On this guided tour you will receive priceless experience of an ancient Tibetan culture, blessings from many highly realised beings, a profound opportunity to develop wisdom and an exceptional view to live a happy and meaningful life.
Rinpoche will guide us to remote villages, sacred sites, temples and monasteries in Tibet, most of them have never had western visitors before. These places have unique customs and lifestyles reflecting their remote location, both travelers and local people will experience a fresh and vibrant exchange of cultural differences.
We will visit several monasteries from the Jonang tradition, a branch of Buddhism which is almost unknown in the West yet is flourishing in Tibet today.



Cost

Horse riding
3-week tour (Part 1): AUD $3,600
4-week tour (Part 1 & 2):  AUD $4,800
This includes all accommodation, main meals and transport, translation, teachings, donations and entrance fees. The cost does not include airfare, it is up to you to arrange your own flight.
A 20% deposit is required by 20 June 2007 and the balance is due before 10 July 2007.
Please contact us to arrange a suitable method of payment.


Itinerary (Part 1)

15 July
6.00pm: The tour begins in Chengdu, China, with participants meeting with Rinpoche in Chengdu City for dinner at a traditional Tibetan restaurant. Then stay overnight in a hotel.
16 July
On the second day, the group will catch a bus and travel about 320 kilometres to Balkam province in Tibet by bus and stay overnight in a hotel, for some relaxation. Balkam is surrounded by high, steep mountains and vast forests, providing excellent photo opportunities. The Marchu river flows from Chengdu through the centre of Balkam, the sound of the roaring river echoes throughout the village. The Tibetan community  live mostly on the outskirts of the town on the steep forested slopes, where the views are very beautiful. The Tibetans in the Balkam region have a very distinctive lifestyle that is interesting when compared to our Western culture.
17 July
Free morning, you may choose to relax or go shopping  & meet the local people, meet at lunchtime. Afternoon visit to monasteries and visit with local Tibetan families.
18 July
Travel 190 kilometres to Dzamthang  region and stay at Dzamthang Monastery (home to 3,000monks and over 1000 years old) it was here that Rinpoche was chosen to be a teacher and where Rinpoche’s own Root Lama lived. A very special official welcoming ceremony and a meeting with Abbot & Kalachakra Master Gutrul Rinpoche Jigme Dorje and other lamas.You may sleep in a house or a tent. 
The actual topography of Dzamthang is very different to that of the mountainous Balkam region. Dzamthang is a beautiful place of vast
plains covered in wildflowers and surrounded by many ancient monasteries.  Summer is an amazingly beautiful experience in Dzamthang as all flora is fresh and newly grown after the barren winter.  There will be excellent photo
opportunities.
The “Dzamthang Gompa”, which dates back nearly 1,000 years houses monks of the Jonang lineage who have occupied this monastery for at least
640 years; before this “Zamthang Gompa” was a monastery belonging to Bonpo, a religion that predated the introduction of Buddhism in Tibet.
19 July
Morning relaxation. Lunch with Rinpoche’s friend Khenpo Karma Dorje.  After lunch meeting Lamas and Tulkus (recognised reincarnations) to receive blessings and a tour of the monastery. A visit with a nomad lay yogi.
20 July
Viewing of rare relics at Dzamthang monastery, observe  the monks practising many levels of Kalachakra six yoga retreat and enjoy and receive blessings from tantric dancers.
21 July
Visit Chotung monastery and practise  some meditation in Rinpoche’s master’s house to make a connection with Rinpoche’s master.
Chotung Monastery is the home of Rinpoche’s root teacher, where monks and the lay community may welcome Rinpoche and the group with a traditional formal welcoming ceremony. Such welcoming ceremonies are held only for distinguished guests and as part of the tour we will be privileged to share in this colourful and exciting spectacle.
