Monday, July 11, 2011

Tibet Tour - Kailash Saga Dawa Festival

Highlights

Incredible monuments, bustling Beijing, colourful Xi'an, overland journey by Trans Tibetan railway to Lhasa, debating monks in Sera Monastery, complete a kora around Mt Kailash, hike to Everest base camp

Description

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.
  • StartFinish
  • Beijing to Kathmandu
  • What's Included
  • 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
  • Group Size Notes
  • Max 14
  • Group Leader
  • Chief Experience Officer (CEO), Local guides.
  • Meals Included
  • No meals are included.
  • Transport
  • Flight, train, private bus, 4WD vehicle, foot.
  • Accommodation
  • Hotels/guesthouses (11 nts), Very basic guesthouses (7 nts - some nights possible multishare), Sleeper train (2 nts)
  • Meal Budget
  • Allow USD200-265 for meals not included.
  • My Own Room
  • Not available on this tour.

Day 1 Beijing

Arrive at anytime

Days 2-3 Beijing

Private bus to the Great Wall. Subway to Tian'anmen Square, guided tour of the Forbidden City. Overnight train to Xi'an

Days 4 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.

Day 5-6 Train to Lhasa

Board the train for Lhasa and watch the scenery completely change as you climb onto the Tibetan Plateau.

Days 7-8 Lhasa

Included activities - Orientation walk around Barkhor square, Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace.

Day 9 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

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