Saga Dawa Festival Tour

Tibet is quite noted for its long history and splendid culture. Unique Tibetan civilization has been formed in the long history. The mysterious and unique Tibetan culture will be totally presented during Tibetan festivals. Tibet festival tours let you experience the local customs and traditions of the Tibetans from various festivals directly.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS:

Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Potala Palace, Palkhor Monastery, Yamdrok Lake, Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon

DETAIL ITINERARY:

Day 01: Arrive in Lhasa (70km):

We will arrive in Lhasa around 16:00. Our local guide will greet you at the railway station and present you a Hada (presenting Hada is a special ceremony of Tibetan for greeting their guests). Then we will set out for the Holy City – Lhasa which is 3658 meters above sea level. You could take a rest and adapt yourself to the plateau environment after we arrived at our hotel.

Accommodation:3-star Standard Hotel Meals: None

Day 02: Enjoy the Festival – Circumambulation – Alms Giving:

We will take part in the circumambulation to experience the festival atmosphere. You can also give alms to the religious Tibetan Buddhism followers. Saga Dawa Festival also named Poor People’s Festival. It will last 15 days. This festival would be mainly celebrated at the three circumambulations. People would meditate on the Buddhist scriptures with a prayer wheel in their hand. People would also give their alms to the poor people sitting on both sides of the circumambulation. It looks pretty magnificent. It is a particular and special tradition in Tibet.

Accommodation:3-star Standard Hotel Meals: None

Day 03: Potala Palace – Jokhang Temple – Barkhor Street:

We will visit the highest ancient castle-style architectural complex above sea level – Potala Palace (1 hour). It was the residence of the Tibetan Dalai Lamas, as well as the political, educational, and religious center of Tibet. It was built in the 7th century during the reign of Songtsen Gampo. Potala Palace is composed of the White Palace and the Red Palace.

In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to the Jokhang Temple which was widely accepted as the spiritual center of Tibet. The precious Statue of 12-year Sakyamuni (the founder of Buddhism) was brought to Tibet by the Princess of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and the statues of some eminent Buddhists are enshrined in the monastery.

There are also exquisite murals that present the history and culture of Tibet collected in the monastery. Then we will take a ramble at Barkhor Street which is around the Jokhang Temple. There we could experience the traditional culture and daily life of Tibetans.

Accommodation:3-star Standard Hotel Meals: B

Day 04: Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Palkhor Monastery – Shigatse (360 km):

We will leave Lhasa for Yamdrok Lake through Gambarak Mountain Pass (4780 meters above sea level) after breakfast. Yamdrok Lake is one of the three holy lakes in Tibet. It covers an area of 638 square kilometers with an altitude of 4441 meters.

The landscapes of mountains and lakes here top in southern Tibet. Then we will set out for Shigatse, via Karo-la Glacier and Manla Reservoir and make a visit to Palkhor Monastery in Gyantse on the way to Shigatse, which is the biggest city in Tsang.

Accommodation:3-star Standard Hotel Meals: B

Day 05: Shigatse – Yarlung Zangbo River Valley – Nyemo County – Lhasa (280 km):

We will make a visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery – the seat of Panchen Lamas after breakfast and then back to Lhasa along the national roads of China and Nepal. We can appreciate the particular natural landscapes of Yarlung Zangbo River Valley on our way.

Accommodation:3-star Standard HotelMeals: B

Day 06: Leave Lhasa

We will transfer you to the airport after breakfast.

Accommodation:NoneMeals: B

PRICE INCLUSIONS:

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Transfers between airport/train station, hotels, and Scenic Spots while the whole sightseeing by air-conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide.

Guide:

The English-speaking local tour guide, your kind friend in Tibet

Entrance fees listed in the itinerary

Accommodation:

3 to 4-star hotel in Lhasa according to your request, guesthouse or tent in other areas according to the specific condition

Travel Permits:

All Tibet traveling permits

Travel Insurance

PRICE EXCLUSIONS:

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Transportation to and from Tibet

Meals

Single Room Supplement

Personal Expenses like beverages, mini bar, laundry, telephone cost, etc

Tips to driver and tour guide as you wish.

NOTES FOR YOUR TIBET TOURS:

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Before you go

Permits:

Passport, Tibet Entry Permit, Aliens’ Travel Permit, Military Allowance.

Health Care:

Tourists should take care of your body before you enter Tibet. People who catch a severe cold, respiratory system diseases, heart disease, hypertension, or asthma are not advised to tour Tibet.

Personal Belongings:

Portable and practical. Forbidden objects and dangerous goods are banned. Flashlight is rather needed since sometimes you have to set off early in the morning and back to your hotel late at night. You should also bring some daily necessities with you since the accommodation conditions might be pretty poor. Multifunctional Cross-shaped knives could be used to peel fruits and open drinks and canned food.

Enough Cash:

There are only a few banks in Lhasa and Shigatse such as Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and Agricultural Bank of China due to the limited conditions. Thus tourists are suggested to take enough cash instead of credit cards. You can exchange for cash in such banks but foreign currency exchange services are only offered by the Bank of China and a few hotels. It’s not convenient to withdraw money in another area of Tibet and even only cash can be accepted.

While in travel

High Altitude Sickness:

High altitude sickness is a normal phenomenon on the plateau, and you shouldn’t be too worried about it. Generally, these symptoms would disappear in one or two days after you adapt to the plateau environment. You should sleep enough and drink a lot of water. During the adjustment period, you should not do some violent activities; appropriate clothes should be worn so as to prevent yourself from the cold.

Political Issues:

Political issues are very sensitive in Tibet. It is not advisable to discuss the Tibet issue with the local Tibetans.

Not Do in Photography:

You should also realize that not all the Tibetans would like to be photographed, especially the Tibetan women. You’d better ask for their permission before you take pictures.

Traditions and Customs:

The tour guide will detail the folk customs and taboos of the Tibetan nationality and the Hui nationality, which we couldn’t violate.