Buddhist Pilgrimage 2010/2011 with Lama Choedak Rinpoche
As is the tradition with Buddhist pilgrimage the Four Holy Sites that were indicated by the Buddha as places to honour Him will be taken in.
Lama Choedak has been leading Budddhist pilgrimages regularly for more than 20 years. The tours are always excellently organised by local guides, and accommodation is usually of a very good standard. Transportation is mostly in private air-conditioned buses except for the long distances that may be covered by over-night sleeper train or even domestic plane flights.
These pilgrimage tours are very popular, and will be offered to those who join the pilgrimage early. As there will be a limit to the size of the group, those who are interested should make their arrangements as soon as possible.
Click here for a detailed report on the 2008/2009 pilgrimage.
Itinery
A tentative itinery for this years pilgrimage has been prepared as follows:
Thursday 16 December - Depart Australia/arrive Kathmandu (see flight options being offered below with Thor Travel).
Friday 17-21 December - Sight seeing in Kathmandu. Based at Bodh Nath Stupa visits will include the monastery and relics of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, International Buddhist Academy and holy Buddhist sights in the Kathmandhu Valley. Bodh Nath is always a highlight and the best place to purchase quality dharma items including statues and thangkas.
Wednesday 22-24 December - Fly to Pokhara and sight seeing including visiting Rinpoche's family.
Saturday 25-26 December - Drive to Lumbini and visit the birth-place of the Buddha and international monastic encalve. All traditions of Buddhism are represented here, as with all the holy sites of the Buddha. There are stunning temples to visit. This is the location of two monasteries of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche and the location where Lama Choedak completed his three year retreat.
Monday 27 December - Drive to Kushinagar, India, where the Buddha passed away and visit the Mahaparinirvana Stupa
Tuesday 28-29 December - Drive to Nalanda/Rajgir. Here we visit the huge archeaological excavations of the ancient Buddhist university of Nalanda with its stupa to Shariputra. Vultures Peak is the very holy ground where Buddha gave many of his most revered teachings.
Friday 30 December - 1 January - Sight seeing in Bodh Gaya. The location of Buddha's enlightenment and the magnificent stupa and mandala that honours that acheivement. Here we will have the opportunity to spend time sitting under the Bodhi Tree and meditating as well as visiting other monasteries and significant sights in the area.
Sunday 2-4 January - Drive to Varanasi. On the river Ganges, this most famous ancient holy city of Benares is situated a few kilometres from Sarnath where Buddha gave his first sermon. At Sarnath there is a wonderful stupa and grounds as well as a museum containing some of the most famous Buddhist sculptures that have been excavated from the site. The Tibetan Institute of Higher Education is also located in Sarnath. In the evening we visit the ghats of Varanasi and take a boat ride along the Ganges.
Wednesday 5 January - Train to Dehra Dun/Dharamsala(?). The programme for visiting Dharamsala will not be able to be confirmed to closer to the time.
Thursday 6-11 January - Dehra Dun is where His Holiness Sakya Trizin resides and the Sakya Centre, College and Nunnery.
Wednesday 12 January - Depart Delhi for Australia
This is an tentative itinerary and some details are likely to alter.
Costs
The land transport and twin-share accommodation will be approximately US $40 -$50 per day per person. We cannot as yet advise the single room rates. There is the possibility of a domestic plane flight to cover some of the larger distances more easily and this will have an effect on costs.
Flights
It is up to you to book your own return air flight. It is also your responsibility to obtain tourist visas for Nepal and India.
We are able to recommend the following flight bookings. If you booking through this travel agent you should indicate that you are part of Lama Choedak's pilgrimage party. However, please note that these listed flights are only recommended and you are not obliged to take these options.
The Thai Airways price is $2480 per person including taxes.
Thai
Airways 16 DEC SYDNEY - BANGKOK
10:15pm - 06:20am 17 DEC
Thai
Airways 17 DEC BANGKOK - KATHMANDU 10:35am -
12:50pm
Thai
Airways 12 JAN DELHI - BANGKOK
11:55am
- 05:25pm
Thai
Airways 12 JAN BANGKOK - SYDNEY
06:25pm - 07:35am
13 JAN
2. Cathay Pacific have fares for $1958 including taxes. This flight is not only cheaper but it also arrives on the same day. It is the one that Rinpoche recommends.
Cathay
Pacific 16
DEC
SYDNEY
- HONG
KONG
08:35am
- 02:50pm
Dragonair
16
DEC
HONG
KONG
- KATHMANDU
05:35pm
- 10:15pm
Cathay
Pacific
12
JAN
DELHI
- HONG
KONG
04:00am
- 02:30pm
Cathay
Pacific 12
JAN
HONG
KONG
- SYDNEY
07:05pm
-
07:15am
13
JAN
These flights can be booked through:
Thor Travel
22-32 Frome
Street
Adelaide SA 5000
p: (08) 8232 3071
Toll
Free: 1800 801 119
f: (08) 8232 3541
e1:
ayra@thorworldtravel.com
e2:
travel@thorworldtravel.com
www.thorworldtravel.com
Opening hours: Mon - Fri 9AM - 530PM
Registration
If you are interested in joining the pilgrimage you should register your interest by emailing Venerable Jampal at SIBA Retreat Centre and you will be put on a contact list.
To confirm your place please send your contact details including full name, address, email and phone number as well as the joining fee of $300 per person (money order only - no personal cheques accepted) made out to "Tibetan Translation Group" to Pilgrimage Organiser, PO Box 116, KIPPAX ACT 2615. This fee is not refundable unless the pilgrimage is cancelled by Rinpoche. All profits from this project will be donated to the Nalendra Project in Tibet.