Saga's main street has Sichuan restaurants, Tibetan teahouses and small supermarkets. Tibetan thukpa (noodle soup), vegetable fried rice and steamed bread are easy on the stomach at altitude. Our Kailash groups usually eat an Indian vegetarian dinner prepared by the support crew, with dal, rice, vegetables and soup.
After dinner, a short walk of 15–20 minutes along the street helps digestion and breathing. Keep it slow, wear a warm jacket and hat, and stay together. Evening temperatures in June drop to around 0–5 °C. The shops sell water, biscuits and fruit if you need to restock.
Back at the hotel, the guide checks everyone's pulse and oxygen saturation. Go to bed early, keep a bottle of water by the bed and sleep with your head slightly raised. Saga is often the night pilgrims sleep worst; it usually improves after that.
Good for
- Pilgrims
- Groups
- Families
Questions travellers ask
What food is available in Saga Tibet?
Sichuan and Tibetan restaurants serve noodles, rice, vegetable dishes, thukpa and steamed bread. Vegetarian food is available if you ask. Our Kailash groups have support staff who cook Indian vegetarian meals with dal, rice and vegetables from Saga onwards.
Why do I sleep badly in Saga?
At about 4,640 m the air holds much less oxygen, and breathing can become irregular at night. Poor sleep and mild headache are common on the first high night. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and sleeping pills, and tell your guide if symptoms are severe or worsen.
Can I buy supplies in Saga?
Yes. Supermarkets sell water, biscuits, instant noodles, fruit and basic toiletries, and some shops sell warm clothing. It is the last sizeable town before Manasarovar, about 480 km west, so buy what you need for the lake days here.