Chotung monastery is situated in the Dzamthang region where there will be many interesting activities to partake in. Rinpoche will introduce us to the Tibetan community and give us the opportunity to stay in a monastery and be blessed by the abbots  and monks  We will see the traditional colorful
religious ceremonies performed by the monks playing Tibetan horns, drums and other musical instruments.
22 July
We will have the good fortune to visit and be blessed by a Buddhist yogi Lama Kontsul Kyangngak ,who has been in solitary retreat for 16 years, a very rare opportunity made possible by Rinpoche’s close connections. This is a unique chance to discover how a recluse, completely cut off from the world practices.
We will make a lunch offering to the Lama, then we join together for lunch.  Rinpoche has a long discussion with the Lama while others may relax, experience the mountain environment and observe the lifestyle of the local people. Or a free afternoon.
23 July
Catch a bus or taxi to Yarthang monastery 160 kilometres, in Golok Pema region,  Rinpoche’s master’s secondary monastery  where he first taught when he was young. From this time onward he was respected as a great realisation master and people were completely devoted to him. We stay the night in a hotel or a tent.  We will have dinner with the Khenpo’s of the monastery.
24 July
Travel 100 kilometres to Golok Denang Gompa Nyingma monastery where Rinpoche was first ordained. This is the neighbouring area of Rinpoche’s home village. This is the home of many Dzogchen masters who Rinpoche has known since childhood.  We will attend a great puja celebrating Guru Rinpoche Day.
25 July
Relaxation and entertainment with Rinpoche’s childhood friends and cousins, we will also meet with a few lamas from the monastery. We then travel 40 kilometers to Dong Yang village where Rinpoche was born.  A welcome ceremony will be held and the traditional offering of scarves from everyone from the village will be made followed by a speech from Rinpoche.  You may stay in a house or tent. We have the oportunity to ride horses or yaks if you wish. Then we will stay in the local monastery, house or tent near the beautiful and famous Machu river.
The people of Dong Yang live in tents called Rwas that are made from yak hair. They are very strong and thick and last for nearly 50 years.
The community there will cook for us and invite us to visit them and eat inside their Rwas. We are able to go for walks in the mountains, go swimming and ride horses and yaks. From the mountaintop the view to the far distance can be seen in all directions, the scenery is spectacular, the air is fresh and wildflowers can be seen everywhere as the sound of the flowing river fills the air.
26 July
Watch the local horse and yak riders, athletics competitions, weight lifting, high jump, long jump and running races etc.  You may also offer to challenge the locals to a swimming race in the Machu river if you wish.
27 July
Morning meditation followed by a tour of the monastery.  Afternoon visit to the Machu river for swimming, relaxation and enjoying the unpolluted natural environment and clean air. The Machu river begins it’s journey in Tibet and flows down through China into the ocean.
28 July
Walk to a Sherwod monastery, a local Gelugpa monastery for a tour.  The monks of Sherwod monastery hold the practise of not eating meat which is very uncommon in Tibet.  The monks of this monastery wear yellow robes rather than the traditional maroon colour, they generally adhere to the practise of Nyonyi, which is to only eat one meal every two days. Relaxation afterwards or the option of doing other things.
29 July
Tsog Puja with monks for the full moon to accumulate merit and blessings. Rinpoche’s brother will give a small empowerment as a gift for those on the tour. Monks prepare for their summer retreat.
30 July
View the opening of the summer retreat, visit Rinpoche’s nomadic summer village and have dinner with his extended family.
31 July
