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Ayurveda and Holi in the Himalayas
A Journey to Discover the Science and Art of Ayurveda & Experience the
Festival of Colour and Water
March 3 – 13, 2009
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Tour Leaders Clinical Herbalist and Ayurvedic Practitioner, Todd
Caldecott has been in private practice for over a decade. Aside from his
medical training in Herbal Medicine and Ayurveda, his studies have been
diverse, including classical Indian (carnatic) music and Buddhist
meditation. Our Special Guest Teacher, Vaidya Madhu Bajra Bajracharya
was born into Ayurvedic traditions and acquired much of his knowledge from
his renowned father. He is a highly regarded Ayurvedic physician with
patients from across the world, and is helping to modernize the Ayurvedic
field. Read more about Todd and Vaidya Madhu on our
About Your Tour Leaders
page.
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Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1
Tue, Mar 3: Arrive Kathmandu (B) |
Arrive in Kathmandu, once thought to be the fabled Shangri-La. Meet and
greet upon arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel for check in.
Overnight in Kathmandu |
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Day 2 Wed, Mar 4: Morning at Leisure; Lecture at Piyushabarshi Aushadhalaya;
Welcome Dinner (B, D) |
 Enjoy the morning at your leisure to take in the sights and sounds of the city
and familiarize yourself with Kathmandu. This fascinating city is rich in
legends and artistic and cultural heritage. Follow the labyrinthine narrow lanes
which lead to a multitude of small squares. Check out the Durbar Square crowded
with temples and palaces and immerse yourself in the bustling activity.
In the afternoon we make our way to Piyushabarshi Aushadhalaya to enjoy our
first lecture with Vaidya Madhu – Introduction to Nepalese Ayurveda and the
Bajracharya Tradition. Vaidya Madhu will give us an introduction to Newar
Buddhism, the Bajracharya consecration, and insight into his own family
traditions. He will also explain the definition of Ayurveda, its historical
background and the 8 limbs (ashtanga) of Ayurveda.
We later gather in the evening to enjoy our Welcome Dinner to learn more
about each other and share our intentions for the journey.
Overnight in Kathmandu |
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Day 3 Thu, Mar 5: Morning at Leisure; Lecture at Piyushabarshi Aushadhalaya (B) |
Enjoy the morning at your leisure independently. In the
afternoon we make our way to Piyushabarshi Aushadhalaya once again to enjoy our
second lecture with Vaidya Madhu – Tridosha Siddhanta. During this
lecture Vaidya Madhu will explain the different aspects of the three active
dohsas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. In Ayurvedic philosophy, the five elements
combine in pairs to form three dynamic forces or interactions called doshas,
which means “that which changes”. Doshas are constantly moving with each other
in a dynamic balance and are required for life to occur. Dosha is also known as
the governing principle as every living thing in nature is characterized by the
dosha. With the guidance of Vaidya Madhu, we will examine our own states and
characteristics to discover if we have Vata, Pitta or Kapha constitutions and
learn the ways in which we can balance the doshas to achieve and maintain good
health.
Overnight in Kathmandu |
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Day 4 Fri, Mar 6: Kathmandu Valley, Full Day Trek & Herb Walk (B) |
 Today we enjoy a full day trek and herb walk through
the scenic Kathmandu Valley for an introduction to the important
Ayurvedic plants of Nepal. As we hike through the stunning natural environment,
Vaidya Madhu will explain various herbs and medicinal plants used in Ayurvedic
therapies. We will have an opportunity to ask questions regarding the flora we
encounter and learn about the importance the natural environment has on
Ayurvedic medicine and our health. Vaidya Madhu will also discuss the principles
of “dravyguna” or pharmacology, along with the taste qualities, energy, effect
and special properties of medicinal plants and herbs. This will be an
exhilarating day to reconnect with Mother Nature and form a deeper respect and
appreciation for our great Earth.
Overnight in Kathmandu |
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Day 5
Sat, Mar 7: Visit Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan Temple (B) |
 Today we begin the day with a guided tour of Bhaktapur,
an ancient Newar town in the Kathmandu Valley. The city is known as the “City of
Devotees”, the “City of Culture”, the “Living Heritage”, and “Nepal's Cultural
Gem”. It is one of the 3 royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley and is renowned
for its elegant art, interesting culture, colourful festivals, traditional
dances, as well as some tasty treats such as “Juju Dhau”, a “royal yogurt” made
from buffalo milk. Bhaktapur is dotted with pagodas and religious shrines and is
filled with terra cotta monuments, carved wood columns, and palaces and temples
with elaborate carvings, gilded roofs, and open courtyards. Lying along the
ancient trade route between India and Tibet, Bhaktapur is surrounded by
mountains and provides a magnificent view of the Himalayas.
