North India: Sacred Landscapes

Days 1-5 After a long journey to Northern India, our first few days are spent in Saboo, a village nestled just outside of Leh, the capital city of Ladakh. From our retreat of adobe yurts in Saboo, we take in the sacred sights of the Indus Valley, visit Buddhist monuments, view revered mountains, and explore monasteries and nunneries. Lessons are taught with an inquiry focused on geographically relevant Buddhist concepts, shamanic practices, pilgrimage, and ecopsychology. Buddhist monks, oracles, Imams, and seasoned pilgrims infuse our contemplative mosaic with their insights and experiences in this sacred landscape.
Days 6-9 After acclimatizing to an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet, we follow the Indus River upstream for a day hike to Taar, a remote village of twelve homes where ancient Ladakhi ties to the earth are alive and well. Seated next to a river incessantly spinning the village prayer wheel, the community of Taar has been sustained by traditional farming practices for millennia. Here we have the opportunity to live with Ladakhi families, learn from village elders, and partake in the flow of daily life.
Days 10-13 The next leg of our journey takes us to Pangong Lake, a vast body of water that spans the border between India and Tibet. We stay in a comfortable encampment at the water’s edge, and, with a stunning landscape as our backdrop, we have the opportunity for rejuvenation through meditation, yoga, and guided reflection activities.
Days 14-15 We fly from Ladakh to Delhi, where we have a full day to experience the vivid sights and sounds of India’s capital city before returning home. Through group discussion and closing activities, we distill and reflect upon what we have learned and examine ways to carry our newfound wisdom forward in our lives.