Himalayan Buddhism in India

Himalayan Buddhism in
India June 22 - July 5, 2009
This study trip celebrates the importance of nature in Indian spirituality, combining the beauty of the Himalaya with the study of its rich and diverse cultures.  The class will visit Dharamsala, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Taj Mahal in Agra, and Darjeeling. Learn about Tibetan culture, yoga, and the natural history of the Himalayas from the experts.

Day 1-2 Fly Seattle Delhi via Seoul on Asiana Airlines
Arrive Delhi 11:20 pm on Day 2. Group is met at Indira Gandhi International Airport and taken to Likir House, a Tibetan guesthouse owned by Dali Lama’s sister-in-law.
Day 3 Delhi - Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh
Fly to Dharamsala. Check into hotel and you are free to explore. McLeodganj serves as the residence of His Holiness, The 14th Dalai Lama - Tenzin Gyatso, who when he had to flee Tibet was allotted Mcleodganj as his new home of refuge. The whole area displays Tibetan culture and crafts at their finest so much so that it has been nick-named “Little Lhasa. Overnight Kashmir Cottages.
Day 4 Dharamsala
Morning lecture on Tibetan Buddhism. We will tour Dharamsala temples and monasteries, and visit the Norbulingka Institute Tibetan Cultural Museum. See the website at http://www.norbulingka.org/ for more information. Overnight Kashmir Cottages.
Day 5 Dharamsala
You will have the morning free to rest or explore the colorful main bazaar. Fly back to Delhi at 3:45. Proceed to Likir House.
Day 6 Rishikesh
Catch early morning train for Dehradun then drive to Rishikesh, "the world-capital of Yoga," through which flows the sacred river Ganga from the Himalayas into the plains of northern India. Many temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along its banks. It is believed that meditation in Rrishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. Overnight Great Ganga Hotel, Rishikesh.

Day 7 Rishikesh
Morning yoga. After breakfast lecture, Hinduism: A Way of Life.” Afternoon temple tour along the river. Overnight Great Ganga Hotel
Day 8 Rishikesh -- Haridwar
Morning yoga. After breakfast drive to Haridwar. In Hindi, Haridwar stands for Dwar of Hari or Gateway to God, with 'Hari' meaning god and 'dwar' meaning gate. Haridwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places to Hindus. On this day we will visit the Chandi Devi temple by cable car and walk along the Ganges taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of this festive and sacred city.
Day 9 Rishikesh – Shitabdi Express to Agra
After yoga and breakfast, take the train from Haridwar to Agra
Reach Agra, check in at hotel. Morning free. 4:00 pm guided tour of Taj Mahal. Overnight Man Singh Palace.
Day 10 Agra
After breakfast drive to Fatehpur Sikri home of Mogul emperor, Akbar. This beautiful and mysterious walled city that was abruptly abandoned in 1585. Overnight Man Singh Palace.
Day 11 Agra – Delhi – Bagdogra – Darjeeling
Darjeeling (elevation 2,134 m) hugs the hillside and on a clear day has magnificent views of the eastern Himalayan peaks.
Day 12 Darjeeling
Visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park home to the Siberian tiger, Himalayan black bear, red panda, snow leopard and many other animal and bird species. Nearby is the snow leopard breeding center and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Natural History Museum, with its fine display of Himalayan wildlife.
Day 13 Darjeeling
After breakfast we will go to Observatory Hill which has Hindu and Buddhist shrines, we will visit Dhirdham, a Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center and a major center for the production of Tibetan carpets, woodwork and leather goods. In the afternoon we will see the Buddhist monasteries of Bhutia Busty, Thupten Sangag Choling (Dali) and Yiga - Choling (Ghoom)
Day 14 Darjeeling – Bagdogra - Delhi
After breakfast we will take the Batasia Loop toy train, a marvelous feat of railway engineering and then visit the Happy Valley tea estate, 3 kms away from the main town (Chowk Bazaar), towards the North. The estate produces world class Tea, and is one of the oldest and most renowned tea estates in India.
Day 15 Delhi
Fly back to Delhi. As time permits we will see more Delhi sights before connecting to your return flight home.
Day 16 Arrive back in Seattle

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