September 8 – September 22, 2019
From Chengdu, China
Leadership: Michael Gregory
is the Director of Mindfulness Meditation
Centers throughout the US. He has led hundreds of meditation retreats on
almost every subject matter related to Dharma, in addition to leading
meditative pilgrimages throughout Thailand, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and
India. Michael was ordained as a monk in the Thai Forest tradition, the
Burmese Mahasi tradition, and then was ordained in the Tibetan tradition
by H.E. Gylatsab Rinpoche at Rumtek monastery in Sikkim. He has
practiced in the Thai Forest tradition of Ajahn Chah, the Anapanasati
tradition of Buddhadassa Bhikku, and the Jhana traditions of Mahasi
Sayadaw and Pa Auk, as well as having extensive experience in the Tibetan
tradition.
Mindfulness Meditation Pilgrimage • Day–To–Day Itinerary Detail:
Pre Trip Days:
Pre-trip Days: Fly to our meeting point in Chengdu, China. Travelers
from the Americas 'lose' one day crossing the international date line.
If you wish to arrive early, we can arrange an early airport transfer
and accommodations with advance notice. Please note that you must arrive
in Chengdu, China by September 8, 2019.
Day 2 (September 9, 2019):
Following breakfast, enjoy a full day in
Chengdu. We first visit the world's largest park for the giant panda -
with more than 150 giant pandas. It is a 40-minute drive to reach the
park, located in the north side of the city. Enjoy two to three hours at
the center, strolling through its bamboo forest, with an early lunch at
a Sichuan hotpot restaurant.
Day 3 (September 10, 2019):
Today after breakfast we will transfer to
the airport and fly to Lhasa Gonggar Airport, located at 11,713 feet -
over 10,000 feet higher than Chengdu. Your acclimatization begins upon
arrival! Our flight time should be about 2.5 hours. We will be met on
arrival to transfer 50 miles in about one hour to our hotel and
check-in. You will have free time to rest or explore before dinner. The
hotel is in the middle of the city and centrally located so taking a
walk around is a good possibility just don't overdo it. Ideally, you
should drink lots of fluid and rest. Overnight Tsetang Hotel
(four-star) at 10,170 ft. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 (September 11, 2019):
Our first days at high altitude will involve
only gentle touring and exploration. First, we visit Tsedang and then
continue with a scenic drive to the first monastery in Tibet-Samye
Monastery. Continue on to Lhasa (11,995 ft) with a total drive time of
three to four hours and check in at Shangri-La Hotel (five-star) and
later enjoy a special buffet dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 (September 12, 2019):
After breakfast this morning, we will visit
Drepung Monastery (literally "Rice Heap" Monastery). Drepung is the
largest of all Tibetan monasteries and is located on the Gambo Utse
mountain, five kilometers from Lhasa. It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang
Choge Tashi Palden (1397-1449). It was known for the high standards of
its academic study and was called the Nalanda of Tibet, a reference to
the great Buddhist monastic university of India.
Day 6 (September 13, 2019):
Today we explore Lhasa including the Jokhang
Temple and the majestic 13-story, 1,000-room Potala Palace. Tibetans, in
general, consider Jokhang Temple as the most sacred and important temple
in Tibet. Jokhang is run by the Gelug school, but worshipers from all
Buddhist sects visit the temple. The oldest part of the temple was built
in 652 by Songtsen Gampo. During the Cultural Revolution in 1966, Red
Guards attacked the Jokhang and for a decade there was no worship in
Tibetan monasteries. Renovation of the Jokhang began in 1972 and was
mostly complete by 1980. Its architectural style is a mixture of Indian,
Tibetan, and Nepalese design.
Day 7 (September 14, 2019):
Day trip to Drigung Thil (14, 649 feet)
about 75 miles north-east of Lhasa. Founded in 1179 traditionally
Drigung Thil Monastery was the main seat of the Drikung Kagyu tradition
of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was destroyed in 1959 but has been
partially rebuilt. Approximately 250 monks are in residence. Note: the
monastery can be visited for sure but the burial site cannot be
guaranteed as it depends on local permission. We will try our best to
include it. It is said that bodies dispatched here will not fall down
into the “ three bad regions." Drive back to Lhasa and overnight
Shangri-La Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 (September 15, 2019):
This morning after breakfast we will drive
about four hours to Gyantse. On the way, we'll stop at Yamdrok Lake (at
14,570 feet), one of the three large sacred lakes in Tibet. It is over
45 miles long and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. According to
local mythology, Yamdok Yumtso Lake is the transformation of a goddess.
Day 9 (September 16, 2019):
Today after breakfast, we drive first to
Shalu Monastery founded in 1040 by Chetsun Sherab Jungnay. For centuries
it was renowned as a center of scholarly learning and is still known for
its wonderful mural paintings, considered to be the most ancient and
beautiful in Tibet. Shalu was the first of the major monasteries to be
built by noble families of the Tsangpa during Tibet's great revival
of Buddhism and was an important center of the Sakya tradition. Continue
about an hour to Shigatse (12,800 feet). The Tashi Lhunpo Monastery was
founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama and is a historic and culturally
important monastery in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. The
monastery was sacked when the Gorkhas invaded Tibet and captured
Shigatse in 1791 before a combined Tibetan and Chinese army drove them
back to the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal. Located on a hill in the city
center, the full monastery name in Tibetan means "all fortune and
happiness gathered here" or "heap of glory."
