Buddhism in Arunachal Pradesh Tour Package

Package Overview

In the magnificent highlands of the high-eastern Himalayas, Tibetan Buddhism has for ages survived and progressed true to its essence. Once contingent to that glorious free Tibet and ruled from Lhasa, the region today forms the western part of the forested state of Arunachal Pradesh. This land is proverbially beautiful; where the forests are massive, where plentiful fruits and flowers, high mountains, large rivers and humble cultures come alive in their awe and simplicity.

Old as the land, the region has its earliest inhabitants in the Monyul Kingdom which ruled over the land for over a thousand years till the 6th century. The Monpa people of this kingdom eventually adopted Buddhist practices over the later centuries and in 17th century the mesmerizing Galden Namgey Lhatse Monastery that translates as ‘celestial paradise in a clear night’ was built in the settlement of Tawang as per the wishes of his holiness the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, and belongs to the Gelug school of Mahayana Buddhism. Ever since, the landscape of the region has shined further gloriously, as a center of deep Buddhist studies and thriving cultural practices. In some essence, the region is also an example of Buddhism’s ability to absorb and integrate native faiths to create prosperity and unity. As such, Monpas and other tribes such as Aka and Serdukpen who reside in the western cultural sphere of Arunachal Pradesh follow a culture which has integrated Buddhism with some of their pre-Buddhist Bon and animist elements of faith.

In this journey starting at the plains of Assam, you will begin at Nameri National Park for a brief introduction to the biodiversity of the region. You will drive as far as the holy lands of Tawang and even beyond to paradisiacal landscapes of the mysterious high eastern Himalayas. In the verdant village of Thembang, you will come across and participate in the village life of the Monpa people and be introduced to their Bon-Buddhist culture. A responsible tourism project in the village ensures visitors get to stay in homestays and benefits remain at a grassroots level. In medieval era the village was a headquarter of a large territory ruled by the powerful Thembang Bapu, a direct descendant of the king of Tibet, and remains of fortification of this kingdom is still found in the village. In Bomdila, a thriving multi-cultural Himalayan town, you will be staying in the beautiful monastery’s guesthouse making it possible to observe early morning activities of the monks. Moving further high in the mountains towards the frontier borderlands with Tibet, the tour will reach the holy town of Tawang where the Galden Namgey Lhatse Monastery sits overlooking atop the hill and appears radiant, like a beckon of higher consciousnesses. The town is both a cultural and commercial hub in this remote region. Numerous important monasteries and nunneries have been established in and around. Such as the 15th century Urgelling Monastery which is the birthplace of his holiness the 6th Dalai Lama Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso. The Anni Gompa is the oldest nunnery in the vast area with several quarters housing many Buddhist nuns, built around five hundred years ago by a Tibetan lama. The newly opened ropeway between Tawang Monastery and Anni Gompa is an enjoyable ride. The large and artistic Khinmey monastery is the only major shrine of the Nyingmapa sect (red hat) of Tawang region, where according to legend, the great hermit Kudun Sangey Rinpoche tamed several barking hunting dogs while meditating. The Nyingmapas were the majority sect in Tawang region in the earlier times before the emergence of Gelugpa sect (yellow hat) of Tawang monastery, and are known to incorporate local religious practices, local deities and elements of shamanism.

Lastly, as you travel near the borderlands, the geography opens up into spectacular high-altitude peaks, pastures and wetlands, like nature’s eye-candy. While Indian travelers can go on a day trip towards Bum La pass to enjoy the scenic beauty of breathtaking lakes, foreign nationals get to spend a day traveling towards Bhutan to visit Zemithang village to see the traditional lifestyle of people living in the secluded frontiers and visit the large Gorsam Stupa which is a sacred pilgrimage site resembling the colossal Boudhanath Stupa of Nepal.

There will also be a visit to two community projects which are engaging in social work. The Manjushree Vidyapeeth is an orphanage run by the Buddhist monks and is on the way to Lhou. It is open for visitors and many even offer help for the welfare of this institution. Jhamtse Gatsal is another project – a community, home and school for about 90 children who come from nearby villages. Coming from various problems, the school’s goal is to provide the children with a better future and enable them in reaching their fullest potential. The community focuses on the wholesome development of a child by activities such as education, cultural preservation, family bonds, community outreach, food & gardening, healthcare and sustainable living. Volunteering here is highly recommended and the school assists interested individuals find a temporary vocation which will benefit the children.

A revealing journey through one of the planet’s last thriving natural paradise, this tour provides a simple insight into distant lifestyles and cultures, all the while traversing a diversity of pretty landscapes. A quote by the great anthropologist Dr.Verrier Elwin aptly describes “Gentle, friendly, courteous, industrious, good to animals, good to children, you see in the Monpas the influence of the compassionate Lord Buddha on the ordinary man.”

