Spirit of Kham Program
A Conscious Journey to Tibet’s Wild Frontier. The Ultimate Cultural Exchange
and Service-Learning Opportunity
Program Description: If you are looking for the ultimate service and cultural exchange experience then consider the Spirit of Kham program. The highlights include: visits to magnificent monasteries and cultural sites; in-depth interaction with highly accomplish monks, scholars, and ordinary Tibetans; participation in Tibetan festivals and rituals; a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, camping and hiking, and more.
Program Cost: The trip has been budgeted on a sliding scale in order to cover fixed program costs, accommodate different group sizes, and keep participant expenses as low as possible. All costs are in US dollars unless noted.
Trip date: Three weeks in July 2009. Click here to print the trip application.
Land
Cost: |
$3,275 for (11-12 participants) |
$3,425 for (09-10 participants) |
$3,700 for (07-08 participants) |
Includes: food, cooks, drivers, interpreters, permits & fees, travel insurance, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, and welcome and a farewell banquets. Spirit of Kham program cost little more because of overland cost from Chengdu to Kham. No in-country flight cost.
Does not include: the cost of your international flight to Chengdu or your Chinese visa
| Trip
Payment Schedule |
Cancellation
Fee Schedule |
At
time of reservation - $500 |
Minimum
fee:
None |
120
days prior to departure - $1500 |
46-
90 days prior to departure: 50% land cost |
60
days prior to departure - Balance |
45
days or less:
100% land cost |
Tax-Deduction: 30% of the land cost is tax-deductible. In the event of a trip cancellation, the cancellation fee simply becomes a donation to Tibetan Village Project and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Note: tax deduction applies only in the United States as it where TVP has 501(c)3 Status.
Fundraising: Another reason that we are able to keep our program costs well below most other tour companies operating inside Tibet is that we ask all participants to become TVP ambassadors with the individual goal of raising awareness and $1000 ($650 minimum) to support the work of the Tibetan Village Project before your departure for Tibet. TVP will be happy to help with fund-raising ideas, materials and support. We also hope that you will be inspired to speak about your experiences, and share your pictures, when you return. 100 % of what you raised is tax-deductible to the donors.
Spirit of Kham Itinerary
Days 1-2: Flight to Chengdu
Participants will fly to Chengdu, China and then have an opportunity to relax, unwind and alleviate their jetlag with a traditional Tui Na massage. The group will then enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional Tibetan restaurant and participate in a thorough orientation focusing on group travel, safety and cultural etiquette. The following day will be spent visiting world renowned Chinese cultural sites, and making last-minute preparations for the overland drive to Kangding.
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| Spirit of Kham Program Map |
Day 3-6: Kangding / Lithang:
Rested and ready for an adventure, the group will set out across the rice-growing plains west of Chengdu and ascend picturesque foothills to the small city of Dartsedo (8,580'). Once an important trade center that served as a buffer zone between China and Tibet, Dartsedo, now known as Kanding, still marks the edge of the Tibetan frontier. This bustling crossroads will offer us our first glimpse of a traditional Tibetan community and act as a welcome respite after an exciting 5-10 hour journey.
After a stroll through the markets and a good night’s sleep we will ascend further into the mountains, crossing Gye La (14,100') to arrive in Lithang. Situated on the lofty Tibetan Plateau (13,169'), Lithang is one of the highest towns in the world. Here, Khampas from across eastern Tibet come to trade goods ranging from sheepskins to yaks to large pieces of turquoise or amber. We will spend a couple of days mingling with the Khampas in the markets and take time to visit the famous Litang Monastery, birth of place of 5th the Dalai Lama.
Days 7-9: Kandze via Nyarong
Our journey will next take us through forested expanses of Tibet’s “wild west” to Nyarong, a small Tibetan village and home to an ancient Gompa. After exploring the Nyarong Gompa and taking in the local culture we will continue on to the riverside town of Kandze (11,000'). In Kandze’ we will try out our bartering skills at the lively bazaar then climb the hill to the Kandze Gompa. We will then spend the day exploring its many temples and bask in the spectacular views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks before hiking on to the lovely Lamdrak nunnery.
Days 10 –16: Tau/ Tagong, / Festival, ZharaYumtshoLake, Service Projects
Passing through the historic Tibetan trading towns of Draggo and Tau, we will arrive in Tagong. According to Tamdin, Tagong is one of the “coolest, most beautiful Tibetan towns anywhere in Tibet”, and will provide the perfect backdrop for a soulful, service-oriented, six-day sojourn.
Some highlights in Tagong…
The Pa Lhakang Monastery houses some of Tibet’s most important statues of Shakymuny Buddha which draw pilgrims from all over Tibet. We will have frequent opportunities to mingle with the pilgrims at the monastery and practice meditation with the monks. Serious practitioners may even choose to visit the three-year retreat home and Padmasambhava cave, and practice meditation for few hours or even a few days.
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| TVP 2007 team with kids. Note: header photo is an arial photo of Tagong. |
The Pa Lhakang Monastic School, with support from TVP, houses about 40 children, most of whom are orphans. They are thrilled to welcome us into their community and encourage us to build lasting connections with the students by organizing art projects, teaching English, preparing meals, improving sanitation issues, or offering any other service or activity that demonstrates unconditional love.
Home-Stays: Contrary to restrictions in place in Lhasa, volun-tourists in Tagong are allowed to stay at Tibetan homes and resident inns. This means that we will have the rare opportunity to experience how Tibetans live on day to day basis. FYI – While arranging a warm shower every few days is not impossible please be aware that it is not customary and should not be expected. Focus on the delicious banana pancakes!
Lake Zhara Yumtsho: We will camp on the shores of holy Lake Zhara Yumtsho (12,000'), and circumambulate it’s perimeter via the pilgrim circuit (kora). This will be the perfect opportunity to delight in Kham’s incredible displays of summer wildflowers and drink tea the nomads and pilgrims who have also come to enjoy this exquisite mountain setting.
Festivals: Every May 15th of Tibetan Luner calendar (approximately July 18, 19 and 20th of 2008), Tagong holds a spectacular three-day festival consisting of horse racing, dance performances, and games. Yahoo!
Days 17- 20: Temba / Siguniang / Wolong Panda Reserve / Chengdu / Flight
Next we will drive to the small town of Temba and walk to the town of Shol, where dozens of 18th century defensive stone towers rise like massive tree trunks from the mountain slopes. The trail will then lead us up the holy peak of Siguniang before we descend back into the forested valleys below. We will then make our way back to Chengdu via the famous Wolong Panda Reserve.
Participants are scheduled to depart from Chengdu on Day 20, but should feel free to plan a post-TVP adventure; perhaps a few days in Lhasa, mainland China or Nepal.
Arrival / Departure: The trip will officially begin and end at the Chengdu airport.Upon reserving your space in the Spirit of Kham trip you will receive a logistics packet containing all of the essential information you will need including instructions on how to apply for a visa to China, a packing list, a recommended reading list, day-to-day itinerary, detailed description of volunteer work, and health and safety information, etc.
Trip Style: Lodging will be simple; comfortable guesthouses, local residents and scenic camping.
Please remember this is not a "tour"; it is an adventure. Be prepared to participate with an open heart, an open mind, and a good sense of humor!
