Call 01306 744 656 or
Call 01306 744 656 or
You’ll get to visit the Dalai Lama’s monastery complex, ancient temples and nunneries on this tour of Dharamshala…
Experience Buddhist culture in Dharamshala on this full-day tour, with visits to Tibetan temples, nunneries and the Dalai Lama’s monastery complex. We start with a Kora around the residence of his holiness: this is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual of walking in a clockwise direction around a sacred site. You’ll see prayer flags and old ladies spinning prayer wheels and chanting – the views of the mountains are also spectacular and, if the weather is clear, you can see the Kangra Valley below.
You get to visit the main temple where the Dalai Lama conducts his teachings as well as the Kalachakra temple with its murals of tantric deities. If you’re lucky, you might even get to watch a debate taking place. From there we drive to the Gyuto Tantric Monastery where around 700 monks live. It was founded by Tibetans who fled to India. A highlight is watching the monks in yellow hats chanting in the so-called Tantric Choir – it transports you to a remote village in the mountains.
The Buddhist circuit continues at the famous Norbulingka Institute, where you’ll learn about their work preserving Tibetan art and culture. They hold workshops in painting, appliqué and wood carving. We have lunch here at the Humming Bird Café, which serves Tibetan cuisine like momos, mutton dishes and vegetable noodle soup. The tour ends with a trip to the Dolma Ling Nunnery, which is the first institute for the higher education of Tibetan Buddhist nuns.
Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Malcolm, who's travelled extensively in India. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember.
Freephone an expert 01306 744 656
