Mt. Kailash Tour in Saga Dawa Festival (2025)10 days

Day 1: June 7th - Kathmandu to Kerung Border (3750m)

• Early morning departure from Kathmandu.
• Drive (6-7 hours) to the Nepal-Tibet (Kerung) border.
• Border crossing formalities.
• Arrival and overnight stay in Kerung.
• Focus: Initial altitude acclimatization.

Day 2: June 8th - Kerung Acclimatization (3750m)

• Full day dedicated to rest and acclimatization in Kerung.
• Light walking and local exploration.
• Information session on altitude sickness and the trek.
• Overnight stay in Kerung.

Day 3: June 9th - Kerung to Saga (4400m)

• Drive (230km, 6 hours) across the Tibetan Plateau.
• Scenic views and landscape exploration.
• Arrival and overnight stay in Saga.
• Continued acclimatization at higher altitude.

Day 4: June 10th - Saga to Lake Mansarovar (4500m)

• Drive (370km, 7 hours) to Lake Mansarovar.
• Exploration of Lake Mansarovar and surrounding areas.
• Overnight stay near Lake Mansarovar.

Day 5: June 11th - Saga Dawa Festival at Tarboche (4500m)

• Drive to Tarboche.
• Participation in the Saga Dawa Festival, including the flagpole raising ceremony.
• Return to the Lake Mansarovar area for overnight stay.

Day 6: June 13th - Drive to Valley of God & Kailash Kora (Dirapuk 4800m)

• Drive to Darchen (Valley of God).
• Start of the Kailash Kora trek.
• Trek (18km, 7 hours) to Dirapuk.
• Overnight stay in Dirapuk.

Day 7: June 14th - Kailash Kora (Zuthulpuk 4760m)

• Trek (19km, 9 hours) across the Drolma La pass (5634m).
• Descent to Zuthulpuk.
• Overnight stay in Zuthulpuk.

Day 8: June 15th - End of Kailash Kora & Drive to Saga.

• Trek (16km, 3 hours) to complete the Kailash Kora.
• Drive to Darchen.
• Drive from Darchen to Saga.
• Overnight stay in Saga.

Day 9: June 16th - Saga to Kerung (3750m)

• Drive back across the Tibetan Plateau to Kerung.
• Overnight stay in Kerung.

Day 10: June 17th - Kerung to Kathmandu

• Drive (7-8 hours) from Kerung back to Kathmandu.
• Border crossing formalities.
• Return to Kathmandu.

Visa and Permit Information for Tibet Travel

Traveling to Tibet from Nepal requires careful preparation regarding visas and permits. Please note that regulations can change, so it's essential to confirm the latest requirements with your travel agency and the relevant embassies before your trip.

Key Requirements:

• Chinese Group Tourist Visa (from Nepal):
  • For entry into Tibet from Nepal, a Chinese Group Tourist Visa is mandatory. This visa is obtained through the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu with the assistance of your Tibetan tour operator.
  • Important: If you hold an individual Chinese tourist visa, it will be canceled when the group visa application is processed.
  • Visa fees vary, and your travel agent will provide the most up to date fees.
• Tibet Travel Permit (TTP):
  • The Tibet Travel Permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is essential for all foreign travelers entering Tibet.
  • Your travel agency will handle the TTP application process.
  • To obtain the TTP, you must book a guided tour and pre-arrange private transportation for travel outside Lhasa.
• Other Permits (as needed):
  • Alien's Travel Permit (ATP): Required for travel to certain restricted areas in Tibet. Your travel agency will arrange this.
  • Military Permit: Necessary for travel to sensitive military regions. Your travel agency will inform you if this is needed for your itinerary.

Passport Requirements:

• Your passport must have at least six months of validity from your intended date of entry into Tibet.

Important Visa Notes:

• As of December 1, 2024, travelers from 38 countries can now enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, facilitating business, tourism, family visits, and cultural exchanges. This policy will remain effective until December 31, 2025, with possible extensions under review.

  Newly Added Visa-Free Countries:

• Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Uzbekistan.

• Asia-Pacific: Australia, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand.

• This expansion complements the existing list of countries already eligible for visa-free travel to China.  The information provided is based on the source: http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/gyls/lsgz/fwxx/202411/t20241122_11531285.shtml. This official link details the expanded visa-free entry policy for travelers from 38 countries to China, effective from December 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. 

• Travel from Mainland China:
  • If entering Tibet from mainland China, you will still require a Tibet Travel Permit. Your tour operator will handle this.

