People, Medicine and Culture

Nepal is another time, another world, seldom influenced by western knowledge, science or technology. Our journey goes to the Inner Roots of the Himalayan Traditions, where  Buddhism and Hinduism are living beliefs, where the Ayurvedic and Tibetan traditional medicines cure people, where Djankris, Yogis and Nag-Pas still practices retreats, meditation,  where the herbal medicine  and traditional health system still cure everyday a people too  poor to reach modern medicine facilities, where lifestyle has retained - despite of all - its unique spirituality. 

Our 15 or 21 Days Experiential Tours and Study will introduce you to the rituals and practices of Tibetans and Nepalese Shamans. We will visit and practices in Parping and Vajra Yogini caves and temples, in and around Kathmandu Valley. From these mountain  powerplaces you will also see spectacular panoramic views of the Himalayan range. 

This  journey will begin at the Boudhanath Great Stupa, near the capital city of Kathmandu,  where we will meet Tamangs and Newaris Shamans, Tibetan Amchis and their Monasteries. 
 
 

The Great Boddhanath Stupa at night

You will be based in a Guesthouse in the immediate area of the  famed Stupa (temple), from where connections with the ancient city and valley's  many other architectural wonders will be easy. 

Would you choose the 15 Days Introduction Tours and Study, we will remain in Nepal. 

Would you choose the 21 days Tours and Study, you will be heading South to (Banares) Varanasi and Sarnath,  where our program will include visits to Tibetan scholars of the Sarnath Tibetan Institute (CIHTS), Yogis at the Ganga River Ashrams (Hindu Dharma), or otherwhise North,  towards Tibet (Lhasa) to meet Amchis of the units of  the Men-Tsee-Khan (Tibetan Traditional Medicine Institutes) in Lhasa (Tibet).

Of course you may choose optional stays in other powerplaces or sacred sites, if you wish. 

As this Tour is proposed with a focus on concepts and practices linked to the Comparative Experiential Study of the  Roots of  Himalayan Shamanism  and  Traditional  Medicine,  engaging in ones own spiritual practice is recommended and completely acceptable. 
Each individual tour itinerary may differ slightly depending on the desires of the participants. 
 
 

View on the Annapurna, Pokara
Boddhanath Seminar 1999

General  Itinerary

Shaman Furba Lama 
and a Chettri Jhankri

WEEK ONE :
Day 01 - 02 : Fly from Europe or USA to KTM (Nepal)/ Transfert TIA airport to the Bouddhanath Guesthouse: HOTEL PADMA (direct view on Stupa) 
Day 03:  (morning)  Introduction to the site of  Bouddhanath Stupa, its Tibetan monasteries, and  to the Kathmandu Valley power places, presentation of the program facilitators. Briefing on the agenda, trekking permits, visas and logistics. (afternoon) Visit of Bouddhanath sites of interest.  (evening) First meeting with Ayurvedic and Shamanistic healers. 
 

Limbu Shaman preparing the Altar ,
Boddhanath Seminar 1999
 

Day 04: (morning) Downtown visit to Immigration Office (passport ready) for getting TREKKING PERMIT(24H00 process), also identification of major banks, airlline office and consulat/embassy. (afternoon) Presentation of the Boddhanath PHC Clinic (Dr. Tsering / MBBS), and Amchi Jampa Tibetan Clinic, including the Tibetan Medicines factory. (Evening). Introduction talk on ethno- medecine and anthropology research with Dr. R. P. Gartoulla (RECID NGO - Tribhuvan University / Institute of Medicine : TU/IOM), Briefing on the Chinese Visa  for Tibet (5 days min. process), 
Day 05: (all day) Early morning drive\out of the valley to Pharping and to Dashinkhali, introduction to the legend of Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava), visit to Pharping Gompas (monasteries) and interview with a high lama, introduction on the relations between Tibetan Buddhism and Traditional Medicines, 
Day 06: Breakfast in Thamel / Kathmandu, visit to Kunphen Tibetan Medical Center in Chettrapatti. Discussions with Amchi Kunsang Dorje, Amchi Kunsang, Amchi Kelsang, Gynendra Shrestha, or Karma Dolma, depending on staff avalability, 
Day 07: Morning drive around Kathmandu valley historical places: Swayambunath Stupa and the surrounding monasteries, Thamel, the heart of ancient Kathmandu, the old Royal Palace, the Kumari Chowk, Patan Durbar Square. Late afternoon meeting with Banstolla, Chettri Shama Healer, and walk down to Pashupatinath, rituals and healing practices. 

