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The Remote Himalayas with Khandro Thrinlay Chodon
Tue, 21 May, 2024 @ 8:00 am – Mon, 10 June, 2024 @ 5:00 pm Indian Himalayas
The Magical Yogic Himalayan Lands of Jammu, Paddar, Leh, Mulbeck, Padum, Sani and Manali
Experience the remote Himalayas in an intimate journey to magical yogic lands with Khandro Rinpoche.This year she visits devoted communties both Jammu and Paddar in Kashmir, Leh and Mulbeck in Ladakh, Padum and Sani in Zanskar & her hometown Manali in Himachal Pradesh. You have the opportunity to join in a rare spiritual and cultural journey that will touch many lives, including your own!
Khandro Rinpoche is invited to a number of remote Himalayan towns to give empowerment and blessings to communities that have been devoted to her lineage for centuries. These events promise to be inspiring both spiritually and culturally. You will therefore have opportunity to catch rare glimpses of times long gone.
Video of Khandro Thrinlay Chodon blessing the people of Zanskar
Western pilgrims will arrive in Delhi, ready to fly to Jammu, Kashmir on 21st May to begin the journey and meet Khandro Rinipoche. From Jammu you will travel by car to the very remote and spiritually blessed Paddar valley, where few westerners visit. A first visit also for Khandro Rinpoche. The community have waited for her since the passing of her late husband, the 9th Shabdrung in 2003. They are devoted to him as he travelled on foot in his early years to give teachings. Subsequent to his visit, precious stones (Sephora) were found in the hills. Khandro Rinpoche will bestow empowerment and blessings amidst three days of festivities, one of which is the Buddha’s birthday!
Next pilgrims will return overland to Jammu and fly to historic Leh, Ladakh, the most populous town of the high Himalayas. Filled with ancient monasteries, palaces and apricot orchards it sits amidst a landscape like the moon, with high barren mountains and low valleys. Pilgrims will be able to visit such holy sites as Hemis, Thiksey and Stagna Gompas, Gotsangpo’s cave and its three year retreat site established by Khandro Rinpoche’s late father Apho Rinpoche, as well as as indulge in western style cafes! Leh will be a refreshing stop and, for those wishing to end pilgrimage here, you may fly direct back to Delhi (one hour).
On Day 10, (30 May) pilgrims will journey overland to Mulbeck (approx 6 hrs westward). Here lives another Khachodling gompa and our regional traditional medical centre run by the Amchi and nuns of Khachodling. Our little gompa sits opposite the famous carved in stone 30ft high Chamba (Maitraya) statue. Four nights here full of local culture, pujas, empowerment and teaching. Mulbeck’s Khachodling gompa houses the shrine of the peaceful and wrathful deities that is used in regular Shitro pujas for the removal of obstacles and the deceased.
Day 14, 3 June, pilgrims journey overland to Zanskar for four nights. Surrounded by high mountains this region has remained secluded for centuries until only last year. In this remote valley Khachodling has a small hermitage for nuns and the locals are very devoted to Khandro Rinpoche. Last year the entire community first invited Khandro Rinpoche to give empowerment, the first given by a female. This year again she is invited by the entire community, so amongst cultural events and celebration there will be visits to local homes, big community cultural song and dance events as well as empowerment, teaching and blessings.
Zanskar journey ends on Day 18, with the 8 hour journey by car onto Manali via the new tunnel road constructed only last year. Manali is the home base of Khandro Rinpoche and her Shakya Shri family, so here you will see the yogi gompa established by her late father, Apho Rinpoche and visit Drukpa Gompa the marriage home of her and her husband, the late HH 9th Shabdrung. The local Khachodling community loves to host tea and show Khandro Rinpoche’s students around. You can also in these days visit many of the local important sights of Manali, like the Mahabharata palace in Old Manali and Naggar Castle. The town also has good last minute shopping.
On 10 June (Day 21) your pilgrimage officially completes and you may choose to stay longer in Manali (added extra), visit Dharamsala (added extra) or as the itinerary provides, you will be driven and dropped at to your chosen Delhi accomodation, taking home your happy memories with you!
Gallery
Itinerary
21 days & 20 nights – ex Jammu (arrival) and Delhi (return)
Location : Indian Himalayas – Jammu and Paddar in Kashmir; Leh and Mulbeck in Ladakh; Zanskar and Manali in Himachaal Pradesh
Pilgrims will arrive in Delhi on or before this day to prepare for their journey to Jammu by flight or car. This can be arranged/booked either privately or through SSDT/Druk Expeditions as an “Extra”. The pilgrimage starts in Jammu on 21st May.
There are a few flights but we suggest Air India (AI821) as it has the included luggage of 25kg and leaves at 10.45am and arrives at 12.05. Total flight time is about 1 hour and 40 minutes. You need to be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to your flight to avoid any rush. `
Arrive in Jammu by Air. Met and transferred to your Hotel.
First formal gathering of our group will be at lunch in Jammu. Here you will be introduced to Khandro Rinpoche and other guests, given an introduction to the area and our journey together. Dinner is included and location TBA.
Overnight stay at Jammu.
Early morning departure for Gulabgarh-Paddar, which is a beautiful remote valley in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar District and is appx. 273 Kms., 8 hours from Jammu. We will reach the Gompa late afternoon and will stay at Paddar Gompa for the next 4 Nights. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Celebration of Buddha Purnima (Birthday) with local people of Paddar.
Stay overnight at Paddar Gompa. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Empowerment and Teaching by Khandro Rinpoche.
Stay overnight at Paddar Gompa. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Rest day at Paddar. Some miscellaneous program in consultation with Khandro Rinpoche.
