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Reading List
There is a variety of reading material online as well. Many resources can be accessed on the Tibetan and Himalayan Digital Library, http://iris.lib.virginia.edu/tibet.
Description and Travel:
- The Waiting Land - Dervla Murphy
Murphy's account of working in a Tibetan refugee camp (in Pokhara) in 1965.
- Trekking in Tibet: A Traveler's Guide - Gary McCue
Comprehensive and up-to-date; the guide to Tibet .
Ethnic Groups and Cultures:
Tibet , Land of Snows - Giuseppe Tucci
Survey of Tibetan traditions and religion, which also permeate northern Nepal
History and Culture:
In Exile From the Land of Snows - John Avedon
Moving story of Tibetan refugees in exile.
Religion:
- Hindu Myths - Wendy O'Flaherty
Introductions to the major gods in their many moods
- Hinduism - Gavin Flood
- Open Secrets: A Western Guide to Tibetan Buddhism - Walt Anderson
Introductory book to Tibetan Buddhism, placing it in modern terms.
- The Way to Shambhala - Edward Bernbaum
Account of the Tibetan tradition of "hidden valleys." and a good explanation of the many levels of Tibetan Buddhism.
- Freedom in Exile: Autobiography of the Dalai Lama (Tibetan)
This compelling autobiography is the classic story of east-meets-west. It is such a good read that young adults will enjoy it as well. Details many aspects of the tulku (reincarnate lama) tradition.
- Kindness, Clarity and Insight - the Dalai Lama
Good introductory text on Buddhism and daily life by the Tibetan religious and political leader-in-exile.
- Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism - Chogyam Trungpa
Seminal book about Tibetan Buddhism by one of the first Tibetan teachers to establish himself in the west.
Development and Politics:
The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China , Tibet , and the Dalai Lama, Melvyn Goldstein
Puts the whole "Tibet Question" into an apt political and historical context by one of the leading Tibetan historians.
Natural History/Ecology:
Stones of Silence - George Schaller
Fascinating studies of wild cats, sheep and goats of the Himalaya. |
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Viewing List
- Kundun
- Seven Years in Tibet
- Saltmen of Tibet
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Clothing List
- Bring from home
Boots, Socks, Camp shoes, Thermal tops, Thermal bottoms, Night wear, Neck gaiter, Day wear shirt, Sun hat, Sun screen , Sunglasses, Toiletries and odds and ends, Small towel/sarong, Personal medicines, Camera, Money pouch/belt, Strong rucksack, or large hold-all to be put in the vehicle, 2x Passport photos
- Available in Kathmandu or bring from home
Sleeping bag, Small Daypack to be carried personally, Trekking pants, Fleece tops, Warm hat, Light gloves, Toilet paper, Extra passport photos, One liter water bottle, Film or if you use a digital camera, enough memory cards and battery power, a good book or two, Lip care, Flashlight ideally head-flashlight
Note: Some of the items available in Kathmandu will be of a different quality/ different brands from what you may be accustomed to. |
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U.S Trip Liaison
Hugh Flick, Dean of Silliman College and Lecturer in Religious Studies at Yale University will be the U.S liaison for this trip. Hugh Flick specializes in Indian narrative traditions, especially the Indian Epics. Before joining the Yale faculty in 1988, he taught at Harvard University. He is the author of “Carrying Enemies on Your Shoulder: Indian Folk Wisdom in Tibet.” Work in progress includes translations and commentaries on Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, the Pancatantra, and the Vikramaditya tradition. He is a member of the South Asian Studies Committee. Please feel free to email Hugh Flick at hugh.flick@yale.edu with questions regarding this trip. |
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Trip Cost
The total cost of this trip includes all hotel/guesthouse/camping accommodation, all meals (B,L,D) during the trip, all ground transportation in Tibet and Nepal, Chinese visas and Tibet travel permits for Tibet, and airfare to Lhasa from Kathmandu. Airfare from and to your home country is not included in the trip cost. Nor are expenses of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, tips, laundry and telephone calls.
Depending on the grade of hotels you would like, there are three price options:
- L Series (Luxury): USD$ 4,500 per person
- D Series (Deluxe): USD$ 3,850 per person
- S Series (Standard): USD$ 3,000 per person
Hotels for L Series:
Hotels for D Series:
Hotels for S Series:
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Group Size
This trip requires a minimum of 5 people to operate at the costs given above. The maximum number of people we recommend for a group is up to 30 peopl |
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How to Book your Trip
To reserve your space on this trip, send an email with the subject line: “Sacred Sites of Tibet Trip Booking” to sts@wlink.com.np with your name, age, nationality, passport number, and mailing address (for your free STS trip duffel/ carry-all bag).
