Pharping & Maratika Tour
Trip Overview
Embark on a sacred pilgrimage tour that takes you through some of the most significant spiritual sites in the region, including Pharping, Yanglesho, and Maratika. This medium-difficulty journey requires some preparation and involves long transfers, but the profound experiences and meditative practices awaiting you make it worthwhile. Over ten days, you’ll explore places rich in history and spiritual significance, such as the temple of Vajrayogini and the Mandarava Cave, where you can witness sacred relics and participate in transformative practices under the guidance of experienced lamas. Each destination offers unique opportunities for meditation and reflection, allowing you to deepen your connection to the teachings of Guru Rinpoche while enjoying the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas.
Difficulty: medium – requires preparation, there are long transfers
Highlilghts Of The Trip
Pharping - Yanglesho
Pharping is the central place of pilgrimage to Guru Rinpoche’s places. It is even possible to reach here from Dollu on foot. Yanglesho is the name that is mentioned in Tibetan texts. Here Guru Rinpoche first subdued the local spirits, nagas and demons, who were hindering not only the locals, who had not had rain for three years before Guru Rinpoche’s arrival, but also the master himself. The result of this victory of the power of contemplation over harmful forces was the enlightenment of Guru Rinpoche and the attainment of Mahamudra.
It is difficult to list all the sights of Pharping, but we can mention the Asura Cave, the temple of Vajrayogini, the self manifested faces of Tara and the temple of a hundred peaceful and wrathful deities. The latter is a rare structure. There is such a temple so far only in Tibet. The wrathful and peaceful deities are the visions we will see in the bardo after death. By recognizing any of them, one can be liberated already in this state bypassing the next rebirth. That is why Tibetans pay so much attention to the depiction of these deities. In the temple you can see a three-dimensional image of these useful visions and you can definitely be freed even in your lifetime.
To visit the place of enlightenment of the greatest Buddhist master and meditate here even for five minutes is a great fortune, although few people know about it. Therefore, visiting Parping is the central part of our program. Here we will learn the highlights of the master’s life and learn practices to transform our body and mind.
Yarinak / Thimal / Yaksha Nagpo
Yarinak is perhaps one of the most wrathful places of Guru Rinpoche’s deeds. Here, taking the form of Dukyi Shechen (Demon Killer), Guru Rinpoche threw his purba just as he was practicing Vajrakilaya deity into a forest filled with demonic forces. The forest burned and all the demons were defeated. Miraculously, a new forest, even thicker than before, sprang up in the place of the burned forest. Not far from this place there is also a lake, which most of the time stands dry but sometimes fills with water and in the center of which a statue of the Guru is placed.
The place is sacred and is especially suitable for wrathful practices and removing obstacles. The place is amazing in that one can observe Guru Rinpoche’s footprints, sacred symbols, imprints or manifestations of his purba, shell, damaru, tree of life, mala, stupa and sacred syllables. In clear weather, the hill offers unforgettable views of the majestic Himalayas. After practicing together, be sure to wish that these places of victory of good over evil will forever take away all the troubles and misfortunes of humans and all beings.
Maratika / Halesi
The area known locally as Halesi is one of Guru Rinpoche’s main pilgrimage sites. Here the master practiced with his Indian wife Princess Mandarava and they saw the Lord of Long Life Amitayus himself. Since then Guru Rinpoche has attained the siddhi of immortality and does not leave our world. That is why the place is the main place for healing and life extension. In the main cave of Maratika, one can see the vessel of long life with which Amitayus blessed Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava, as well as the body imprints of Amitayus and Guru Rinpoche. There are also four kinds of gates, narrow passages through which the believer purifies the karma of rebirth in hells, bardos and wombs, and also purifies the breaking of vows and spiritual obligations. In addition to this cave, there is the lower and secret cave of Guru Rinpoche and numerous caves and hills associated with various deities who heal illnesses and remove obstacles.Â
Maratika is one of Guru Rinpoche’s main places along with Yanglesho. We will leisurely visit holy sites, meditate in mysterious caves and learn traditional practices under the guidance of an experienced lama. This place leaves no one indifferent and completely changes the lives of those who visit it.