Weather Information:

• Tibet's climate is influenced by its high altitude.
• Summer: Warm days with strong sunshine and cool nights. Higher elevations can experience chilly summer days.
• Winter: Cold, but Lhasa enjoys ample sunshine. Snowfall is generally light.
• Altitude Variations: Weather varies significantly between regions. Lhasa, situated in a lower-elevation valley, tends to be milder.
• Frost: Most of Tibet experiences frost for at least six months of the year.
• Lake Freezing: High-altitude lakes are typically frozen from October to March.

Safety Guidelines:

• Documentation:
  • Carry multiple copies of your Tibet Travel Permit.
• Personal Safety:
  • Secure your belongings.
  • Report any health concerns or issues to your guide immediately.
  • Avoid rushing sightseeing upon arrival in Lhasa.
  • Be cautious when shopping, and avoid purchasing wildlife products, unknown herbal medicines, or counterfeit items.
  • Keep valuables with you at all times.
  • Acclimatize in Lhasa for a few days before traveling to higher elevations.
  • Refrain from excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
  • Respect Tibetan customs and religious practices.
  • Be prepared for alpine climate conditions (sunburn, temperature fluctuations).
  • Carry necessary medications, as advised by your doctor.
  • Avoid traveling alone at night or exploring unfamiliar areas without your guide.
  • Carry sufficient cash, as many places do not accept credit cards.
  • Report any emergencies to your guide promptly.
  • Do not carry materials related to the Dalai Lama or Tibetan independence.
  • It is advised to not carry guidebooks of Tibet.

Important Considerations:

• Regulations regarding travel to Tibet can change frequently. Stay informed by consulting with your travel agency and relevant embassies.
• Altitude sickness is a significant risk. Proper acclimatization is crucial.
• Travel agencies specializing in Tibet tours will provide essential support in navigating the visa and permit process.

1. Where is Tibet?

Tibet is situated toward the southwest of China, likewise bordering India, Nepal, Burma, and Bhutan. Tibet's three original provinces are U-Tsang, Kham, and Amdo. The general population in these locales all thinks about themselves as Tibetan, although everyone has a solid identity and diverse tongues of Tibetan is used.

Under China's occupation, Tibet has been partitioned up, renamed, and joined into Chinese territories, with little reference to the original borders between Tibet's areas. At the point when China refers to Tibet, it implies the Tibet Autonomous Region or TAR, which incorporates just U-Tsang and part of Kham. The rest of Kham was isolated amongst Sichuan and Yunnan Chinese areas. Amdo was partitioned between Gansu, Sichuan, and Qinghai territories. The region covers a region of around 1.22 million km2, which represents 12.8% of the aggregate of China. The pristine snow-capped view and inescapable Tibetan Buddhism environment and simple access to its neighboring nation Nepal make Tibet rank high on the movement travel bucket list. Its unmistakable geography and land area enable it to share the world's most amazing mountaineering and trekking asset with its neighbor nation Nepal.

2. What is the time difference in Tibet?

Tibet  Standard Time ( IST ) is 0800 hours (6 hours) ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8).

3. How can I obtain a Visa?

Flying out to Tibet requires a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit which can both be acquired in Kathmandu with the help of a travel company (Tibet via Nepal). A valid visa for China isn't the same as a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese traveler visa will at present need to apply for a Tibet travel permit. The permit is still required for remote foreign travelers traveling to Tibet from the territory of China. To obtain the permit you have to book a guide for your whole trip and pre-organize private transport for trips outside Lhasa. The trip outside Lhasa likewise requires extra permits which are arranged by the travel agent you are going with.

 Passport

All who intend to enter Tibet must hold at least 6 months' valid passport.

China Visa or Tibet Group Visa

To enter Tibet using Mainland China, right off the bat, you have to apply China visa for entry to China. Tibet is a part of China, under the Chinese Central Government's Sovereignty. Therefore to travel from China to Tibet, you need to acquire a China Visa at the first stage before all are followed up. Visas for individual travel in China are very easy to get from most Chinese embassies. Most Chinese embassies and consulates will issue a standard 30-day, single-passage visitor visa in three to five working days (an 'L' Visa means to travel). If you are lucky, some embassies abroad may give you 60 or even 90 days. However, in Hong Kong it is very easy to get a 90-day visa; most agencies can organize it in one day. If you need greater adaptability to enter and leave China a few times, most Chinese embassies will issue a double-entry visa. Indeed, for individuals who are to work, study or live temporarily in China, you may require other related China Visa, for example, an "F" Visa, "X" Visa, or "Z" Visa, and so on. All these sorts of visa holders can go to Tibet with Tibet entry permits and other travel permits which can be obtained by a neighborhood travel agency in Tibet with strict and serious procedures.

