For those with a sense of adventure and an interest in the people of eastern Tibet, their culture, environment and spirituality, Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche will be leading a trip to Dzachuka from 2 - 23 July 2012.
In this stunning region you can experience the warmth and hospitality of the Tibetan people, and the authentic living tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
We will travel to Yachen Gar, an encampment of followers of Lama Achuk Rinpoche, one of greatest living Dzogchen masters. This lies in a beautiful hidden valley, with over 8,000 Buddhist practitioners. We will stay at Rinpoche's monastery and visit the Mani Dungkar, the longest wall of carved mani stones in Tibet, initiated by Patrul Rinpoche. After Dzachuka, we will travel to Derge, the historical capital of the region. Set in a stunning landscape, Derge boasts the famous printing house where complete collections of Buddhist texts have been printed since the 18th century.
- Day 1: Meet in Chengdu
- Day 2: Chendgu-Kangding
- Day 3: Kangding
- Day 4: Kangding-Drango
- Days 5: Drango-Kandze
- Day 6: Kandze-Yachen Gar
- Days 7: Yachen Gar
- Day 8: Yachen Gar-Kandze
- Day 9: Kandze-Ju Mohor Monastery
- Day 10-12: Ju Mohor Monastery
- Day 13: Sershul
- Day 14: Mani Dungkar Wall
- Day 15: Sershul-Derge
- Day 16-17: Derge
- Day 18: Derge-Kandze
- Day 19: Kandze-Tawu
- Day 20: Tawu-Kangding
- Day 21: Kangding-Chengdu
- Day 22: Depart Chengdu
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Day 1: Meet in Chengdu
On our first day we will meet and spend the night at the Hotel, allowing everyone time to relax.
Day 2: Chendgu-Kangding
We travel 370 kilometres from the plains surrounding Chengdu through a gorge to Kanding, the traditional border of China and Tibet which has long been an important trading centre. The journey to Kanding involves a climb from 508 metres (Chengdu) to 2590 metres (Kanding). This is the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, and the start of the acclimatisation process.
Day 3: Kangding
To reduce the chance of altitude sickness, we will spend a rest day in Kangding, so help our bodies adjust to the sudden jump in altitude. While in Kanding you can take the cable car to Paoma Mountain, and here is an old monastery in the old centre of town and lots of interesting shops and people around.
Day 4: Kangding-Drango
We travel 292 kilometres from Kangding to Drango. Located at the confluence of the Zhe-chu and Nyi-chu rivers, Drango is home to Drango Monastery, once the largest monastery in this part of East Tibet. We continue our acclimatisation and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Drango-Kandze
We head to Kandze, passing through barley fields peppered with beautiful rammed earth buildings. Backed by stunning snow capped mountains, Kandze is a vibrant town still retaining a predominantly Tibetan flavour.
Day 6: Kandze-Yachen Gar
We head on to Yachen Gar. Yachen Gar is one of the main centres of Buddhist learning in eastern Tibet. The seat of His Holiness Khenpo Achuk Rinpoche, over 8,000 monks, nuns and laypeople study and practice under his guidance.
Day 7: Yachen Gar
Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche spent several years studying and on retreat at Yachen Gar. We will meet nuns and monks from his monastery, and be taken around the site. The visit to the Gar provides a precious opportunity to be present among a vast gathering of people completely devoted to spiritual practice. The magnificence and spaciousness of the landscape mirror the spiritual power and serenity of Lama Achuk Rinpoche.
Day 8: Yachen Gar-Kandze
We will return to Kandze for the night.
Day 9: Kandze-Ju Mohor Monastery
From the lush fields of Kandze, we head on to the grasslands of Dzachuka valley at over 4,000 metres altitude. Our destination, Ju Mohor Monastery, was established ca. 1650 by the First Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche, and the present, Fifth Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche is Abbot. Many famous masters including Patrul Rinpoche and Ju Mipham Rinpoche have taught, practiced and attained realisation at this small, but significant monastery.
Day 10: Ju Mohor Monastery
On the first day at the monastery we will have to opportunity to relax and acclimatise to the higher altitude.
Day 11: Ju Mohor Monastery
Rinpoche will show us the significant sights around the monastery. This includes the retreat hut of the great nineteenth century master Mipham Rinpoche, who spent many years on retreat here.
Day 12: Ju Mohor Monastery
We will have the opportunity to visit nearby nomadic families and experience their fascinating way of life.
Day 13: Sershul
We move on to the nearby town of Sershul. This is home of the Vista Project, Rinpoche's aid programme to help the local nomadic population.
Day 14: Mani Dungkar Wall
This breathtaking wall, over a kilometre in length, consists entirely of hand-carved mani stones and images. It is one of the most significant yet least known pilgrimage sites of Tibet. Patrul Rinpoche began the construction of the wall at the place where his root teacher, Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu, gave teachings which he immortalised in “The Words of My Perfect Teacher”.
Day 15: Sershul-Derge
The drive to Derge is one of the most spectacular of this trip, as we move from barren grasslands to lush forest. Crossing over a 5,000 metre mountain pass, we descend through a gorge into the beautiful town of Derge. Often regarded as the cultural heart of Kham, this area was the capital of the Kingdom of Derge which was the largest of the five kingdoms of Kham.
Day 16: Derge
Derge is the home of the famous Barkhang printing house where a complete collection of Buddhist texts have been printed since the 18th century. It is one of the few significant places of Tibetan culture not destroyed during the cultural revolution. We will visit the printing house, and see how this traditional craft is being revived.
Day 17: Derge
Nearby to Derge is the Gyaltsa Shakur monastery, a site important to the ancient King of Tibet, Gesar of Ling. It was here that King Gesar's uncle lived, who was one of Gesar's main advisors.
Day 18: Derge-Kandze
Travel back to Kandze where we spend the night. This is start of our return to Chengdu.
Day 19: Kandze-Tawu
Travel to Tawu, where we spend the night.
Day 20: Tawu-Kangding
We return to Kangding for the evening.
Day 22: Depart Chengdu
Leave Chengdu according to peoples onward plans.
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Pricing
The trip will cost NZ$4100. This includes:
- tour guidance from Rinpoche
- hotel accommodation
- internal overland travel
- daily breaksfast, lunch and dinner
It does not include flights into and out of China, which should be booked to arrive in Chengdu on or before July 2.
To secure a place on the trip, a non-refundable deposit of NZ$1500 should be paid by April 8th 2012.
Transport
We will travel in 4-wheel drive vehicles for the whole duration of the trip.
Accommodation
Where possible, we will stay at good quality hotels. However, given the nature of the some of the places we are visiting, accommodation will occasionally be more simple.
Food
Three meals per day are included in the cost of the trip, to be eaten at local restaurants. Vegetarian options will be available.
Visas
Passport holders of most countries currently require a visa for China. You must obtain a China visa prior to leaving home: it cannot be obtained on arrival.
Health
Please consult your doctor for advice on altitude sickness, and what vaccinations should be taken before visiting China.
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Joining the trip
There will be a maximum of 20 people, and a minimum of 10, on the trip. 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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About Us
Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche has previously led four successful trips to Tibet.
Having a close connection to the area, as well as being fluent in Chinese as well as Tibetan, Rinpoche is able to take us to places tourists would otherwise be unable to visit.
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