 Later we visit Changu Narayan Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in the
Kathmandu Valley, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is named
after Vishnu, the deity for which it enshrines, and is adorned by some of the
finest specimens of stone, wood, and metal craft in the valley. The temple is of
great importance due to its shrines which are rich in architectural beauty, as
well as its idols such as, the Vishnu idol which has ten heads and ten arms and
is an excellent example of 5th century stone carvings.
Overnight in Kathmandu |
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Day 6 Sun, Mar 8: Visit Pashupatinath, Boudhanath & Swayambhunath (B) |
 Another day of fascinating sightseeing! We begin the day with
a guided tour of Pashupatinath Temple which lies in one of the most
important places of pilgrimage for followers of Hinduism. Pashupatinath is known
as the guardian spirit and the temple is thus, considered the holiest of all
Shiva shrines in Nepal. On both sides of the temple doors there are artistic
niches of different sizes containing beautiful images of Apsara, Ashtha Bhairava
and other gods and goddesses. In the sanctum of the temple, lies Shivalinga with
its four faces, each having a different name and significance. These faces are
also defined as the symbol of the four dharmas, the most famous places of
pilgrimage for Hindus, and the four Vedas, sacred books of Hindus. The images of
Vishnu, Surya, Devi and Ganesh are also placed in the sanctum of the temple.
Sitting along the shores of the Bagmati River, the temple is surrounded by a
large bustling market with many vendors, giving us an excellent opportunity to
pick up gifts and souvenirs.
 We then visit Boudhanath, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. The
city is home to the ancient Buddhist Stupa which dominates the skyline and is
one of the largest in the world. The Stupa's massive mandala also makes it one
of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. According to legend, Boudhanath
Stupa was built by an old poultry woman who asked the king for land to
construct a shrine to the Buddha. The king agreed, and offered her as much land
as she could cover with the skin of a water buffalo. The woman proceeded to cut
a buffalo hide into thin strips, and placed them end to end to form a huge
circumference. The king realized that he had been tricked by the old woman, but
he adhered to his word, and the Stupa was constructed according to these
dimensions. Nowadays, the Stupa is the most popular site for Buddhists in Nepal,
and throughout the day pilgrims can be seen circling the structure while
chanting mantras. At night the Stupa is adorned with brilliant butter lamps
creating a dramatic light display.
 Finally we end the day with
Swayambhunath, an ancient religious complex atop a
hill in the Kathmandu Valley. Considered one of the holiest Buddhist sites in
Nepal, it is second in importance only to the Boudhanath Stupa. According to
Swayambhu Purana, the entire valley was once filled with an enormous lake, out
of which grew a lotus. The valley thus came to be known as Swayambhu, meaning
“Self-Created”. The water was drained out of the lake, leaving the valley in
which Kathmandu now lies and the lotus was transformed into a hill which became
the Swayambhunath Stupa. The Swayambhunath complex consists of the Stupa, a
variety of shrines and temples, a museum, library and also has a face of the
Buddha painted on it with Buddha's eyes and eyebrows. The eyes represent the
awakening or enlightenment as each person achieves wisdom and compassion. What
is believed by some to be a nose is actually the Nepali symbol of unity in the
main Nepali language dialect. The dome at the base of the Stupa represents the
world, and the thirteen pinnacles on the top symbolize the thirteen stages one
must pass to reach enlightenment.
Overnight in Kathmandu |
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Day 7: Mon, Mar 9: Morning at Leisure; Lecture at Piyushabarshi Aushadhalaya (B) |
 Enjoy the morning at your leisure independently to relax or
stroll through the city to explore more of what Kathmandu has to offer. Visit
the King’s Palace to view the giant fruit bats hanging from the trees, or enjoy
some shopping on Thamel Chowk.
In the afternoon we make our way to Piyushabarshi Aushadhalaya once again to
enjoy our third lecture with Vaidya Madhu – Daily Living in Ayurveda.
Today Vaidya Madhu will discuss “swasthya vignana”, the daily practices of
Ayurveda, as well as “ahara vignana”, dietics in Ayurveda. He will also teach us
about “Rasayana Tantra”, which deals with geriatric issues and immunoptentiation.
Vaidya Madhu will explain the methods used in Rasayana Tantra to maintain youth,
increase longevity, intellectual capacity and strength, as well as the ways in
which it enables the patient to be freed from disease.
