultural ceremony.
It is an enriching experience to be a part of a culture in another part of the globe.
Afterward, you will be driven back to Darchen for the night stay and prepare for the Kailash Kora.
On June 12, 2025, the sixth day of the trip, you will begin the sacred Kailash Kora trek, a circumambulating trek around Mount Kailash.
After a hearty breakfast, you will be driven to Yam Dwar, which is just 7 km or 4.4 miles from Darchen. From Yam Dwar the Kailash Kora Trek finally begins.
You will walk through the valley west to the Kailash Parvat, surrounded by mountains. The magnificent landscapes add much to the sacred spiritual trek.
The trail conditions during this time of the year are also appropriate for the Kailash Kora. The trail stretches 14 km or 8.7 miles from Yam Dwar to Dirapuk and can be completed in around 5-6 hours.
After reaching Dirapuk, travelers will embark on a short trek beyond Dirapuk towards the base of Mount Kailash for Charan Sparsh. Charan Sparsh translates to touching feet. This short trek for Charan Sparsh takes travelers to the base of Mount Kailash and provides them an opportunity to touch the sacred spot of Mount Kailash, which is considered the feet of Lord Shiva himself.
It is a privilege for Hindus to be able to touch the sacred spot of Mount Kailash.
Afterward, you return to Dirapuk and stay overnight at a hotel.
Today, the second day of the Kailash Kora trek, you will trek from Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk via the Drolma La pass.
The hike today is the toughest day hike of the entire Kailash Kora trek. The day hike takes trekkers to Drolma La pass. Drolma La pass situated north of Mount Kailash, elevated 5,634 meters or 18,484 feet above sea level, is the highest point you will reach throughout the trip.
The trail becomes steeper and rocky as it approaches Drolma La pass. From Drolma La pass begins the descending hike to Zuthulpuk on the valley east to Mount Kailash.
Though difficult, the day hike provides magnificent views of Mount Kailash and surrounding landscapes. It reveals to trekkers a view of the majestic Kailash Parvat from the eastern side.
The distance from Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk is around 18 km or 11.4 miles.
Zuthulpuk, elevated 4,790 meters or 15,715 feet above sea level, will be the place where you will spend the night.
On June 14, 2025, you will complete the Kailash Kora.
After a hearty breakfast, you will continue descending. During this time you will get the last few glimpses of majestic Mount Kailash.
After reaching the checkpoint with road access you will be driven to Darchen to complete the Kailash Kora, a spiritual odyssey of a lifetime.
Finishing the Kailash Kora in itself is an achievement and one of the holiest pilgrimage in all four religions that reveres Mount Kailash. It is believed that circumambulating Mount Kailash cleanses all your sins and purifies your soul.
With a sense profound sense of achievement, you will leave Darchen for Saga, a long drive across the Tibetan Plateau.
On June 15, 2025, the ninth day of the trip, you will be driven to Kerun from Saga.
You get to relieve and witness the beauty of the Tibetan Plateau, and soak in its scenic views of mountain vistas and mesmerizing landscapes.
You will spend the night at Kerung.
Today, the last day of the trip, you will be driven from Kerung to Kathmandu.
Now, leaving behind the arid landscapes of Tibet, you enter the Nepal. In Nepal, you will be welcomed with the lush greenery and again beautiful rugged hilly landscapes.
After 6-7 hours of drive, you will arrive in Kathmandu, where your mesmerizing Kailash Saga Dawa Tour will conclude.
The itinerary assumes that by the time of departure, travelers will already have acquired the Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit.
It takes 2 business days to acquire a Chinese Visa and around 21 days to acquire a Tibet Travel/Entry Permit, which is a military permit.
Upon booking this tour, we process your Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit with no additional charge. The Chinese authorities only issue Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel permits to individuals who apply via a registered travel company and have booked a travel itinerary with the company.
To process and acquire a Tibet Travel Permit, you will have to send us a scanned copy of your passport via email or WhatsApp at least 21 days before the departure date so that we can acquire the Tibet Travel Permit on time.
For the Chinese Visa, you will have to arrive at least 3 days before the departure date and provide us with an original Passport with 2 recently captured passport-sized photos. We will then fill up the forms and make necessary errands to the Chinese consulate in Kathmandu to acquire you a Chinese visa.
It takes 2 business days to acquire a Chinese Visa, so travelers will have to wait for 2 days. The itinerary excludes any expenses incurred during those two wait days.
We also operated private trips.
The Chinese Government has implemented a Unilateral Free Visa Policy for 38 countries valid till December 2025, according to which citizens from these 38 countries will not need a Chinese Visa to enter and stay in China for not longer than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange visits, and transit purposes.
That means traveling and exploring China became a whole lot easier for the citizens of these nations. The Chinese Visa Exemption blog consists of all the necessary information on the topic including the list of 38 countries that qualify for this provision.
As the Tibetan Plateau has an average elevation of 4,600 meters or 15, 091 feet above sea level, the chances for a person to acquire altitude sickness are high, if proper acclimatization isn’t done and precautions are not taken.
Altitude Sickness is a health condition where our body cannot adapt to the thin atmosphere in case of rapid elevation gain. This can happen to anyone regardless of the physical fitness level of a person.
Our Itinerary is carefully curated to minimize chances of altitude sickness. Our itinerary consists of one acclimatization day at Kerung, which is situated at a transitional altitude of 2,800 meters or 9,187 feet above sea level, before entering the Tibetan Highlands. Additionally, the tour itinerary doesn’t contain any physical activities and treks until the sixth day of the tour.
Our Guides and travel staff will carry oximeters and measure your blood oxygen levels regularly to detect any early symptoms of altitude sickness. Along with oximeters, our crew carries Diamox or Acetazolamide, a medication that is used to treat and prevent altitude sickness, to be on the safe side.
Your safety is our prime concern and we don’t make compromises when it is about the safety of our clients. We acknowledge the possibility of altitude sickness happening in high altitudes and prepare accordingly so that you can travel with peace of mind.
Choosing a good travel company that can process your Chinese Visa, acquire a Tibet Travel Permit, and arrange necessary travel necessities is one of the crucial things of the whole Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour. A travel agency that is attentive, experienced, and has the expertise and proper network and connections will ensure travelers a stress-free travel experience.
Breakfree Adventures is one of the leading tour operators in Nepal, that has been serving travelers, explorers, and adventurers with several touring packages. Here are some reasons why you should book the Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour with Breakfree Adventures.
Cancellations are also as easy as booking the tour. But before canceling the tour do read the cancellation policy so that we can help you with the cancellation process without any misunderstandings.
The Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour in itself is a magical tour but you can still elevate the travel experience by booking tour extensions and tour packages that complement the tour.
If you have to wait for 2 days in Kathmandu for a Chinese Visa, then the sightseeing day tour packages can be the best complementing tour packages you can book.
Major Highlights of Kathmandu, 4 UNESCO Sightseeing Day Tours, Kathmandu Sightseeing Day Tours, Bhaktapur and Nagarkot Day Tours, etc. can be some of the best day tours you can take while waiting for the Chinese Visa.
Lhasa is one of the major cities on the planet where Saga Dawa is exuberantly celebrated. If the Saga Dawa spectacle at Tarboche was not enough for you, then you can extend the tour and explore Lhasa. The celebrations of Saga Dawa in Lhasa are more vivid and prominent. You can visit sacred monasteries and historically significant landmarks at Lhasa.
To book the Kailash Saga Dawa Festival Tour with a Lhasa extension, you can contact us. We then will propose an itinerary to you, which you can further customize to your liking.
