21D Kailash Saga Dawa Tibetan Festival;
May 22 – Jun 11, 2012
Beijing • Forbidden City • Great Wall • Xi’an • Terracotta Warriors • Lhasa • Potala Palace • Jokhang Temple • Pelkor Choede & Gyantse Kumbum • Shigatse & Tashilumpo Monastery • Sakya • Lhatse • Saga, Darchen • Saga Dawa Festival at Mt Kailash • Lake Manasarovar • Qomolangma National Park (Everest Base Camp) • Nyalam • Thamel • Kathmandu
USD $5,169 per person
Tour prices DO NOT include international airfare & airport taxes.
Journey overland to Tibet and cross the ‘roof of the world’ to Kailash—Asia’s most sacred mountain—in time for the amazing Saga Dawa Festival. You’ll join pilgrims and celebrate the renewal of the Tarboche flagpole, then embark on a demanding multi-day trek around the holy mountain which is said to bring good luck to whomever completes it. Explore Lhasa and experience unparalleled vistas of Mt Everest at its base camp. Full of cultural treasures, remarkable Buddhist monasteries and the colourful markets of Kathmandu, this adventure truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
For most Tibetans the Jokhang Temple is one of the most sacred and important temple in Tibet
Itinerary
Day 01 / Arrive Beijing
Arrive in Beijing at any time.
Days 02-03 / Beijing
Private bus to the Great Wall. Subway to Tian’anmen Square, guided tour of the Forbidden City. Overnight train to Xi’an
Day 04 / Xi’an
Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors and be tempted by the delicious tastes of the night market in the Muslim Quarter. Time permitting, explore the old city wall by bike.
Days 05-06 / Train to Lhasa
Board the train for Lhasa and watch the scenery completely change as you climb onto the Tibetan Plateau.
Days 07-08 / Lhasa
Included activities – Orientation walk around Barkhor square, Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace.
Day 09 / Yamdrok Tso and Gyantse
Drive to Gyantse along Yamdrok Tso.
Day 10 / Shigatse
Visit to Pelkor Chode Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum and Tashilunpo Monastery
Day 11 / Rombuk & Everest Base Camp
Hike to Base Camp and visit world’s highest Monastery
Days 12-13 / Saga to Darchen
Follow the road west across grasslands and passes culminating in the first spectacular view of Kailash & Manasarovar.
Days 14-16 / Kailash & Lake Manasarovar
The Saga Dawa Festival celebrates the day Lord Buddha Sakyamuni was born, achieved enlightenment and passed away. For over a thousand years pilgrims flock to Mt Kailash to replace the Tarboche flagpole, a huge pole that stands on the Kailash kora, south of the mountain. The whole ceremony is led by a Lama from the nearby monastery and Tibetans and buddhists gather here that day to attach their prayer flags they brought from home, to pray, and to help erect the flagpole. Embark on the toughest part of our journey, the 2.5 day Kailash kora or hike. The highest pass is 5630m. The distinctive snow-topped pyramid of Kailash stands apart and distinct from those around it, dominating the landscape.
Days 17-18 / Darchen to Saga
Crossing the grasslands, we come back down south to Saga
Day 19 / Zhangmu
Cross one of the most spectacular mountain passes, topped with prayer flags and wind-driven prayer wheels. You will truly feel like you are on top of the world.
Day 20 / Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu and free to explore the city
Day 21 / Depart Kathmandu
Free to depart anytime
Trip Price
- USD $5,169 per person
Dates
- May 22 – Jun 11, 2012
Inclusions
- Entrance to the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Kumbum, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Yamdrok Tso, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Pelkhor Chode Monastery, Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, Qomolangma Nature Preserve
Notes
- Start / Finish Beijing to Kathmandu
- Group Size Maximum 14
- Group Leader Chief Experience Officer (CEO), Local guides
- Accommodation Hotels/guesthouses (11 nights), basic guesthouses (07 nights – some nights possibly multishare), Sleeper train (02 nights)
- Transport Flight, private bus, 4WD vehicle, on foot
- No meals are included; budget USD $200-265 for meals not included
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