Nepal14 days
Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar: The Saga Dawa Festival Trek — 14 Days
14-day pilgrimage combining the Mount Kailash circumambulation (39 km, three days) with the Saga Dawa Festival celebrations in the Tarboche Valley, departing from Kathmandu via the Kerung border
This 14-day journey centers on Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, two of the Tibetan plateau's most significant pilgrimage sites, timed to coincide with Saga Dawa Festival in mid-June. The festival, held annually on the full moon of the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, commemorates Sakyamuni's enlightenment and draws Tibetan Buddhist devotees from across the Himalayan region to the Tarboche Valley. The trip begins in Kathmandu, crosses the Nepal-Tibet border at Kerung, and proceeds overland through the high Tibetan plateau, reaching Lake Manasarovar (at 4,590 meters) before the three-day Mount Kailash circuit. The circumambulation of Kailash itself covers approximately 39 kilometers and traverses the Dolma La pass at 5,613 meters—the route's highest point and a sustained high-altitude crossing. From there, travelers drive to the festival grounds in the Tarboche Valley to observe the main ceremonies, which include the raising of the central prayer flagpole, the circumambulation of the pole, and the attachment of new prayer flags by pilgrims. Accommodation ranges from basic guesthouses to locally run mud-brick dwellings; meals are sourced from local restaurants and homestays. The return journey retraces the route to Kathmandu via Kerung.
Highlights
- Circumambulation of Mount Kailash over three days, crossing Dolma La pass at 5,613 meters
- Lake Manasarovar at 4,590 meters, the Tibetan plateau's highest freshwater lake, with access to nearby hot springs and Chui Gumba monastery
- Saga Dawa Festival ceremonies in Tarboche Valley, including the erection and circumambulation of the central prayer flagpole
- High-altitude plateau crossing with views of the Tibetan and Nepalese Himalayan ranges from mountain passes exceeding 5,000 meters
- Passage through Langtang National Park and the Tibetan towns of Kerung, Lhatse, and Saga
- Overnight stays in traditional mud-brick guesthouses and local Tibetan homestays
- English-speaking Tibetan guide and optional porter or pack animal support during the Kailash circuit
Day by day
1Arrival in KathmanduKathmandu · Tribhuban International Airport · Thamel
Travelers arrive at Tribhuban International Airport and are transferred to accommodation in Kathmandu at 1,350 meters. The remainder of the day is available for an optional walking tour of Thamel, the city's main commercial district, where personal trekking equipment can be purchased or rented with assistance from the guide.
2Kathmandu: Visa Preparation and Final Packing
The day is dedicated to Tibetan visa paperwork, final trip preparations, and packing. The tour operator manages all necessary documentation. Travelers may optionally visit historical sites within the Kathmandu Valley.
3Drive to Shyaprubesi Through Langtang National ParkShyaprubesi · Kathmandu to Shyaprubesi
The journey from Kathmandu to Shyaprubesi (117 kilometers, approximately 7 hours) traverses Langtang National Park on winding mountain roads. The route rises to a maximum altitude of 2,250 meters. Overnight accommodation is in a local tea house.
4Kerung Border Crossing and Entry to TibetKerung · Shyaprubesi to Kerung
A short drive of 40 kilometers (approximately 2 hours) from Shyaprubesi to Kerung crosses the Nepal-Tibet border and completes immigration formalities. The Tibetan guide joins the group at this point. Kerung, the first Tibetan settlement, sits at 2,900 meters. Overnight accommodation is in a local guesthouse.
5High Plateau Drive to SagaSaga · Kerung to Saga · Lhatse
The 390-kilometer drive from Kerung to Saga spans 6 to 7 hours and traverses the Tibetan high plateau at altitudes reaching 4,500 meters. The route passes through Lhatse and Sang Sang, crosses multiple lakes, and traverses nomadic pasturelands. Saga, home to the residence of the Panchen Lama, is a walled town with a central monastery and traditional cobbled lanes. Overnight accommodation is in a guest house.
6Lake Manasarovar and the First View of Mount KailashLake Manasarovar · Saga to Lake Manasarovar · Chui Gumba monastery · natural hot springs · guest house
The 277-kilometer drive from Saga to Lake Manasarovar (approximately 6 to 7 hours) reaches the Tibetan plateau's highest freshwater lake at 4,590 meters. The approach offers the first clear views of Mount Kailash. Manasarovar is a pilgrimage site visited by devotees from Nepal, India, Tibet, Russia, and neighboring countries. Optional activities include bathing at the lake, visiting the nearby Chui Gumba monastery, or soaking in the natural hot springs. Overnight accommodation is in a guest house.