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Guwahati - Nameri NP

  After arrival at Guwahati Airport, drive to Nameri National Park (7-8 hours) which is one of the most scenic national parks of India with its view of the Himalayan peaks and is a haven for rare and exotic birds. Your stay will be in Potasali Eco-Camp, a jungle camp styled property with standard amenities which is run by a local NGO involved in ecotourism and conservation of the Pigmy Hog and Golden Mahseer, both critically endangered species. Evening at leisure with campfire.

  • Themes : Wildlife Sanctuaries & National Parks

• Day 2 : Nameri NP - Thembang

  Go for an early morning thrilling guided jungle walk for bird watching and if lucky some larger species such as deer, elephants and bison. After breakfast, leave for Thembang (8-9 hours) in the Sangti Valley, a remote mountain village of the Monpa Tribe where a community run tourism project maintains and preserves the local environment and culture. Your journey will thus enter the lush and pristine Himalayas of the east. En-route visit Tipi Orchid Center that has an amazing diversity of orchid species. Your stay will be in a homestay with clean amenities, providing you a glimpse into the distant lifestyles of the Monpa people. Evening at leisure.

  • Themes : Hill Stations & Valleys

• Day 3 : Thembang

  Spend the day in and around the village exploring more about the culture, history, people, landscapes, flora and fauna of the area. Interact with the locals and learn more about the Bon Buddhist beliefs of the Monpas. The tribe has numerous unique customs such as water-burials where the dead are cut into 108 pieces and given to rivers. Monpas believe that a body should not be wasted and instead left for fish and other aquatic life-forms to feed on. Also observe the simple and sustainable ways that the tribe have adopted in order to live alongside and respect nature. Evening at leisure with bonfire.

• Day 4 : Thembang - Tawang

  After breakfast, drive from Thembang to Tawang (7-9 hours), a sacred and hidden Buddhist highland where the essence of ancient Buddhist preaching and spirituality have flourished since ages. The testimony to this stands the beautiful Tawang Monastery, a center for deep Tibetan learning. En route to Tawang, you will have to cross the snowy Sela Pass at an height of 14,000ft and the Jung Waterfall can also be visited. Evening at leisure. Your stay will be in Hotel Mon Paradise with fairly standard amenities.

• Day 5 : Tawang

  The two days will be well spent visiting the significant monasteries and nunneries located in and around the town, with further visits to markets and craft centers that will help understand the lifestyle and skills of the town's people. Evenings at leisure where you may taste some steamy hot Tibetan food in the busy market area.

• Day 6 : Tawang

  The two days will be well spent visiting the significant monasteries and nunneries located in and around the town, with further visits to markets and craft centers that will help understand the lifestyle and skills of the town's people. Evenings at leisure where you may taste some steamy hot Tibetan food in the busy market area.

• Day 7 : Tawang

  The day will be spent in an extremely scenic outing. Indian citizens will visit till the picturesque Sangetsar Lake along with some other equally mesmerizing high-altitude wetlands, going as far as the untouched borderlands with Tibet with a visit to the Bumla Pass army base right at the Line Of Control. Alternatively, foreign nationals will drive till Zemithang, an interesting and scenic village of the Monpa tribe, located near to the tri-border with Tibet and Bhutan. Located right at the secluded frontiers of the Himalayas, the village is an example of traditional Monpa living where nature provides for the community. You will also visit Jhamtse Gatsal en route, a local sustainable community or rather a school of life, which is doing commendable and heartwarming work for local children and allows for interaction with travelers. Return to Tawang by evening at leisure.

• Day 8 : Tawang - Bomdila

  Drive from Tawang to Bomdila (7-8 hours), a scenic mountaintop town which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding snow-clad mountains on a clear day. Evening will be at leisure to explore the upbeat market area of the town. Your stay will be in the cozy monastery guesthouse with standard amenities.

• Day 9 : Bomdila - Tezpur

  Visit the monastery to observe early morning activities of the monks. Later after breakfast, drive to the small town of Tezpur (8-9 hours), thus returning back to the Assam plains. Evening at leisure. Your stay will be in a comfortable standard hotel.

• Day 10 : Tezpur - Guwahati

  Early morning can be spent visiting some historic temples of the town. Later after breakfast, leave for Guwahati Airport (5-6 hours) for a departure flight preferably in the afternoon. Tour ends.

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Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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This Tour is Offered by

Greener Pastures   View Profile

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• Greener Pastures, First Choice, H. S Road, Dibrugarh, Assam 786001, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
• 08069247161 (Ext : 248)
• XXXXXXXXXX@gmail.com View Mail ID

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