In order to confirm your space on this trip, we will require by international bank transfer a 25% advance of the total payment 30 days before the trip start date. If paying by international bank transfer we will require the balance payment one-two weeks before trip start date. If paying by credit card, cash, or travelers checks, the balance payment can be made upon arrival in Kathmandu.
For bank transfers:
Name and Address of our US Correspondent Banks
BENEFICIARY’S NAME:
Sherpa Trekking Service (P) Ltd.
BENEFICIARY’S A/C NUMBER:
USD A/C NO. 01-1073125-55
BENEFICIARY’S BANK NAME AND ADDRESS IN NEPAL
- FUNDS TO BE SENT TO (VIA SWIFT MT103 MESSAGE)
Standard Chartered Bank Ltd.
Kathmandu, Nepal.
Swift Code: SCBLNPKA
- CORRESPONDENT BANK IN USA
Standard Chartered Bank
One Madison avenue
New York, NY 10010-3603
Swift code: SCBLUS33
Once you have confirmed your trip and we have received 25% advance of the total payment, we will ship you your FREE STS TRIP DUFFEL/CARRY-ALL BAG. If you would like to receive the bag in Nepal, please specify in your email. We will give this to you upon arrival in Kathmandu at one of our pre-trek meets. |
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Trip Start Dates
The Sacred Sites of Tibet will leave from Kathmandu on two dates in Sumer 2007 – scheduled to arrive at Mt. Kailash on a full moon day.
- June 17, 2007
- July 17, 2007
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Changes to day-to-day Itinerary
Please be aware that changes to the itinerary may be made according to road and weather conditions, as is to be expected with any type of adventure travel of this nature. We have provided the day-to-day itinerary as a standard guideline of what to expect on your trip. However, STS guides reserve the rights to make changes to the itinerary when they suit your best interests, such as in the case of bad road or weather conditions. Our guides will explain the reasons for the changes to the itinerary, if it occurs. |
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Baggage Weight Allowance
15-20 kilos (33-44 pounds) is what we recommend our clients to carry in your main baggage/carry-all, including clothing and any personal equipment. This is to prevent any surcharge on your flight to Lhasa, which is not included in the trip cost. Also, you might want to save some weight in your baggage for any souvenirs/gifts you might pick up in Tibet or Nepal. If you bring more than 15-20 kilos, you can safely store any additional baggage at your hotel in Kathmandu, and pick it up when you return from Lhasa. |
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Passport and Visa Requirements
A valid passport with minimum six months validity and a current visa is required for all trips.
There are two ways to secure a visa for entry into Nepal. You can either apply in advance at the closest Nepalese embassy in your home country, OR you can secure a visa at the airport in Kathmandu for US $30. If you are getting your visa at the airport, please be sure to carry at least two passport size photos as you will require this to get a visa. Note: this visa fee is not included in the trip cost.
Chinese visa and Tibet travel permits will be prepared upon arrival in Kathmandu (it takes only one day to make these). Note: the cost of the Chinese visa and Tibet travel permits is included in your trip cost. Please be sure to bring with you at least two passport size photos incase we require this for permits. |
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Extending your Holiday
STS offers many options for extending your holiday. Please contact us at sts@wlink.com.np if you would like recommendations for customizing your extension to this trip. Some choices we recommend:
- Jungle Safari – 2 nights/3 days OR 3 nights/4 days
Tour deep into the Chitwan jungle looking for Rhinos and Tigers on the back of an elephant…
- White Water Rafting - 1 night/2 days OR 3 nights/4 days
Ride a raft on the thundering rivers that crash down from the Himalaya…
- Lakeside Town of Pokhara-Chitwan Jungle Safari- Nagarkot resort village- town- Soft day hikes
- From 3 nights/4 days up to 10 nights/11 days
See for more details and rates http://www.sts.com.np/nepal/specialdeals/index.htm
- Trek the Nepal Himalayas – Everest Base Camp, Langtang Valley, Annapurna
From 7 nights/8 days to 22 nights/23 days
See our trekking section on our website at http://www.sts.com.np/
- Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon – Touring and Nature Hikes
From 7 nights/8 days Spa and Nature trip to 11 nights/12 days to 11 nights/ 12 days
Email us at sts@wlink.com if you would like to extend your holiday and for more information on our recommended trip extensions.
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