LADAKH: Little Tibet
Hemis and Yuru Kabgyat Festivals
June 6-June 25, 2008
20 Days
The Hemis Festival is one of the most remarkable celebrations in all of Tibetan Buddhism. Each year Hemis Gompa (Lone Place of the Compassionate Person) has a two-day festival. The momentous nature of this will bring Buddhist pilgrims from all over the mountain regions to witness the spectacular drama dances of Buddhism. Also, we will witness the Yura Kabgyat Festival, at Lamayuru Gompa, a Gompa whose setting is nothing short of breathtaking.
Ladakh lies within the specter of the most massive mountain ranges on Earth ... the Karakoram ... the Ladakh ... the Zanskar ... and the Himalaya. This region is a high-altitude desert plateau that is of great interest to people who are fascinated by the world's high places and the history of Tibet. As the cradle of Buddhism, the religion spread to Tibet. Today, it is only here that the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism is found as a living, thriving religion. And where, a visitor has the opportunity to witness times past, through the thronged festival at the Hemis Gompa and accessible masterpieces of Buddhist art at Alchi Gompa.
While Ladakh is, today, far more Tibetan than Tibet (because of the manner in which China has changed Tibet) the topographical and cultural resemblances to Tibet are only part of her appeal. Here you will evidence an intermingling of cultures, an astounding array of mountain vistas, an uncompromising monastic tradition and a people who will strike a chord of consonance in your heart. There is something spiritually stirring about the silence and isolation of the place.
DAY by DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 June 6, 2008 Friday Departure from NEW YORK DAY 2 June 7, 2008 Saturday Enroute to INDIA DAY 3 June 8, 2008 Sunday Sightseeing in DELHI
DAY 6 June 11, 2008 Wednesday Sightseeing in LEH VALLEY
DAY 9 June 14, 2008 Saturday HEMIS, SHEY & THIKSEY DAY 10 June 15, 2008 Sunday Drive to HUNDER
DAY 14 June 19, 2008 Thursday
Drive to LAMAYURU DAY 15 June 20, 2008 Friday Return to LEH DAY 16 June 21, 2008 Saturday Majestic PANGONG TSO LAKE DAY 17 June 22, 2008 Sunday Return to LEH Day 18 June 23, 2008 Monday Fly to DELHI DAY 19 June 24, 2008 Tuesday In DELHI DAY 20 June 25, 2008 Wednesday Return USA TRIP PRICE: $7,750.00 for Ladakh land portion only (based on 6 participants) SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: $912.00  Click Here This price includes: all accommodations based on double occupancy; all meals; tea or coffee, ie. beverages presented as part of or taken with the daily meals; all land transportation; sightseeing and tours; all internal flights and domestic airport taxes (flights within the India); all model fees including the private models and private performances; all domestic transfers and ground transportation; all porterage in hotels and airports within India; and all entrance fees, service charges and taxes. This price covers all gratuities to guides and drivers throughout the trip. We will travel in private 4WD Tata-Sumos or jeeps. Each photographer will have 2 seats and ample room for their equipment. Our professional, hand-selected, national guide will travel with us throughout the trip to enhance our daily photographic opportunities and our appreciation and understanding of the country. Please note: Occasionally the ground operator passes along an increased charge. Generally, VIP Expeditions absorbs these costs. However, sometimes they must be passed along to our clients. While we do not expect this, you must be aware of the possibility. TRIP PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Passport fees; India visa fees; U.S. airfare, roundtrip airfare from the East Coast; vaccinations; inoculations; international departure taxes; items of a personal nature, eg. laundry, telephone, alcoholic or personal beverages, etc.; personal tips; trip cancellation, travel delay or baggage insurance; charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of VIP Expeditions; and excess baggage. CAMPING: Our camping arrangements will be the best available for this part of the world. We will be in a permanent-tented camp for a total of five nights. These facilities have beds, mattresses, quilts (you will need your own sleeping bag), common toilets and dining tent. There is a complete staff to handle everything in camp. A true diversity of cuisine is not available in this part of the world. However, we will have the best possible meals prepared for us three times per day. Brian Vikander will lead this once-in-a-lifetime experience. He is an internationally recognized photographer whose work has appeared in virtually every publication that deals with the world of exotic travel, including: 1) National Geographic publications; 2) New York Times Travel; 3) the Getty Conservation Trust; and 4) Smithsonian, among others. Brian has conducted more than 60 photographic trips, on six continents, over the years and has an excellent feel for the destination, as well as the requirements of trip participants. His goal is to have you better understand the manner in which you can capture your impressions. |
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