Eco-Spiritual Adventure in Himalayan Mountains

  India

Ladakh,  Leh

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: August 4-15, 2009

Description: Volunteer for an Eco-Spiritual Tour in the heart of the Himalayan Mountains in Leh-Ladakh, just next to Tibet. A charitable contribution you participate in as you travel. 10 Tour Members will spend 10 days in the environmental landscape and religious culture of the Ladakh region of northern India. The combination of a strikingly beautiful, yet fragile ecology and the mystical rich heritage of the Buddhist culture provides the ideal setting for combining eco-tourism and spiritual awareness. Our non-profit tour program is based on participant funding where Tour Members will do simple volunteer work in areas of alternative energy, biodiversity, water resources, waste cleanup, agriculture, endangered species and glacial movement. While on tour, members will be immersed in the spiritual nature of the region by visiting ancient monasteries, interacting with Buddhist monks and lamas, attending summer harvest festivals, learning Buddhist meditation and making mandalas. Global Eco-Spiritual Tours is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that contributes to educational and health care needs of children in developing countries in our tour area through our member donations.

Highlights: Tour highlights included planting 36 sapling trees, bottling 80 liters of spring water, donating 3 solar panels, visiting 9 monasteries, nightly meditation sessions with our spiritual leader, making two sand mandalas, attending Buddhist meditation technique seminar, attending cultural events and a 3-day trek through the Himalayan Mountains. Our new activity for the tour includes a river raft ride down Indus River prior to afternoon tree planting.

Company Director - Chris Perry

Professional Geologist, Own/Operate Environmental Consulting Company, Own/Operate Eco Tour Company, Environmental Scientist (B.S. & M.S.) 20 years field experience, 20 years group travel experience, traveled N. America, S. America, Central America, Caribbean and Asia. Earthwatch volunteer.

Field Operations Director - Tashi Chotak Lonchey

Professional Tour Operator, Own/Operate Eco Tour Company, Environmental Science background, 15 years of tour guide and management in Leh-Ladakh India, born and raised in Leh-Ladakh India, Manage up to 30 people on hikes and treks into Himalayan Mountains for up to 30 days, Registered and Permitted Tour Guide Professional with Indian Tourism Department.

Spiritual Leader - Mekhola Majumdar

Meditation and Yoga Instructor, 10 years experience teaching group meditation and yoga to students. Previous tour member who brings a peaceful nature, goodwill, knowledge of various religions and cultures and excellent rapport with others.

Qualifications: Tour Members - No special qualifications/skills needed.

Cost in US$: Inquire for more information or visit our website.

Salary / Pay: Tax-deductible, charitable donation that you participate in as you travel. Educate and introduce our Tour Members to expand their perspective of other cultures and religions in our tour area. Improve the environment in our tour region with simple ecological projects through our volunteer work with Tour Members. Contribute to the educational and health care needs of impoverished children in our tour region through our member donations.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Ecologically minded, spiritually oriented person with a sense of adventure and curiosity of ancient cultures.

Age Range: 18-70

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to India in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10

Scholarships are Available. Students qualify for a 30% reduced tour fee.

Application Process Involves:

• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Global Eco-Spiritual Tours's Mission Statement: Global Eco-Spiritual Tours is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that contributes to educational and health care needs of children in developing countries in our tour area through our member donations.