WCCM WCCM WCCM WCCM Pilgrimage Pilgrimage Pilgrimage Pilgrimage

totototo Kashmir Kashmir Kashmir Kashmir & & & & LadakLadakLadakLadakh, h, h, h, India India India India 8888----25 July 201725 July 201725 July 201725 July 2017

The pilgrimage will be accompanied and managed by Kenneth Wilson of Soul of India, and Clement Sauvé of the World Community for Christian Meditation, who jointly managed the WCCM 1998 Way of Peace Pilgrimage, and the WCCM visits to India in 2005, 2007, 2013 and 2015. Kenneth is the author of Orange Dust: Journeys After the Buddha.

This WCCM pilgrimage follows in the tradition of meditative visits of engagement to the sub-continent begun in 1998 with the first Way of Peace event. On this occasion our encounters will be in that special part of North India which is Kashmir and “Little Tibet”. Ladakh, high in the Himalaya, and culturally and spiritually close to Tibet, is serene and beautiful. The old Princely State of Kashmir, with its uniquely Islamic heritage, is equally beautiful, and with many layers of spiritual history.

We will explore these Islamic and Buddhist threads, in quietness and openness, and meditate in thin air as well as in close atmospheres. We will also undertake one of India’s most spectacular and wonderful pilgrimages, the ascent to the holy cave of Lord Siva at Amarnath. This involves a full day of hill walking (or you can take a pony!) up to the cave at 13,000ft, in company with Hindu pilgrims from all over India – strenuous, but unforgettable.

On the way to the lakes and mosques of Srinagar we will also visit the holy Sikh city of Amritsar, where we will be guests at the Golden Temple, one of India’s most magnificent and serene buildings.

To the extent possible the daily practice of Christian Meditation and other commitments of Christian life will be observed during the pilgrimage. Clement Sauvé will oversee this part of the programme.

Note for participants from USA/Canada: We recommend joining the tour in London. If you wish to make your own travel arrangements to and from India the tour cost will be reduced by £670 Because of the high altitudes involved in this itinerary prospective participants with respiratory or other heath issues should consult their doctor prior to registering.

Minor changes may be made to the programme in the light of local circumstances. At the time of going to print it is not possible to specify aircraft types.

A Soul of India Tour operated by Indus Tours and Travel Ltd. ATOL 4586

Visa: E-tourist visa is now available for India to citizens of most countries of the world. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

Tour costs The main tour cost will be £2945 per person in twin bedded accommodation. Single rooms are available for a supplement of £545. The tour cost includes

• International and internal flights as per the itinerary in economy class

• All group travel in India

• Accommodation mostly on full board basis (bed and breakfast in Delhi and Amritsar and half board in Leh)

• All entrance and guide fees

• Full ATOL bonding

• Services of Kenneth Wilson as Tour Leader

Itinerary & Programme

Sat 8 July

Sun 9 July

Mon 10 July

Tue 11 July

Wed 12 July

Thu 13 July

Fri 14 July

Sat 15 July

Sun 16 July Mon 17 July

Tue 18 July

Wed 19 July

Thu 20 July

Fri 21 July

Sat 22 July

Sun 23 July

Mon 24 July

Tue 25 July

Evening depart London on BA flight, arriving Delhi 0820 next day.

Transfer to Hotel Surya. Late afternoon visit to the Sufi shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin.

Shatabdi Express train to Amritsar. Transfer to Hotel Vivanta by Taj. Afternoon visit to the Golden Temple.

Afternoon flight to Srinagar (altitude 6000ft). Transfer to Wangnoo Heritage Houseboats on Nagin Lake. Boat ride and lake meditation.

Visitis to Mughal Gardens, the Buddha stupa of Harwan, and Takht-i-Suleiman, the “Throne of Solomon” in the Shankaracharya temple.

Dialogue visit to Jamia Masjid, or Sufi Shah Hamdan shrine. Possible afternoon visit to the Yuz Asaf shrine, the burial place of Jesus in the Ahmadi tradition.

80km drive to Amarnath base camp (9,000ft).

Amarnath pilgrimage (or less strenuous optional alternative meditation walk).

Spectacular drive over the Zojila Pass (11,580ft) out of Kashmir and into Ladakh. Stay at Highland Mountain Resort, Kargil.

Beautiful drive through spectacular scenery, including roadside Buddha carvings, and the Passes of Namika La (12,400ft) and Photu La (13,400ft). Two night stay at the Apricot Tree hotel, Nurla, on the bank of the Indus.

Visit to the stupa of Hemis Shukchapam, and meditation visit to Themisgam monastery.

90km drive to Leh (11,000ft) via the monasteries of Alchi and Likir. Stay at the Grand Himalaya Hotel for five nights.

Morning meditation at the Gomang stupa. Visits to Jamia Masjid and Soma Gompa. Free afternoon.

Dialogue visit to Thiksey monastery. Visit to Stok Palace and museum.

Drive up to the Khardung La Pass, at 18,390ft believed to be the world’s highest motorable road, or visit to traditional Ladakhi shaman.

Free day for shopping in Tibetan markets, etc. Farewell dinner and cultural performance.

Morning flight to Delhi, transfer to Ibis Hotel. Late evening transfer to airport for

0150 BA flight to London, arriving 0630.

Booking Form

To: Indus Tours and Travel Ltd. Unit 4, Artisan Place, 23 Lady Smith Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 5FE, UK Tel +44 (0)20 8901 7630 E-mail:enquiries@soulofindia.com Please reserve………………….place(s) on the WCCM Pilgrimage to Kashmir and Ladakh, July 2017 for…………………………………………………………..….……………………………………………………………………....…Name(s) of…………………………..……………………….…………………………………………………………..………………..………..Address Tel…………………………...…… Email………….........……............................................…Date of birth............................. Passport no., date and place of issue………………………….……………………………………………………………………… Room requirement: Single / Double / Twin (Delete as appropriate) Please return your booking form with deposit cheque for £400 per person. Please make your cheque payable to Indus Tours and Travel Ltd. or pay by electronic bank transfer to Indus Tours and Travel Ltd. sort code 40 23 13, a/c no. 31352156.

(Please telephone, or email nathan@soulofindia.com for credit/debit card payment details, charged 2% extra)

Signed……………………………………………………. Date………………………………… Your final balance will be invoiced when we receive your booking form. The final balance is payable 8 weeks prior to departure. Standard booking conditions apply, and can be viewed at www.soulofindia.com