Donderdag 3 januari

Ik kom op 18 december aan in Delhi. Ik verblijf daar in het boutique hotel AMARYA met themakamers in 1 kleur: fuchsia, citroengeel, turquoise etc.

Dan vlieg ik naar Bagdogra in de provincie Sikkim, de mooiste natuurprovincie van India. Hier zal ik eerst een 12 daagse orientatiereis doen met een jeep langs de belangrijkste heilige plekken en kloosters.

Programma 12 daagse orientatiesreis:

Day 1: Arrival and Reception (South)
pickup in the Bagdogra airport and reception at our guest house " Choda House " in Ravangla (South of Sikkim)

Day 2: Lingdam - Ravangla (south)
A 10 minutes hike from choda house till Ani Gumpa which is one of the rare buddhist teaching centre for women monks. There you can meet up with the monks and exchange conversation.We shall than visit a traditional Bhutia house near the centre and after lunch we will visit some village schools.

Day 3: Ralong - Ravangla (south)
Visit of Ralong monestery which is +-45 min of road from Ravangla. This monastery belongs to Kagyul order of Tibetan Buddhism. About 100 monks live there. Monastery also offers a splendid view of mount narshing. We shall than go towards the pilgrimage destination of Buddha Park in Ravangla and finally take a short cut to the town of ravangla on foot .

Day 4: Namchi - Temi Tea Estate (South)
Departure for Temi Tea Garden which is + - 1 h 30 of road from Ravangla. We shall have lunch and visit “Namchi” the district capital of south Sikkim . On the way back, we shall stop in Samdruptse,which has the highest statue of guru Padmasambhava in the world. In bhutia vacabulary Samdruptse means wish fulfilling hill.

Day 5: Kewzing - Village Bhutia (south)
The fifth day, we shall pack our bags and leave for the traditional bhutia home stay village of Kewzing. There you will come face to face with the culture,tradition,lifestyle and amusement of the typical sikkimese family.

Day 6: Tashiding - Kechopairi (west)
we shall leave for the monastery of Tashiding the next day which is + - 1 h of road. it is considered the most sacred and holiest monasteries in Sikkim .around afternoon direction towards the sacred lake of Kechopairi (+ - 1h of road),also known as a “wishing lake”.Lake is surrounded by dense forests, it is believed that the birds do not allow even as single leaf to float on the lake.
After that We shall then go towards the small city of Geyzing (+ - 1h of road) where we shall spend a night at hotel tashi in the centre of the city.

Day 7: Rabdentse - Pemayangtse (west)
Visit of the ruins of Rabdentse (+-20 min of road), which was the second capital of Sikkim after Yuksom. Today with the ravages of time the royal capital is turned into ruins which also remins us of smaller version of “Machu Picchu " the ruins of Rabdentse is not visible from the main road and its only access is the small track of 40 minutes which gives a excess to admire the beauty of a nature . After noon we shall visit the monastery of Pemayangtse, the most prestigious monastery of Sikkim. Constructed in 18th century after J-C, this monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism.
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Day 8: Relaxation (South)
The ninth day will be devoted to relaxation .on this day you can go for a walk to the town of ravangla or just relax in the guest house with a our” traditional bath”and “massage”.

Day 9: Gangtok (East)
We shall leave in the morning for Gangtok,the present capital of Sikkim. (+ - 3h of road).There We shall be received in hotel ceasars palace one Luxury hotel of gangtok. After lunch we shall visit Tashi view point the popular destination for the tourist with a breathtaking view of mount Kanchenzonga.we shall than head for Mg marg a small street in gangtok where you can shop or just enjoy the different feel and energy of the people of Sikkim.

Day 10: Gangtok-Choda House (Is South)
We shall come back early to choda house so that you can profit the last day in the guest house and cooly prepare your baggage for return.

Day 11: Bye Bye (south)
After the breakfast we shall wish you a farewell and see you off till the Bagdogra airport.



Per 1 januari zal ik beginnen met mijn zittende meditaties. Dit zal van 5.00 in de ochtend t/m 22.00 in de avond zijn.. Er zijn dan tussenpozen van 1 uur waarbij je gaat lopen, van de natuur genieten etc. Hij doet deze praktijk alleen. De locatie moet nog gekozen worden. Het wordt of 1 van de bezochte kloosters of in het huis van zijn Tibetaanse leraar Lama Zeupa.