Day 10 (September 17, 2019):
Drive to Shegar via Sakya Monastery and
Gyatso La Pass the highest point on your trip at 17218 ft. After driving
about 90 miles in three hours we reach the monastery. It is the seat of
the Sakya (or Sakyapa) school of Tibetan Buddhism founded in 1073,
by Konchok Gyelpo. Sakya's powerful abbots governed Tibet during the
13th and the 14th centuries. After a couple hours of driving brings us
to Shegar we can stop to visit the fort depending on how everyone is
feeling. Shegar is also known as New Tingri as it is a recently built
town. None of its accommodations are particularly nice. Overnight Shegar
Hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 (September 18, 2019):
Today the drive is about seven hours total.
Along the way, you'll cross two passes: Tsuo La (14,760 feet) and Lhakpa
La (17,121 feet). You'll visit a Tibetan village along the way, pass
farms and continue on to Chomolungma (Everest) National Park
headquarters. The gray, gold and red strips seen on many houses indicate
each family's devotion to the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. Drive to
Everest Base Camp. Note: we'll sent up at Tibetan style tent at Tingri
overlooking the mountains where we can drink hot tea and
meditate. Overnight at Snow Leopard Guest House in Old Tingri (This is
the most basic "hotel" on our journey. Be prepared to rough it.)
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12 (September 19, 2019):
Drive to Kyirong. Continue your
high-altitude road journey throughout the day to finally descend near
the Nepal border in about five hours. Drive steeply downhill to reach
Kyirong, at about 9000 ft. Hotel TBA. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 13 (September 20, 2019):
Borderlands. After breakfast, bid a fond
goodbye to your Tibetan guide and driver and begin Chinese immigration
formalities. Once complete, you will travel downhill to a bridge to
cross at Kyirong to the Nepal side of the border. (The old border
crossing at Zhangmu was closed after the Nepal earthquakes in 2015.)
Kyirong is a new border crossing which opened in 2017. You should arrive
in Nepal at about 10:00 AM, Nepal time. Here you will be welcomed by our
Nepal drivers and transferred by four-wheel drive vehicles to Kathmandu.
It's a rough but scenic five-hour drive as you pass many waterfalls,
valleys and lush fields along the way to Kathmandu. Overnight Hyatt
Regency Hotel in Kathmandu. Free time on arrival. (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
Day 14 (September 21, 2019):
Optional off the beaten track sightseeing
in and around Kathmandu. Final celebration dinner at the Hyatt.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 15 (September 22, 2019):
Depending on your departure schedule, you
should have free time after breakfast then an on-time transfer to the
airport for your flight departing Kathmandu. (Breakfast)
Travel Details: When arranging your flights to and from our Tibet travel points, please note these dates and logistics: All participants must arrive in Chengdu, China no later than September 8, 2019. You should not depart Kathmandu earlier than September 22, 2019. Please ask any questions before purchasing your international tickets. Flight times to Chengdu will vary greatly based on your origin city as well as the airline(s) being chosen. For some, air travel starting from the U.S. could begin two days before the meeting date in Chengdu. Crossing the International Date Line can make it seem as if you 'lose' a day flying but on your return home, you may arrive on the same day, often just hours later than the local time of your departure. You are welcome to travel early or stay for extra days at the end. We can arrange additional nights at any of our hotels or guest houses for you. Contact us with your specific interests and budget - we can help make it happen! Land Cost: Includes All transfers by good vehicles with driver.
Land Cost Does Not include: Any expenses of a personal nature such as telephone, laundry, aerated drinks or bottled water, items ordered through room service, mini bar etc.
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Mindfulness Meditation Pilgrimage |
Mindfulness Meditation Pilgrimage • Administrative Details: | |
Land Cost (land cost as itinerary has described): | $6495 - $5495USD |
Trip Deposit (submit with application): | $500USD |
Single Supplement (optional single accommodation): | $1190 -1055 USD (optional) |
Maximum Group Size: | 25 Participants |
Other Cost & Need Considerations: | Passport, Visas, Physicians Visit, Emergency Medical & Evacuation Insurance, Travel to Chengdu & from Kathmandu, One way airfare Chengdu to Lhasa, Meals Beyond Above Itinerary, Beverages, Spending/Personal Money. |
Trip Activity–Level: | Mild: Accommodations are in comfortable lodges and hotels. Activities are usually mild and can include day hikes of less than four hours in length. Vehicle time can include fatigue with long travel along rough roads. |
Registration Deadline: | June 8, 2019 ($100USD late fee thereafter) |
Mindfulness Meditation Printable Itinerary: | |
Online (Instant) Trip Application: | |
Trip Application: | |
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