Mandarava Cave
Mandarava Cave is located forty kilometers from Marathika and is a must visit. Though it is difficult to get into, the self manifested images of sun and moon, tortoise and dragon seen there is a unique sight. The water dripping from the walls of the cave is considered to be the healing nectar of Mandarawa and people specially caravan it with bottles in hand. So don’t forget to bring bottles to take away a long life with you in your suitcase and share with your relatives.
What's Included In The Cost
- Accommodation: Overnight stays in local guesthouses and lodges throughout the tour.
- Meals: Daily meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring local cuisine (specific dietary requirements accommodated upon request).
- Transportation: All ground transportation between destinations, including transfers to and from the airport.
- Guided Tours: Expert guides to lead you through the itinerary and provide insights into the spiritual significance of each location.
- Meditation Sessions: Guided meditation practices at sacred sites to enhance your spiritual experience.
- Entrance Fees: All entry fees to temples, caves, and other attractions included in the itinerary.
- Local Taxes: Any applicable local taxes related to accommodation and activities.
What's Not Included In The Cost
- International Flights: Airfare to and from the starting location is not included.
- Personal Expenses: Additional expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, and personal items are not covered.
- Optional Activities: Any optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary will incur additional charges.
- Travel Insurance: If you require additional coverage beyond basic travel insurance, this will be at your expense.
- Visa Fees: Any visa application or processing fees required for travel to the region.
- Medical Expenses: Any medical costs incurred during the trip, including medication or treatment for health issues, are the responsibility of the participant.
- Alcoholic Beverages: Alcoholic drinks and beverages beyond those provided with meals are not included.
Trip Detail Itinerary
Information You Need To Know
Additional Information You Need To Know
We prioritize ensuring that our guests have all the essential information for a fulfilling and enjoyable pilgrimage experience. We provide detailed itineraries highlighting daily activities and destinations, so you know what to expect at each stage of your journey. Our team also offers insights into the cultural and spiritual significance of the sites you’ll visit, helping you connect more deeply with the experiences. We emphasize the importance of health and safety, offering advice on altitude acclimatization and packing recommendations to ensure you’re well-prepared.Â
Additionally, we are committed to accommodating dietary restrictions and preferences, so please communicate any specific needs in advance. Our experienced guides are available to address any questions or concerns throughout the trip, ensuring you feel supported and informed at every step. We aim to create a memorable experience that not only meets but exceeds your expectations, fostering a transformative journey of spiritual exploration and personal growth.
Frequently Asked Question
The trip is rated as medium difficulty, requiring some preparation and featuring long transfers. Participants should have a moderate level of fitness to enjoy the experience fully.
We recommend packing comfortable clothing suitable for varying weather conditions, sturdy walking shoes, a refillable water bottle, personal meditation supplies, and any medications you may need.
Yes, please ensure you have a valid passport, any necessary visas, and travel insurance. Check local regulations for any COVID-19 related restrictions or requirements.
Accommodation will include local guesthouses and lodges, offering a comfortable yet authentic experience. Please be prepared for basic amenities.
Yes, local cuisine will be included in the tour. If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, please inform us in advance so we can accommodate your needs.
To prevent altitude sickness, we recommend staying hydrated, acclimatizing gradually, and consulting a healthcare professional before the trip for additional advice.
Our guides are trained to handle emergencies and will assist you in seeking medical attention if necessary. It’s advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.
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Absolutely! Guided meditation sessions will be held at various sacred sites, allowing you to deepen your spiritual practice throughout the journey.
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Our guides are highly experienced and knowledgeable about the spiritual significance of each location. They are dedicated to enhancing your understanding and experience.
