Date/Time
Date(s) - September 24th – October 7th
All Day
Categories
(for full details and booking, please click here)
We’ll begin in the ancient city of Kathmandu (4600 ft.) nestled in the foot hills of the Himalaya and end in Varanasi situated on the banks of the Ganges river, one of the longest continually inhabited cities on the planet. We will make our way to Bodh Gaya, the “Mecca of Buddhism,” home to the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment, and representative monasteries and temples from all the world’s Buddhist cultures and traditions.
Far from a luxury vacation or a sightseeing tour, our trip is intended to be an immersion into the Buddhist worldview and a contemplative pilgrimage affording the opportunity of a lifetime to connect directly with the legacy of the Buddha himself. Throughout our journey we will be exposed to Nepal and India’s rich cultural diversity, explore the variety of ways Buddhist practitioners express themselves, and enter the stream of countless pilgrims who have come to Bodh Gaya over the last twenty-five centuries to pray, meditate, make offerings, and receive blessings at venerated places imbued with power and meaning.
Our local guide Amber Tamang is from a small village in Nepal’s Solu Khumbu region and has a Master’s Degree in Culture, Religion and Philosophy — his undergraduate law thesis was on legal protection for workers in tourism. An independent researcher in the culture and religion of the Himalayas, Amber has published articles in Nepali and English, including one for Mandala magazine. Amber first became a porter in 1992 and joined Himalayan High Treks as a guide in 1995 — introducing many travelers to the wonders of Nepal, Tibet and India. He has supported many pilgrimages and those who have traveled with him praise his patience and kindness. Amber and his family live in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Land cost will be from $2810-$3200 for those sharing a twin room and $3520-$3990 for those taking a single room. (Land cost is dependent on group size which will be from a minimum of ten to a maximum of 25). The trip will include one airfare from Kathmandu to Chitwan, transportation by best available vehicle and comfortable accommodation throughout starting with the Hyatt in Kathmandu and ending with the Taj Ganges in Varanasi. We’ll offer a $200 discount to each person who signs up and pays in full by April 24 (or a $100 discount if they sign-up with a $500 deposit by April 24 and pay for the for the trip by June 24).
Round-trip airfare to Kathmandu and home from Varanasi is estimated at $1772 from Tampa (on Qatar) and $1593 from Colorado (on Cathay Pacific) departing the U.S. on Friday Sept. 22 and returning on Sunday, Oct. 8.
Click here for full details and booking. We’d love to have you along!