Pilgrimage to Tibet
September 1 @ 8:00 am – September 17 @ 5:00 pm UTC-8
with H.E. Lho Ratna Rinpoche & Lama Chokyi Gyaltsen (Lama Mark Webber)
Tour Dates: September 1st to 17th, 2024
ANNOUNCEMENT
This is our second pilgrimage to Tibet, and we are excited to embark on this journey together again! Our previous visit in 2018 was truly extraordinary. In September 2024, we are returning, joined by H.E. Lho Ratna Rinpoche, Lama Chokyi Gyaltsen (Lama Mark Webber), and with the valuable support of Sonam Topgyal.
Sonam, who skillfully coordinated the pilgrimage in 2018, crafted for us a memorable and seamless trip to China and Tibet, as well as numerous previous trips to India on behalf of Lama Chokyi Gyaltsen. We are grateful for his continued support in 2024.
This pilgrimage holds special significance as we accompany Ratna Rinpoche, who will be transporting relics from the late Kyabje Lho Ontul Rinpoche’s cremation to his home monastery in Tibet. The journey to Lho Lungkar Gon Monastery promises to be a meritorious activity for all with a heartfelt connection to this precious great Lama. We also aim to support the construction and consecration of a special chorten to house these sacred relics, contingent upon Rinpoche’s plan and wishes. Lho Lungkar Gon is our primary destination, it was Lho Ontül Rinpoche’s home Monastery in Tibet, where H.E. Lho Ratna Rinpoche, initially recognized by Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche, serves as one of the main tulkus of the Monastery.
All those wanting to join Ratna Rinpoche and Lama Chokyi Gyaltsen on the pilgrimage to Tibet, are to express their intent by filling out the application. All applications will be reviewed by Lama Chokyi Gyaltsen or Ratna Rinpoche, as this is a focused pilgrimage. Upon receiving approval, applicants will be notified, and a non-refundable deposit will be required to hold your place. Please refrain from sending your deposit until we request you to do so. Participants will have the option to select either a $750 USD non-refundable deposit or a 50% deposit of $2294 USD to minimize repetitive banking fees.
ITINERARY
Participants should plan to arrive in Beijing by August 27th or 28th, a minimum of 3 to 4 days early to acclimatize from jet lag and prepare for high altitude travel. This also allows for checking for colds, flu and Covid infections. For everyone’s benefit please wear a mask during airplane travel. We can not risk anyone taking illness to the Lho Lungkar Gön monastery, or through our group, so please be careful during your travels.
Day / Date
- Sunday, September 1st, 2024: The first night of the tour is in a hotel in Beijing.
- Monday, September 2nd, 2024: Early in the morning we will have breakfast and then travel by car from Beijing (4.5 hours) to Wu Taishan. Go see 2 of 5 of the Manjushri Peaks. Overnight in Wutaishan.
- Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024: Visit remaining 3 of 5 Manjushri Peaks, Buddhist temples and Overnight in Wutaishan.
- Wednesday, September 4th, 2024: Drive to Wutaishan Xinzhou airport (or Taiyun Airport) to fly to Xining. Overnight in Xining. ( Flight schedules frequently change in this area, so we may need to depart from a different airport, Taiyun, instead of Wutaishan. This would mean driving to the alternative airport, adding two hours to our travel day.)
- Thursday, September 5th, 2024: Morning drive to Sightsee Kumbum monastery and other places nearby. Overnight in Xining.
- Friday, September 6th, 2024: Morning drive to the Xining Airport to catch a flight to Yushu at 1pm in the afternoon (1.5 hour flight). From Yushu airport we will drive to Lho Lungkar Gön monastery of the late Kyabje Ontrul Rimpoche and Lho Ratna Rinpoche.
- Saturday, September 7th, 2024: Overnight in the Lho Lungkar Gön
- Sunday, September 8th, 2024: Overnight in the Lho Lungkar Gön
- Monday, September 9th, 2024: Overnight in the Lho Lungkar Gön
- Tuesday, September 10th, 2024: Overnight in the Lho Lungkar Gön
- Wednesday, September 11th, 2024: Drive from Lho Lungkar Gön back to Yushu. Overnight in Yushu
- Thursday, September 12th, 2024: Early Morning flight from Yushu to Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa.
