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Map of Saga Dawa Route / Map of Kailash Trek

Celebrate Saga Dawa

May 21 to June 17, 2009

click title below to view detailed itinerary

Pilgrimage to Holy Mt. Kailash
also includes Everest Base Camp & Guge Kingdom

Join Us on this Journey of Adventure, Sacred Traditions, Ancient Culture, Art, Architecture and Spectacular Beauty.

Sacred spaces and stunning landscapes!
Magnificent temples, mountain passes, snowcapped peaks, nomad camps, pilgrims -
this is truly a journey to stir the senses and nourish the soul.

Mount Kailash, situated in far western Tibet, has long been an object of worhip for four major religions. For the Hindus, it is the domain of Shiva, the destroyer and transformer. To the Buddhists, Kailash is the abode of Samvara (Tibetan: Demchok). a wrathful manifestation of Sakyamuni thought to be an equivalent of HinduismÕs Shiva. The Jains of India also revere the mountain as the site at which the first of their saints was emancipated. And in the ancient Bon religion of Tibet, Kailash was the sacred nine-storied Swastika Mountain, upon which the Bonpo founder Shenrab alighted from heaven. Circumambulating, or walking around the base, of Mount Kailash takes three days, and is said to wipe out the sins of a lifetime.

Many holy rivers of India and Tibet have their sacred source in the vicinity and slopes of Mount Kailash, including the Ganges, the Indus, the Tsangpo/Brahmaputra, the Satlej and the Karnali. But Mount Kailash stands alone in all its glory, with no other Himalayan peaks near it. At its base is the sacred Lake Mansarovar. To the Hindus, this lake was created to show the omnipotence of Brahma's mind. Tibetan Buddhists know it as Mapham Tso, the "Unconquerable Lake." Bathing in Mansarovar is said to guarantee passage to heaven, and drinking its waters is said to release the sins of 100 births. In either case, it is the holiest lake in the world for Hindus and Buddhists alike.

This true pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar is timed for the Saga Dawa--the celebration of the birth of Buddha

This is a very important time for Tibetans. If a Tibetan does any good deeds or religious practices, its merit is doubled during the month of Saga Dawa. For example: if one person prays OM MA NI PE ME HUNG now, it only means that you just recited the mantra one time, but at Saga Dawa it would be counted as two times.

Trip Grade: Moderate-challenging

Group Size: 10-15 People

Our Journey: The anniversary day of the birth of Sakyamuni (The Buddha) is called Saga Dawa. Saga Dawa is celebrated in every village and monastery, but one of the most important locations is Mt. Kailash.ÊDuring this festival honoring buddha, monks hold religious activties and buddhists sing chants of sutras, circumambulate sacred places in a clock-wise direction and meditate.Ê This is a very important time for Tibetans. If a Tibetan does any good deeds or religious practices, its merit is doubled during the month of Saga Dawa. For example: if one person prays OM MA NI PE ME HUNG now, it only means that you just recited the mantra one time, but at Saga Dawa it would be counted as two times.

The Route: You have the option to arrive either in Kathmandu or Chengdu and fly to Lhasa. The Mt Kailash pilgrimage travels from Lhasa via the southern route to Mt.Kailash; then turns back to the Nepal border. We venture into culturally and geographically diverse areas of Tibetan Autonomous Region with special escorts for a truly insiderÕs experience of this ancient and mystical part of the world. If there is any unrest in Kathmandu, we will start with arrival in Chengdu instead and fly from there to Lhasa.

The Celebration: Our small group will join monks and pilgrims for a day of festival celebrations including a scared ceremony, held at Darchen, the gateway to start the trek around Mt. Kailash.

Kora: The 53 km Kailash circuit is the holiest of all Tibet's pilgrimages and the beacon which draws most travelers to Western Tibet. The kora is a three-day circumambulation of the holy mountain, crossing the 5630m Drolma-la enroute and taking in various sites of religious significance along the way. It is said to wipe out the sins of a lifetime. The trek is a little more difficult than Grade 2, as the highest point is at Drolma La Pass with altitude of 5200 metres. The most difficult day is at Day 2 from Dria Phuk monastery up to Drolma La pass; and from Drolma La Pass down to Lham Chu Valley. The rest of the trekking is very easy-going and enjoyable. If you feel physically unable to do the trek, you may stay at a guesthouse in Darchen during the 3 day trek. There will be lots to see there as well and we will provide a guide for you.

Accommodations: Four star in Kathmandu/ Chengdu, 3 star in Lhasa, Best hotels available elsewhere (basic guesthouses). 11 days camping. All camping equipment is supplied including 2-man tents, kitchen, dining & toilet tents. But not sleeping bags.

Transport: in Nepal is by private vehicle; in Tibet is by private 4WD landcruiser.

Food: In Kathmandu restaurants of every style and price-range abound. Chengdu is famous as the home of Sichuan Hotpot. In Lhasa there is also quite a variety, although not as extensive as Kathmandu. Elsewhere in Tibet the variety is much more limited. All meals are provided while camping, prepared by our cook. We suggest bringing snacks such as canned fishes, dried fruit, nuts, crackers.

Guides and drivers You will be met at Gongkar airport on arrival and accompanied in Tibet by a professional English-speaking guide. All guides in Tibet are licensed and controlled by the Tibetan Tourist Board and vary enormously in fluency and knowledge. We recommend that you take a guidebook with you to supplement the information provided by your guide. For this trip we suggest you consider 'The Tibet Guide' by Stephen Batchelor (Wisdom Books), 'Tibet' (Odyssey Guides) or Lonely Planet 'Tibet'.

Landcruiser drivers have made the trip many times, speak varying amounts of English and will always know the best places to stop for photos

Responsible Travel or 'low impact' travel may be defined as "minimizing the negative impact on environments and cultures caused by tourist activity and enhancing the positive results of tourism". Traveling is as much about how you visit as where you visit. Tourism does impact local communities and we strongly believe in a need to balance the welfare and conservation of all people and environments with the benefits sustainable tourism offers to protect the people, cultures, environments and resources of the areas in which we work. Our guides and group leaders follow detailed guidelines on acceptable behaviors and practices. These cover cultural considerations, reduction and disposal of waste and protection of endangered wildlife. As travelers you are provided with country specific guidelines to help you make responsible decisions while traveling. These guidelines cover appropriate dress, etiquette for visiting homes and religious complexes, waste and environmental issues and endeavor to explain cultural behaviors which may seem alien to western travelers. We are committed to 'putting back' into the communities and regions we visit by supporting development and conservation projects in these areas and specifically choosing to use local businesses that support such projects.

View detailed Itinerary:

Pilgrimage to Holy Mt. Kailash

Photo on this page courtesy of Gao Li Qiang.

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