November 20 - 28, 2012
Itinerary:
November 20: Arrive in Kathmandu and stay at Hyatt Regency Hotel.
November 21: Leave for Namo Buddha, arrive the same day, attend prayers; stay at Dhulikhel near Namo Buddha in the evening. Lunch and dinner at Namo Buddha.
November 22: Attend prayers at Namo Buddha, lunch and dinner at Namo Buddha.
November 23: Last day of Puja, make offerings of body, speech and mind for Rinpoche’s good health and long life; lunch and dinner at Namo Buddha; return to Kathmandu in the evening to the Hyatt Hotel.
November 24: Start pilgrimage - Visiting sites* in Pharphing such as the Asura or Yanglesho Caves, shrine of Tara; Chovar, Swayambhu Stupa; visit Thrangu Tara Abbey. Lunch at local restaurant, dinner at Tara Abbey.
November 25: Visit Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha (via flight, return same day), lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
November 26/27: Visit local sites in Kathmandu and Thamel; visit Rinpoche’s monastery and school; shopping and rest. Lunch and dinner on own.
November 28: Those joining the trip to visit HHK will depart for India, others return to home city.
*Pilgrimage sites:
1. Pharphing – Guru Rinpoche meditated and attained the “Essence of Great Bliss” here in the Yanglesho Caves. He practiced the sadhana of Yangdak Heruka with his consort Shakyadevi, the daughter of a king of Nepal. Powerful spirits caused a three year drought, with famine and disease. Guru Rinpoche's teachers came from India with the tantras and commentaries of Vajrakilaya to help pacify them. Guru Rinpoche and Shakyadevi both attained the third vidyadhara level, the vidyadhara of mahamudra. He also composed the sadhanas of Yangdak and Vajrakilaya combined, and bound the guardians of Vajrakilaya to protect the teachings.
2. Swayambhu Stupa - According to Swayambhu Purana, the Kathmandu Valley was once a lake. It is believed that Manjushri saw a lotus flower in the center of the lake and cut a gorge at Chovar to allow the lake to drain. Thus the valley became habitable and the place where the lotus flower settled was where the Swayambhu Stupa was built. Swayambhunath is among the oldest and most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. The Tibetan name for the site means "Sublime Trees", for the many varieties of trees found on the hill.
3. Shrine of Tara - These are two well-known self-arisen Tara images.
Total Cost: $3,600 CAD, double occupancy; $500 additional fee for single room occupancy
Land Tour Only Fee: $1800 CAD
The tour package includes:
- Round trip airfare from Vancouver to Kathmandu
- Accommodations with breakfast and meals as per itinerary
- Local transportation
- Government taxes
- Group offerings
Cost does not include:
- Nepal Travel Visa fee
- Travel Medical Insurance
- Additional individual contributions/donations
- Optional tips for guides/drivers
- Nov 28 tour fee to India
To Register:
·Return the form below with a non-refundable deposit fee of $800 CAD and a photocopy of Passport by August 25th
·Non-refundable Final Payment due October 1
·Nepal Tourist Visas for Canadian and US citizens and permanent residents may be obtained at Kathmandu Airport