Pilgrimage to Ladakh
with Megan Mook & Tricycle
June 1–13, 2024
Immerse yourself in Tibetan Buddhism on the rooftop of the world during this all-inclusive, small-group journey to Ladakh, India. We’ll use the Indus River Valley as our home base on this Himalayan pilgrimage in ‘Little Tibet’ with Tricycle and Buddhist teacher Megan Mook in June 2024.
Trip Highlights at a Glance
- June 1–13, 2024
- Limited to 12 pilgrims
- Daily meditation and teachings with Megan Mook
- Escorted by BJ Graf and Lauren Rathvon, owners of RetreaTours
- Accompanied by Tricycle: The Buddhist Review representative
- Explore the ancient Kingdom of Ladakh, nestled high in the Tibetan Plateau of India
- Explore monasteries from 4 different sects of Tibetan Buddhism
- Stay at the base of Thiksey Monastery, often called the “Mini Potala Palace”
- Meditation and morning puja with Tibetan Buddhist monks at Thiksey Monastery
- Spend four nights directly along the Indus River in Uleytokpo
- Experience the “Lunar Landscape” around Lamayuru Monastery
- Pilgrimages to monasteries from all four Tibetan Buddhist sects
- Experience a culture more Tibetan than current-day Tibet
- Provides funding to The Tricycle Foundation
- Includes donations to local nunnery, monastery & school
- $6499 (USD) per person (based on double occupancy; please see “Price & Inclusions” tab below for more details
Click to Jump to…
- Itinerary at a Glance
- Testimonials
- About Ladakh
- Narrative Daily Itinerary
- Price & What is Included
- Payment Information
- Cancellation Policy
- Our Carbon Negative Commitment
- Suggested Fitness Requirements
- Travel Insurance
- Passport and Visa Requirements
- Vaccines & Staying Healthy
- About the Altitude
- Expected Temperatures & Packing List
- About our Accommodations
- About Tricycle: The Buddhist Review
- About Megan Mook
- About RetreaTours
- Contact


How to Register
- Review this entire webpage for details
- Complete the registration form below
- Lauren will email you with options for the trip deposit
- Welcome aboard!
Thiksey Monastery
Uleytokpo
Lamayuru Monastery
Itinerary at a Glance
May 31ᅠ Arrive in New Delhi and stay at your hotel of choice before your flight to Ladakh tomorrow.
June 1ᅠ Fly to Leh, Ladakh and drive to Uletokpo; stay at Ule Ethnic Resort on the Indus River for 4 nights. We’ll have dedicated daily meditation and dharma talks with our teacher Megan Mook.
June 2-4ᅠ Using Uleytokpo as a home base, we will explore the lunar landscape of Lamayuru and its 11th-century monastery, as well as Alchi Monastery and its iconic paintings.
June 5ᅠ We’ll head east back to the city of Leh and enjoy an afternoon in town before heading to our guesthouse at the base of Thiksey Monastery.
June 6-12ᅠ We’ll enjoy daily puja each morning at Thiksey and we’ll explore local monasteries belonging to different schools of Tibetan Buddhism. We’ll engage with the monks, enjoy a family dinner, and continue our practice with Megan Mook.
June 13ᅠ ᅠThis morning you’ll enjoy the gorgeous flight over the Himalayas back to New Delhi.
Click here to read what some of our past Ladakh pilgrims have to say!
It was the perfect Buddhist meditation retreat, thank you to Tricycle, Lauren, and BJ for making this trip happen. Come to think of it, it was my favorite trip of the last 70 years! ~K.T.
BJ and Lauren are excellent, knowledgeable, and highly attentive tour leaders. They clearly love what they do, which makes all the difference. Their passion for the culture and people of Ladakh is infectious. This was the trip of a lifetime, thanks to the talent and dedication of BJ and Lauren. ~L.D.
As an inexperienced traveler, I cannot say enough about RetreaTours, BJ and Lauren! Their extensive knowledge, experience and compassion gave me complete confidence in my own capacity for adventure…and they exceeded all of my expectations! Every day was an immersion in history, culture, and being in a place that lives the Dharma—generosity, grace, compassion, wisdom. Prayer flags, prayer wheels, stupas, mani stones…..being surrounded by all of these sacred markers, enriched my life. BJ and Lauren’s wise guidance and planning for all events provided an experience that deepened my practice and gave me renewed vitality for adventure! ~E.G.
Lauren and BJ are the best tour guides possible. They are totally on top of the areas we visit, have developed and cultivated marvelous local relationships, and rise to any individual need with aplomb and sensitivity. A trip with them is a gift to any traveler seeking insight, fun, and adventure. ~J.P.
I would recommend RetreaTours to anyone looking for a very well organized, off-the-beaten-path adventure. BJ and Lauren attend to every detail and go above and beyond in their helpfulness. Especially valuable are the friendships they have developed with local people, who will warmly welcome you as a friend of their friends. ~A.D.
I don’t know if it is possible to find a tour company that is more interested in your trip being the best one of your life. I usually don’t travel with tour companies and I have traveled a lot but I decided to try this tour. The reason for my choice was the list of activities that I would not be able to do without their vast connections. It was the best trip of my life and that is really saying something. The attention to detail and always striving for the maximum experience was way over the top as far as I was concerned. The ability to provide the opportunity for spiritual experiences that allow one to reach new levels of knowledge, expansion, and awareness is indeed a great gift to the world. Thank you, BJ and Lauren. ~D.E.