- Friday, September 13th, 2024: Slow day sightseeing at Lhasa: Sera Monastery, and Potala Palace. Overnight in Lhasa.
- Saturday, September 14th, 2024: Lhasa to Drikung Thil and Terdom. Overnight in Lhasa.
- Sunday, September 15th, 2024: Visit Tsurphu Monastery and Drepung Monastery. Overnight in Lhasa.
- Monday, September 16th, 2024: Visit Samye Monastery and nearby Ganden Monastery. Overnight in Lhasa.
- Tuesday, September 17th, 2024: Flight from Lhasa to Beijing. Students are recommended to spend one night in Beijing before flying to their home country. Please book your own hotel rooms accordingly. This night is not included in the Tour Cost nor is transportation from Beijing airport.
COST
The cost is $4,588 USD per person when sharing a room.
If you prefer a single room, there is an additional charge of $850 USD
Special Note: The travel agent has included complimentary ground tours for Lho Ratna Rinpoche and Lama Chokyi Gyaltsen.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST
- 4 Star Hotel in Beijing (breakfast only) (September 1st only)
- 4 Star hotel in Wutaishan & Yushu (breakfast lunch & dinner included)
- Boutique Hotel in Lhasa (breakfast lunch & dinner included)
- All entrance fees to all monuments and Temples.
- Bus transportation with an experienced driver and English speaking guide
- Flight Tickets for:
- Beijing to Wutaishan,
- Wutaishan to Xining,
- Xining to Yushu,
- Yushu to Lhasa and
- Lhasa to Beijing
- If everyone arrives together, there will be an airport pick-up; otherwise, please make your way to the hotel. In Beijing, there are two airports: Capital Airport, which is close to the city, and Daxin Airport, situated quite far away. Most international flights operate from Daxin.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST
- Medical Insurance or Coverage (100% required with no exceptions, send a copy to jamie@markwebber.org)
- Dana (donations), religious offerings or tips.
- Mineral water, cold drinks, alcohol, coffee, telephone, internet and laundry.
- Passport Visa application and picture
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a condition that affects many travelers to high altitude. It is caused by a lack of Oxygen and generally occurs at heights above 2500m. AMS Symptoms include: loss of appetite, headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy / fatigue, dizziness, insomnia / disturbed or poor sleep.
Check with your doctor beforehand what your body needs for traveling safely to the altitudes of Tibet and over Tibetan passes. Doctors often want to know at which altitude you are sleeping: the highest place you will be sleeping at will be at 4250 meters above sea level. The main risk for the development of AMS is ascending too quickly. A slow ascent lets your body acclimatize to the altitude and avoids AMS. AMS occurs equally in males and females, the old and the young, the fit and the unfit. Don’t over-exert yourself in the first days at altitude. It is also recommended not to take a hot shower on your first day at altitude. Those who have experienced AMS on previous journeys to high altitude may be at increased risk for developing it again.
- Avoid alcohol, salt and any medication containing codeine (these can cause dehydration and/or depress breathing).
- If drinking alcohol or coffee make sure you compensate with extra water.
- Drink plenty of fluids – at least 3-4 liters per day.
- A high carbohydrate diet will aid ventilation and efficient use of oxygen.
- Avoid overexertion in the initial days at altitude.
Some drugs have also been used to prevent AMS. The most commonly used is acetazolamide (Diamox) which is normally given as one 250g tablet, taken twice a day, beginning at least one day before ascent above 2500m. Diamox can make you pass more urine than usual, cause pins and needles in fingers and toes and may make carbonated drinks taste flat. It is recommended to do a trial course of the drug before going to a remote location where a severe allergic reaction could prove difficult to treat.
- Painkillers such as aspirin and paracetamol may be suggested for the headache.
- Diamox may be useful (250g every 8 hours)
- Sleeping in a sitting position can aid breathing and headache while sleeping.
- Those with moderate or severe symptoms or whose symptoms persist despite a day or two of rest should descend until symptoms have improved.
Some Resources:
Subject: Five Manjushri of Mount Wutaishan, China
The Spiritual Hagiography of Lho Lungkar Gon Monastery
།འོག་མིན་ཐུབ་བསྟན་བཤད་སྒྲུབ་གིང་།