Overview: These popular annual pilgrimages to the sacred Buddhist sites of Nepal, Tibet and India are led by experienced Western Dharma teachers following the advice of Ven. Robina Courtin and Lama Zopa Rinpoche concerning the practices to be done on pilgrimage. These pilgrimages include daily Dharma teachings and group meditation sessions. There will also be local English speaking guides accompanying and assisting group members throughout the journey.

The Pilgrimage begins in Kathmandu with a week-long meditation retreat at Kopan Monastery. We visit nearby spiritual icons such as Bodhanath and Swambhunath Stupas. In India we see the places of Buddha's birth (Lumbini), death (Kushingar), enlightenment (Bodhgaya), and first sermon (Sarnath). In Tibet, we travel from Lhasa visiting a host of sacred sites such as Jokang Temple, Tashilunpo Monastery and much more.

 Leader for Chasing Buddha Tibet: Jimi 'Jigme' Neal
grew up and studied near Seattle, USA. On his second journey to India and Nepal in 1974, he met Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Jimi was an ordained monk from 1980 to 1995 and in 1981 he was one of the founding monks at France's Nalanda Monastery. He has taken many teachings, initiations and commentaries in Sutra and Tantra from various lamas and has completed several retreats. He has led retreats and has taught the Dharma in India, Nepal, America, France and Spain. Jimi has lived in India for most of his adult life and speaks Hindi and Tibetan. He has traveled previously to Tibet on pilgrimage to holy Mt. Kailas.

"Jimi Neal is a fantastic teacher. I'm delighted he is leading
our 2011 Chasing Buddha Tibet Pilgrimage."
                                                  — Venerable Robina Courtin

 Leader for Chasing Buddha India: Venerable Robina Courtin was ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun at Kopan Monastery, Nepal in 1978. She has since worked for Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche's Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, as editorial director of Wisdom Publications and later as editor of the FPMT magazine, Mandala.
She is founder of Liberation Prison Project, which, since 1996,
has supported the Buddhist practice and studies of thousands of prisoners in the USA and Australia.

Since 1987 Ven. Robina has taught Buddhist courses and retreats at FPMT centers worldwide. An award-winning film by her nephew Amiel Courtin– Wilson, "Chasing Buddha" documents her life and work for prisoners. She is one of the subjects of Vicki Mackenzie's "Why Buddhism?", and a film by Christine Lundberg, "On the Road Home."
She is a popular and engaging pilgrimage leader.

Detailed Administrative Information For Each Pilgrimage...
Tibet Pilgrimage First, Then India Pilgrimage Follows

Chasing Buddha Tibet Pilgrimage • Administrative Details:

(+) Land Cost (land cost as itinerary has described):

$4500USD

(+) In-Trip Airfare Estimate (air during itinerary program):

+  $900USD

(=) Total Program Cost (Land & In-Trip Air costs combined):

=  $5400USD *

* Minimum Group Size & Surcharge:

Pilgrimage costs are based on a typical group size of at least 20 participants. Should this trip be undersubscribed, a surcharge of $400-200USD per person will apply. This surcharge will be added
upon registration and will be removed or reduced when/if the threshold of 20-15 participants is reached. A minimum of 10 participants are necessary to operate this pilgrimage.

Trip Deposit (submit with application):

$500USD

Single Supplement (optional single accommodation):

$800USD (optional)

Maximum Group Size:

Thirty Participants

Other Cost & Need Considerations:

Passport, Visa(s), Physicians Visit, Emergency Medical & Evacuation Insurance, Travel to/from Kathmandu, Meals Beyond Above Itinerary, Beverages, Spending/Personal Money.

Trip Activity–Level:

Mild: Accommodations are most often in comfortable guest houses and four–star hotels. Activities are usually mild and can include day hikes of less than four hours in length. Vehicle time can include fatigue with long travel along rough roads.

Registration Deadline:

March 20, 2011 ($100USD late fee thereafter)

The Chasing Buddha Nepal & Tibet Pilgrimage
Printable Itinerary:

The Chasing Buddha Nepal & Tibet Pilgrimage (Available Soon)

Pilgrimage Application:

The Chasing Buddha Nepal & Tibet Pilgrimage Application

Need More Information? Email Us, we're nice:

Himalayan High Treks Email

Chasing Buddha India Pilgrimage • Administrative Details:

(+) Land Cost (land cost as itinerary has described):

$3600USD

(+) In-Trip Airfare Estimate (air during itinerary program):

+  $100USD

(=) Total Program Cost (Land & In-Trip Air costs combined):

=  $3700USD *

* Minimum Group Size & Surcharge:

Pilgrimage costs are based on a typical group size of at least 20 participants. Should this trip be undersubscribed, a surcharge of $200USD per person will apply. This surcharge will be added
upon registration and will be removed once/if the threshold of
20 participants is reached. A minimum of 10 participants
are necessary to operate this pilgrimage.

Trip Deposit (submit with application):

$500USD

Single Supplement (optional single accommodation):

$600USD (optional)

Maximum Group Size:

Thirty Participants

Other Cost & Need Considerations:

Passport, Visa(s), Physicians Visit, Emergency Medical & Evacuation Insurance, Travel to/from Kathmandu (Nepal), Meals Beyond Above Itinerary, Beverages, Spending/Personal Money.

Trip Activity–Level:

Mild: Accommodations are most often in comfortable guest houses and four–star hotels. Activities are usually mild and can include day hikes of less than four hours in length. Vehicle time can include fatigue with long travel along rough roads.

Registration Deadline:

August 30, 2011 ($100USD late fee thereafter)

The Chasing Buddha Nepal & India Pilgrimage
Printable Itinerary:

The Chasing Buddha Nepal & India Pilgrimage (Available Soon)

Pilgrimage Application:

The Chasing Buddha Nepal & India Pilgrimage Application

Need More Information? Email Us, we're nice:

Himalayan High Treks Email