Travel 60 kilometres to the beautiful turquiose coloured sacred Shintso lake and Yetse mountain and camp overnight. Shintso lake is renowned among Tibetans to be the mandala of Buddha Drupa Kagyud. The scenery is magnificent with the snowcapped Yitsey Mountains high above and the famous lake at their feet,  If we are fortunate we will join with hundreds of monks who will be conducting  a special ceremony for world peace.  Entertaiment with the nomads by the lake in the evening.
1 August
Travel 150 kilometres to Amdo Ngawa region and stay in a hotel. Amdo Ngawa is topographically different from the Dzamthang region and the beautiful scenery there will make for good photo opportunities. This area is also home to many Jonang monasteries such as Se Gompa which we can visit.  There is also a very large Gelug Monastery where Rinpoche used to study, which is home to about 3000 Monks.  We will be able to visit the monastery and attend a debating class to experience the style in which Rinpoche and all monks are trained.There are many spectacular shops where we can buy a variety of Tibetan and Chinese goods.  We will have free shopping and relaxation time.
2 August 
Free day in Amdo Ngawa, visit monasteries, go shopping and enjoy the sights.
3 August 
Travel 500 kilometres to Chengdu city in a bus and stay in a hotel. The three week tour finishes here, you may wish to stay on and visit the panda park, go shopping or take in the local sights. There is no need for a guide in Chengdu city, you may fly out from here to any destination. 
Itinerary (Part 2)
1 August 
Travel 110 kilometres to Sangtuk Teksay monasteric museum and visit the magical Dharma King Gesers palace.  See the exquisite art gallery and relic museum.
2 August
Travel 130 kilometres to Tawo town, the capital of Golok and stay in a hotel for some relaxation.  In the afternoon, meet with Geshe Delek Rabgye one of the Rinpoche’s teachers and Lama Choeyang, a Jonangpa yogi and several other siddhas with magical memory powers. This is a large city with many shopping pportunities, we will visit some of Rinpoches’ cousins.
3 August 
Meeting Dongpas, very special people who remember many lives and stories and who have written many books on the subject. Some shopping and relaxation.
4 August
Travel 310 kilometres to Tsolho region and stay in a hotel for some relaxation. 
5 August
Travel 70 kilometres to a sacred and holy lake called Tso Amitabha, 400 kilometres in diameter where many ancient sages attained enlightenment.  Meditation and a blessing ceremony in the evening and a stay in a tent hotel  with a view of the lake. There may be an opportunity to meet great beings there.
6 August 
Travel 300 kilometres to Kubum monastery, Lama Tsong Khapa’s monastery and see a spontaneously formed tree with 100,000 images on the leaves from his birth place.  Then travel 40 kilometres to the 14th Dalai Lama’s birth place and then to Xining city, the capital of Quinghai province and stay in a hotel.
Once a key trading post on the southern Silk Route, Xining is perched on the northern edge of the Tibetan plateau and has a large Muslim population.
7 August 
Relaxation and shopping, there are many Muslem Chinese and Tibetan shops.We may have the opportunity to meet famous Tibetan actors and singers.
8 August 
From this day we have two choices. We may either get a flight to Chengdu or travel over 1000 kilometres to Kanlho province by train to experience the incredibly beautiful Tibetan environment. Many believe this to be the most incredibly beautiful environment in the whole world. 
9 August
Rinpoche has friends (Lamas) at a monastery in this area who we may meet if we have time.
10 August 
Continue traveling to Chengdu by train whilst experiencing the beautiful environment and different cultures and customs.
11 August
Stay in Chengdu at a hotel. The tour finishes here by the next day, you may stay here for longer if you wish to enjoy the Chinese city, shops, temples and pandas, everything is available and easy to access from here. You may easily continue traveling to any destination from here.


