I am presently arranging a trip to Palpung monastery in Kham, East Tibet for July 2010 with the particular intention of visiting the first Jamgon Kongtrul, Lodro Thaye’s residence cum 3 year retreat centre, Tsadra Rinchen Drak. Since there is not presently a closed retreat in progress, we hopefully have the rare possibility of going inside the actual retreat centre buildings.
Kalu Rinpoche
Tsadra Rinchen Drak is also where the previous Kalu Rinpoche was retreat master for many years until he left Tibet in the 1950′s.
Palpung Khyentse Rinpoche
We will also have the opportunity of meeting with the senior-most resident lama at Palpung, the Palpung Khyentse Rinpoche.
Filed under travel by on Apr 7th, 2010. Comment. 
This trip originally started out as a family holiday for the three of us (Katja, Sophie – our 16 yr old daughter, and myself). All arrangements for the tour are being made by my very good, long-term Scottish friend, Gyurme Dorje of Trans-Himalaya. He has been a close friend of mine for well over 30 years and has a vast experience of arranging tours to East and Central Tibet, many of which he has joined as the guide. It may be that he will join us on this tour as well.
Since travelling to Tibet is never a cheap holiday and knowing that I have a limited budget, Gyurme has kindly produced this tour at a genuine rock bottom price (quoted below in UK £ sterling currency) . Furthermore he suggested that if we were able to arrange a group of 12 or more people, the price would drop considerably. Having talked to several friends, it seems that maybe up to 4 others are presently considering joining this tour. So it seems we are approaching the cheaper threshold (see below) before my publicising it openly.
Here’s the itinerary .
Filed under travel by on Apr 7th, 2010. Comment.