2010 Expeditions and Tours

With two decades of experience, Jamyang Lodoe is one of the most experienced leaders in the Himalaya. Having organized and guided trips throughout the region, Jamyang has chosen some of his favorite itineraries for our 2010 trips.

For more information about these, and other Himalayan destinations, please contact us at: 845-876-6331 or send your questions to: jamyang@gallerylodoe.com.
galleryLodoe
Gallery Lodoe
6406 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, NY  12572
Tel: 1.845.876.6331
E-mail: info@gallerylodoe.com
Summer Hours:
Sun - Thu - 11:00 - 5:00
Fri - Sat- 10:00 - 7:00
Nepal Sampler, March 20 - April 1, 2010
Days excl. int’l travel:         13 days
Type of Trip:       Overland; Trekking (4 days); Safari (2 days)
Originates:         Kathmandu, Nepal
Level of Difficulty:      2 of 5; Easy- moderate

The Himalaya Sampler is the perfect adventure for those who want to try all that Nepal has to offer, but do not have a lot of time.  Start with the kaleidoscope of Hindu and Buddhist cultures in Kathmandu.  Fly to Pokhara, nestled at the foot of the Annapurna range where you start off on the “Royal Trek” named for Prince Charles’ visit with a 90 person entourage.  Shift your perspective as you drive through Gurung villages and rhododendron forests.  Enjoy Asia’s finest game viewing from 4WD, elephant back, and river in the Royal Chitwan National Park.  This trip is easily adapted for all levels, including families.

Highlights:    
  • Stunning views of the peaks of the Annapurna range, including Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna South (7237m), Machhapuchhare (6993m) and Lamjung Himal (6931m),
  • Avoid the heavily-trekked trails to the west of Pokhara
  • Variety of scenery and stunning picturesque views year-round

Maximum Everest, April 4 - April 26, 2010
Days excl. int’l travel:         23 days
Type of Trip:       Trekking (18 days)
Originates:          Kathmandu, Nepal
Level of Difficulty:      5 of 5; Most Challenging

The ultimate adventure taking you from one end of Khumbu to the other without backtracking, this is our most demanding trek in the Everest region. A much less traveled trek, this route takes you to all the most remarkable areas of the Khumbu Region: the frozen Gokyo Lakes, Kala Pathar with the closest possible view of Everest, Everest Base Camp where the world’s best climbers gather, the juniper and rhododendron forests of Sagarmartha National Park, and of course, the Sherpa villages.

Highlights:    
  • Views of the highest mountain range in the world- including the peaks of Everest, Nuptse (7879m/ 25850ft), Lhotse (8516m/ 27940ft), and Thamserku (6187m/ 20298ft).
  • View the turquoise Gokyo Lakes, and Cho Oyo, Nepal’s longest glacier.
  • Push yourself with a demanding trek across the Chola Pass, which joins the Khumbu glacier with the quiet Dudh Kosi Valley.
  • Trek through traditional Sherpa villages, and interact with people who are not only the best climbers in the world, but some of the most hospitable as well.

Treasures of Tibet, August 14 - August 26, 2010
Days excl. int’l travel:   12 days
Type of trip:         Overland
Originates:            Kathmandu, Nepal
Level of Difficulty:        2 of 5; Moderate

Tibet is known as the Rooftop of the World not only because of its high altitudes in the Himalayas, but also because of the secrecy and isolation in which the country has always been shrouded.  Highlights of Central Tibet is the perfect introductory trip to Tibet. Fly in and out of Lhasa from Kathmandu, spending plenty of time in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet since the 7th Century.  In addition, visit areas the home of the Tibet nation and the first Buddhist monasteries in Tibet.

Highlights:    
  • Visit the wonders of Tibet’s capital city, Lhasa: Potala Palace, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, and Barkor Square where all of Tibet gathers as one.
  • See the Valley of the Kings and stunning Yamdrok Lake, where many nomads live with their animals.
  • Visit the Jokhang, the first temple in Tibet built in the 7th Century.

Sacred Kailash, August 30 - September 19, 2010
Days excl. int’l travel:  19 days
Type of trip:         Overland; Trekking (3 days)
Originates:           Kathmandu, Nepal
Level of Difficulty:       4 of 5; Rigorous

Visit one of the world’s most sacred mountains, Mt. Kailash, revered by four eastern religions- Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon-po, and Jainism. Believed to be the physical embodiment of the mythical Mt. Meru, Mt. Kailash is considered to be the center of the universe, and the navel of the world. Mt. Kailash is the home to 4 of Asia’s most holy rivers, the Brahmaputra, Indus, Karnali (a major tributary of the Ganges) and Sutlej rivers all have their source within 100 km of Mt. Kailash. We meet for this trek in Kathmandu and travel to the Tibetan plateau by plane and jeep.  We join religious pilgrims in a trek around Kailash and the holy Lake Manasarovar. This is a rigorous journey with 10 days of challenging trekking, fantastic views, and cultural experiences.

Highlights:    
  • Circumambulate around Kailash, the holiest mountain in Asia, a nearly symmetrical peak with a circumference of 52 kilometers.
  • Visit one of the holiest places on earth during the Saga Dawa Festival in the year of the horse, a special celebration that happens only once every 12 years.
  • Camping beside Manasarovar Lake, 4310m/14140ft , where both Hindus and Buddhists make a holy pilgrimage, 85 km around the lake.
  • Take a dip in the Trithapuri hot springs after your arduous trek around Kailash.

Bhutan Pilgrimage, October 8 - 21, 2010
Days excl. int'l travel:   14 days
Type of Trip: Overland; Trekking
Originates:   Paro, Bhutan
Level of Difficulty:       2 of 5

While on this pilgrimage, you will have access to sacred places and monasteries that are not usually open to foreign visitors. You will have the opportunity to meet Buddhist teachers from Bhutan and participate in ceremonies. There will be time to wander independently, to meditate daily and to discuss the various aspects of Buddhism. The pilgrimage is being done outside the regular tourist season in order to support the time needed for quiet reflection and contemplation. There will be a considerable amount of hiking to sacred sites.

Highlights:    
  • Spend time at Takshang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery, giddily perched on a sheer 800m rock face to which legend has it Guru Padmasambhava flew on the back of a tigress in the eight century. He meditated here making this temple a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists around the world.
  • Visit the sacred shrines and temples that fill every corner of Bumthang, host to the first visit of Guru Padmasambhava to Bhutan.
  • Participate in the ancient traditions at Tango and Chari Goemba, sacred sites where eminent Buddhist masters have meditated for centuries.