How to reach and book the retreat?

Ask your local travel agent for trips to Ladakh and to arrange additional days for you at Thagchokling. So far there is only one agency in germany offering customized stays at the retreat: Lotus Travel Munichwww.lotus-travel.com

If you travel individually, com eto Delhi – possible arriving with a flight around midnight, thus you can easily take the free shuttle-bus to the national airport and from there the spectacular one hour flight to Leh, usually leaving very early in the morning.

Flights Delhi-Leh are offered by several Indian companies an dshould be booked online well in advance:
Jet-Airways www.jetairways.com
Indian Airlines www.indianairlines.in
Fly Kingfisher www.flykingfisher.com

On your return to Delhi and back home, plan at least one buffer day in Delhi because flights to and from Leh are subject to good weather conditions and are quite frequently cancelled.
If you wish to do sightseeing and shopping in Delhi, book a centrally located hotel close to Connaught Place or to a subway station. For online reservations: www.hrs.com

At Delhi hotel rates are quite high if you wish an international standard. These hotels will arrange airport transfer for you, if you wish.
If you are familiar with India, you will know how to find cheaper and nevertheless good places to stay. From the airport to the city you should take a prepaid taxi, thus you avoid being taken to places where you do not want to go to.

All arrangements in Ladakh (airport pickup, hotel or guesthouse reservation at Leh, transfer to the retreat, stay at the retreat, excursions, trekking etc.) can be booked directly with Dawa Tsering dawahanupa@yahoo.com of Vajra Voyages in Leh: or with Dorje Namgjal, the retreat manager: dorjay namgal

Hotel recommendations:
Delhi: Maidens Hotel (a vintage hotel close to a subway station), Hans Plaza, Metropolitan or Imperial (all close to Connaught Place), the last a colonial dream topping a wonderful stay in India.
Leh: Gawaling (quiet location, rural surroundings, 15 min. walk to the main bazaar), Mandala (similar, not so quiet), Spic-N-Span (close to the main bazaar, good place for a short stay, like one night after arrival/before leaving), The Grand Dragon (the only star hotel in Ladakh, nevertheless very typical, 20-30 min. walk from the main bazaar).

Rates 2011 of the Thagchokling Dharma & Retreat Center:

Overnight per guest 35,- € full board (American Plan)
30,-€ shared room

Price-list for individual travel
Please expect app. the following expenses for a journey with a certain comfort (rates May 2009):
Air-fare Europe – Delhi – Europe, for example Frankfurt-Delhi-Frankfurt by Air India: Euro 550 and more
Air-fare Delhi – Leh –Delhi: Euro 100 (special tariff), more realistic Euro 150 and more
Guesthouses in Leh: from INR (Indian Rupee) 500 per night
Hotels in Leh: from INR 2.500 for a single room with full board per night
Retreat: depending on the duration of the stay and the season from Euro 30 for a single room with full board per night
Hotels in Delhi: from Euro 100, there are less and more expensive hotels
Online-reservation at www.hrs.com

Experienced travellers to India know that there are much cheaper places to stay.

Exchange rates are available at www.oanda.com