Itinerary of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche's Journey to Surmang Monastery & Tibet

1. Beijing (3 nights) - Arrival June 7, 2001 - Tour Forbidden City, Tomb of Yung Lo, and other sacred sights.

2. Xining (2 nights) - Jumping off point for eastern Tibet; rest and get used to elevation. Pick up four-wheel drive Jeeps and begin caravan.

3. Hainan (1 night) - In transit only; acclimation on the the way to Jyekundo.

4. Jyekundo (2-3 nights) - Mentioned in the Trungpa Rinpoche's Born in Tibet (closest city to Surmang). Visit Domkar, Kagya monestary. Also Thrangu Rinpoche's and Tenga Rinpoche's monasteries are close to Jyekundo.

5. Surmang (8 nights) - About 12 hours from Jyekundo requiring rigorous travel by Jeep. Thousands of local people from all over the region are expected to receive Rinpoche. Blessings, abhishekas, meeting with the local government and monastic officials.

6. Namgyal Tse (4 nights) - This is one of the main Surmang monasteries. Surmang Garwang Rinpoche, one of the major tülkus from Surmang will be there at this time.

7. Jyekundo (2 nights) - Return mainly to rest. Perhaps more meetings with local monastic communities and officials.

8. Palyul Si Miao (2 nights) - HH Penor Rinpoche's home monastery.

9. Shechen Monastery (4 nights) - Home to Shechen Kongtrol Rinpoche, root guru to Trungpa Rinpoche. Also monastery of Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, grandson of HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and current abbot of Shechen monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.

10. Serda (3 nights) - Home to HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, who has a huge shedra and community (over 10,000) - a very lively and successful center of learning amongst eastern Tibetans. This is in the Golok region of Tibet, where it is expected that the Sakyong will meet with descendants of Mipham Rinpoche.

11. Mogyal Pomra (3 nights) north of the city of Gade, this is one of the most sacred sites of the region.

12. Xining (1 night)

13. Beijing (2 nights) - Depart July 16, 2001