Introduction to the regions
The tour begins in Chengdu, China, with participants meeting with Rinpoche in Chengdu City.


Ceremonial tent
On the second day, the group will catch a bus and travel to a moderately sized town called Balkam, in Tibet. Balkam is surrounded by high, steep mountains and vast forests, providing excellent photo opportunities. The Marchu river flows from Chengdu through the centre of Balkam, the sound of the roaring river echoes throughout the village. The Tibetan community  live mostly on the outskirts of the town on the steep forested slopes, where the views are very beautiful. The Tibetans in the Balkam region have a very distinctive lifestyle that is interesting when compared to our Western culture.
Kham Zamthang Region
After two nights in Balkam, we will travel about 200 kilometres to the Zamthang region, home to many large Jonang Buddhist monasteries. This was the region where Rinpoche's own root lama lived and Rinpoche himself lived here for seven years.
Zamthang & Choethang Monastery
The actual topography of Zamthang is very different to that of the mountainous Balkam region. Zamthang is a beautiful place of vast plains covered in wildflowers and surrounded by many ancient monasteries.  Summer is an amazingly beautiful experience in Zamthang as all flora is fresh and newly grown after the barren winter.  There will be excellent photo opportunities.
The “Zamthang Gompa”, which dates back nearly 1,000 years houses monks of the Jonang lineage who have occupied this monastery for at least 640 years; before this “Zamthang Gompa” was a monastery belonging to Bonpo, a religion that predated the introduction of Buddhism in Tibet. Before his departure from Tibet, Rinpoche was invited to teach the many monks belonging to this monastery on a permanent basis.
We will stay at Zamthang Monastery for five nights and travel to Choethang Monastery the home of Rinpoche’s root teacher, where monks and the lay community will welcome Rinpoche and the group with a traditional formal welcoming ceremony. Such welcoming ceremonies are held only for distinguished guests and as part of the tour we will be privileged to share in this colourful and exciting spectacle.
Choethang monastery is situated in the Zamthang region where there will be many interesting activities to partake in.
Rinpoche will introduce us to the Tibetan community and give us the opportunity to stay in a monastery and be blessed by the abbots  and monks  We will see the traditional colourful religious ceremonies performed by the monks playing Tibetan horns, drums and other musical instruments.
We will have the good fortune to visit and be blessed by a Buddhist yogi who has been in solitary retreat for 16 years, a very rare opportunity made possible by Rinpoche’s close connections. This is a unique chance to discover how a recluse, completely cut off from the world practices
Amdo Ngawa Region
After Zamthang, we travel about 150 kilometres to Amdo Ngawa where we stay in one of the local hotels.
Amdo Ngawa is topographically different from the Zamthang region and the beautiful scenery there will make for good photo opportunities. This area is also home to many Jonang monasteries such as Se Gompa which we will visit.  There is also a very large Gelug Monastery where Rinpoche used to study, which is home to about 3000 Monks.  We will be able to visit the monastery and attend a debating class to experience the style in which Rinpoche and all monks are trained.
There are many spectacular shops where we can buy a variety of Tibetan and Chinese goods.
Golok Region - Mountain, Lake, and Jamda Monastery

After the stay in Amdo Ngawa, we will visit a Jonang Monastery called Nginyu Monastery and meet Khenpo Choezed. We continue on to Jamda Monastery where we will stay the night. After lunch we continue on to Daser where we will stay at Khenpo Lobsang Chopel’s house, and enjoy a delicious dinner at the local restaurant.
Dong Yang Village – Rinpoche’s Birthplace 
After staying with Khenpo Lobsang Chopel, we travel to Dong Yang village where Rinpoche was born.  A welcome ceremony will be held and the traditional offering of scarves from everyone from the village will be made followed by a speech from Rinpoche.
Over the next 6 days, we sleep in tents and bathe in the river.  We will sleep in an undercover communal place called a Rwa where we are able to pitch our tents.  We will take a day trip to the  Machu river, which begins it’s journey in Tibet and flows down through China into the ocean.  After this we may visit some of Rinpoche’s relatives who live in the nearby valleys..
The people of Dong Yang live in tents called Rwas that are made from yak hair. They are very strong and thick and last for nearly 50 years. The community there will cook for us and invite us to visit them and eat inside their Rwas.
We are able to go for walks in the mountains and ride horses and yaks. From the mountaintop the view to the far distance can be seen in all directions, the scenery is spectacular, the air is fresh and wildflowers can be seen everywhere as the sound of the flowing river fills the air.
After that we travel about 150 kilometres to a very huge mountain and lake renowned among Tibetans to be the mandala of Buddha Drupa Kagyud. The scenery is magnificent with the snowcapped Yitsey Mountains high above and the famous lake at their feet, we will camp here for the night.
We then journey back to Amdo Ngawa and stay for 2 nights enjoying the luxury of a hotel room and hot running water
After this we travel back to Chengdu where you may take the opportunity to visit the panda park or do some last minute shopping.


