JUNE
2002 (proposed dates 10th - 24th June)
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JOURNEY TO LADAKH in the Western Himalayas for Hemis
Gompa's Summer Festival. Join the many pilgrims, from all
over Ladakh, who come dressed in their finest clothes to
celebrate its 'Mela'. After prayers, musician monks and
masked dancers illustrate the struggle between good and
evil and the inevitable victory of good.
Ladakh is situated on the edge of the Tibetan plateau and
its peoples are related to the Tibetans and follow similar
cultural and religious practices as well its being home
to many Tibetan refugees. Rock carvings scattered around
the countryside illustrate that the region has been used
for thousands of years by nomadic tribes, a blend of the
Mons from north India, the Dards of Baltistan and the Mongols
of central Asia. In Leh it is possible to find families
whose members are Muslims, Christians and Buddhists illustrating
Ladakhi's religious tolerance. Leh is on the Silk Route,
being a staging post enroute to Kashgar in western China.
We will visit some of the most famous monasteries in the
Indus Valley including Aichi, built in the 11th century,
and famous for its collection of paintings and painted wooden
statues. It is unusual in that it is on lowland, not perched
on a hill top like other Ladakhi gompas.
Travelling, north from Leh over the highest motorable road
and the Khardungla Pass (5570m), to the Nubra Valley we
will visit the famous Samasthanling Gompa at Samur as well
as Tagar, Hunder and Diskit Monasteries. The Nubra Valley
is little visited, as it is inaccessible for all but a couple
of months in the year, its high passes closed by the winter
snows. In comparison to the Indus valley which is cooler
the Nubra is a comparatively warm valley where walnut, apricot,
apple and mulberry trees grow and yak, sheep and goats graze
in small forests and along the river Shyok.
COST: Approx. £2,000 (including international
flights).
LANDPRICE ONLY: Approx. £1,500 Full details
available in October.
mail@christineannrichards.co.uk
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