Fall 2006 Daily Itinerary
Please note: the below itinerary is planned months in advance and may change due to group interest, health and safety concerns, or other factors beyond the control of Global Learning.
In United States:
Sept. 15-17: Group orientation at Hudson River Valley retreat center
In India:
Sep 17-18: Flight to India
Sep 19-21: Arrival, orientation, introductory language lessons, and visits to key cultural and religious sites in Delhi
Sep 22-24: Arrival in Leh and introduction to Ladakh; Ladakhi language lessons and walking tours of Leh Old Town and Shanti Stupa; day excursions to Tikse Gompa and an audience with the Tikse Oracle; visit to Siddhartha School and student exchange; visit to Hemis Gompa and nearby hermitages; visit and possible overnight at SECMOL; guest speakers to include local political figures, intellectuals, religious leaders from both Buddhist and Muslim communities, and youth activists.
Sep 25-Oct 1: Homestays and service work in Phey village with excursions.
Oct 1-10: Trek to nomadic region of Tso Moriri or other spectacular mountain locations.
Oct 11-16: Return to homestays in Phey along with overnight excursion to Dha-Hanu villages with a visit to Lamayuru.
October 17: Visit to the Blind School in the morning; Bollywood dance lesson or cinema experience in the afternoon.
October 18: Amity School visit then the train to Agra.
October 19: Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri
October 20: Return to Delhi in AM and celebrate Diwali with Amit and family in the evening.
October 21: Continue with Diwali celebrations and other activities in Delhi (museums, Bahai Temple, Pahar Ganj, etc).
October 22: Train to Amritsar, site of the Sikh pilgrimmage center the Golden Temple, experience nightly ritual flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah Border, Jallianwalabagh
Oct 24: Train to Pathankot/bus to Dharamsala, Tibetan language lessons and orientation
Oct 25-Nov 1: Dharamsala homestays, ISPs, guest lecture series, school/museum visits
Nov 2-11: Introduction to Buddhism retreat at Tushita Centre
Nov 12-16: Dharamsala homestays, ISPs, visits to Tso Padma/Bir/Tashijong (2 days-possibly en route to Rishikesh)
Nov 17-19: Rishikesh, introduction to Ganges River, Hindustan, Hindi language, etc
Nov 20: Train or boat to Varanasi via Hardiwar. (note--if travel is by boat from Hardiwar then arrival in Varansi will be Nov 23-24)
Nov 21-Dec 8: Varanasi homestays, ISPs, language study, and Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Rajgir
Dec 9-14: Train to Jaipur and Rajastan tour (to be determined)
Dec 15-16: Return to Delhi
Dec 17: Flight to USA