Stay overnight at Paddar Gompa. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Today, we will start early morning after breakfast for the return to Jammu by road, appx. 273 Kms., 8 Hours. Reach Jammu by Evening. Lunch enroute and dinner at Jammu, location TBA.
Overnight stay at Jammu.
Today, after Breakfast, we will take the flight from Jammu to Leh. It is the largest city and the joint capital of Ladakh.
Air India flight departing Jammu at 10:20 AM and arriving Leh at 11: 20 AM.
Will reach Leh by noon and be transferred to the Hotel. Rest and continue to acclimatize. Stay at Leh for the next 3 Nights.
Overnight Stay at Leh hotel. Lunch and dinner included and location TBA.
Day Sightseeing at Leh.
Overnight stay at Leh hotel. Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner included and location TBA.
Teachings by Khandro Rinpoche.
Overnight stay at Leh hotel, Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner included and location TBA.
Today we will checkout from Leh and start our journey for Mulbekh around 5 hours by road.
Reach Mulbekh by afternoon and take some rest.
Stay at Mulbekh in Gompa/Homestay for the next 4 nights. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day visit to Khachodling gompa opposite famous Chamba statue. Puja and other activities.
Overnight stay at Mulbekh in Gompa/Homestay.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Teaching and Puja by Khandro Rinpoche. Tsog offerings.
Overnight stay at Mulbekh in Gompa/Homestay.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Reserve day for rest or visit to nearby Monasteries.
Overnight stay at Mulbekh in Gompa/Homestay.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Early departure for the drive to remote Zanskar, around 6-7 hours by road.
Stay at Zanskar in Hotel/Gompa for the next 4 Nights.
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch will be arranged en-route.
Visit to Khachodling Sani Nunnery.
Overnight stay at Zanskar at Hotel/Gompa.
Breakfast & dinner included. Lunch included and location TBA.
Community Program at Zanskar.
Overnight stay at Zanskar at Hotel/Gompa.
Breakfast & dinner included. Lunch included and location TBA.
This is our last day at Zanskar. Visit the Shabdrung Photang (palace) in Padum.
There will be long life (Tsewang) ceremony at the Photang
Overnight stay at Zanskar at Hotel/Gompa.
Breakfast & dinner included. Lunch included and location TBA.
Our Visit to Zanskar is at its end and today we journey to Manali. It is around 8 hours journey by road.
Overnight stay at Aloka Resort, Manali. Breakfast and dinner Included.
Lunch will also be arranged either at hotel or outside (TBA).
This morning is for relaxation and catch up while in the beautiful rooms and facilities of the modern at Aloka Resort. You will enjoy refreshing everything after your stay in the remoteness of Mulbekh and Zanskar.
Overnight stay at Aloka Rosort, Breakfast and dinner inlcuded. Lunch will be arranged either at hotel and outside (TBA).
Visit Drukpa Gompa in the morning. It is the local residence of H.H. 9th Shabdrung and Khandro Rinpoche. You will be provided tea and after that we will visit the Naggar Castle. This is our last day at Manali. You can also do some last minute shopping or buy some souvenirs.
Overnight stay at Aloka Resort. Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch will also be arranged outside (TBA).
Early morning departure for our drive back to Delhi by Road. (Approx 10 hours)
The Pilgrimage cost concludes with your drop at your Delhi hotel. Your place of stay on this evening will be arranged privately or by SSDT/Druk Expeditions as an “Extra”.
Breakfast included but lunch on the way and dinner on arrival NOT included.
Take you happy memories back home with you.
- Night accommodation on twin sharing basis as noted in the itinerary
- Breakfast at Hotels (lunch & dinner will also be arranged and location TBA)
- Breakfast & Dinner at Aloka Resorts, Manali
- All meals at remote areas of Paddar, Mulbekh and Zanskar
- Jammu Airport pick-up & drop
- Leh Airport pick-up
- Leh to Mulbekh, Zanskar and Manali
- Manali to Delhi Hotel drop by road
- All international and domestic air fares (billed separately)
- Any transport not specified in the Itinerary
- Any Monument/Temple entry fee, Puja offerings
- Any lunch or dinner during the trip except where stated as included
- Water apart from complementary at hotel
- Any transportation to visit local market or in and around towns or transit other than specifically stated in the itinerary
- Any sightseeing or excursion not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any other activity not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any item of personal requirement such as drinks, laundry, telephone etc.
- Any medical or evacuation expenses
- Any type of insurance like personal, medical travel etc.
- Any unforeseen circumstances such as medical illness, natural disaster, road blockages which are beyond our control
- Any services not mentioned in the inclusions
1. Air Fare (to be billed in a separately)
- Delhi-Jammu flight charges
- Jammu-Leh flight charges
Druk Expeditions is our local travel agency
Dates
The pilgrimage starts on arrival Jammu on 21st of May and concludes on 9th of June when you are dropped at your departure accommodation in Delhi early evening of 10th June.
Arrival to Jammu by Flight There are a number of flights in the morning. Our suggestion is the Air India flight (AI821) as it has the included luggage of 25kg and leaves at 10.45am and arrives at 12.05. Total flight time is about 1 hour and 40 minutes. You need to be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to your flight to avoid any rush. `
You will be met at Jammu airport and transferred by taxi to your hotel, where you may rest and settle into your hotel room.
Arrival to Jammu by Car or Bus – Jammu is approx 600 Kms., 10-12 hrs drive from Delhi. There are overnight buses and a train is also available and each will drop you in Jammu early in the morning. Transport can be arranged by our travel agents Druk Expeditions.