    Swayambunath Stupa (KTM)

WEEK THREE:

Day 15: Tamang  Shaman Village Trek (4) / Shamanism and casestudies in Kalinchok. 
Day 16: Tamang  Shaman Village Trek (5) / Trek (descending) from Kalinchok to Deurali. 
Day 17: Tamang  Shaman Village Trek (6) / Return by bus from Deurali to Bouddhanath. 
Day 18: (morning) free / Late afternoon workshop on Shaman Village  experiential, debate on concepts: Shamans healing practrices and comparative efficacy with Tibetan , Ayurvedic and Allopathic systems, with Dr. Gartoulla , Amchi Jampa, Dr. Tsering, Banstolla, Ch. Subba. 
Day 19: Presentation of some Medicinal  Samples / afternoon free , 
Day 20: Workshop / afternoon free
Day 21: Workshop / Preparation fly to Tibet, next day  / or / Fly back to Europe or USA, 
 

Tamang Shamans Maili Lama and Furba Lama, 
Boddhanath Seminar 1999
 

WEEK FOUR: 

( OPTION 5 DAYS TIBET / supplement only on request ) :
Day 22: Fly In to Tibet (Lhasa1) / Kathmandu to Lhasa by flight over Himalaya. 
             Bus transfert to Hotel Himalaya (Lhasa). Meeting with Amchis.
Day 23: (Lhasa2) / Sightseeing around Barkhor, Jokhang, Sera and Norbulingka. 
             Visit to Tibetan and Chinese medecines Scholars at the Men-Tsee-Khan 
Day 24: (Lhasa3) / Lhasa - Morning Sightseeing Tour to Drepung and Potala Palace. Afternoon  t the Men-Tsee-Khan: Tibetan Medicine. 
Day 25: (Lhasa4) /  Lhasa - Men-Tsee-Khan: Tibetan Medicine.  Afternoon free for activities:  around Jokhang Market to do  souvenir shopping or other meetings with Amchis. 
Day 26: (Lhasa5) /  Early morning transfer Gonggar Airport to fly back to Kathmandu, 
 Day 27: KTM debriefing / day free 
Day 28: Transfert to Airport , Fly back to Europe or USA,
 
 

Lhasa - 5 Days Fly  In/Out

Itinerary for 5 DAYS TOURS (Fly IN/Out) should better start on  Tuesday (April  to October) 
andmay  include on request a visit to one of Men-Tsee-Khan units (Tibetan Medicine), the Potala Palace, several monasteries and streets around  Jokhang Temple to give you a real taste of  Tibet. 

Day 01:  Fly Kathmandu over the Himalaya to Lhasa at Gonggar Airport (3,570m.). 
              Upon arrival transfer to  Hotel Himilaya (Lhasa). Meeting with Amchis. 
Day 02:  Sightseeing around Barkhor, Jokhang, Sera Monastery and Norbulingka. 
              Visit to Tibetan and Chinese medecines Scholars at the Men-Tsee-Khan (Lhasa) 
Day 03:  Lhasa - Morning Sightseeing Tour to Drepung and Potala Palace. Afternoon 
              at the Men-Tsee-Khan: Tibetan Medicine. 
Day 04:  Lhasa - Men-Tsee-Khan: Tibetan Medicine.  Afternoon free for activities: 
              around Jokhang Market to do  souvenir shopping or other meetings with Amchis. 
Day 05:  Early morning transfer to Gonggar Airport to fly back to Kathmandu, (1,410m.). 

WHAT  OPTION  TIBET  (5 Days Fly In/Out)  INCLUDES: 
Accommodation with breakfast on twin sharing basis in Guest House Class Hotel 
like Himalaya Hotel, Khada or Yak Hotel. 
The airfare (Return Ticket) Kathmandu/Lhasa/Kathmandu, Airport transfers to/from Hotels in Tibet and in Kathmandu, Guided Sightseeing Tours, Entrance fees at Monasteries and Market places. 

WHAT  IT  DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Meals (Lunch & Dinner).  Airport tax in Kathmandu Rs. 700/- and in Gonggar Airport tax Yuan 90/- in Tibet.  Nepal Re-entry visa - US$ 25/- on return arrival from Tibet. Attention: Britain, Netherland, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Canada, Brazil and Cameroon Nationals have to pay extra US$ 45/- for Tibet Entry Visa.  There will also be a surharge, on Tibet Visa Fee, if client has to get the Visa within 1 or 2 days time in case of Emergency. Surcharge - US$ 35/- for obtaining Visa same day payable to Chinese Embassy/Ktm. US$ 15/- for obtaining Visa less than a week. 

COSTS & OPTIONS (valid in 1999):
5 DAYS FLY IN/OUT : from 900 USD 
8 DAYS FLY IN/OUT : from  1,200 USD 
8 DAYS FLY IN / DRIVE OUT : from 950 USD 
12 DAYS DRIVE  IN / FLY OUT: from 1,600 USD 
NB: there are two flights /week for Tibet (Tuesday and Saturday) : 228USD return.