Visiting Ladakh with RetreaTours was an unbelievable and memorable experience. I’ve never been on a retreat or to India and thanks to Lauren’s and BJ’s organization, knowledge and guidance, the trip was more than a retreat or a tour. I returned home having experienced the excitement of meeting new people, learning about a new culture and personal growth. The activities went way beyond the traditional tourist activities allowing us to truly experience the culture and history. Yet, at the same time, I never felt overwhelmed or tired and was excited by each new activity and experience. ~M.O.
BJ and Lauren are the most supportive of companions, careful organisers, and inspired teachers we could possibly have had for this totally wonderful and unforgettable experience. BJ and Lauren are connected in every way in Ladakh – from Rinpoches and high lamas, to cultural academics and local experts, to monks and nuns – transforming our Pilgrimage into a time of great richness. As well as this, what RetreaTours does so brilliantly are the joyful and intimate surprises – that involved us in unforgettable behind-the-scenes glimpses of life in Ladakh. Warmly recommended – superb organisation, imagination and delivery. Bravo to RetreaTours! ~D.B.

About Ladakh, “Little Tibet”
Ladakh is nestled in the Himalayas, high on the Tibetan Plateau that reaches into India’s borders. Ladakh established itself as an independent country beginning in the middle of the 10th century, and in the mid-1800s Ladakh was annexed into what ultimately became India. In late 2019, Ladakh’s status changed once again, as it was made a Union Territory of India, independent from its former state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Although Ladakh has had its own strong identity for centuries, it also shares much of its Himalayan culture, religion, history, landscape, and even language with its neighbor Tibet. You may hear it said that “Ladakh is more Tibetan than Tibet,” a sad reflection on China’s cultural genocide within Tibetan borders. We are grateful we still have a window into this beautiful heritage in Ladakh.
Ladakh has a long and rich history of Buddhism, even predating Buddhism’s movement into Tibet. Emperor Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries into present-day Ladakh in the 2nd century BCE, where it gained even more traction in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.
Buddhism grew in the 8th century when Ladakh was briefly under Tibetan rule. In the 11th century, the region saw a renaissance in Buddhism when Rinchen Zangpo began the construction of monasteries in Ladakh, including Alchi and Lamayuru. The 15th century saw yet another peak in Ladakhi Buddhism with the construction of even more monasteries, including our home base, Thiksey Gompa.
RetreaTours owner BJ Graf has been visiting Ladakh since 1995 and has a strong connection to the land. In the role of official Thiksey Monastery event photographer, he has been blessed to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama numerous times in Ladakh. We had the good fortune to introduce one of our groups to His Holiness (on his birthday!) in 2017.
We invite you to visit the “About RetreaTours” section on this page to learn more about BJ and Lauren and their love of Ladakh; you can also click here to see some of BJ’s photographs from Ladakh over the decades.



Recommended Reading
Helena Norberg-Hodge was one of the first westerners to visit Ladakh when it opened to tourists in 1975. She spent much of the next three years in the region studying the language; she was the first outsider in modern times to become fluent in Ladakhi. She was a positive presence in Ladakh during this region’s time of sudden modernization and change. We don’t “require” reading for our Ladakh trips, but if we did, Ancient Futures would be it!
Perhaps the most important lesson of Ladakh has to do with happiness … In Ladakh I have known a people who regard peace of mind and joie de vivre as their unquestioned birthright.
Helena Norberg-Hodge, Ancient Futures
Recommended Reading
Helena Norberg-Hodge was one of the first westerners to visit Ladakh when it opened to tourists in 1975. She spent much of the next three years in the region studying the language; she was the first outsider in modern times to become fluent in Ladakhi. She was a positive presence in Ladakh during this region’s time of sudden modernization and change. We don’t “require” reading for our Ladakh trips, but if we did, Ancient Futures would be it!
Perhaps the most important lesson of Ladakh has to do with happiness … In Ladakh I have known a people who regard peace of mind and joie de vivre as their unquestioned birthright.
Helena Norberg-Hodge, Ancient Futures
Detailed Narrative Itinerary
About our Practice & Schedule
The following itinerary is intended to outline the sites of interest we’ll be visiting along our path.
Throughout our time together, both at sites and at our hotels, Megan Mook will lead discussion, meditation, and weave an insightful narrative. You’ll be joined by the owners of RetreaTours, BJ Graf and Lauren Rathvon, as well as a representative from Tricycle: The Buddhist Review.
We’ll only be staying at two hotels on this journey in Ladakh, and we’ll take day trips from each home base. The relaxed pace of this trip allows downtime for synthesizing your experiences, personal practice, relaxation, and for discussion with your fellow pilgrims and Megan Mook.


June 1–4
You will arrive in New Delhi on or before May 31st to prepare for your June 1st flight over the Himalayas to Ladakh. Your hotel night on May 31st is not included on this journey in order to allow the most freedom and flexibility in your arrival date and hotel choice. We’ve created a guide to our recommended hotels in New Delhi and will be happy to discuss your options with you.
Your pilgrimage officially begins upon arrival at the Kushok Bakula Rinpoche airport in Leh, Ladakh on the morning of June 1st. The flight from New Delhi to Leh is only an hour long, but it’s one of the most picturesque flights on the planet. It will take you directly over the Himalayas, allowing you a rare, lofty perspective on the rooftop of the world.
