Our Himalayan trek begins in Lhasa, the ancient capital of Tibet. We will stay at the Mandala Hotel in the spiritual center of Lhasa, the Jolkhang temple and Barkhor Bazzar. Built from a dream by the sixth century Dharma King Songtsen Gampo, an emanation of Avolokitishvara, it houses Tibet's most famous statue the Jowo. The Jowo is one of only three statues that was made during the Buddha Shakyamuni's lifetime and was brought to Lhasa by the Chinese Princess Wencheng, an emanation of Tara. Above her head in the Jolkhang is actually a (rangjun) self emanating image of Tara. It is an extremely active temple with pilgrims from all over prostrating and circumambulating the Barkhor Bazzar.

The next stop is one of the most popular pilgrimages in all of Tibet, the Potala Palace. Originally there was only a small temple built there by King Songtsen Gampo but after Khubilai Khan disbanded the royal government during the twelfth century he made the Dalai Lama the ruler of Tibet and the fifth Dalai Lama built his Palace there. It took fifty years to build the Potala Palace and the fifth Dalai Lama died before it was completed so he had an attendant disguised himself as the fifth to insure the work would come to completion. The Potala Palace is one of the seven wonders of the world and towers over Lhasa sitting on the Red Hill Peak at thirteen stories high representing the thirteen levels of heaven. There are over a thousand rooms with all thirteen stupas of the Dalai Lamas, tens of thousands of statues and mandalas all made out of tons of gold and precious jewels. A magnificent sight to behold, it is a good opportunity to see how the Dalai Lamas of old lived. Then from the Potala Palace we will go on to the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas, the Norbulinka.

At the sacred Mala Mountain behind the Samye Monastery are the caves of Samye Chimpu where Padmasambhava stayed in his cave retreat and transmitted the Dharma to his heart disciples. Padmasambhava, Yeshe Tsogyal, Khenpo Jigme Puntsog, Adzom Rimpoche and many other great masters since ancient times and at present have left miracle signs. Foot prints and hand prints can be seen impressed in solid rock everywhere and self emanating rangjun statues grow right out of the cave walls while every rock and speck of dust resound with the mantra Om Ah Hum Benza Guru Padme Siddhi Hum. To visit Samye is to enter the land of Oddiyana.

Itinerary
What to expect and what to pack: High altitude, dry and arid desert, so rest, drink lots of water and use bottled oxygen if necessary. Dress in layers, bring a warm coat, we'll be doing lots of practices specializing in Mahasandhi Yoga, and seek blessings and teachings from all the great masters at every juncture. If you want to stay on after the tour we can arrange it for you. Private tours can be arranged for groups of four or more. Enjoy!!!