2017 Katok Festival will have been held from 31st July to 2nd August in Katok Monastery , which is one of the six ‘Great’ Nyingma Monasteries in Tibet. It was founded by Katok Dampa Deshek, who was the younger brother of Phagmodrupa in 1159. The monastery had a reputation for fine scholarships and produced some of the greatest scholars in Tibetan history. The day of 2nd August is the day for unfolding Thangkar, however, this program (Unfolding Thangkar) might be changed in the last minute by Repoche.
Departure Date Overview
One departure only on 2017 July 27th
| Festival date | 2017 Katok Festival Date: July 31st to August 2nd | ||||||
| Arrival | Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China | ||||||
| DEparture | Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China | ||||||
| Activity | Culture tour, Tibetan Festival, | ||||||
| Group size | Minimum 3 people, maximum 12 people; Private group departure is available, please Contact Us for Group departure price |
||||||
| INCLUDED |
|
||||||
| NOT INCLUDED |
|
July 27th Arrive in Chengdu
Arriving in Chengdu, meet your guide at airport, drive to your hotel, check in, rest;
July 28th Chengdu to Xinduqiao
We will depart early, the drive to Kangding takes about7 – 8 horus, en route we will stop by some sites to stretch legs. Ya’an is a well-known location that grows excellent China Green Tea, we will visit local Tea planting field and see how people make tea. The we will visit to Luding Iron Bridge, we will keep driving, via Kangding onto Mt Dzeto (4324m) then descending to Xinduqiao which is a small tibetan village that is well-known for its pictursque view, overnihgt
July 29th Xinduqiao to Kanze
Today, we begin our journey by driving to Lhagang town, where to visit Lhagang monastery and enjoy the great view of Lhagang passture, then we will follow the valley the road curves onto Kanze county, en route we will pass through Tawu — a warm tibetan town, its unique architecture make this town unique from other Tibetan towns. Then We will head west to Luohuo, and then onto the Luo-guo-liang-dzi (4680m) road to Kanze, which is about 3890m, at this county we will visit to Kanze monastery and Den Gonpa. overnight in Kanze
July 30th Kanze to Pelyul
There will be a 10 kilometers drive from Kanze to the road junction that leads the way to Pelyul. From which we’ll head into the valley passing a rocky mountain. En route we will detour to visit Yarchen Gar Nunery Buddhist Accademy. Then we will again regain to the main road heading to Pelyul, which is located in the forest area surrounded by mountains on both banks of the Jinshajiang River at the Sichuan-Tibet border where some Tibetans of the patriarchal clan live.
July 31st Pelyul to Katok – Katok Festival
We will drive along the east bank of Jinsar River heading south for Horpo village. Then, we’ll go in the forest valley, drive to the top of the hill, where Katok monastery located, and experience the mystery festival of Katok.
August 1st – 2nd Attending Katok festival, Drive to Derge
We will attend the festival during this two days. On the morning of August 2nd, if the weather permits, the ritual of unfolding the Great Thangkar Thangkar will be held in this morning. The great Thangkar will be carried by dozens of monks to the side slope of the mountain which face to the sky, around about 12:00 o’clock at noon, the sunlight will be right at the Great Thangkar. The Katok Festival shall be ended after this ritual. Then after, we’ll depart for Deger, check in the hostel, and rest
August 3rd Derge to Kanze
In the morning, we will visit to the three major sites of Derge printing house, Derge Gonchen monastery and Tangyel Lhakhang. Then afer, we will drive east to reach Mt. Trola, which is the highest point of this trip, the pass we’ll cross is 5,050 meters high. The view is superb and on the way we’ll stop by Yilhun Lhatso which is one of the most beautiful lakes in Tibet. Its shores are covered with carved Mani Stone. The mountain and rocks surrounding the lake are said to be a divine form of the Cakrasamvara Mandala for those that have pure vision to see them.
August 4th Kanze to Danba
The drive from Kanze to Bamei is the same one we just came through, we will go straight to Bamei, where we will explore the religious site of Garta Shangba Lin monastery that 7th Dali Lama spend yrs to meditate in this monastery. The land that this montasery located is with a shape of Lotus. Therefore this place is also called “Lotus village”. After visiting Garta Shangba Lin monastery, we will drive another 90km to get to Danba. The road curves descending all the way from 3350m to 1900m through a narrow valley. You may feel the change of altitude. Danba is another tibetan town that is hidden in the valleys that are splitted by Dadu River, Jinchuan River. We will explore the very special building of Wathing – Tower in the valleys;
August 5th Danba to Chengdu
Today we will depart early to head back to Chengdu where we’ll explore the Old Street of Jinli and taste the local delicious food of “hot-pot”.
August 6th Chengdu departure
Today, your journey is ended, we will drive you to the airport for your departure
2017 Katok Festival Travel Route, Click to view detail
Tour Reviews
There are no reviews yet.
Leave a Review