Kalacakra Tour in Mongolia 2015 - Santa Barbara Institute for

Kalacakra Tour in Mongolia
Led by Professor Vesna Wallace
University of California, Santa Barbara
Position :
Professor of Buddhist Studies at University of
California, Santa Barbara.
Research Interests:
Indian Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism and
Mongolian Buddhism
This tour offers a uniquely rewarding introduction to Mongolia, including visits to a selection
of the country’s finest Buddhist–related sites. The tour begins in the capital Ulaanbaatar.
From here we travel south to the Gobi to the Hamar Monastery and surrounding area, then
back to Ulaanbaatar for a day. From there we travel by jeep to the ancient capital of the
Mongolian Empire, Kharakhorum, a city set in the basin of the Orkhon River. You will tour
throughout one of the most beautiful landscaped provinces, Uvurhangai and Arhangai, and
complete your journey at the spectacular northern strip of the Gobi desert -Elsen tasarhai.
1
ULAANBAATAR
Arrival at the Chinggis Khaan International
Airport in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Check- in Hotel
Welcoming dinner.
Inductory lecture – Prof. Vesna Wallace
Overnight in the hotel.
Friday, 7 August 2015
2
ULAANBAATAR- SAINSHAND
Saturday, 8 August 2015
Visit Gandan Monastery
Free time to prepare for tour to the Gobi.
Lunch
Drive to Sainshand, capital of the Dornogobi
region. Our route to Dornogobi Aimag (East
Gobi) will follow the track of the TransSiberian Railway.
Late evening arrival in Tavan Dohio Tourist
camp, and settle in a traditional Mongolian
dwelling :- a ger.
Overnight at the ger camp
3
SAINSHAND – TAVAN DOHIO
(38km)- HAMAR MONASTERY
Sunday , 9 August 2015
Visit Hamar Monastery established in 1821 by
the famous 19th century poet, writer, painter,
physicist and philosopher Danzanvarjaa (1803 1856). Join Buddhist chanting at the Monastery.
Lecture by Professor Vesna Wallace
Visit to the meditation caves and walk through
hills where ancient Buddhist lamas formerly
studied and meditated.
4
SHAMBALA LAND
Shambala Land: Danzanravjaa let all his
disciples gather in the midst of the many
coloured hills and created drawings for the
Shambala. He also built a meditation practice
area with wooden stupas, a door and a heap of
stones. This is one of the holiest places for
prayers to be born in Shambhala and one of the
major pilgrimage sites in Mongolia.
Lecture by Professor Vesna Wallace
Afternoon visit local area including sand dunes
Monday, 10 August 2015
5
BAYANZURKH MOUNTAIN
20km
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Drive to the most famous Gobi mountain
associated with religious beliefs and rituals Khan Bayanzurkh. This mountain has many
other names, such as Wish-fulfilling Mountain,
Relic mountain, Black Mountain, wishfulfilling Jewel Mountain.
Activity : hiking and mountain ritual
Lecture by Professor Vesna Wallace
Drive to Sainshand town. Visit Danzanravjaa
Museum.
Overnight at the ger camp
6
TAVAN DOHIO GER CAMPULAANBAATAR
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
Early start. Today we will drive back to
Ulaanbaatar.
Picnic lunch
Arrive early afternoon in Ulaanbaatar
Afternoon we will visit Zanabazar Fine Art
museum
Dinner
Overnight in the hotel
7
ULAANBAATAR
Breakfast
Free time and make preparations for the
countryside tour
Lunch
Evening folklore performance includes
traditional dancing, traditional long song,
performance of contortionist, Tsam-religious
mask dance.
Dinner
Overnight in the hotel
Thursday, 13 August 2015
8
ULAANBAATARKHARAKORUM 280km
Friday, 14 August 2015
After breakfast drive to Kharakhorum. The
journey enables you to experience the
unbelievable contrast between the Gobi, Steppe,
and Mountainous areas.
Picnic lunch
Kharakhorum is the 13th- century capital of the
Mongol Empire, founded by Chinggis himself.
Under the reign of the Khaans the cosmopolitan
city was known for its religious freedom and its
international inhabitants, snatched from Europe
and Central Asia by invading Mongols.
Visit to Erdenezuu Monastery. On arrival the
first and most obvious landmarks are the
remains of the Erdenezuu Monastery’s vast
walls. This monastery was built in 1586 and is
surrounded by a massive 400m x 400m wall.
Not a single nail was used in the construction of
the ornate temples, only a few of which remain
standing after the communist purges.
Meeting with monastery’s abbot, Venerable
Baasaansuren
Dinner
Overnight in the ger camp
9
KHARAKORUM- SHANH HIID
40 KM - TUVHUN HIID 130km
Breakfast
We drive to one of the ancient monasteries of
Mongolia, Shanh, which was established on the
bank of Harzan river, in Harhorin soum of
Uvurhangai province in 1650.
Before being named Shanh it was known as
Baruun Huree, where religious leader
Zanabazar spent his childhood. During the hard
times, the monastery was destroyed but rebuilt
in 1990.
Lecture by Professor Vesna Wallace
After lunch we continue drive to Tuvhun Hiid.
Overnight in a ger which local people provide.
There is no hot water and basic rest rooms
Saturday, 15 August 2015
10
TUVHUN HIID
Sunday , 16 August 2015
Breakfast
We will ride a horse or hike up to the Tuvhun
Monastery, one of the 10 stone monasteries
from the 17th century. A magnificent building in
a wonderful setting. It has to be seen to be
believed.
Enjoy the views of forest, and mountainous,
ranging countryside.
Overnight in a ger
11
TUVHUN HIID- ELSEN
TASARHAI 230km
Monday, 17 August 2015
Breakfast
Drive through the undulating mountains of
central Mongolia to the ger camp. Explore the
fascinating desert terrain.
Option: Camel riding
Overnight at the ger camp
12
ELSEN TASARHAIULAANBAATAR 280km
Tuesday, 18 August 2015
Drive to Ulaanbaatar , check-in the hotel.
Afternoon, visiting Choijin Lama Museum
Lunch
Enjoy shopping at the one of the finest outlet
centre for cashmere goods
Farewell dinner
Overnight in the hotel
13
DEPARTURE
Breakfast
Transfer to the Chinggis Khaan International
Airport.
Wednesday, 19 August 2015
Have a safe and pleasant
journey
RATES PER PERSON : 3200 USD
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES :
All the airport, railway station transfers in Ulaanbaatar
Hotel in Ulaanbaatar , twin rooms
Accommodation in tour camps
The transportation service out of Ulaanbaatar accord ing to the itinerary with
mini bus
English speaking tour organiser
Meal charges: breakfast, lunch and dinner in the country side
Entrance fees to the natural protected areas.
Entrance fees to the Museums in Ulaanbaatar..
THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
International flight
Mongolian visa fee
Horse riding, archery and other optional activities
Travel and health insurance
Single supplement
Bank transfer charges