7Lake Manasarovar and Drive to DarchenLake Manasarovar · Darchen · Lake Manasarovar to Darchen
The morning includes exploration of Lake Manasarovar before a 40-kilometer drive to Darchen (approximately 1 hour), which sits at 4,575 meters and serves as the base for Mount Kailash. Overnight accommodation is in the best available guesthouse.
8Mount Kailash Circumambulation: Darchen to DerapukDarchen to Derapuk · Derapuk · valley approach
A 7-kilometer rough road leads to the valley approach. The day's trekking covers approximately 14 kilometers to Derapuk, gaining altitude to 5,000 meters while passing beneath the north face of Mount Kailash. Terrain is largely moderate walking on established paths. Overnight accommodation is in a guest house. Combined travel time and trekking is approximately 6 hours (47 kilometers by vehicle, 14 kilometers on foot).
9Mount Kailash Circumambulation: Crossing Dolma La PassDolma La pass · Derapuk · Gauri Kunda · Juthulpuk Monastery
This is the circuit's most demanding day. Trekking begins before dawn from Derapuk and follows relatively flat terrain to the base of Dolma La pass. The ascent to the pass is steep and sustained, reaching 5,613 meters—the highest point of the trek—where prayer flags cover the landscape. The descent begins immediately after; Gauri Kunda appears along the downslope. Approximately 19 kilometers of trekking span 8 to 9 hours. The day concludes at Juthulpuk Monastery near the southern side of the mountain, where overnight accommodation is in a mud-brick house. Maximum altitude reached is 4,750 meters.
10Mount Kailash Circumambulation: Juthulpuk to Tarboche ValleyTarboche Valley · Juthulpuk Monastery · Juthulpuk to vehicle meeting point
A morning visit to Juthulpuk Monastery precedes approximately 6 kilometers of flat trekking to meet the vehicle. The remainder of the day is spent driving to the Tarboche Valley to observe and participate in the Saga Dawa Festival's final day ceremonies. Thousands of Tibetan pilgrims gather to circumambulate the central prayer flagpole, attach new prayer flags, and witness the erection of the massive flagpole under the direction of a monastery lama. Musicians play traditional horns and cymbals throughout the day. Accommodation in this area is limited and often difficult to secure for late arrivals.
11Saga Dawa Festival Completion and Return Drive to SagaSaga Dawa Festival · Saga
The morning includes final Saga Dawa Festival rituals before a 7-hour return drive (approximately 390 kilometers) to Saga. The paved road traverses the Tibetan plateau. Overnight accommodation is in a guest house.
12Return to KerungKerung · Saga
A 5- to 6-hour drive covers the return route from Saga toward the Nepal border, reaching Kerung. Overnight accommodation is in a guest house.
13Nepal Border Crossing and Return to KathmanduKathmandu · Kerung border · Langtang National Park
Immigration formalities are completed early in the morning at the Kerung border. The day's drive crosses back into Nepal and returns to Kathmandu via Langtang National Park on the same road traveled on Day 3. Overnight accommodation is in a hotel in Kathmandu.
14Departure from KathmanduTribhuban International Airport
Transfer to Tribhuban International Airport for final departure. Travelers may alternatively choose to remain in Kathmandu for rest or additional activities in Nepal.
Where you go
- 1Kathmandu
Included
- Included
- Arrival and Departure Arrangement
- 3 nights twin-sharing hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
- 1 Night tea house/ Guest House in Shyaprubesi
- Accommodation in Kailash, in basic guest houses
- Private transportation in Kathmandu and in the Kailash region
- Drop to Kerung from Kathmandu and Pickup
- Tibet travel permit and Tibet visa
- Entrance fees for Lake Manasarovar and Kailash
- Immigration formalities and luggage transfer
- English-speaking Tibetan guide
- Helper or a yak to carry luggage and goods during the Kailash round
- Warm jacket and sleeping bag in returnable basis if you need
- Duffel bag to put your goods/equipment
Not included
- Excluded
- Lunch and Dinner for the entire trip
- Personal horse and helper during the Kailash round
- Personal expenses, Equipment, Insurance
- All the extra expenses in case of delay permit from Tibet, late departure to Tibet because of the Tibetan government, or any other cases that are not in our hands.