Journey to Tibet "In Search of Shambhala"
07 – 19 сентября 2019
PROGRAM OF THE JOURNEY:
Day 1, 07 September – Lhasa
Arrival at Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Meeting the participants, transfer to the hotel. The height of Lhasa is 3,650 meters above sea level. So the next few days we will spend walking in the city and seeing the sights in a leisurely fashion. We need to gain strength for walking the Kora round the sacred Mount Kailash.
Day 2, 08 September – the Potala Palace
Today we will visit the Potala Palace, the symbol of Tibet, the main residence of His Holiness Dalai Lama.
Lhasa — the historical capital of Tibet — is located in the picturesque river valley. The second place to visit today is Jokhang Monastery (Buddha's Home). It’s the first Buddhist temple in Tibet, among the country’s most prominent sights. This is the very place where the works for building Lhasa began in the 7th century B.C.
Day 3, 09 September – Druk Yerpa and Drepung
We have scheduled visiting a mystical Druk Yerpa cave city today. The cave complex is located 35 km away from Lhasa at the height of 4,885 meters above sea level and includes about 80 meditation caves. There is also a monastery founded in the 12th century. This is where best-known Tibetan teachers spent years in meditation.
Drepung Monastery is located on Mount Genupeizi. This is the largest monastery in Tibet that was Dalai Lama’s Alma Mater. It occupies the territory of 200 thousand square meters, and sometimes the number of lamas and monks was well over 10 thousand. Along with Sera and Gandan Monasteries it forms the famous Lhasa’s triad of large monasteries.
Day 4, 10 September – Shikadze
Today we will set off to Shikadze. On our way we will visit Yamdrok Yumtso – one of the three sacred and the most revered lakes in Tibet at the height of 4,488 meters.
We will visit Pelkor Chode – the spiritual center of Gyantse. Stuffed animals above the monastery gates symbolize riding animals used by gods to arrive here for service. Kumbum – a multi-coloured 32-meters high stupa – is Gyantse’s foremost attraction (a “thousand” – 1,000 images of Buddha, deities and bodhisattvas).
Day 5, 11 September – Lake Manasarovar, Chiu Gompa Monastery
According to Tibetan legends, Lake Manasarovar is the gate of spirits that connect our physical world with the other world. This is a round lake and symbolizes powers of light.
Lake Manasarovar is mentioned in Ramayana, one of the two major ancient India’s epics. Hindus are sure that Manasarovar represents god Brahma’s soul. It is believed that Shiva and his wife Parvati washed themselves here.
We will also visit Chiu Gompa Monastery. This is a very significant sanctuary for Buddhism adherents. Here the lifetime statue of Buddha-Chomdente is kept.
In the evening we will be able to bathe in hot springs of Tirtapuri. We will stay overnight in Chiu village.
Day 6, 12 September – Drive to Darchen village
We drive to Darchen village at the foot of Mount Kailash and get ready for the Kora.
Day 7, 13 September – the first day of the Kora
Having asked for a blessing to do the Kora we start our walk to Dirapuk Gompa Monastery where Master Milarepa’s meditation cave remained intact (4,910 m). We will travel 15 km, 6 to 8 hours of walking.
Day 08, 14 September – the second day of the Kora
Walking to Zutul Puk (4,910 meters above sea level). Here Milarepa’s most important meditation caves are located, where the Great Teacher reflected on the flight to Kailash.
The second day of the pilgrimage is the most difficult physically — we are to travel 18 km, which takes 7 to 9 hours of walking. Also, lying ahead of us today is Dorma La rocky mountain pass (5,500 m).
Today we will walk through Dirapuk Monastery, travel past the Valley of Death, Shiva Tsal graveyard, overcome the Green Tara mountain pass, walk past Gauri Kund Lake, we will see the Karma Axe and finally, we will come to Zutul Puk Monastery.
Overcoming the Green Tara Pass on full moon dates is believed to be a great storage of achievements!
Staying for the night in tents or at a monastery lodgement, as appropriate.
Day 09, 15 September – the final day of the Kora
A 15-kilometer descent, 4 to 5 hours of walking. The road passes a picturesque Barkha Valley, and we’ll contemplate on the way we’ve traveled. Returning to Darchen (4,910 meters above sea level) and moving to the town of Saga or Chiu village.
Day 10, 16 September – drive to Shigatse city
Day 11, 17 September – returning to Lhasa
In the morning we will visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Panchen Lama’s residence.
One of the monastery’s main attractions is tomb stupas with relics of several Panchen Lamas.
Day 12, 18 September – free day in Lhasa
Day 13, 19 September – flight back home
Tibetan folk legends have been passing it across generations that there is a mysterious country of Shambhala – the heart of wisdom, concealed power, weaponry and untold riches. As ancient legends have it, Shambhala is located in the depths of the Earth, and its several entrances are on the highest mountain peaks. According to these ancient tales, the main entrance is on the sacred Tibetan mountain summit called Kailash.
We think that Tibet is definitely a portal to enter this country, and so we proudly offer this journey to like-minded people.
Dates of the tour: 07 – 19 September 2019
Cost: $2,600, at the exchange rate of the Central Bank of Russia for the date of payment.
Attention!
We fly from Moscow on 05 September, and return on the 20th!
A Moscow — Lhasa — Moscow flight by China Airlines with a stopover at Guangzhou costs 45,000 rubles or more.
The airline company provides a hotel at Guangzhou. We need this stop to meet the representative and receive all original permits to Tibet (prior to this we will have only copies).
Included in the price:
Not included in the price:
