September 20 – October 7, 2010
Plans for the 'Pilgrimage to the Cave in the Snow' have been finalised and it is now fully subscribed. The fortunate pilgrims will have a unique opportunity to accompany Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo to the cave where she spent 12 years in retreat. The pilgrimage will begin at the Norling Guest House, part of the Norbulinka Institute near Dharamsala. Travel is by jeep from location to location, with the pilgrims visiting DGL Nunnery, traveling along glorious mountain passes and experiencing the sacred sites of Himachal Pradesh in Northwestern India. Vicki Mackenzie, author of Jetsunma's biography 'Cave in the Snow' will also be joining the pilgrimage. We hope there will be many adventures to share and tales to tell on the website later in the year.
The purpose of the pilgrimage is to benefit the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Endowment Fund, which will provide ongoing support for the nuns in training as well as operational costs for the Nunnery itself.
Pilgrimage Itinerary |
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| Day | Location | Activity |
| Day 1 20 Sep |
Norbulingka District of Kangra 656 m / 2000 ft |
Arrival and welcome at Norbulinka Institute. Welcome dinner with Jetsunma. Stay at Norling Guest House |
| Day 2 21 Sep |
Norbulingka McLeod Ganj 2728m / 9274 ft |
Walking tour of McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, including Namgyal Temple (His Holiness the Dalai Lama's residence and monastery). Stay at Norling Guest House |
| Day 3 22 Sep |
Norbulingka | Tour Norbulinka and visit Gyuto Monastery (residence of His Holiness the Karmapa). Stay at Norling Guest House |
| Day 4 23 Sep |
Norbulingka - Taragarh 1000m / 3280 ft |
Travel to Taragarh Palace Heritage Hotel near Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery. Stay at Taragarh Palace Hotel |
| Day 5 24 Sep |
Taragarh Palace Hotel | Visit Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery. Tour and talk with Jetsunma. Evening puja with DGL nuns (6:30 pm). Stay at Taragarh Palace Hotel |
| Day 6 25 Sep |
Taragarh Palace Hotel | Visit Tashi Jong (residence of His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche). Stay at Taragarh Palace Hotel |
| Day 7 26 Sep |
Taragarh - Mandi District of Mandi |
Travel to Mandi (70 km). Guided tour of famous Hindu Temples of Mandi. Stay at Visco Resorts |
| Day 8 27 Sep |
Mandi 3979m / 13,400 ft |
Travel to Rewalsar (25 km) to visit Tso Pema and Guru Rinpoche caves. Stay at Visco Resorts |
| Day 9 28 Sep |
Mandi - Manali | Travel to Manali (110 km). Stop for lunch at Naggar Castle, tour Roerich Museum, Manali arts & crafts shops. Arrive Manali in early evening. Stay at Ambassador Resorts |
| Day 10 29 Sep |
Manali 2078m / 7000 ft |
Day in Manali. Visit the late Apho Rinpoche's monastery adjacent to the Ambassador Hotel, visit with Sey Rinpoche (if in residence), tour sites of Manali. Stay at Ambassador Resorts |
| Day 11 30 Sep |
Manali - Keylong District of Lahaul & Spiti 3156m / 10,354 ft |
Travel to Keylong (68 km) Stay at Tashi Delek Hotel. Picnic lunch on the mountainous Rohtang Pass. Stay at Tashi Delek Hotel |
| Day 12 1 Oct |
Tayul Monastery District of Lahaul & Spiti 3900m / 12,795 ft |
Walk up to Tayul Monastery (altitude climb of 800m / 2000 feet – about 2 hours with rest stops). This is where Jetsunma spent 6 years before she went into the cave. Stay at Tayul Monastery and meet the nuns who shared Jetsunma's time there. Stay at Tayul Monastery |
| Day 13 2 Oct |
Tayul Monastery | TREK TO THE CAVE Traditional Lahauli breakfast at Tayul Gompa. High-altitude walk to the cave where Jetsunma stayed for 12 years (3 hour trek with rests). Picnic lunch at the cave. Walk back down to Tayul Monastery. Stay at Tayul Monastery |
| Day 14 3 Oct |
Keylong | Short drive to Keylong for REST DAY with nothing to do but take it all in. Stay at Tashi Delek Hotel |
| Day 15 4 Oct |
Keylong - Manali 2078m / 7000 ft |
Day long drive over the Rohtang Pass. Dinner and overnight at Manali. (93 km) Stay at Ambassador Resorts |
| Day 16 5 Oct |
Manali - Taragarh 1000m / 3280 ft |
Lunch stop in Mandi Arrive for dinner at Taragarh Hotel near the nunnery. (70 km) Stay at Taragarh Palace Hotel |
| Day 17 6 Oct |
Taragarh | Morning Rest, lunch and puja at DGL Nunnery. Stay at Taragarh Palace Hotel |
| Day 18 7 Oct |
Depart | Breakfast Taragarh Hotel with Jetsunma. Group departure day. |
For more information on the DGL Endowment Fund, please email Deborah Garrett and Evan Zazula at endowment@gatsal.org.
