Home to the Tibetan Government in Exile and the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala is a unique part of the world. Here we will immerse ourselves further into Tibetan culture, visiting the Tibetan Children’s Village and Norbulingka Institute to witness the preservation of Tibetan culture. Along with a visit to the Dalai Lama’s temple, this is a perfect place for exploring Himalayan and Tibetan culture. We’ll also visit Tso Pema, a holy lake and important site for Buddhist pilgrims and many significant monasteries, including Tashi Jong.
TOUR DATES |
08 – 21 November 2025 |
TOUR COST |
A$5290 per person, twin share
A$ 1390 per person single supplement |
DURATION |
14 Days, 13 Nights |
TOUR HIGHLIGHT |
|
TOUR ROUTE |
Delhi – McLeod Ganj – Andretta – Tso Pema – Sherabling – McLeodGanj – Delhi, India |
TOUR MAP |
 |
TOUR LEADER |
Corey Jackson
He spent nearly six years in Dharmasala, where studying Buddhist philosophy and meditation, eventually translating from Tibetan to English and loves showing people around his “old neighbourhood.” Now at the end of a PhD researching the underlying causes of anxiety, depression and emotional dysfunction, his research is the culmination of his time in India, a degree in Psychology and Sanskrit plus more than twenty years studying and translating Buddhist philosophy from Tibetan to English and teaching meditation. Before any of this, he was a jazz pianist in Toronto, Canada. |
8 November 2025
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
9 November 2025
After breakfast we will fly to Dharamsala. On arrival we will check into our hotel before exploring McLeod Ganj, with Tibetan shops and culture throughout 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, 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
10 November 2025
Today we will explore Tushita Meditation Centre and Trijang Rinpoche’s Stupa.
Afternoon free time to walk around Naddi Village. This peaceful village offers spectacular views of both the Dhauladhar mountain range and the lush Kangra valley.
Overnight: Hotel, McLeod Ganj
Included Meals: Breakfast
11 November 2025
After breakfast, we will leave McLeod Ganj and drive to Mirage, Andretta. On the way, we will stop at Tibet Museum/Library and DGL for meeting with Tenzin Palmo.
Mirage is a Yoga and retreat place with beautiful mud houses surrounded by tall trees and a fruit garden. Andretta is also known as an artist’s village, there are few artists’ workshops, like potters, painters, and statue makers. Few famous artists made Andretta their home in the mid 20th century.
Overnight: Mirage, Andretta
Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner at Mirage
12 November 2025
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 Mirage.
13 November 2025
Same as Day 05.
Overnight: Mirage, Andretta
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Mirage
14 November 2025
Same as Day 5-6.
Overnight: Mirage, Andretta
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Mirage
15 November 2025
We’ll leave Andretta 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
16 November 2025
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
17 November 2025
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 and Sherabling Monestery. Late afternoon drive to Norbulingka.
Overnight: Norling House, Norbulingka
Included Meals: Breakfast
18 November 2025
Spend the morning exploring Norbulingka Institute, Later visit to Dharamshala Animal Rescue.
In the evening we will visit Dolma Ling Nunnery for lamp lighting Ceremony.
Included Meals: Breakfast
19 November 2025
After breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and drive to McLeodGanj.
Free time – class at LTWA, Triund, Morning meditation at Tushita
Overnight: Hotel, McLeodGanj
Included Meals: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
20 November 2025
Today we will fly back to Delhi.
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
21 November 2025
We will transfer you to the airport in time for your flight home or further travel in India. Thank you for travelling with us.
INCLUDES
Fully accompanied by Corey Jackson
Met on arrival at the airport by an Ekno representative
Services of an English-speaking guide for the duration of the tour
13 nights’ accommodation with breakfast
Welcome and farewell dinners
Lunch and dinners as per itinerary while stay in Mirage Andretta
All transfers and sightseeing by private AC vehicles as per the itinerary
Domestic flights from Delhi – Dharamshala – Delhi
Lamp Ceremony at Dolmaling Nunnery
Entrance fees to all sites and monuments as per the itinerary
EXCLUDES
Return airfares to India
Indian tourist visa (on arrival)
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Occasional optional activities and transport not identified in itinerary description
Lunch and dinner (unless otherwise specified in the itinerary)
Personal expenditure such as drinks (including bottled water), laundry service and souvenirsTips
Donations to monasteries
Optional Extras:
- Pickup from Delhi international airport (if arriving more than 24 hours before trip)
- Drop off at Delhi international airport (if departing more than 24 hours after trip)
- Optional sightseeing in Delhi
Please click on following Booking Form link and fill in your details and pay the deposit.