4. How to enter Tibet?

By Road: There are five main highways in Tibet, to be specific:

Sichuan-Tibet Highway – it runs between Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, and Lhasa.

Qinghai-Tibet Highway – it runs between Xining, the capital city of Qinghai, to Lhasa.

Yunnan-Tibet Highway – it runs between Yunnan territory and Tibet.

Xinjiang-Tibet Highway – it runs crosswise over boundless deserts and lofty and steep peaks.

The China-Nepal Highway – it is the main international highway in Tibet

By Air: Flying to Lhasa dependably requires a stopover in either China or Nepal. Lhasa Gonggar Airport is situated around 98 kilometers (around 61 miles) toward the south of Lhasa City. The main international trip to and from Tibet is between Lhasa and Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

By Rail: The Gormo to Lhasa railway extends for 1,142 kilometers (710 miles) and serves as a connection between the territory of China and Tibet.

5. How is the weather in Tibet?

Since the country expands at high elevations, usually difficult to predict the climate. It is cold for the most part. Lhasa and around it is a cool, and bright day during the day time however evening, night, and morning will be cold. Need to bring sufficiently warm clothes.

6. When is the best time to visit Tibet?

The Tibetan atmosphere isn't as harsh as we imagine it to be. Tibet's climate is ideal to travel from April to the start of November, and most perfect in August and September. In any case, Lhasa's climate is more clement than the rest of Tibet and is suitable to travel year-round. The sun radiation in Tibet is extremely strong. It's not for nothing that Lhasa is known as the Sunlight City. The months of May, June, and September are the primary tourist season in eastern Tibet.

7. What are the documents necessary for visiting Tibet?

Passport - valid for 6 months

Chinese Visa — you can apply for one from a Chinese Embassy or through China Highlights (who entry from China)

Group Visa —entry from Nepal to Tibet after the Tibet tour traveler can visit China mainland with a valid group visa.

Individual Visa will be canceled when we apply for group visa (if a visa is in the passport)

Tibet Entry Permit — it is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is an absolute necessity for outsiders entering Tibet.

A few people who wish to travel to specific areas in Tibet must also obtain:

Travel Permit — it is required when you are planning to move to closed areas in Tibet. These are issued after you land in Tibet.

Military Permit — it is acquired to travel to some militarily sensitive regions.

8. Can I organize a Tibet visa myself? Can I travel alone in Tibet?

Sadly, because of China's extremely strict tourism policy for Tibet, you can't get a visa independent from anyone else and it isn't conceivable to not possible to travel Tibet on your own. As an authorized travel company we can organize everything; visa, allow to permit, and all other paperwork.

9. Is altitude sickness a problem?

As Tibet is known as the Roof of the World it is one of the highest places on the earth. Due to this many visitors from lower altitude areas may suffer from altitude sickness. Most people endure minor effects of altitude sickness only including loss of appetite, headache, and a propensity to have no vitality until the point when their bodies conform to the high landscape. This adjustment can take place for a few hours and in rare cases for a few days. If visitors do some simple preparations before going to Tibet, most of the symptoms of altitude sickness can be avoided. We recommend you talk to your local physician about AMS pills to help combat altitude sickness. Your guide will be there to assist you and help you throughout the trip.

10. Are there ATM counters in Tibet?

There are ATM facilities easily available in Lhasa and Shigatse; however, it might be difficult to find one in other small towns.

11. What currency do I have to use in Tibet?

The unit of currency is the Chinese Yuan. The Bank of China can exchange all foreign currencies. The bank in Tibet /China is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Traveler’s cheques and credit cards are very difficult to be cashed outside the banks, especially outside Lhasa.

12. Is politics a problem? 

Most tourists, who stay with their tour and avoid getting engaged in the politics of the country, will not encounter issues.

13. What vaccination is recommended for Tibet travelers?

The suggested vaccination you should consider for this trip includes the following:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria & Tetanus Vaccinations
• Hepatitis A The vaccine for Hepatitis A (eg Avaxim, Havrix 1440, or VAQTA)
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza The flu vaccine
• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
• Pneumonia A vaccine
• Polio
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever

14.  Will the language barrier be there are problem?

Visitors to Tibet don't have to worry about the language barrier at all. Every visitor will have an English-talking visit guide, and most of the front work area staff in the big hotels can communicate in English. The main languages used in a part of Tibet are Chinese, Tibetan, English, and Nepali.

15. Is there internet access in Tibet for foreign travelers?

Certainly, there is web access for the foreign traveler in Tibet yet just limited areas like Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, and Tsedang where some bistro gives web offices. Moreover, hotels in some cities like Lhasa and Shigatse also provide internet facilities to their customers.