Upon arrival in Leh, we’ll immediately head west along the Indus River to our home base at Uleytokpo (~90-minute drive). We’ll spend this day acclimatizing to the altitude, resting, and leisurely exploring the resort grounds set directly on this majestic river. The spa here is simple but a guest favorite!
We’ll spend 4 nights at the Ule Ethnic Resort and use it as a jumping-off point for further exploration. We’ll visit the otherworldly lunar landscape of Lamayuru (~90-minute drive), as well as its iconic monastery. Lamayuru Monastery is Ladakh’s oldest monastery, affiliated with the Drikung Kagyu school of Buddhism; here you can view a meditation cave used by Naropa. We’ll also visit Alchi Monastery, a Gelug monastery set directly along the Indus River, housing some of the oldest surviving paintings in Ladakh.
Our home base along the Indus River is an inspiring backdrop for morning meditations, as well as dharma talks with our teacher Megan Mook. In our downtime, we’ll have the opportunity for scenic walks and rafting along the river, and our nights will be filled with bonfires and stargazing. If the sky is clear, the stargazing here is out of this world (no pun intended!)






June 5–13
On June 5th we’ll head back toward Leh (~90 minutes), the largest town in Ladakh, and enjoy lunch in this darling downtown hub. From there we’ll continue on to Chamba Hotel, our home away from home at the base of Thiksey Monastery (~30-minute drive).
Thiksey Monastery is one of our favorite places on the planet and we cannot wait to share it with you! This picturesque Tibetan Buddhist monastery, first constructed in the 1400s, is often called “Little Potala” for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Tibet. Thiksey is rich with history and some of the most iconic art in all of Ladakh, including a breathtaking statue of the Maitreya Buddha that was consecrated by the Dalai Lama himself. Thiksey Monastery is an absolute treasure and a joy to explore, from the Tara temple and the powerful Protector Temple to the bustling Main Prayer hall and the 400-year-old Dhukang Karmo temple.
We’ll have the opportunity each morning to attend morning puja (chanting) inside the prayer hall and partake in the ritual of butter tea and tsampa (barley flour). We’ll meet and engage in dialogue with monks about Buddhism, philosophy, and Ladakhi culture. We’ll have the good fortune to have dinner with a local Ladakhi family in their home, as well! We’ll have dedicated daily dharma and meditation sessions with Megan Mook in sacred spaces around the monastery.
There are plenty of beautiful monasteries to visit in addition to Thiksey, including:
- Takthok Monastery, a Nyingma monastery that is home to a meditation cave used by Padmasambhava
- Stakna Monastery, situated on a hill overlooking the Indus river. Stakna, a Druk monastery, is renowned for its beautiful, vivid murals.
- The tiny bit mighty Stakmo Monastery, including Lhakhang Serpo, the very first Gelug temple in all of Ladakh.
- Mathos Monastery, a beautiful Sakya monastery renowned for its two oracles
- Hemis Monastery and its fascinating museum
If his schedule allows, we’ll have a private audience with the abbot of Thiksey Monastery, Rinpoche Kushok Nawang Chamba Stanzin, who has been a progressive spiritual and political leader in Ladakh for decades.
On the morning of June 13th, you’ll fly from Leh to Delhi (one more chance to see that gorgeous vista!) We can help arrange further travels in the region or you can head back home to reflect, process, and put into practice all you’ve experienced.






Click here to read what some of our past Ladakh pilgrims have to say!
It was the perfect Buddhist meditation retreat, thank you to Tricycle, Lauren, and BJ for making this trip happen. Come to think of it, it was my favorite trip of the last 70 years! ~K.T.
BJ and Lauren are excellent, knowledgeable, and highly attentive tour leaders. They clearly love what they do, which makes all the difference. Their passion for the culture and people of Ladakh is infectious. This was the trip of a lifetime, thanks to the talent and dedication of BJ and Lauren. ~L.D.
As an inexperienced traveler, I cannot say enough about RetreaTours, BJ and Lauren! Their extensive knowledge, experience and compassion gave me complete confidence in my own capacity for adventure…and they exceeded all of my expectations! Every day was an immersion in history, culture, and being in a place that lives the Dharma—generosity, grace, compassion, wisdom. Prayer flags, prayer wheels, stupas, mani stones…..being surrounded by all of these sacred markers, enriched my life. BJ and Lauren’s wise guidance and planning for all events provided an experience that deepened my practice and gave me renewed vitality for adventure! ~E.G.
Lauren and BJ are the best tour guides possible. They are totally on top of the areas we visit, have developed and cultivated marvelous local relationships, and rise to any individual need with aplomb and sensitivity. A trip with them is a gift to any traveler seeking insight, fun, and adventure. ~J.P.
I would recommend RetreaTours to anyone looking for a very well organized, off-the-beaten-path adventure. BJ and Lauren attend to every detail and go above and beyond in their helpfulness. Especially valuable are the friendships they have developed with local people, who will warmly welcome you as a friend of their friends. ~A.D.
I don’t know if it is possible to find a tour company that is more interested in your trip being the best one of your life. I usually don’t travel with tour companies and I have traveled a lot but I decided to try this tour. The reason for my choice was the list of activities that I would not be able to do without their vast connections. It was the best trip of my life and that is really saying something. The attention to detail and always striving for the maximum experience was way over the top as far as I was concerned. The ability to provide the opportunity for spiritual experiences that allow one to reach new levels of knowledge, expansion, and awareness is indeed a great gift to the world. Thank you, BJ and Lauren. ~D.E.
