Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche will be leading a pilgrimage to India in November 2010, visiting the sacred sights of the Buddha and Guru Rinpoche. Following in the steps of the Buddha, we will visit Bodhgaya, where he attained enlightenment; Sarnath, where he gave his first teachings; and Kushinagar, where he gave his final teaching before his death. We will also be visiting the site of Nalanda, the greatest Buddhist university in India, where many masters studied, including Guru Rinpoche, Naropa and Shantideva. To finish the trip, we will stay at Tso Pema, the sacred lake of Guru Rinpoche, and McLeod Ganj, the home of HH Dalai Lama.
Pilgrimage means to begin resting your mind into the depth of your heart and let everything unfold without expectation. As you very well know India is full of surprises and nothing is really organised like the life you lead. Especially when we are going for pilgrimage it is wise to keep our minds open, give vacation to judgemental and critical mind, and come with a courageous and open mind. Whatever obstacles arise, it should all be taken as a path to enhance the beauty of your pilgrimage.
Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche
- Day 1: Meet in Delhi
- Day 2: Delhi-Gorakhpur
- Day 3: Gorakhpur-Kushinagar
- Day 4: Kushinagar-Varanasi
- Days 5-6: Varanasi / Sarnath
- Day 7: Varanasi-Bodhgaya
- Days 8-9: Bodhgaya
- Day 10-12: Bodhgaya-Gaya-Pathankot
- Day 12: Pathankot-Dharamsala
- Day 13-15: Dharamsala
- Day 16: Dharamsala-Tso Pema
- Day 17-18: Tso Pema
- Day 19: Tso Pema-Chandigarh
- Day 20: Chandigarh-Delhi
- Day 21: Depart from Delhi
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Day 1: Delhi
On our first day we will meet and spend the night at the Hotel, allowing everyone time to relax.
Day 2: Delhi-Gorakhpur
In the morning we will take a sight-seeing tour of Delhi visiting the
Qutab Minar, Humayuns Tomb, Tibet House, India Gate and the President Palace. In the evening, we will transfer to the railway station to board our train to Gorakhpur. We will overnight in the train.
Day 3: Gorakhpur-Kushinagar
We will take breakfast upon arrival in Gorakhpur. After breakfast, we will drive to Kushinagar which is around a two hour drive. On arrival we will check-in at our hotel. After lunch we will explore Kushinagar, the place where the Buddha passed away. We will visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple, Matha Kaur Shrine, and the Ramabhar Stupa - the cremation site of the Buddha. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Kushinagar-Varanasi
After breakfast, we will have more time to see the beautiful grounds of Kushinagar. Thereafter, we drive on to Varanasi, a place of pilgrimage for both Buddhists and Hindus. Overnight at our hotel.
Day 5: Varanasi / Sarnath
We start the day with an early morning boat ride on the Ganges river to witness sunrise over the famous Ghats. After breakfast, we will head to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first teachings after his enlightenment. We will visit Dharmek Stupa in Deer Park, Sri Lanka Temple, the Central Tibetan Institute for Higher Studies, Sarnath Museum and the Tibetan Temple. Returning to Varanasi, we overnight at our hotel.
Day 6: Varanasi
This will be a free day for independent activities around Varanasi. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Varanasi-Bodhgaya
After breakfast, we depart to Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Bodhgaya
After breakfast, we will see the sites of Bodhgaya, including the Mahabodhi Temple, founded by Emperor Ashoka in around 300BC. This complex contains the Bodhi tree, under which the Buddha sat in meditation and attained enlightenment. We will also visit the Tibetan Monastery and other Buddhist Temples. Overnight at our hotel.
Day 9: Nalanda / Rajghir
An excursion to Nalanda to visit the ruins of Nalanda University, the greatest Buddhist university in India. Following this we will head to Rajghir to visit Vulture’s Peak, where the Buddha taught the Heart Sutra and began the 'Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma'. Returning to Bodhgaya we will overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Bodhgaya / Mahakala caves
We pay a visit to Mahakala caves, River Niranjana and Sujata Village. Here is where the Buddha ended his period of severe asceticism and instead began the 'middle way' between extremes of indulgence and abstention. We will have the afternoon free for independent activities till transfer to Gaya Railway Station to board our train to Pathankot. Overnight in Train.
Day 11: Train to Pathankot
We will spend the day and night on the train.
Day 12: Arrive in McLeod Ganj
We arrive at Pathankot Railway station in the morning and then drive to McLeod Ganj. After rest and lunch, we will visit the Tsuglagkhang - HH Dalai Lama's temple - and Namgyal Monastery.
Day 13: McLeod Ganj / Norbulingka / Gyuto
Today will start with a visit to the Norbulingka Institute, which is dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture. After Lunch, we visit Gyuto Tantric Monastery. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: McLeod Ganj / LTWA / Nechung Monastery
Visit the Library of Tibetan Works & Archives and Nechung Oracle Monastery. After Lunch we will see the Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute and explore the art of Tibetan herbal medicine making.
Day 15: McLeod Ganj / SOS Tibetan Childrens Village
In the morning we will visit the Tibetan Childrens Village and Handicrafts Centre. The afternoon will be free for individual activities.
Day 16: Dharamsala-Tso Pema
After breakfast we will drive to Tso Pema, which is where Guru Rinpoche is said to have transformed his execution pyre into a lake. Overnight at hotel.
Day 17: Tso Pema
We head to the Tibetan monasteries & Temples around the holy lake. After lunch, we drive to visit Guru Rinpoche's meditation cave. Overnight at hotel.
Day 18: Tso Pema
Free day for independent activities. Overnight at hotel.
Day 19: Tso Pema-Chandigarh
After breakfast, we drive to Chandigarh, taking lunch on the way. Overnight at hotel.
Day 20: Chandigarh-Delhi
Morning free for independent activities. After lunch sight seeing of Chandigarh visiting Rock Garden. Thereafter, transfer to Railway station to board train to Delhi. We should arrive in New Delhi train station just over 3 hours later and then transfer to our hotel where we will spend the night.
Day 21: Delhi Depart
The end of the trip and our final day together, as people depart according to their flights.
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Pricing
The trip will cost NZ$3150. This includes:
- tour guidance from Rinpoche
- hotel accommodation
- internal overland travel
- daily breakfasts
It does not include flights into and out of India, which should be booked to arrive in Delhi on or before November 10th.
To secure a place on the trip, a non-refundable deposit of NZ$1500 should be paid by August 8th 2010.
Visas
Passport holders of most countries currently require a visa for India. More information can be found on the Indian Government website.
You must obtain an Indian visa prior to leaving home: it cannot be obtained on arrival. An Indian tourist visa is available for six months from the date of issue and you should apply for a multiple entry, as the cost is the same as for single/double entry.
Vaccinations
Please consult your doctor or nearest vaccination centre for advice on what vaccinations should be taken before visiting India.
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Joining the trip
Places on the trip are limited and only a few places remain. If you have questions about the trip or are interested in joining please contact us by sending an email to , or fill in and submit the following form:
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Joining the trip
Places on the trip are limited and only a few places remain. If you have questions about the trip or are interested in joining please contact us by sending an email to , or fill in and submit the form on our website.