Overnight in Kathmandu |
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Day 8 Tue, Mar 10: Visit Ayurvedic Factories in Banepa and Arubari; Lecture (B) |
 Revel in a day of discovery with our full day excursion to the
Ayurvedic Herbal Pharmacies in Banepa and Arubari. Today we
will learn about a variety of medicinal herbal and aromatic plants and the way
they are used in Ayurveda to help cure and prevent diseases, and promote good
health.
Later in the day we enjoy a lecture with Vaidya Madhu on The Preparation of
Ayurvedic Remedies, where we will learn about the different combinations of
plants and herbs used to create medicinal remedies.
Overnight in Kathmandu |
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Day 9 Wed, Mar
11: Festival Day – Holi in Kathmandu (B) |
Today is festival day in Kathmandu allowing us to experience
the excitement and vibrancy of Holi, “the Festival of Colour and Water”.
Holi celebrates the slaying of the female demon Holika, marking the triumph of
good over evil. According to a Hindu myth, the demon king Hiranayakashyapu
ordered his sister Holika to kill her son Prahlad. She attempted to do so by
stepping into a fire with Prahlad in her arms. While she was burnt to ashes, the
boy came out unsinged. The festival commences with the erection of the chir pole
in Durbar Square, acting as a warning to all that anyone could be splashed with
water balloons and vermillion powder. Children and adults gather on the streets,
hurling the water and vermillion filled balloons at passersby leaving everyone
and anything covered in an array of vibrant colour and blessed with good luck
and fortune.
Overnight in Kathmandu |
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Day 10 Thu, Mar 12: Maharajgung - Ayurvedic Treatments; Farewell Dinner (B, D) |
 Relish a day of pampering and luxury! Today we travel to
Maharajgunj to enjoy an authentic Ayurvedic Massage. Take the time to
relax, renew and rejuvenate as you are drenched in herbal infused oils, and
massaged by expert Ayurvedic Massage Therapists.
In the evening we gather one last time for our Farewell Dinner. As we
celebrate our time in Nepal we will have the opportunity to review and share all
we have learned and experienced with our new found friends and ask any remaining
questions we may have.
Overnight in Kathmandu |
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Day 11 Fri,
Mar 13: Depart Nepal or Continue to India (B) |
| Transfer to Kathmandu airport for your return home or continue
on to India with our optional extension. |
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Tour Inclusions
& Price |
Tour Includes: |
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10 nights accommodation at a 4 star hotel in
Kathmandu |
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Arrival and Departure transfers |
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Daily Breakfast, 2 Dinners |
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Private Coach Transportation |
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Hotel taxes |
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Baggage handling at the hotels (1 bag per
person) |
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Fees and gratuities to Tour Leaders |
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Admission to all sites as per itinerary |
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All guide services as per itinerary |
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Services of local English speaking guides for
all sightseeing as per itinerary |
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Added Features:
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Travel with Clinical Herbalist and Ayurvedic
Practitioner Todd Caldecott |
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Lectures with Vaidya Madhu Bajra Bajracharya |
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Full Day Trek & Herbal Walk |
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Holi Festival in Kathmandu |
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Ayurvedic Massage Treatment |
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Tour does not include:
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International Airfare |
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Cancellation & Medical Insurance (ask us for a
quote if you are Canadian) |
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Tips for Bellboys, Maids, Restaurant Waiters,
Local Guides and Bus Driver |
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Meals and drinks not included, as indicated in
the itinerary |
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Cost to obtain valid Passport and Tourist Visa |
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Any items of a personal nature such as
laundry, drinks and telephone calls. Any item that is not specifically detailed
on our website or in the final trip itinerary |
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| Tour Price |
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| Tour Price Per Person (Land Only) |
Single Supplement |
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USD $
2,225.00 |
USD $400.00 |
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| Please call us for a quote on airfare from
your home city |
Note: The single supplement is ONLY for those who would like to secure
a private room throughout the tour, at the indicated additional price. If you
are not traveling with anyone you know and would like to share a room, we will
be happy to work to find you a suitable roommate. Per our Terms and Conditions,
registration for the tour will be held open until two weeks before the departure
date in order to try to match everyone with a roommate. If by that date we have
not been able to match you with a suitable roommate, you will be responsible to
pay for the single supplement. An early registration will facilitate this
process. |
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Photograph by
Jean-Claude Berens
Tour Photos by Peter
Langer |
© 2003 - 2010 Sacred
Earth Journeys.
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