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Pharping & Maratika Tour
Book This Trip
Trip Overview
Embark on a sacred pilgrimage tour that takes you through some of the most significant spiritual sites in the region, including Pharping, Yanglesho, and Maratika. This medium-difficulty journey requires some preparation and involves long transfers, but the profound experiences and meditative practices awaiting you make it worthwhile. Over ten days, you’ll explore places rich in history and spiritual significance, such as the temple of Vajrayogini and the Mandarava Cave, where you can witness sacred relics and participate in transformative practices under the guidance of experienced lamas. Each destination offers unique opportunities for meditation and reflection, allowing you to deepen your connection to the teachings of Guru Rinpoche while enjoying the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas.
Difficulty: medium – requires preparation, there are long transfers
Highlilghts Of The Trip
Pharping - Yanglesho
Pharping is the central place of pilgrimage to Guru Rinpoche’s places. It is even possible to reach here from Dollu on foot. Yanglesho is the name that is mentioned in Tibetan texts. Here Guru Rinpoche first subdued the local spirits, nagas and demons, who were hindering not only the locals, who had not had rain for three years before Guru Rinpoche’s arrival, but also the master himself. The result of this victory of the power of contemplation over harmful forces was the enlightenment of Guru Rinpoche and the attainment of Mahamudra.
It is difficult to list all the sights of Pharping, but we can mention the Asura Cave, the temple of Vajrayogini, the self manifested faces of Tara and the temple of a hundred peaceful and wrathful deities. The latter is a rare structure. There is such a temple so far only in Tibet. The wrathful and peaceful deities are the visions we will see in the bardo after death. By recognizing any of them, one can be liberated already in this state bypassing the next rebirth. That is why Tibetans pay so much attention to the depiction of these deities. In the temple you can see a three-dimensional image of these useful visions and you can definitely be freed even in your lifetime.
To visit the place of enlightenment of the greatest Buddhist master and meditate here even for five minutes is a great fortune, although few people know about it. Therefore, visiting Parping is the central part of our program. Here we will learn the highlights of the master’s life and learn practices to transform our body and mind.
Yarinak / Thimal / Yaksha Nagpo
Yarinak is perhaps one of the most wrathful places of Guru Rinpoche’s deeds. Here, taking the form of Dukyi Shechen (Demon Killer), Guru Rinpoche threw his purba just as he was practicing Vajrakilaya deity into a forest filled with demonic forces. The forest burned and all the demons were defeated. Miraculously, a new forest, even thicker than before, sprang up in the place of the burned forest. Not far from this place there is also a lake, which most of the time stands dry but sometimes fills with water and in the center of which a statue of the Guru is placed.
The place is sacred and is especially suitable for wrathful practices and removing obstacles. The place is amazing in that one can observe Guru Rinpoche’s footprints, sacred symbols, imprints or manifestations of his purba, shell, damaru, tree of life, mala, stupa and sacred syllables. In clear weather, the hill offers unforgettable views of the majestic Himalayas. After practicing together, be sure to wish that these places of victory of good over evil will forever take away all the troubles and misfortunes of humans and all beings.
Maratika / Halesi
The area known locally as Halesi is one of Guru Rinpoche’s main pilgrimage sites. Here the master practiced with his Indian wife Princess Mandarava and they saw the Lord of Long Life Amitayus himself. Since then Guru Rinpoche has attained the siddhi of immortality and does not leave our world. That is why the place is the main place for healing and life extension. In the main cave of Maratika, one can see the vessel of long life with which Amitayus blessed Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava, as well as the body imprints of Amitayus and Guru Rinpoche. There are also four kinds of gates, narrow passages through which the believer purifies the karma of rebirth in hells, bardos and wombs, and also purifies the breaking of vows and spiritual obligations. In addition to this cave, there is the lower and secret cave of Guru Rinpoche and numerous caves and hills associated with various deities who heal illnesses and remove obstacles.Â
Maratika is one of Guru Rinpoche’s main places along with Yanglesho. We will leisurely visit holy sites, meditate in mysterious caves and learn traditional practices under the guidance of an experienced lama. This place leaves no one indifferent and completely changes the lives of those who visit it.
