Corey Jackson – Peak Mind: Himalayan Tour & Meditation Retreat

Welcome to India! Upon your arrival at the airport in Delhi, our representative will greet you and escort you to the hotel. After checking into your hotel, spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the local area and relaxing in the hotel. Our friendly guide and hotel staff will be on hand should you need restaurant recommendations or general provisions.

Overnight: Hotel, Delhi

After breakfast we will fly to Dharamsala. On arrival we will check into our hotel before exploring McLeod Ganj, with Tibetan shops and culture running through the town. This fascinating and multicultural hill station is universally known as the home of the 14th Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile.

In the afternoon we’ll visit the temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Namgyal Monastery, where you can turn the giant prayer wheels and observe the monks going about debating and their daily activities. Spend the evening in one of the many international restaurants that dot the town as you admire the beauty of the spectacular Dhauladhar mountain range in the background.

Overnight: Hotel, McLeodGanj

Included Meals: Breakfast & Welcome Dinner at Common Ground, McLeod Ganj

This morning you might like to enjoy one of the many cafes in the town and have that long awaited espresso coffee, you have earned it! After breakfast, we’ll visit the picturesque village of Naddi. This peaceful village offers spectacular views of both the Dhauladhar mountain range and the lush Kangra valley.

On our way back to McLeod Ganj we’ll visit the Tibetan Children’s Village (opening hours permitting), which provides care and education for Tibetan children living in exile. We’ll return to McLeod Ganj to spend some more time at the temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Museum, absorbing Tibetan culture as we explore and Tushita Meditation Centre.

Other activities which can be included:

A class of Tibetan Philosophy at the Tibetan Library (morning from 11-12)

A trek to Triund – (optional) Leave early and arrive back late afternoon

Overnight: Hotel, McLeod Ganj

Included Meals: Breakfast

The meditation retreat will cover mental landscape as we learn a suite of meditation practices designed for flourishing, happiness and mental health. We will learn by doing, with plenty of time to discuss your experience.

You’ll cultivate a relaxed and empowered attitude toward mindfulness, meditation and mental health that is impossible to attain in the busyness of a our 21st lifestyle at home.

You’ll also need time to decompress, so you’re free to explore the local village, fields and temples or even do an afternoon tour of a nearby tea plantation. This is time time to immerse yourself in peace, stillness and the cultures that developed these practices of mindfulness, kindness and compassion.

Each session will comprise of 2-3 guided meditations of about 20 minutes and some discussion about the techniques – how to quickly improve meditation, but also HOW and WHY they should improve your emotional life and mental health in your daily life. The sessions are not taxing and designed to increase relaxation and focus.

The schedule is below, however we may alter a little if there are local events in the local monasteries and temples.

•  7:00-8:00am Morning meditation/discussion.
•  8:00-9:00am BREAKFAST
•  9:30-11:00 Meditation, discussion.
• 11:30- 1:00 Meditation, discussion.
  
•  1:00-2:00pm Lunch
  
•  2:00-4:00om Free Time to read or explore the local village.
•  5:00-7:00pm Afternoon meditation/discussion.
•  7:00-8:00pm Dinner
  
•  8:00-8:30 short meditation

Included:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in TARA Jagori.

Same as Day 05.

Late afternoon walk around Rakkar Village.

Overnight: TARA Jagori, Sidhbari

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in TARA Jagori

Same as Day 5-6.

Late afternoon walk around Rakkar Village.

Overnight: TARA Jagori, Sidhbari

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in TARA Jagori

Retreat end

Morning meditation.

Visit Gyuto monastery, some free time in the village and Norbulingka, before a light-offering ceremony at Drolma Ling nunnery.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in TARA Jagori

We’ll leave Jagori and drive along the Kangra valley with its beautiful tea plantations on our way to Tso Pema (approx. 4 hours). Tso Pema (the Tibetan name for Rewalsar Lake) is a place of pilgrimagefor Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs. For Buddhists, it is especially holy as this is where Guru Rinpoche performed the miracle of transforming his own funeral pyre into a lake.

Overnight: Hotel, Tso Pema

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we’ll visit Guru Rinpoche’s cave in the hills above the lake, as well as a large statue dedicated to him closer to the town. We’ll also have the opportunity to circumambulate the lake.

Overnight: Hotel, Tso Pema

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we’ll drive back towards the Kangra valley, exploring the Buddhist trail along the way. We’ll stop for lunch at Bir, a small Tibetan settlement, and visit the newly built monastery. We will continue our journey to the largest monastery in the area, Sherabling, with one of the most beautiful temples in the area. We’ll spend the night at a nearby hotel.

Overnight: Hotel, Tara Garh Heritage

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and visit Tashi Jong Monastery. On the way back to McLeodGanj we’ll visit the stunning DGL nunnery and meet Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo (her schedule permitting).

In the afternoon we’ll arrive in McLeodGanj and check in to the hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure for any last-minute shopping in the Tibetan market or your last visit to the Dalai Lama’s temple.

Overnight: Hotel, McLeodGanj

Included Meals: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner

Enjoy your last day sightseeing or shopping in Delhi. As an optional extra you can visit the National Museum, which houses the Sacred Relics of the Buddha (5th-4th century BC) which were discovered in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The relics are outstanding specimens of Buddhist art and are illustrated through exhibits in a variety of materials and forms from the three principal Buddhist forms, Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.

Overnight: Hotel, Delhi

Included Meals: Breakfast

We will transfer you to the airport in time for your flight home or further travel in India. Thank you for travelling with us.