A journey from the highland of a holy trek to Mt. Kailash, brings us down to celebrate one of the biggest festivals of Tibet, Kailash Saga Dawa festival. It is an overwhelming experience for the tourist in which they get to witness the immense faith of the local people towards their culture. Kailash Saga Dawa festival is celebrated on the full day of the 4th Tibetan lunar month of the year. According to Buddhist literary sources, it is celebrated in the honor of Lord Buddha attaining enlightenment on this day.
Saga Dawa Festival is the most celebrated festival in Tibet, and locals engage in the preparation and celebration for a whole one month. During this celebration month, pilgrims from all around the globe visit Mt. Kailash to witness and be a part of the ritual and also, because there is a belief that completing this festival journey brings good luck to them. Pilgrims and locals join in to form a circle around the Mt. Kailash to perform rituals and to recite prayers. The ambiance of the whole region is simply magical with the colorful prayer flags flattering in the wind and prayers being chanted by the locals and monks playing with holy beads in their hands, as they get deeply engrossed in the festival.
The main highlight of the festival is replacing a Tarboche Flagpole, a renowned huge pole that lies in the way of Kailash. The atmosphere of the crowd watching locals replace the old flag with a new one creates owe and amazement for the first-timers. The new flag while placing should stand still and straight or else it is believed to bring bad luck to Tibet. As we engage ourselves in watching the event, an elderly local Lama from a nearby monastery guides and instructs people throughout the festival.
The Kailash Saga Dawa Festival tour is filled with cultural treasure, religious beliefs, and colorful markets. It offers a lifetime experience to visitors to witness and experience the lifestyle and culture of the local authentic people of Tibet.
Kailash Saga Dawa festival tour – short itinerary:
27th May 2026 - Day 01 - :Drive from Kathmandu to Kerung, 125km, 7 hours' drive
29th May 2026 - Day 02 - : Drive Kerung to Saga/4450m- 232 km
30th May 2026 - Day 03 - : Saga to Paryang (4,558 m) to Mansarovar (4,600 m) 507 km 8–9 hrs
31st May 2026 - Day 04: Drive to Darchen (4,564 m) 40 km
01st June 2026 - Day 05: Attend Saga Dawa Festival at Tarboche and and continue to Dirapuk (5000m), 22km, 7 to 8 hours walk.
02nd June 2026 - Day 06: Trek from Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk, 18 km, 6–7 hrs, 550 meters ascent, 600 meters descent
03rd June 2026 - Day 07: Trek from Juthulpuk to Darchen 13km-4 hours walk and drive 450km to Saga
04th June 2026 - Day 08: Drive from Saga to Kerung, 230km, 4 hours' drive
05th June 2026 - Day 09: Drive from Kerung to Kathmandu, 125km , 7 hours' drive. End services.