Visiting Ladakh with RetreaTours was an unbelievable and memorable experience. I’ve never been on a retreat or to India and thanks to Lauren’s and BJ’s organization, knowledge and guidance, the trip was more than a retreat or a tour. I returned home having experienced the excitement of meeting new people, learning about a new culture and personal growth. The activities went way beyond the traditional tourist activities allowing us to truly experience the culture and history. Yet, at the same time, I never felt overwhelmed or tired and was excited by each new activity and experience. ~M.O.
BJ and Lauren are the most supportive of companions, careful organisers, and inspired teachers we could possibly have had for this totally wonderful and unforgettable experience. BJ and Lauren are connected in every way in Ladakh – from Rinpoches and high lamas, to cultural academics and local experts, to monks and nuns – transforming our Pilgrimage into a time of great richness. As well as this, what RetreaTours does so brilliantly are the joyful and intimate surprises – that involved us in unforgettable behind-the-scenes glimpses of life in Ladakh. Warmly recommended – superb organisation, imagination and delivery. Bravo to RetreaTours! ~D.B.
How to Register
- Review this entire webpage for details
- Complete the registration form below
- Lauren will email you with options for the trip deposit
- Welcome aboard!
Please click each section to open it.
Price & What is Included
There is a minimum of 7 guests required for this journey and a maximum of 12. When we have reached our minimum, we will let you know, at which time you can buy airfare and your travel insurance.
- This journey isᅠ$6499 USD per person.
- The non-refundable deposit isᅠ$1000ᅠand holds your space
- The 2nd installment of $3000 is due on January 1, 2024
- The balance is due March 1, 2024
- The private room supplement is $499; please note that we cannot guarantee a rooommate.
Your Price Includes
- Daily sessions with Megan Mook
- Roundtrip flight from New Delhi to Leh, Ladakh
- Allᅠ accommodations from June 1 to June 12
- All ground transportation within Ladakh
- All meals from lunch on June 1 until breakfast on June 13
- All tips to restaurant and hotel staff
- An online photo album of the experience for you to download and share
- $1000 in funding to The Tricycle Foundation
Price doesᅠnot include
- International airfare
- Hotel night in New Delhi on May 31 or airport pick-up in Delhi
- India visa fee (currently $25 for 30-day eTourist visa for most nationalities)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Rafting experience in Uleytokpo
Payment Details
Please refer to the Price tab for specific information about price & what is included in your journey.
The non-refundable $1000 deposit guarantees your space. The 2nd installment of $3000 is due on January 1, 2024 and the balance on March 1, 2024.
For our American guests, we accept payments via check, credit, or debit card (via PayPal), Zelle, or Venmo. Lauren will send you these details after receiving your application has been accepted.
For our guests outside the U.S., Lauren will connect with you about the best ways to transfer money.
Cancellation Policy
We do everything in our power to do right by our guests. We are proud to say that in the wake of our COVID-related trip cancellations through 2020 and 2021, we were able to offer each of our guests the choice of a 100% credit, if not a full refund.
We’ve re-examined each trip and done our best to reduce the deposit amounts as much as possible. Upon your registration, your deposit immediately goes toward reserving your space for flights, hotels, and excursions that must be booked months in advance and are often non-refundable.
Cancellation by our guests
The cancellation charges are as follows unless otherwise indicated on the detailed itinerary for each trip. All cancellations must be received via e-mail or US mail.
- Cancellations prior to 120 days to departure, money will be refunded minus the non-refundable deposit. Please note that deposits for any pre-trip or post-trip extensions are not transferable to another portion of the trip should you decide to cancel that module of the journey.
- Cancellations received 61 to 119 days prior to departure are subject to a penalty of 50% of the total cost of the trip.
- Cancellations received 60 days or less prior to trip departure will forfeit the entire cost of the trip.
If a trip is cancelled by RetreaTours
When a tour is cancelled in the case of force majeure, the Tour Participant will receive a refund minus any funds that we are unable to recover from any supplier.
You can see the full cancellation policy in our contract here.
Our Carbon Offset Commitment
RetreaTours is Climate Positive!
We purchase triple carbon offsets for your travels with us—that’s from your home, through the entire tour, and back to your home again, times three!
RetreaTours is officially a Carbonfree® Partner with Carbonfund.org, as well as a partner with Cool Effect.
You may have heard the term “carbon neutral,” which means that a company offsets as much carbon as it produces. With this 300% offset, RetreaTours is actually offsetting more carbon than we produce each year, making us “carbon negative” (or “climate positive,” which has a nicer ring to it!)
Since 2012 we’ve focused on making travel safe and easy for our guests; with our triple carbon offset tours, we’re pleased to make our trips as sustainable as they are memorable.
Please see more at RetreaTours.com/CarbonNegative
Passport & Visa Requirement
You can apply for a 30-day Indian eTourist visa 4 to 30 days before your trip. You can apply for a 1-year eTourist visa up to 4 months before the journey.
We will provide detailed instructions and all information you will need for this visa. Currently, 30-day India eTourist visas are $25 USD plus processing fees.
Suggested Fitness Requirements
We want to paint a realistic picture of what to expect on this journey. If you have any questions at all about whether or not this is the right trip for you, please email us!