Golok region

For those continuing on the tour, we will visit Golokul, the capital of Golok and stay for two nights.  This is a large city with many shopping opportunities, we will visit some of Rinpoches’ teachers including the renowned Geshe Deluk Rabkye and have dinner with Rinpoches’ cousins.
We will have the opportunity to meet with some of the local people who can remember past lives and hundreds of stories of the King of Geser and we will visit monasteries.
Blue Lake & Xilang City
We travel to the famous blue lake about 1,000 kilometres in circumference.  Many highly realised beings stayed on the island mountain in the middle of the lake and gained extraordinary attainments.  We will stay the night in the luxurious tent hotel. 
We then journey to Xilang city, the capital of Quinhai and stay in a hotel and visit Kubum Monastery (Je Tsong Kapa’s monastery)  We will see a holy tree where Je Tsong Kapa’s mother gave birth to him and visit the home town of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.  We will have the opportunity to meet some Tibetan scholars and singers and plenty of shopping opportunities.

General information

Travelers will need to take into consideration many things:
This will be the first time westerners will be entering some of these regions. The local people will not understand our language or customs.  Rinpoche thus requests that some simple requests be followed:
* Please have respect for the sacred places.
* Please do not point your feet or toes in the direction of altars or lamas.
* Please do not walk over Buddhist scripture texts or sacred objects.
* Try not to talk during teachings.
* Be considerate to others you are travelling with.
Rinpoche will offer any further instructions during the journey. Also please feel free to ask Rinpoche any questions during the journey.


Daily program
Khentrul Rinpoche & Khenpo Konsul

* Each day there will be 30 minutes set aside for group meditation practice
* Rinpoche may offer spontaneous teachings.
* There will also be time set aside for group discussion, sharing and listening.
* Rinpoche and group leaders will discuss the day’s itinerary and any changes.
* You are requested to follow the agreed-upon timetable as closely as possible.
What to bring or buy before going to remote areas
* Tent, sleeping bag, warm protective clothing, summer clothes, good walking shoes, raincoat, torch,  hat, sunscreen, water bottles, set of good clothes to wear to teachings in monasteries, toiletries neck pillow for bus, walking pack, towel and swimmers, packets of face wipes and an umbrella.
* Food bars, packet miso soup, coffee, condensed milk tube, any personal food requirements you may wish to bring. Altitude sickness medicine, your own first aid kit, your own toilet roll.
* Women may like to bring a long skirt as this is what the women in this region wear (also easier to squat and look respectful in open places).
* Your sense of good humour, flexibility and curious open heart and mind.
* Film, camera, journals, songs you can share with others and a sense of fun.
* Roads are winding, so we recommend you bring motion sickness pills or acupuncture bands if you are prone to getting car sick.
Make sure you always carry at least a photocopy of your passport and visa.
Please email us or phone +61 3 9754 6212 if you have more enquiries.


Please read this carefully

If you travel to Tibet, we ask that you will agree to the following: under no circumstances will you hold the Tibetan Buddhist Rime Institute, its members or group leaders responsible for any loss or damage to your belongings or to yourself.
You will agree to accept arrival times and departures as requested by the group leaders.
You are able to provide a doctors certificate if required, and you have fully covered yourself with Travel Insurance for this journey.
Ensure that you check with your doctor if you need any Immunizations before traveling overseas.


View photographs from the 2006 Tibet tour at webpage http://www.rimebuddhism.com/tours_tibet.html


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