Buddhist Tour 2008

Join us on a fascinating journey of Lhasa and neighboring Yarlung Valley, spiritual power places of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) and Yeshe Tsogyel. This tour will be led by experts in the history, evolution and tantric practices of Buddhism in Tibet. Your other tour leader is Dulce, a specialist in travel to China and Tibet and very familiar with Buddhist culture and practices. To learn more about this tour, give us a call at 1-800-484-6310 (Code 1157).

Beijing: The trip will include two days in Beijing, where you will visit the highlights of China's capital and seat of many of the architectural treasures of Imperial China: Visit Tian'An Mean Square and Forbidden City; hike on the Great Wall and take a serene stroll through the Ming Tombs.

The rest of our journey will take place in Tibet: Our journey begins with a 2-day stay in Yarlung Valley, known as the cradle of Tibetan civilization. We spend the rest of our trip exploring Lhasa's most revered monasteries (Jhokang Temple, Potala Palace, Sera Monastery) and colorful shopping streets of Barkhor Market, where you can bargain with the locals and sip tea in the busy teahouses. The trip includes a visit to the holy Yamdrok-Tso lake and an optional tour to visit a nomadic village in the high mountain passes near Lhasa.

Samye: We cross the Yarlung Tsanpo River by boat (1 hour journey). This river flows through southern Tibet, makes a loop north around the 7782 meters Namche Barwa massif, in the process roaring through the deepest canyon in the world then turning south into India. We cross the river by ferry into the vast and sandy Samye Valley for a visit to Samye Monastery, founded in the 8th century under the leadership of Guru Rinpoche (the Indian monk who is credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet).

The monastery is enclosed by a circular wall topped with over 1,000 stupas. Samye Monastery is a mandala or sacred depiction of the universe, as seen through Buddhist cosmology. In the halls of the temple we still see murals that date back to the 11th century, among the oldest existing Buddhist murals in Tibet.

During our pilgrimage, there will opportunities for meditation and other practices that will help us to connect with the energy of these sacred places. The itinerary will be structured, yet relaxed enough that participants can enjoy time on their own and can make choices about a variety of optional activities based on individual preferences. Our itinerary includes a free day in Lhasa to stroll around, meet with local families or visit other places of interest not covered in the main itinerary.

Note: Due to weather issues or conditions of roads, we cannot guarantee that our itineraries will not be subject to change. Occasionally, we may have to modify our daily schedules or provide alternative sights, when weather conditions so warrant. The safety and enjoyment of our guests is our number one priority!