Saga Dawa Festival
Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 8:00 AM - Thursday, June 03, 2010 at 8:00 PM (GMT+0545)
Saga Dawa Festival in Tarboche, Mt. Kailash, Tibet
Tarboche (Mt. Kailash), June 2001
This is the story about one of the most impressive moments I've ever witnessed anywhere. Still now that I'm "back with my feet on the ground" for some months already, I sometimes wonder if I was really there... but I was there, and everything was so amazing! more
The Saga Dawa festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 4th Tibetan month and is one of the most important religious festivals celebrated in Tibet. This auspicious day coincides with three important events in Buddha's life namely his birth, nirvana and parinirvana (death). Since the Saga Dawa festival falls on the holiest month of the Tibetan calendar, it is believed that good deeds and prayers are multiplied thousand fold during this event. So we can see everyone immersed in prayers and trying to appease the gods.
During the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, many people refrain from killing animals and give out alms. There may not be overt celebrations everywhere, but even then you can easily discern the festive spirit in the air during the Saga Dawa festival.
The Tarboche flagpole replacing exercise is an interesting event that takes place during the Saga Dawa festival. As people from all parts of Tibet gather here for this annual event, they bring small prayer flags to attach to the big flag that comes up with the combined help of the onlookers that come to witness the event. The Saga Dawa festival is truly a celebration that encompasses everyone into its fold casting aside all barriers of nationality, religion or color.
In fact, being a part of this holy event is such a moving experience that you come back with a deep sense of inner satisfaction that stays with you for a long time.
To be a part of this Saga Dawa festival, join us here in our journey of rediscovery. book tour
Itinerary
19 Nights/ 20 Days
Kathmandu/ Lhasa / Manasarovar / Zhangmu / Kathmandu
Highlights: Forbidden Lhasa and the Potala palace, Rongbuk monastery and north face of Mt. Everest, Lake Manasarovar, Astapad and “Saga Dawa Festival” at holy Mt. Kailas
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Kathmandu (1300M)
Day 2 : Sightseeing tour to Pashupatinath.
Day 3 : Kathmandu to Lhasa (3660M) by flight / 1 hr scenic flight
Day 4 & 5: Sightseeing in Lhasa of Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and Barkhor, Norbulingka, Drepung and Sera monasteries
Day 6 : Drive to Gyantse (3250 M), 250 kms, 6 Hrs.
Day 7 : Drive to Shegar (New Tingri), (4300 M – 3350 M ) , 6-7 Hrs Journeys.
Day 8 : Drive to Rongbuk (4980 M) , 80 kms , 3 hrs and visit Everest Base Camp (5200 M) , 7 Kms, 30 Min
Day 9 : Drive to Saga. Approx. (4350 M), Approx 350 kms, 7-8 hrs journeys.
Day 10: Drive to Paryang. Approx (4500 M), 240 Kms, 6-7 hrs
Day 11: Drive to Manasarovar (4550 M) 275 kms, 6-7 hrs
Day 12: Manasarovar parikrama, Approx 4 hrs and drive to Darchen, 4650m, 35 kms, 1 hr drive. Excursion to Astapad.
Day 13: Drive to Tarboche, 12 kms, 40 mins drive & start parikrama or Kora of Mt. Kailash . Overnight at Diraphuk. 4910m , 3 hrs trek.
Day 14: Trek to Lamchu Valley Approx. 4700m via Drolma-la pass (5630m), 6 hrs trek
Day 15: End kora / Parikrama after 3 hrs from Zutrulphuk and drive to Lake Manasarovar – Hor Qu, 57 Kms, 2 hrs drive.
Day 16: Drive to Paryang. 5-6 hrs.
Day 17: Drive to Saga. 5-6 hrs.
Day 18: Drive to Zhangmu, 3650 m, 250 kms, 6 hrs.
Day 19; Drive back to Kathmandu via Zhangmu, 160 kms 6-7 hrs drive.
Day 20: Transfer to Airport for the Final Departure. End of tour.
Tour Departure Date 2010
May : 15 *
Early bird discount:
Book now and avail a 10 % discount on above cost.
Cost Includes:
1. Tibet visa fee (normal)
2. Tibet permits
3. Mt. Everest conservation fee
4. Kathmandu / Lhasa airfare and airport tax
5. Astapad excursion
6. Monument entrance fees as per itinerary
7. Twin share accommodation (where possible) using hotels / guest house throughout the tour
8. All meals during tour except for Lhasa, Gyantse, Xegar and Rongbuk
9. Guided tours and transfers as per given itinerary
10. Services of a Tibetan English speaking guide
11. Nepalese Tour manager
12. Services of our trekking staff and camping / trekking equipment including medical first aid kit and other life saving devices
Cost Excludes:
1. Airfare to Kathmandu from your home country and back
2. Nepal visa fee for foreigners other than Indian passport holders. (Indian nationals do not have any visa restrictions / fees applicable to them)
3. International airport taxes
4. Lunch and dinners in Lhasa, Gyantse, Xegar and Rongbuk
5. Horses for parikrama (CN Yuan 950 per person for 3 days. This cost is applicable only for confirmations / booking made at the time of booking tour)
6. Additional personal helper for parikrama (CN Yuan 400 per person for 3 days). This cost is applicable only for confirmations / booking made at the time of booking tour)
7. Medical Insurance & emergency rescue charges
8. Additional transportation & porter charges in the event of landslides
9. Any other services not specified in the above costs includes list
Note:
1) * Tour to coincide with the annual Saga Dawa festival at Tarboche
2) Hotels using 3 – 4 star category hotels in Nepal and best available hotels / lodges in Tibet. (Grand Hotel or similar in Kathmandu, Lhasa Hotel in Lhasa, Gyantse Hotel in Gyantse, Xegar hotel in Xegar, Rongbuk monastery guest house in Rongbuk, Saga Hotel or Jialin in Saga, Parmath in Paryang, Mud House in Hor Qu, Manasarovar, Sun & Moon or Manasarovar guest House in Darchen, Parmath Guest house in Diraphuk and Ashram accommodation at Zutrulphuk)
3) Single Supplement means single rooms in Nepal, Lhasa, and Gyantse only. Please note that in other areas of Tibet single rooms may not be possible.
4) Please contact us: info@abcsikkim.com, wangpin.thondup@gmail.com
5) Rates are subject to change without prior notice
6) Also during the monsoon season the Arniko Highway linking Nepal-Tibet border is often disrupted by landslides. In such an eventuality any additional porter or transport charges incurred as such, will be borne by clients’ themselves
7) All departure dates are ex – Kathmandu
8) All prices quoted are for our fixed departures on group join in basis for the year 2010. Prices for 2011 & 2012 may vary.
9) All clients should carry a comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage that covers travel in High Altitude, medical, evacuation, cancellation, baggage damage and all other eventualities
10) Parikrama of lake Manasarovar may be done on Day 11 depending on actual ground conditions / time limitations
Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 8:00 AM
- to -
Thursday, June 03, 2010 at 8:00 PM (GMT+0545)
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Exotic Vacations (Treks & Expeditions) P. Ltd.
Exotic Vacations is one of the leading inbound / out bound tour operators of Nepal. With an accumulative 20 + years of experience in adventure tour management, event management, you can rest assured that you are in capable hands.
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