Stairs
Stairs are a big part of this experience, particularly in the latter half, at Thiksey Monastery.
One of our primary teaching and meditation spaces at Thiksey Monastery is in a centuries-old temple up ~200 steps from our guest house. Participants should be able to comfortably climb and descend stairs, often without handrails.
The main prayer hall at Thiksey is also up ~130 stairs from the entrance of the monastery that is accessible by road.
It is normal to feel winded climbing stairs at altitude–slow and steady wins the race and you can allow yourself ample time to get to your destination.
Sitting
You will often have to sit on or close to the floor in our prayer halls, although cushions are available and we recommend bringing inflatable meditation cushions, as well. (Note: If you have traveled with us before, you know that we typically can make all kind of accommodations, but we cannot bring chairs into the prayer halls for you.)
Your hotel rooms have Western sit toilets (the kind you are used to at home), but we may encounter squat toilets when we are on our day trips.
Altitude
It is very important that you read the separate “About the Altitude” tab below!
Vaccines & Staying Healthy on Tour
Vaccines
RetreaTours requires proof of a COVID-19 vaccine and booster for this journey.
No vaccines are required to enter India, but we suggest you work with your physician or your area’s travel health expert to decide what options are best for you. It’s always best to stay up to date on routine vaccines before you travel.
You can read the CDC’s recommendations here and the UK NHS recommendations here.
Altitude
Please visit our comprehensive blog about staying well at high altitude.
Staying Healthy on Tour
Please visit our comprehensive article, “How to Stay Healthy While Traveling…Naturally,” which addresses all of the most common travel ailments.
About the Altitude
Ladakh is set on the Tibetan Plateau and we will experience high altitude on this trip.
In order to easy you into it, we start at Uleytokpo, which is at 10,000 feet. After a four days we will continue on to Thiksey Monastery atᅠ10,600 ft (3200 m).ᅠ
We plan our first few days very lightly, to allow you to acclimatize to this altitude. However, it is crucial to understand how altitude affects the body and what you can do to minimize any symptoms.ᅠ
Please click here and read our comprehensive blog about staying well at high altitude.ᅠ
Travel Insurance
Required Coverage
RetreaTours requires that each guest carries travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation and repatriation. The minimum coverage should be $100,000 emergency medical treatment and $250,000 emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Please send Lauren your policy information as soon as you have it.
Suggested Coverage
We suggest trip cancellation insurance, as well, as you never know what obstacles life can toss at you leading up to a trip. However, we do not require this coverage, we only suggest it highly.
Please familiarize yourself with RetreaTours’ guest cancellation policy in your journey’s contract. Please read this article to understand a bit more about trip cancellation insurance and what it may or may not cover. “Cancel For Any Reason” policies do exist, as well, although do check to see what percentage of the trip cost they actually reimburse.
When to purchase your policy
Please purchase this insurance as soon as we tell you the trip has reached its minimum. Please do not wait until the last minute, should you need to use your (optional) cancellation coverage before then.
Where to search for policies
Below you will find some options to start your search for trip insurance. However, we ask that you carefully consider your choice in travel insurance. What works for some people may not work for others, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions. Please do take the time to consider the best policy for your individual needs.
Squaremouth.com and InsureMyTrip.com are two sites where you can see and compare many policies at once, and you can refine the options by what coverage you would like. Squaremouth’s interface is very easy and intuitive to use, and you can easily opt out of trip cancellation coverage.
World Nomads provides policies for guests under 70 that includes trip cancellation options. Use the link above and pop in your info to get an immediate quote.
It may also be a good idea to check with your credit card companies, especially American Express, to see if they offer any medical coverage for travel.
Expected Temperatures & Suggested Packing List
Ladakh sits on the Tibetan Plateau, a high-altitude desert. Expect the temperature to range from 40° to 70°F (4.5° to 21°C) with very little humidity. Because of the low humidity, it can be chilly in the shade and warm in the direct sun.
For your arrival in New Delhi, expect temperatures from 85° to 95°F (30° to 35°C) with high humidity and a fair chance of rain.
We’ll provide a suggested packing list several months before this journey.
About our Accommodations
Our Resort in Uleytokpo
For four nights we’ll make Uletokpo’s Ule Ethnic Resort our home. We’ll perch directly above the Indus River in our cottages, and we can even enjoy a bonfire and stargazing with a telescope. This quaint riverside resort even has a spa, if you want to get a massage on the Rooftop of the World. Perhaps you dare to go rafting in the Indus, as well! From here we’ll explore the monasteries of Lamayuru and Alchi.
Each room has an attached bathroom and shower with hot water, and there is electricity 24/7. This hotel’s restaurant is entirely vegetarian, and their specialty is their homemade apricot juice and jam!
There is NO wifi connectivity at Uleytokpo, so you will be completely out of touch from June 1 until June 5. Please do not expect your international phone plan to work in Ladakh, nor a SIM card that works in the rest of India, since this region uses a different system than the rest of India. It is difficult to obtain a SIM card in Ladakh so any connectivity will come from the Wifi.
Our Hotel at Thiksey
We will be staying at Thiksey Monastery’s guesthouse, Chamba Hotel, with a gorgeous view of the monastery itself. In fact, this guesthouse is where the His Holiness the Dalai Lama stayed during his August 2016 visit to Thiksey. Although the monastery’s guesthouse is simple, it is clean, and each room has ensuite bathrooms with western toilets, showers, and hot water, and there is electricity 24/7.
