Day 0 (September 13): Departure from Bucharest with an early flight

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Day 1: Arrival in Xining, China

• Noon: Arrive in Xining

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After having a well deserved lunch at one of the local restaurants, we head to the main train station where in the evening we'll embark on a unique and panoramic train ride to Lhasa! How exciting!  Your tickets will be in a comfortable sleeping cabin, so rest assured, you will reach Lhasa well rested. This journey, which takes around 23 hours and covers almost 2.000 km, offers the opportunity to witness the stunning beauty of the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of 4,000 meters. This train ride will not only be a visual feast but also serve as a time for personal reflection before entering into the retreat's silence, as we start our guided journalling practice. ​

 

Overnight on the train. See a beautiful video of the landscapes seen from this trip here

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Meals: Not included. Restaurants available in Xining and on board the train

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Day 2: Arrival in Lhasa (3650m)

• Evening: Arrive in Lhasa, Tibet’s spiritual heart

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We meet with our local guide, who will greet us with a hada  (traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf) and then our driver will take us to our hotel to rest and adjust to the hight altitude.  On the road, we may see the Yarlung Tsangpo River/Brahmaputra River (the Longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River.

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Starting with the evening of day 2, we start the vow of silence, which will be in place until Day 8. During these days, you vow to completely refrain from speaking, except for extraordinary reasons where you can speak to the group leader. All other communication will be done strictly by writing or signaling, although all efforts will be made to minimize even that. 

 

Meals: Not included. Restaurants available on board the train and around te hotel

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Day 3: Lhasa Tour – Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery / Day Trek from Pabonka to Pubjoi Monastery

Depending on our final group size, we will make either the Lhasa tour or the day trek

 

LHASA TOUR

• Morning: Visit Drepung Monastery, once home to over 10,000 monks. Explore the Coqen Hall and learn about Tibetan Buddhism's worldview

• Afternoon: Proceed to Sera Monastery to witness the renowned Tibetan Monks Debate ​

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DAY TREK

We start our day with a drive to the cliff-side Pabonka Palace, 15 km from the city center, to visit the sacred cave where King Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd Tibetan king, meditated.

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From there, we begin our trek with a 30-minute hike northeast to Tashi Chöling Hermitage, passing by a sky-burial site. After a brief break, we continue for 40 minutes, ascending 300 meters to the Tagden Ritro Hermitage, where we can enjoy the clear spring water, bird songs, and stunning panoramic views of Lhasa, with a packed lunch.

Next, we descend for 40 minutes to Sera Ütse Hermitage, with an expanding view of Lhasa. We then continue for another hour to Purbu Jog Monastery, passing through Raka Drak Hermitage and enjoying views of Nyangra and Thokde valleys along the way.

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Meals: Breakfast and dinner included 

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Day 4: Lhasa – Deepening Silence and Sacred Sites

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• Morning: Visit the iconic Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. As you walk through its grand halls and stairways, allow yourself to absorb the deep spiritual history of this magnificent structure. The silence will allow you to connect with the essence of this historical site on a deeper level.

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• Afternoon: Proceed to Jokhang Temple, the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism. Its sacred energy and profound beauty will speak directly to your innermost core as you walk through the temple, honoring its timeless presence. Around the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market

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• Evening: We follow our guide to one of the liveliest indoor Tibetan tea houses in Lhasa. Sip traditional Tibetan sweet tea longside local Tibetans as our guide shares insights into Tibetan social dynamics and daily life.

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Overnight in Lhasa.

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Meals: Breakfast

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Day 5: Lhasa to Gyantse to Shigatse – Embracing Inner Stillness

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• Morning: We begin our journey towards Gyantse, where we will stop at Yamdrok Lake, a sacred turquoise lake set against snow-capped mountains. The stillness of the lake will reflect your own inner peace as you silently absorb its serene beauty.  At the end of the lake, we could visit a local family in the village and have lunch with the locals.

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• Afternoon: Enjoy the views of the Korola Glacier, the largest glacier in Tibet and hang prayer flag at the Simila Mountain Pass

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• Evening: Arrive in Shigatse, rest for the evening and prepare for the next day’s trip to Mount Everest.

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Overnight in Shigatse.

 

Meals: Breakfast and lunch included 

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Day 6: Shigatse to Everest Base Camp – Immersed in Sacredness

 

Make the most of your day by admiring the stunning Himalayan mountain ranges! 

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• After breakfast, head directly to Mount Everest. First, you’ll pass Gyatsola Pass (5280m), where you'll catch your first glimpse of Everest, resembling a blooming lotus flower behind the mountains.

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• Next, enjoy panoramic views at Gawula Pass (5198m), where you’ll see the five highest peaks in the Himalayas, with Everest leading the way

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• Continue along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp (5000m), where Everest gradually comes into view

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• Upon reaching Base Camp, witness the massive, majestic peak of Everest. As the sun sets, the golden light bathes Everest's northern face

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• Finally, as night falls, see the Milky Way sparkle above the snow-capped peak, marking your fifth and final view of Everest.

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• Evening: Spend the evening in the tranquility of Everest Base Camp, with the silent, towering presence of Mount Everest around you

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Overnight in tents at Everest Basecamp How exciting!

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Meals: Breakfast

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Day 7: Everest Base Camp to Shigatse via Sakya – Sacred Reflections

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• Morning: Watch the sunrise over Mount Everest, the golden light illuminating the peak, and sit in silent contemplation as you witness this sacred moment.

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• Late Morning: Visit Rongbuk Monastery, located near Everest Base Camp. As the highest monastery in the world, it offers a profound setting for silent reflection.

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• Afternoon: As we return to Shigatse via Dinggye, we will see not only the majestic eastern slope of the towering Mount Everest again, but also the world's fourth-highest peak, Mount Lhotse, standing at an elevation of 8,516 meters. 

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• Evening: Arrive in Shigatse and after checking in at the hotel, we head to the local Langma Hall, a venue for Tibetan song and dance performances. Here, we can witness the traditional Tibetan performances and enjoy a warm  dinner

 

Overnight in Shigatse.

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Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

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Day 8: Shigatse to Lhasa – last moments of Silence

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• In the morning, we will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the home of the Panchen Lama. This grand monastery, the largest in the region, spans an entire hillside and serves as the spiritual heart of Shigatse. It is home to the world's largest statue of Maitreya Buddha. Inside, you'll see monks in their distinctive yellow hats and red robes, quietly moving through the temple.

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• Afterward, we will return to Lhasa, following the scenic route along the **Yarlung Tsangpo River**, the mother river of the Tibetan people.

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• Afternoon: Return to Lhasa. Enjoy your last moments of silence as we make our way back to this spiritual city

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• Evening: Gather for a group reflection session at the hotel, where the silence will gently come to a close.

 

Overnight in Lhasa.

 

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 9: Departure from Lhasa

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• Morning: After a farewell breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport for departure, leaving us to infuse the wisdom and insight gathered from our silent retreat.

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