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Nirvana Tour

In conjunction with

Thösamling Institute for International Buddhist Women


Departing: 14 June – 29 June 2010
16 Days – 15 Nights

NirvanaJoin Venerable Tenzin Sangmo and western Buddhist nuns on their pilgrimage to remote Ladakh.  Explore the wonders of Ladakh's ancient Buddhist culture including the Shankar Gompa, Stok Palace Alchi Gompa, Rizong Gompa and the famous 'Hemis Festival'. Experience guided mediations and dharma talks while exploring ancient monasteries.

 

Group Leaders

Ani Tenzin Sangmo, a Dutch Buddhist nun, founder and abbess of Thösmaling spent some years in Ladakh and ranks it as one of her most favourite places. In 1997 she became ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Prior to that Sangmo was active in several NGO's and worked several years in a Social Lawyers Office back in the Netherlands. After visiting Nicaragua and Nepal her life changed dramatically. In Nepal she met Tibetan refugees who encouraged and inspired her to start learning about Tibetan Buddhism. Back home in the Netherlands she started a Tibet Support Group in her hometown. She changed her job, wanting to have a job that would give her more contact with people. She began studies in nursing at the age of 32 and received her final degree at 36. With this profession she was more able to work abroad in "far away countries". And that was one of her wishes, to live in other parts of the world. Throughout all of these years she was developing a greater interest in Buddhism.

She has lived and worked in India ever since.

Sharon Thrupp, Ekno Experience Director. She has lived and worked in Dharamsala, India for the past 5 years. Sharon is passionate about India and the Himalaya region and has spent a lot of time trekking at high altitudes in the mountains of Nepal, Tibet and India. Sharon is also a Buddhist.

While living and working in Australia, India, Nepal, Japan and in many other parts of the world, she has spent most of her spare time walking, trekking and traveling, both independently and in groups.

Itinerary

Day 1 Monday 14 June 10: Delhi Transfer Pickup from International / Domestic Airport to hotel in Delhi.
Overnight Delhi

Day 2 Tuesday 15 June 10: Delhi Today we see the sites of both Old and New Delhi and shopping at one of Delhi’s many markets.
Overnight Delhi

NirvanaDay 3 Wednesday 16 June 10: Leh Morning flight to Leh. Upon arrival we take a walking tour of Leh Bazaar and take the rest of the day to relax and acclimatize. Late afternoon Dharma talk with Ven Sangmo.
Overnight Leh

Day 4 Thursday 17 June 10: Leh Morning meditation and yoga. Breakfast and pick up from Hotel, visit Gompa Soma and Moti Market. Lunch together. Then rest until 3 pm. By jeep up to Tsemo, walk (optional also drive) down to Samkhar Gompa and afterwards drive to Shanti Stupa. Late afternnon: Dharma talk with Ven Sangmo.
Overnight Leh

NirvanaDay 5 Friday 18 June 10: Leh Morning meditation and yoga. Drive to Lamayuru, visit Basgo and Ridzong Monasteries along the way. View the magnificent Indus and Zanskar Rivers as they meet. Late afternoon Dharma talk with Ven Sangmo.
Overnight Lamayuru

Day 6 Saturday 19 June 10: Lamayuru Morning meditation and yoga. Visit to the local monastery and gompa and climb to the high point overlooking the town. Afternoon is at leisure. Late afternoon Dharma talk with Ven Sangmo.
Overnight Lamayuru

Day 7 Sunday 20 June 10: Lamayuru to Alchi and Leh Morning meditation and yoga. We follow the Indus river westwards to Alchi village and visit the historical Alchi Gompa. Drive back to Leh.
Overnight Leh

NirvanaDay 8 Monday 21 June 10: Hemis Morning meditation and yoga . We leave early to visit monasteries of Shey and Thikse and attend the famous Hemis Festival. Here you will experience the annual festival of Lama Dancing to honour the anniversary of Guru Padmasambava’s birth, drive back to Leh late afternoon. Last minute shopping in Leh.
Overnight Leh

Day 9 Tuesday 22 June 10: Leh to Sarchu Morning meditation and yoga . We drive to Sarchu crossing the 5,328m Taglang La along the way. This will be a long day of driving, but with spectacular scenery. Tonight we stay at a tented camp, especially erected to cater for travellers along this seasonal highway.
Overnight Sarchu.

NirvanaDay 10 Wednesday 23 June 10: Sarchu to Manali Today we drive through magnificient scenery of the high plains and the valleys of Laval and Spite with the Himalayas as your backdrop. Cross Rothang Pass at 3,987 metres and on to Manali.
Overnight Manali

Day 11 Thursday 24 June 10: Manali to Sidhpur Morning meditation and yoga. Today we descend into the Kullu Valley and the picturesque towns of Kullu, Mandi and finally Sidhpur. 
Overnight Thosamling Nunnery

Day 12-14 Friday-Sunday 25-27 10: Around Dharamsala Local sightseeing and visit to local monasteries.
Overnight Thosamling Nunnery
Nirvana
Day 14 Sunday 27 June 10: Take train to Delhi.
Overnight Train

Day 15 Monday 28 June 10: Delhi Last minute shopping in the main Bazaar around town.
Overnight Delhi

Day 16 Tuesday 29 June 10: Flight Home Arrangements end upon arrival in Delhi.

Click here for a reflection of Nirvana Tour '08 in words and images.


COST
India component cost ex Delhi:

 
Australian Dollars

A$3500

(Prices are based on a minimum of 4 people)


Includes

  • Met and returned to Delhi Airport by your Western guide or his/her representative
  • Airfare from Delhi to Leh
  • All transfers and travel by A/C train and private vehicles
  • Services of knowledgeable Western nuns  and supplemented English speaking guides
  • All attractions and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Breakfast and dinner

Excludes

  • Airfares to and from India
  • Indian visas
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Occasional optional items not identified in itinerary description
  • Tipping and personal expenses
  • Bottled water and other beverages not included with meals