Our hotel’s restaurant is entirely vegetarian, featuring northern Indian classics. We’ll eat nourishing meals together that highlight local produce and classical Indian flavors. We’ll enjoy the hotel’s well-manicured courtyard and its comfortable lounge for discussions and catching up with each other. Most importantly, we are an extremely short walk to the monastery, which is beneficial for early morning pujas and exploration.
Wifi can be a challenge high in the Himalayas. Wifi is typically available at Thiksey but inconsistent and at a slower speed than you are accustomed to. We encourage pilgrims to be mindful of other guests and rely mostly on text and voice calls and not video chat which can make it difficult for other people to use the wifi.
About Your Arrival and First Night in New Delhi
Arrival
You will need to arrive in New Delhi, India by May 31st in order to prepare for your flight to Ladakh on the morning of June 1st. Your hotel night on May 31st is not included in order to allow you the most flexibility in terms of schedule and hotel category. We’ve created a webpage here that will give you hotel suggestions in New Delhi.
You will arrange airport pick-up with your hotel, as well as airport drop-off on the morning of June 1st. You will be provided with your ticket for your June 1st flight to Ladakh.
Departure
Your flight from Leh, Ladakh back to New Delhi is included on this journey. Expect to reach New Delhi by 2 PM on June 13th at the latest (barring any unexpected flight cancellations or long delays) and you can plan your flight home accordingly. Any flight time after 6 PM on June 13th should be fine, allowing you time to collect your luggage and check back in for your international flight.
Contact RetreaTours
Please email Lauren with any questions you may have about this journey.
Meet BJ & Lauren of RetreaTours
You’ll be joined on this journey by Lauren & BJ, owners of RetreaTours.
Husband-and-wife team BJ Graf and Lauren Rathvon have traveled the globe year-round since January 2013, researching, designing, and leading impactful journeys. We are deeply grateful for the trust that our guests place in us to save them time and resources while they enjoy a memorable journey.
We are committed not only to our guests but to our host destinations and the planet at large. We engage with local businesses and guides to keep money within the community, and we triple-carbon offset each of our tours.
We invite you to visit our Testimonials page to see what other people have to say about us! You can head to our About Us page to learn more about our story.
RetreaTours has a very special relationship with Thiksey Monastery. BJ Graf has been visiting this region since 1995 and has fostered close relationships with Ladakhi lamas (monks) and laypeople alike. This intimate personal connection allows us to reach deeper and more meaningfully into the culture and community.
BJ has been bringing guests to Ladakh since 2006. With our unprecedented access to ancient prayer halls and intimate friendships with Thiksey’s monks and their families in the village, our Ladakh guests always come away inspired and uplifted.
BJ was invited to serve as Thiksey Monastery’s official photographer in 2010, 2016, and 2017 for three very special Thiksey-sponsored events with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In addition to capturing these events in photos, BJ enjoyed conversation, some good-natured ribbing, and a good luck head rub by the Dalai Lama himself. In 2017, we were blessed to create an opportunity for one of our groups to have an audience with His Holiness on his birthday.
Over the years, BJ has had the good fortune to spend time with and photograph the 20th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, as well as the 102nd Ganden Tripa, Ling Rinpoche, Khen Rinpoche (former abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery), KelKhang Rinpoche, Kachen Lobzang Zotpa, and HHDL’s sister and humanitarian, Jetsun Pema. We are eternally grateful to Thiksey Rinpoche, KelKhang Rinpoche, Khenrap-la, and countless others for their endless support in crafting transformative experiences in Thiksey, Leh, and beyond.
About Tricycle: The Buddhist Review
Established in 1990 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization, The Tricycle Foundation is dedicated to making Buddhist teachings and practices broadly available. In 1991 the Foundation launched Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, the first magazine intended to present Buddhist perspectives to a Western readership. Tricycle soon became the leading independent journal of Buddhism in the West, where it continues to be the most inclusive and widely read vehicle for the dissemination of Buddhist views and values.
Our readership includes longtime practitioners, those who are curious about Buddhism or meditation, and those who do not identify as Buddhist but value the teachings of wisdom and compassion that Buddhism has to offer. By remaining unaffiliated with any particular teacher, sect or lineage, Tricycle provides a unique and independent public forum for exploring Buddhism, establishing a dialogue between Buddhism and the broader culture, and introducing Buddhist thinking to Western disciplines. This approach has enabled Tricycle to successfully attract readers from all walks of life, many of whom desire to enrich their lives through a deeper knowledge of Buddhist traditions.
Tricycle has been recognized with the prestigious Folio Award for Best Spiritual Magazine three times, and has twice garnered the Utne Media Award, most recently in 2013. As part of our commitment to our readers who are seeking to implement or sustain Buddhist values and practices, Tricycle accepts advertising only from teachers, programs, centers, and businesses whose offerings we believe will support those aims. Because of this selective policy, we depend on donations to support ever-rising printing and production costs, content updates to our website, and life-enriching programs. The Foundation also hosts occasional pilgrimages that provide opportunities for new and experienced practitioners to explore sites of importance to Buddhist history and practice.
