Daily Itinerary
From Brahma to Buddha--Spring Semester Itinerary*
Feb. 12-13: Fly from New York to Delhi.
Feb. 14-16: Orientation in Delhi. Visit major cultural sites. Attend evening sitar concert, visit schools, meet cultural leaders.
Feb. 17: Train to Agra. Visit Taj Mahal. Board night train to Varanasi.
Feb. 18- March 3: Varanasi. Visit cultural and religious sites in the ancient city and along the banks of the Ganges River. Cultural lecture series and language instruction. Begin Independent Study Projects and service learning opportunities. Celebrate Maha Shivarotri on Feb 26th. Day excursion to Sarnath to visit Deer Park, site of Buddha's first teaching on the Four Noble Truths.
March 4-5: Transport to Bodhgaya, the site of Buddha's enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Tree, more than 2,500 years ago. On route, visit early Buddhist cultural sites.
March 6-11: Participate in the course at the Root Institute at Bodhgaya.
March 12-13: Train and bus to Dharamsala in the Himalayas, home to the Tibetan-Government-in-Exile and major Tibetan cultural institutions.
March 14: Dharamsala orientation. Walking tour of McLeod Ganj and the Dalai Lama's monastery.
March 15-April 2: Home stays, cultural lecture series, language training, Independent Study Projects, and community service in Dharamsala. Participation in Dalai Lama’s annual teachings from March 15-March 29. Cultural lecture series. Day excursions to Norbulingka, Bir, the Tibetan Children's Village, the Astrological and Medical Institute, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, the Tibetan Library and Archives as well as other cultural sites.
April 3: Transport to Chandigarh or Delhi.
April 4: Flight to Leh, capital of Ladakh, “Little Tibet.” Begin orientation in Leh. Visit to Leh Palace.
April 5: Morning: Continue orientation in Leh. Afternoon: Transport to village and begin home stays.
April 6-13: Home stays, cultural lecture series, language training, Independent Study Projects and community service in Ladakh.
April 14-16: Excursion to Alchi and overnight in Manyu Village. Visit Lamayuru and Lakir then return to Leh.
April 17-25: Continue home stays, cultural lecture series, language training, Independent Study Projects and community service in Ladakh.
April 26-May 4: Trek in Marka Valley or other location in Ladakh, TBA.
May 5-9: Conclude home stays, cultural lecture series, language training, Independent Study Projects and community service in Ladakh.
May 10: Farewell banquet for home stays and transport to Leh.
May 11: Flight from Leh to Delhi.
May 12: Delhi. Visit cultural sites. Farewell banquet. Board return flight and arrival in New York.
*Please note this itinerary is subject to change based upon group interest, health and safety issues, and other factors beyond PVI's control. Any significant itinerary alterations will be posted on this website.