Himalayas: Philanthropic Travel
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Himalayas: Philanthropic Travel
Monday, December 25, 2006
Exqusite Safaris in the Himalaya
About The Himalayas
Some of the reasons why people have been so fascinated by the Himalayas are because of the Hindu pilgrim routes, the low valleys that abruptly rise up in high mountain ranges, the trekking hikes, densely forested areas lying just a mountain range away from barren cold deserts, and the lovely people of the mountains with their unique hospitable lifestyles.
Why visit Himachal Pradesh
* Dharamshala home of the Dalai Lama
* History of Kangra valley dates back to 3500 yrs
* Spectacular scenery and glorious hiking trails
Built in the mid-eighteenth century, the state capital - Shimla, was highly popular among the British royalty. Though now covered with concrete buildings, Shimla still retains some of its colonial charm.
Located in the western part of Himachal Pradesh and spread between the Shivalik foothills and the Dhauladhar range, the Kangra valley is a land of gentle beauty. The valley derives it name from the ancient town of Kangra whose history goes back 3500 years and the country side dotted with ancient Hindu temples like Brajeshwari, Baijnath, Jawalamukhi and Chamunda Devi.
Dharamshala, in the Kangra Valley, is also known as Little Tibet. The current home to the Dalai Lama, the town preserves the religious and cultural heritage of Tibet. Thangkas or scroll paintings framed in silk depicting Buddhist divinities, are among the traditional arts kept alive by the Tibetan refugees.
About 250 kms north-east of Shimla, and located in the dizzying heights of the Himalayas and with passes that remain closed for six months is the beautiful district of Kinnaur. From the riotous green of the Sangla Valley filled with orchards of apricots, peaches, and apples to the magnificent desolation of the Hangrang Valley, Mother Nature's portrait is an ever changing one in Kinnaur. Strange, exciting, primitive, Lahaul and Spiti are two Himalayan valleys unsurpassed in mountain scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendor of their snow covered peaks. The monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti are rich repositories of ancient murals, thangkas, wood carving and golden images of Padmasambhava.
About Uttaranchal
Apart from being the abode of gods Uttaranchal is also home for a diverse range of flora and fauna. Along with the world famous Corbett National Park, the region houses the Rajaji National Park. A delight for bird watchers would be Govind Pashu Vihar, Asan Barrage, Chilla and Saptrishi Ashram.
Why visit Uttaranchal
* Corbett National Park considered one of India's finest wildlife sanctuaries
The western hills of Uttaranchal form the northern stretches of Garhwal. The main town Uttarkashi is an important starting point for treks to reaches of upper Garhwal. The area encompasses the traditionally known Dev Bhoomi. The Char Dham or four major pilgrimages Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath are all situated in this region at altitudes of over 3100m in the shadow of some awe-inspiring Himalayan peaks. The upward journey starts from the holy city of Haridwar and Rishikesh. Situated at the confluence of the Chandrabagha and Ganges, Rishikesh has many famous ashrams which offer several courses in India's ancient knowledge systems.
Originally a hunters paradise,Corbett became India's first National Park and was named after hunter turned conservationist Sir Jim Corbett. Corbett National Park is renowned for its remarkable variety of wild life, notably tigers, elephants,leopards,gharial(long snouted crocodile) and astonishing six hundred species of birds. Culturally, Uttaranchal has a rich a vibrant heritage.
About Sikkim
Measuring just 40 by 70 miles (2800 square kilometers), its terrain rises from just above sea level to the icebound summits of Kanchendzonga (28,208 ft), third highest peak in the world, revered by the locals as their protective deity. Historically, culturally and spiritually, Sikkim's strongest links are with Tibet.
Why visit Sikkim
* Third highest peak in the world Mt. Kanchendzonga
* Sikkim is a Trekkers Paradise
Rooted to the Himalayan Massif like a scale on the neck of a Dragon, Sikkim is one of the smallest states of India. Gangtok, the state capital, reflects Sikkim's extraordinary ethnic diversity. The early 20th century Enchey Monastery, located in Gangtok has a prayer hall full of vibrant murals and images, representing the entire pantheon of the Mahayana Buddhist deities. Enchey's festivals feature spectacular masked dances. The town's Namgyal Institute of Tibetology houses a rare collection of medieval Buddhist scriptures, bronzes and embroidered thangkas. The Rumtek monastery located a few kilometres southwest of Gangtok is the headquarters of the oldest Tibetan Buddhists sects, kagyupa (Black hat).
An area of unspoilt natural beauty, framed by snow capped Himalayan peaks, northern Sikkim has only recently been opened to visitors. A tour of this region, following the valley of the Teesta river goes past tranquil monasteries and villages, through forests of rhododendron, to Yumthang where meadows are filled with alpine flowers. The western sector of Sikkim, houses the monastic complex of Pemayangtse in Pelling. Built in 1705 the austere three - storied main monastery is a treasure house of beautiful thangkas, murals and images with a breathtakingly intricate model of Zangdopelri, the seven-storied celestial home of Guru Padmasambhava. The annual festival here is a spectacular event. Sikkim's oldest monastery, Sangachoeling is a steep 40 minute hike through thick forests above Pemayangtse.
About Ladakh
Cut off from the monsoon clouds by the Great Himalaya and a host of subsidiary ranges, it is a cold high altitude desert where the wind, water from the minimal winter snows, and chemical reactions within the rocks themselves, have carved a fantastic, sometimes grotesque, landscape.
Why visit Ladakh
* The highest inhabited region in India
* Khardung La - highest motorable pass in the world
The flight to the principal town of Ladakh, Leh, is an experience in itself, as one flies over the dramatic expanse of the Himalayas. The most attractive feature of the landscape of Ladakh are the Buddhist monasteries situated on isolated hillocks in the vicinity of villages, these aesthetically pleasing, architecturally interesting monasteries provide the focus for the faith of the highly religious Buddhist people. Monasteries have a wealth of artifacts, Lamayuru, the oldest religious centre of Ladakh, beats all other in sheer grandeur. In its uniqueness of wood carving, statues and frescoes, Alchi offers the highest rewards. The wealth of its possession and its annual summer festival make Hemis the most popular, while Thiksay rates high in terms of architectural impact and the beauty of the festival performances at Likir and Phyang with their proximity to Leh are great attractions in their favour while the accessibility of the Shey and Spituk monasteries make them suitable for visits where time is at a premium.
The religious philosophy of Buddhism, however, profound and subtle doesn't preclude an immense joie-de-vivre among its Ladakh adherents, and even solemn religious enactments are made the occasion for joyous celebration. The dance dramas performed at the annual monastery festivals are vibrant expressions of age old cultural and religious values. The events are attended by high lamas and novice monks in their ceremonial robes a well as by the locals dressed in splendid traditional costumes. The biggest and most famous of the monastic festivals is that of Hemis, which falls in late June or the first half of July, and is dedicated to Padmasambhava. A unique feature of this festival is the 12 yearly unveiling of the monastery's greatest treasure - an enormous, three storey high thangka of Padmasambhava embroidered and studded with pearls and semi precious stones. The thangka was last unveiled in 2004.
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Philanthropic Travel: Enlightened Experiences
The Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel experience integrates indigenous local culture into every personalized experience we recommend. These personal introductions create authentic cross cultural friendships that generate trust, respect, and generous donations funding philanthropic travel projects worldwide.
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