AT LONG LAST WE MANAGED TO VISIT THIS PARADISE! 

I myself have been planning for this tour for a number of years but for some reason the time was not right. In the last quarter of 2015, after seeing so many projects were done in Ladakh and so many donors were involved, I made a resolution that I will bring some of these donors there to see for themselves what they have contributed. So an itinerary was planned and the route and coordination were all done while I was in Sera Je in December last year. This is the final outcome:-

Ladahk Tour 2016

A 10 days merit making journey organized by Varada Effort that starts before but ending on the second day of the auspicious month of Saga Dawa to the foothill of Himalayas. In this tour, we retrace the footsteps of the past Mahasidas and see how Buddhism has spread over the last thousand years.

Itinerary:-

Day 1 (April 29^th)

Morning flight AI 381 from Singapore to Delhi at 11:00, arriving in Delhi at 12:25. A museum tour to view the Buddha’s relic, then to Tibet House and dinner will be arranged before we come back to the airport in the night.

Day 2 (Apr 30^th)

Early morning flight AI 445 at 05:55 from Delhi arriving Leh at 07:25. Transfer to Padma Hotel and rest to acclimatize. Later in the afternoon, after ample rest, we can take a slow stroll to the market place to experience the Ladakhi way of life.

Day 3 (May 1^st)

After breakfast, proceed to Stok where the big Buddha site is. Along the way we will visit Stok Palace Museum. Puja for the visitors and walk around Stok village.  Proceed to Ngari Institute to stay in their guesthouse.

Day 4 (May 2^nd)

Visit Thiksey Monastery and Thagtok Monastery. Stay in Ngari Guesthouse and a cultural show will be featured in the night.

Day 5 (May 3^rd)

Visit Hemis Monastery and HHDL’s palace. Stay in Ngari Guesthouse. 

Day 6 (May 4^th)

In the morning a short teaching by Geshe la to explain the significance of the coming Saga Dawa and the kind of meritorious practices that one can do during this one month period, followed by guided meditation by Geshe la before we pay a visit to Ladakhi family home and have a taste of how typical Ladakhi food is like. **A visit to the Tibetan Children Village and followed by shopping in town for those who like to buy some local souvenirs.

Day 7 (May 5^th)

Drive westward towards Lamayuru Monastery. Visit Likir Monastery and Alchi Monastery along the way. Overnight stay near Lamayuru, staying in Hotel Moonland Lamayuru or its equivalent.

Day 8 (May 6^th)

Visit Lamayuru Monastery and on the way back, visit Rizong Monastery. Return to stay in Ngari Guesthouse.

Day 9 (May 7^th)

Proceed to Spituk Monastery and if possible join them for puja to mark this auspicious first day of Saga Dawa. Circumambulation round the Shanti Stupa. Return to Ngari Institute Guesthouse in late afternoon. Farewell party the Ladakhi way will be held by the host. Not only the children from the Institute will perform for us, we can also join in the song and dance with them. Rest in Guesthouse and get ready to leave for airport the next morning.

Day 10 (May 8^th)

Take morning flight AI 446 at 11:00 from Leh to Delhi, arriving at 12:35. Evening at 22:00 will board AI 380 to come back to home sweet home. Arriving the next morning (9^th May) at 06:20.

** We may change the visit to TCV to the day before as it is in the same area of HHDL’s palace. I will discuss the timing after liaising with Gen Yeshi and their secretary of TCV to see whichever is more convenient for both. 

So 10 of us went for the above tour and a good time was had by all. These are some of the photos that we had:-

A stop at Tibet House in Delhi to meet Geshe Dorji while we wait for our next early morning departure:-

Welcome at the Leh airport by our dear monks from Ngari Institute:-                                                 

A lunch after we checked into our hotel to acclimatize for a day:-

                                      

Now going to the place that we have been longing for:-

A whole day Puja done for all the sponsors in the making of the Big Buddha in Stok;-

Sweets offered to all after refilling the oil of the giant lamp and smoke puja outside the Big Buddha:-         

Sorting out the gift packs for the children of Ngari Institute:-

The older childtren of Ngari Institute in their TCV school uniform:-                                                      

A visit to TCV Leh to see the little ones leaning dancing and singing:-

We are just meditating next to the cave where Guru Rinpoche Padmasambava practised there:-

Little Potala Thiksey Monastery:-

 A beautiful gigantic statute of Maitreya that stretches over three floors:-

The night party begins with gifts given to the children of Ngari Institute:-                                          

We all put not only our names onto our pencil box set but also our aspiration into the little notebook:-

Local cultural show put up by our host to welcome us:-                                                                   

Children sitting outside Norling Guesthouse to get ready to enjoy the show as well:-

A visit to our beloved guru's summer palace, which looks a little like Norbulingka in Tibet:-    

Teaching and Q&A with Geshe la to clarify some doubts on Buddhist practice:-

Each of us get to plant an apple tree in front of the monks' hostel. We will definitely have to come back to see the fruits of our labour and love:-

Now for our own aspirations and clearing of obstacles. May these giant prayer flags send our the blessings to the sentient beings and may they be well and happy:-                                                  

It's time to say goodbye and we will meet again. Thank you for your songs and dances for us. We all have enjoyed each other's company tremendously. By the   time we next meet I am sure all of you       will be much taller. But meantime some nice cream cakes for the children, which to them is a rare    treat:-                                                                                                                                                     

Gen Yeshi thank you for being a wonderful host and gave us all a memorable time. Beautiful               mountains and rivers; we will miss you all. Hopefully we can come back again soon.