Mandarava Cave
Mandarava Cave is located forty kilometers from Marathika and is a must visit. Though it is difficult to get into, the self manifested images of sun and moon, tortoise and dragon seen there is a unique sight. The water dripping from the walls of the cave is considered to be the healing nectar of Mandarawa and people specially caravan it with bottles in hand. So don’t forget to bring bottles to take away a long life with you in your suitcase and share with your relatives.
What's Included In The Cost
- Accommodation: Overnight stays in local guesthouses and lodges throughout the tour.
- Meals: Daily meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring local cuisine (specific dietary requirements accommodated upon request).
- Transportation: All ground transportation between destinations, including transfers to and from the airport.
- Guided Tours: Expert guides to lead you through the itinerary and provide insights into the spiritual significance of each location.
- Meditation Sessions: Guided meditation practices at sacred sites to enhance your spiritual experience.
- Entrance Fees: All entry fees to temples, caves, and other attractions included in the itinerary.
- Local Taxes: Any applicable local taxes related to accommodation and activities.
What's Not Included In The Cost
- International Flights: Airfare to and from the starting location is not included.
- Personal Expenses: Additional expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, and personal items are not covered.
- Optional Activities: Any optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary will incur additional charges.
- Travel Insurance: If you require additional coverage beyond basic travel insurance, this will be at your expense.
- Visa Fees: Any visa application or processing fees required for travel to the region.
- Medical Expenses: Any medical costs incurred during the trip, including medication or treatment for health issues, are the responsibility of the participant.
- Alcoholic Beverages: Alcoholic drinks and beverages beyond those provided with meals are not included.
Trip Detail Itinerary
Information You Need To Know
Additional Information You Need To Know
We prioritize ensuring that our guests have all the essential information for a fulfilling and enjoyable pilgrimage experience. We provide detailed itineraries highlighting daily activities and destinations, so you know what to expect at each stage of your journey. Our team also offers insights into the cultural and spiritual significance of the sites you’ll visit, helping you connect more deeply with the experiences. We emphasize the importance of health and safety, offering advice on altitude acclimatization and packing recommendations to ensure you’re well-prepared.Â
Additionally, we are committed to accommodating dietary restrictions and preferences, so please communicate any specific needs in advance. Our experienced guides are available to address any questions or concerns throughout the trip, ensuring you feel supported and informed at every step. We aim to create a memorable experience that not only meets but exceeds your expectations, fostering a transformative journey of spiritual exploration and personal growth.
Frequently Asked Question
The trip is rated as medium difficulty, requiring some preparation and featuring long transfers. Participants should have a moderate level of fitness to enjoy the experience fully.
We recommend packing comfortable clothing suitable for varying weather conditions, sturdy walking shoes, a refillable water bottle, personal meditation supplies, and any medications you may need.
Yes, please ensure you have a valid passport, any necessary visas, and travel insurance. Check local regulations for any COVID-19 related restrictions or requirements.
Accommodation will include local guesthouses and lodges, offering a comfortable yet authentic experience. Please be prepared for basic amenities.
Yes, local cuisine will be included in the tour. If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, please inform us in advance so we can accommodate your needs.
To prevent altitude sickness, we recommend staying hydrated, acclimatizing gradually, and consulting a healthcare professional before the trip for additional advice.
Our guides are trained to handle emergencies and will assist you in seeking medical attention if necessary. It’s advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.
Â
Absolutely! Guided meditation sessions will be held at various sacred sites, allowing you to deepen your spiritual practice throughout the journey.
Â
Our guides are highly experienced and knowledgeable about the spiritual significance of each location. They are dedicated to enhancing your understanding and experience.
Â