Mission Statement
The mission of The Tricycle Foundation is to create forums for exploring contemporary and historic Buddhist activity, examine the impact of its new context in the democratic traditions of the West, and introduce fresh views and attainable methods for enlightened living to the culture at large. At the core of the Foundation’s mission is the alleviation of suffering that Buddhist teachings are meant bring about. Tricycle is an independent foundation unaffiliated with any one lineage or sect.
Why “Tricycle?”
A three-wheeled vehicle aptly evokes the fundamental components of Buddhist philosophy. Buddhism itself is often referred to as the “vehicle to enlightenment,” and the tricycle’s three wheels allude to the three treasures: The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, or the enlightened teacher, the teachings, and the community. The wheels also relate to the turning of the wheel of dharma, or skillfully using the teachings of the Buddha to face the challenges that the circle of life presents.
About Megan Mook
A long-term student of both Tibetan Buddhism and yoga, Megan Mook holds a Master’s in Buddhist Studies and has traveled extensively for the past 20 years pursuing Dharma, yoga, and herbalism. Megan is a member of the Tibetan Translators Guild of New York and has worked on Tibetan scriptural translations with Dr. Robert Thurman and Dr. Lozang Jamspal, an 87-year-old Tibetan Lama with whom Megan studied and traveled for several years.
Megan regularly offers Buddhist philosophy classes and meditation retreats, and she leads international pilgrimages for Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. Megan is a recurring panelist for academic conferences sponsored by the Center for Compassion and Creativity, an organization originally funded by the Dalai Lama for the promotion of secular compassion, where she is also a board member.
Learn more at MeganMook.com.
How to Register
- Review this entire webpage for details
- Complete the registration form below
- Lauren will email you with options for the trip deposit
- Welcome aboard!
Photo Album
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Thiksey
13923861_1153565928048696_5550110622250116401_oBlowing the horns at sunrise from the roof of Thiksey
13913589_1153562614715694_1691166460245748502_o13680025_1153562868049002_1405486553139933408_o
morning tsampa (barley flour) in the prayer hall at Thiksey
13937962_1153563004715655_6459317561139177522_opouring butter tea at morning puja
13680061_1153562994715656_2223761583329418112_o13962892_1153563224715633_7687621846832039293_o
Inside the Protector Temple at Thiksey
13669365_1153563288048960_8363945216316957085_o13920536_1153563351382287_7494216153853618706_o
The Maitreya Buddha at Thiksey
13923584_1153563588048930_5239050691787279430_oreceiving a dharma lesson from Stanzin
13669365_1153563784715577_6695328564707782526_o13920052_1153563931382229_5925945334427687407_o
Thiksey at night
13913735_1153564041382218_7835137442963775980_oTraditional perak headdress
13958089_1153564098048879_3158363840741774046_o13920047_1153564231382199_101355418788007189_o
Beautiful greenery in the desert is possible in the Indus River valley
13679867_1153564648048824_8295270241925344942_oChenrezig, the thousand armed Bodhisattva of Compassion
13662143_1153564738048815_4667789086931009223_oThiksey from a distance, dominating the local landscape.
13923371_1153564678048821_6452376900962317223_oA view from Thiksey of the surrounding Indus River valley
13920110_1153564771382145_3932086208696394577_oThe flight from Delhi to Leh is 50 minutes of wonder!
13680475_1153565648048724_3247561755917731218_oThe Maitreya at Thiksey
13668794_1153565764715379_6427376715705007390_oSunset view from Thiksey
13923621_1153566608048628_4119377818968198287_oTime for magic tricks!
13765887_1153566741381948_3152527203581099786_oMaitreya Buddha at Thiksey
13662199_1153566891381933_2116740236645598967_oPanorama of a windy sunset at Thiksey.
13662334_1153567091381913_2858714293510830974_oSunset at Thiksey
13662022_1153567331381889_7865303517033387718_oButter tea!
13938016_1153567574715198_2176253168679088923_oThe traditional turquoise Perak headdresses of Ladakh are passed from mother to daughter.
13668827_1153567974715158_3067185327104001065_oOn a short hike through Thiksey Village
13920455_1153568084715147_7713449656476242352_oA light sunset rain in the desert brings great rewards!
