This month I had originally planned to visit Mount Kailash in western Tibet. One of my (surprisingly few) travel dreams is to see the spectacular Saga Dawa festival that takes place at the foot of the mountain each year when Buddhist, Hindu and Jain pilgrims flock there to make a ritual circuit of the beautiful, isolated peak. This year, however, the Chinese government had other ideas for us all, issuing a travel ban that will prevent almost everyone from visiting the mountain until late August, long after the month-long festival has passed.

We went to Lhasa anyway, and spent two weeks under blue skies – eyes narrowed against the June sun – as we travelled west to Mount Everest and north to Lake Nam-tso. We joined a lively Saga Dawa ceremony in Gyantse and saw crowds of pilgrims in traditional dress all along our route. Kailash may have been off-limits, but the celebration of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death went ahead regardless (although I have my fingers crossed for Kailash in 2015).

These are some photos from the trip – enjoy!

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Jokhang teatime, Lhasa

Nam-tso reflections

Contrasty village, G318

Woodwork, near Gyantse

Gyan Gyen Carpet Factory, Shigatse

Prayer flag 2, Yamdrok-tso

Local transport

Cho Oyu trail

Potala by night

Tractor, Everest

Cho Oyu at dawn

Dice and cowries, Lhasa

Saga Dawa Festival 1

Butter lamps, Gyantse

Potala chorten, Lhasa

Boy, Everest

Sunset highway, Tingri

Cook, Lhasa

Prayer flags 1, Yamdrok-tso

Pelkhor Chode Monastery, Gyantse

Prayer flags 3, Yamdrok-tso

Saga Dawa Festival 4

Saga Dawa Festival 2

Nam-tso storm

Nomad beauty

Tsampa mill, near Gyantse

Butter lamps, Lhasa

Saga Dawa Festival 6

Cow pat wall, G318

Saga Dawa Festival 3

Yak train 2, Karola

Yak portrait, Nam-tso

Saga Dawa Festival 5

Himalayan sunset, near Tingri

Cow pat hands, G318

Sand mandala, Gyantse

Yak train 1, Karola

Karola Glacier

Polaroid 2

Polaroid 1

Pelkhor Chode Monastery, Tibet © Jo James

Prayers, Shalu Monastery