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Complete Itinerary
Day 01, July 15: Arrive Delhi. Reception at the airport and
transfer to hotel. Overnight.
Day 02, July 16: Delhi - day of leisure.
Day 03, July 17: Fly Delhi/Leh. On arrival
transfer to hotel. Day at leisure for acclimatisation. On
arrival advised not to strain but rest.
Day 04, July 18: Leh: Walk to Khandro-la's
master for a cup of tea and a short teaching.
Day 05, July 19: Leh. Visit the renowned Hemis
Monastry and walk 1 km to Gotsang Gonpa, Khandro-la's fatheršs
retreat centre to meditate with his advanced yogi students.
Day 06, July 20: Drive to Uley Tokpo - 4/5
hrs. O/N in mobile camp.
Day 07, July 21: Drive to Uley Tokpo-Mulbek
- 4/5 hrs. PM visit Mulbek Chamba. O/N mobile camp.
Day 08, July 22: Full day Mulbek - Fokar-Mulbek.
The isolated hidden valley of Fokar Dzong lies in the centre
of V-shaped valley between the high mountains of Walka, Mulbek
and Fokar Valley. It is an amazing natural pilgrimage place
of Ladakh, a heritage site of the great siddha Guru Padmasambhava.
The roods in this area has self eminated foot prints and mantras
of this great eigth century master. This is a peaceful place
of meditation with many caves where great masters of the past
have meditated and reached enlightenment. This place of solitude
is unknown by the tourists.
Day 09, July 23: We spend the whole day exploring
and meditating in this remote area.
Day 10, July 24: Drive Mulbek-Parkachid-6/7hrs.
Parkchik is a beautiful place with a view of Nun and Kun Peaks.
Day 11, July 25: Drive Parkchik-Sani (3510mtrs)
6/7 hrs. Sani is 6km before Padum. Both Guru Padmasambhava
and Naropa are said to have visited Sani & meditated here
for several years. The chief attraction of this picturesque
village is the Castle like monastery, which is unique in its
own kind. It is built on level ground unlike other monasteries
of the region. As the legend goes, its initial foundation
is associated with Kanishka on account of the Kanishka Stupa
which stands in the backyard of the walled complex. The main
building consists of a huge multi columned central prayer
hall, housing an array of statues of popular Buddhist divinities
and Drukpa yogis. Naropa, the famous Indian Yogi from Vikramshila
meditated at Kanishka Stupa. The site is now occupied by a
small room housing a veiled bronze figure of this Yogi which
is unveiled every year during Naro Nasjal Festival which is
held for two days & is attended by people from far &
wide. Monks from Bardan monastery perform masked dances as
ritual offering. We will be visiting this monastery.
Day 12, July 26: Sani. Full day. O/N Mobile
camp. Rest day.
Day 13, July 27: Sani. Full day with the Nuns
of Khachodling. Also visit local sites. Among the eight great
charnel grounds one called Dechen Dal is located here. The
ancient self-emanated stupa Kanishka stands here, where the
elders say that they hear different dharma sounds and also
sometimes they see invisible beings offer butter lamps.
Day 14, July 28: AM visit Stakrimo & Bardan
Monasteries. PM drive to Padum (3505m). A short drive of about
1 hour. O/N at Rest house & can have hot bath (Subject to
availability) /mobile camp. We can also hike to the caves
of Guru Nyima Ozer and meditate there. Stakrimo Monastery
is situated on a small hill to the west of Padum & is a branch
of Stakna monastery. The xth century monument carved on a
huge rock near the riverbank provides epigraphic evidence
that Buddhism influenced the region since ancient period.
Around 30 monks reside here. Bardan Monastery is situated
on a huge rock overlooking the Lingti River to the south of
Padum. Dewa Gyatso founded it in the xviith century. It is
also a branch of Stakna monastery & about 50 monks reside
here. Padum (3505m) is the administrative headquarter of Zanskar
valley. There is a small market along the main road with hotels,
restaurants & shops. It was once the capital of the Kingdom
of Zanskar.
Day 15, July 29: Drive Padum - Zongkhul-Parkachik
The spectacular cave monastery of Zanskar, Zongkhul falls
on the Padum-Kishtiwar trekking trail just before the ascent
of Omasila pass. It is situated like a swallow's nest on the
rock face of the Ating gorg. The monastery is associated with
legends like Naropa who lectured in the Nalander and Vikramshala
Universities. The 2 caves present in the monastery are said
to have been used by the yogi for a solitary retreat. A footprint
on the stone near the ingress of the lower cave is reserved
as that of the yogi. The frescos in the cave walls are very
old and reflect a high degree of artistic achievement. These
are believed to be the original murals executed by Zopa Dorje,
the celebrated scholar-painter of the same monastery who was
activate about 300 years
Day 16, July 30: Drive Parkachik- Mulbek.
O/N. Mobile camp. . On the way we cross Fotula pass (4080m)
and Namila (3719m). Sankhu is the largest village in the area
surrounded by colorful rocky mountains and flowers. It has
a small market dotted with shops and restaurants.
Day 17, July 31: Drive Mulbek-Uleytokpo. via
Lamayuru. O/N mobile camp
Day 18, Aug 1: Uleytokpo-Leh. O/N hotel
Day 19, Aug 2: Day of leisure. Enjoy a meal
with Khandro-la's family. Evening enjoy local cultural dance
show by local troupe. O/N hotel
Day 20, Aug 3: Departure transfer to fly back
to Delhi. Upon arrival, meet & transfer to hotel. Rooms available
from mid day. Day at leisure.
Day 21, Aug 4: Delhi. Rooms available till
mid day. Day-use rooms available after mid day (check out
time). Late night transfer to IGI Airport to fly home.
Limited to 21 people.
All proceeds, offerings and donations go to
Khandro-la's projects.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Lena McGregor
Avalon, 1157 Stoney Chute Rd, Kyogle 2474 Australia
+61 (0)266337196 Australia
e-mail dhamata@hotkey.net.au
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