13662334_1153567818048507_19419254813415724_oHorns at morning puja
13963096_1153567978048491_4565013410154490403_oDharma talk with Stanzin
13923413_1153568258048463_3103429248826227608_o13913862_1153568261381796_6966344702212101176_o
13962796_1153568541381768_2002426280555897131_o
13932828_1153649291373693_1120091727811283703_n
The lunar landscape at Lamayuru
13909378_1153649348040354_8383335441907463309_oa novice serving butter tea during morning puja
13641125_1153649544707001_1677604361105832528_oThiksey Monastery
13923835_1153649708040318_5483860059387806535_odouble rainbow in Thiksey Village
13669430_1153649771373645_6459064019127138260_oA novice monk at Thiksey's morning puja
14125766_1180897915315497_8072364084675990450_oCourtyard at Thiksey Monastery Guesthouse
14138763_1180896408648981_7160994499219891389_oCourtyard at Thiksey Monastery Guesthouse
14115623_1180896388648983_7139906359094821004_oView from the Thiksey Guesthouse toward the Monastery
14205943_1180897005315588_256491801892265472_oA lounge at Thiksey Monastery's guesthouse, a great place for informal teachings and gatherings
14138703_1180897171982238_6172376904096951158_oOur accommodation at Uleytokpo
14115600_1180896571982298_8085868605686456296_oInterior of our accommodation at Uleytokpo
14224961_1180897798648842_7323629992454763877_nOur accommodation at Uleytokpo
14195389_1180896638648958_5226710498851282436_oInterior of our accommodation at Uleytokpo
14192797_1180898228648799_2923832072644721791_nMaking momos (dumplings) with Chamba
21641137_1667991906606093_3383989078650126478_oVisiting the Tibetan doctor at Thiksey
21641013_1667991576606126_7634758620844109238_oTraditional Ladakhi dance
21688458_1667992109939406_4106236451914301883_oTraditional Ladakhi dance
21687034_1667991569939460_6526765495059631346_oWalking among the stupas near Shey
21688437_1667992076606076_1319602148216893696_oEnjoying the stillness at Thiksey monastery
21641001_1667993066605977_6503045256785322871_oSweet Dolma surveying her domain from the top of Thiksey
21641015_1667996693272281_7692855524291116763_oChamba horsing around on the Indus River at Uleytokpo
21687176_1667997399938877_1517929527174316283_oLittle Dolma listens to the horns before morning puja at Thiksey
38241960_2113101972095082_6743611800232656896_nA Ladakhi woman does kora around Stakmo Gompa
38193531_2113102618761684_2390578444766281728_nA furry dharma protector at the base of Thiksey Monastery
38265847_2113102212095058_4856256858014351360_nA novice at morning puja
38270465_2113101512095128_3829813674894163968_nThe confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers, on our way to Uleytokpo
38265786_2113101662095113_7790935765726265344_nSifting the tsampa (barley flour) for morning puja
38301108_2113100678761878_7213071723053187072_n38272539_2113101125428500_2882828383182389248_n
When you're in the middle of a procession but you're trying to live your best juice life.
38223070_2113101115428501_4857813998407516160_nAdding tsampa (barley flour) to butter tea at morning puja
38257349_2113101722095107_697370064575266816_nChamba discussing Stakmo Monastery's new Wheel of Life
38127525_2113102388761707_6841027731589693440_nMaking offerings to the Maitreya
38224960_2113102445428368_8181470476162301952_nLamayuru's moonscape
38427281_2113101532095126_4647793615211331584_nThiksey
38444832_2113102085428404_1807805413387665408_nThe younger crowd at morning puja
38052307_2113101845428428_1413821109773533184_nRafting on the Indus in Uleytokpo
38238152_2113101355428477_7081858191532752896_nRafting on the Indus a Uleytokpo
38464524_2113100632095216_8564564469290631168_nJamyang makes torma offerings
38294440_2113100882095191_311660200140472320_nLilacs at Thiksey in June
38454903_2113102292095050_8765314680974475264_nRafting in the Indus River at Uleytokpo
38235173_2113101388761807_3626590360911740928_nTsetin before morning puja
38273646_2113100875428525_8596096624529244160_nA perfect perch for morning puja!
69297701_2982332385172032_6197049092665769984_nMani wall at Lamayuru
69939594_2982336068504997_576641914023968768_nExcited for rafting (our friend Stanzin, middle, most of all!)
69614848_2982332551838682_4617870736973889536_nThe Indus River at Uleytokpo
69833078_2982334768505127_3805837230417641472_nDr. Wangchok examining a petroglyph near Alchi
69653614_2982333025171968_5565582393554763776_nAncient petroglpyh near Alchi
69307917_2982335268505077_6820564724980121600_nAncient petroglpyh near Alchi
70020761_2982335388505065_5076680287656607744_nThiksey at sunset
69976964_2982336221838315_3131040534697607168_nDowntown Leh's pedestrian street
70123914_2982334075171863_5853524070594772992_nA view of the Indus Valley from the roof of Thiksey Monastery
69495834_2982339121838025_839951562779394048_nblowing the conchs before puja at Thiksey
69352064_2982332311838706_2667308560651649024_na view of Thiksey from afar
70031564_2982334705171800_7397457452209274880_nA view of Thiksey from the valley leading up to Stakmo village
69852904_2982332871838650_5786793387055120384_nThe confluence of the Zanskar and Indus Rivers
69410213_2982335048505099_3515068412629876736_nPrepping to raft in the Indus River
69632140_2982336105171660_9080096046733852672_nSally was a super rafter!
69300163_2982336725171598_7133723447800102912_n69357303_2982336938504910_299059083921588224_n
Stanzin is now a rafting pro ;)
70019782_2982333398505264_772930986127130624_nEvening campfires at Uleytokpo. BJ always brings S'mores fixins!
69756094_2982333488505255_5631799738308231168_nTrying the tsampa (roasted barley flour) during morning puja
69455107_2982334465171824_4738136177813487616_nReceiving butter tea at morning puja
70254794_2982332741838663_4208552468105134080_nA special morning puja
69357296_2982334045171866_1447848374723149824_nA mani wall and stupas at Lamayuru
69732104_2982335521838385_1411949887011946496_nA mani stone at Lamayuru
70349576_2982333255171945_1248966697151365120_nThe stunning Avalokitesvara at Lamayuru
70040113_2982337005171570_3768514110644289536_nLadakhi women at Lamayuru monastery
70183660_2982332818505322_8168054484388282368_nThe lunar landscape at Lamayuru
69471056_2982333195171951_6683844903652294656_nLamayuru
69461876_2982335678505036_3475064619083497472_n
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