Ladakh Pilgrimage August 2-18, 2020 (17 Days) Dr. Miles Neale & Local Guests BREIF OVERVIEW Julley! (Greetings in Ladakhi). This 17-day pilgrimage takes us to Ladakh (aka “Little Tibet”) in the Himalayan region of Northern India where we will be immersed in Tibetan Buddhism, along with a host of Ladakhi cultural practices including traditional medicine, divination, astrology, ritual, art and eco-sustainability. Ladakh offers a unique time capsule for life as it once was in Tibet before the invasion by China and we are so fortunate to catch a glimpse of this mystical land and its people. Dr. Miles Neale leads this trip in partnership with our local tour operator Tsewang Gonbo of Lungta Travels and featuring local guest teachers, scholars, healers and more who will showcase an insider perspective of Ladakhi culture and sacred practices. The pilgrimage doubles as a fundraiser in collaboration with the Tibetan Nuns Project (www.tnp.org) to support the nuns of Dorjee Zong Nunnery in nearby Zanskar. Each pilgrim will commit to raising at least $500 USD before we embark, thereby exercising the principle of generosity that is the engine of the path to awakening. We are limited to 20 spots, in addition to the CSP team. After the pilgrimage we are offering a special seven-day extension to Zanskar to meet the nuns of Dorjee Zong Nunnery. Dr. Miles Neale | Contemplative Psychology, PC | +1-917-750-3594 | [email protected] 2 TOUR DESCRIPTION To reach Ladakh we will travel in stages. All pilgrims will meet in New Delhi, India on August 2, 2020. A representative will greet and transfer you to the Prime Plaza Hotel in Delhi’s Aerocity near the airport where you can rest from your international flight. Very early the next morning we will travel as a group from Delhi to Leh. Your hotel in Delhi and round-trip domestic airfare from Delhi-Leh are included in your tour cost. Our final day on August 18 is exclusively a travel day with no activities planned, so you may book your return flight at your own discretion. We recommend that you allow around 3-5 hours transit time in Delhi between your arrival from Leh and your ongoing international flight. If you need assistance with additional plans in Leh or Delhi please let us know and we will connect you with our regional agents. Once we arrive in Leh, our journey is divided into two legs: the first week we will use Leh as our base and visit surrounding ancient monasteries, meet traditional Tibetan healers and an oracle. The highlight of our initial leg will be the auspicious series of public teachings offered by H.E. Tri Rinpoche, head of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. During the second week we will move to Ulytokpo outside of Leh, and from there visit rural villages, a sustainability school, more monasteries, and meditation caves and settle in for a special two day retreat led by Miles under the limitless blue sky of the high Himalayas. DETAILED ITINERARY Please see page 7-12. OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO ZANSKAR This year we are offering a very special optional extension of 7 days after our pilgrimage to the remote and beautiful valley of Zanskar where you will meet the nuns of Dorjee Zong! This portion of our trip is led exclusively by our local partner Lungta Travels. Please see the Zanskar attachment for the itinerary and cost of the extension. Dr. Miles Neale | Contemplative Psychology, PC | +1-917-750-3594 | [email protected] 3 ALTITUDE SICKNESS Leh sits at roughly 3,500 meter above sea level on the high Tibetan plateau. Inevitably this will require a period of adjustment, perhaps 2 days or so, as we acclimatize to altitude. If you don’t take this seriously and/or have a preexisting medical condition, altitude sickness can occur and may pose a more serious health risk. Everyone must read the brief info below, consult with your medical provider and receive their consent for travel, as well as secure travel insurance. If you have any concerns speak with us directly. http://www.travelconsultants.biz/prevent-altitude-sickness/ ACCOMIDATIONS Pride Plaza Hotel New Delhi August 2 (1 night) Meals Provided: Dinner, Breakfast A very comfortable hotel, conveniently located near the airport. https://www.pridehotel.com/delhi/new-delhi-aerocity/overview/ Chamba Hotel - Thiksey Monastery Guest House Leh, Ladakh August 3-10 & 17 ( 8 nights) Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch on excursion) A modest, clean and comfortable guest house with a wonderful view of Thiksey Monastery and conveniently located near their main shrine hall (gompa) where we can join the monks in their morning prayers. A restaurant on site serves simple, vegetarian meals and there is (sporadic) WiFi available. http://www.thiksay.org/chamba_hotel_10.html Ule Ethnic Resort Uletokpo August 10-17 (7 nights) Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch on excursion) A charming property of deluxe cottages and private huts on the banks of the river Indus, completely eco-friendly, and near the quaint village of Uletokpo. A vegetarian restaurant on site serves simple, local meals but note there is no WiFi here. http://www.uleresort.com PASSPORT & VISA Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival August 2, 2020. You will need to obtain an Indian Visa at you own expense. https://www.in.ckgs.us/visa/ Dr. Miles Neale | Contemplative Psychology, PC | +1-917-750-3594 | [email protected] 4 TOUR COSTS, INCLUSIONS, & EXCLUSIONS Double Occupancy $ 3995 USD - Before February 1, 2020 Double Occupancy $ 4295 USD – On and after February 1, 2020 Single Supplement $ 500 USD – A very limited number of single rooms are available and based on availability at the time your deposit is received. Cost Includes: • Round trip domestic airfare Delhi <> Leh • 16 nights accommodations (including Delhi) • All meals throughout including a special farewell dinner • Round trip group airport transfers in Delhi and Leh • Expert guide & local teachers • Entrance fees to sacred sites • Donation to Ngari Institute for the teachings of H.E. Tri Rinpcohe Cost Excludes: • Fundraising donation of at least $500 for Dorjee Zong Nunnery (this is tax deductible through the Tibetan Nuns project (www.tnp.org) • Round trip international airfare • Passport and Indian Visa fees • Personal expenses and incidentals • Required medical clearance & travel insurance • Tips for guides, hotel staff and other personal services TRAVEL INSURANCE We require that you purchase travel insurance that includes both emergency medical evacuation and trip cancelation to protect you in an unforeseen event. We do not recommend a specific insurance company to use but can suggest the following sites to help you compare plans that might best suit your needs and budget. https://www.travelinsurance.com https://www.insuremytrip.com Dr. Miles Neale | Contemplative Psychology, PC | +1-917-750-3594 | [email protected] 5 PAYMENTS & CANCELATIONS • Upon acceptance a $1000 non-refundable deposit secures your spot (we can not guarantee your room preference, but will notify you first if its not available). • The tour cost increases $300 on and after February 1, 2020. • Second payment of 50% before March 1, 2020 | Remaining Balance before May 1, 2020 • 50% of the entire trip cost (not including the deposit) is refunded when you cancel via email before June 16, 2020. • No refunds after June 17, 2020. • No refund during the pilgrimage even if for medical reason, so we require Travel Insurance. REGISTRATION & FORMS 1. You must register for this pilgrimage by completing our REGISTRATION FORM: https://forms.gle/pougByhYCkH1VeDe7 2. Upon acceptance via email you may reserve your spot with a non refundable deposit, using one of the following PAYMENT METHODS. https://www.milesneale.com/reserve-now Please note that your room preference is based on the order the deposits are received. 3. We will then email you a link to a personal DropBox folder containing a checklist and our REQUIRED FORMS: a) Medical Clearance b) Liability Waiver c) Copies of your Travel Insurance d) Copy of your Passport and Indian visa e) Copy of your international Flight Reservations Dr. Miles Neale | Contemplative Psychology, PC | +1-917-750-3594 | [email protected] 6 DETAILED DAILY ITINERARY DAY-01: Aug. 2 – New Delhi Arrival at the IGI airport transfer to hotel with the help from our Delhi representative. DAY-02: Aug. 3 – Delhi to Leh Very early morning group departure from Delhi to Leh where we will enjoy a short flight with one of the most sensational views in the world. Reception at Leh airport (3500 meters) by Lungta representative and transfer to Chamba Guest House in Thiksey (30 minutes: 18 km). Please take a rest as we acclimatize to the high altitude. Overnight stay in Chamba Guest House, Thiksey, Leh Lunch and Dinner at Hotel DAY-03: Aug. 4 – Thiksey & Shey Monasteries; (3 hrs) Thiksey: To mark the auspicious opening of the pilgrimage we’ll attend the morning prayers of Thiksey Monastery with the monks at 6:15 am followed by a tour of the entire monastery and grounds. Resembling the Potala Palace in Lhasa in Tibet, Thiksey monastery is one of the most beautiful and largest Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh (3575 m) affiliated with the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Key attractions of Thiksey Monastery: 49 ft statue of Maitreya Buddha- largest in Ladakh and Dukhang Karmo – a huge long assembly hall, where the monks regularly meet for prayers. Proceed to Shey Palace after breakfast at the hotel. Shey: Shey Palace currently houses the largest statue of the Buddha, three stories tall, and made of gold plated copper. Its name translates as reflection (mirror = Shey) as the entire palace is so vividly reflected in the lake in front of it.