This pilgrimage track includes 10 nights of stay at hotels and 4

Trip Dates 10.12.2014 – 23.12.2014
This pilgrimage track includes 10 nights of stay at hotels and 4 overnights at monasteries or academies.
The cost for the pilgrimage is $1650 per person. For those who wish to add on an extended seven days
of travel, the additional cost is $550 (totaling $2,200 for three weeks). Read through the detailed 14 day
schedule below sending any questions related to this pilgrimage itinerary, the financial breakdown, or
the extended travel plans to [email protected] with the subject “Golden
Dhamma Land” Track Inquiries.
Day 1 Wednesday, 10.12.2014 (Dinner Included):
Shwe Dagon Pagoda group sit and Pilgrimage Orientation.
The evening welcome dinner will start around 6 to 7 pm
depending on attendance.
**We ask that pilgrims arrive by 2pm at the Yangon
Airport. You will be met at the airport and taken to the
hotel by our staff.
Day 2 Thursday, 11.12.2014 (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Included): Pilgrims will have
a one-hour group meditation in the morning at Dhamma Joti. From there, they will
proceed to Sayagyi U Ba Khin's International Meditation Center. Lunch follows
and pilgrims will be accompanied by Sayagyi U Ba Khin’s family members. An
afternoon city walk from Sule Pagoda to the Accountant General's office includes
sightseeing of U Ba Khin’s house, St. Paul School where U Ba Khin studied, and if
time allows, a visit to the Pakkou Budda Relics in Hamsawaddy before Chauk Htat
Gyi reclining Buddha image and retiring for rest at the hotel.
Day 3 Friday, 12.12.2014 (B/L/D Included): The morning breakfast will be taken at
the hotel. Pilgrims learn the fascinating history of Saya Thet Gyi’s burial spot, and
where U Ba Khin built a commemoration for his teacher nearby. Dhamma tour guides
describe the final years of Saya Thet Gyi’s life before the group travels across the river
to his home village of Pyaw Bwe Gyi. While there pilgrims have lunch, a group
meditation session, and tour the centers where lay Saya Thet Gyi instructed students
and other lesser known sites connected to his life.
.
Day 4 Saturday, 13.12.2014 (B/L/D Included): The morning breakfast will be taken at the
hotel. Pilgrims learn the fascinating history of Saya Thet Gyi’s burial spot, and where U Ba
Khin built a commemoration for his teacher nearby. Dhamma tour guides describe the final
years of Saya Thet Gyi’s life before the group travels across the river to his home village of
Pyaw Bwe Gyi. While there pilgrims have lunch, a group meditation session, and tour the
centers where lay Saya Thet Gyi instructed students and other lesser known sites connected
to his life.
Compassionate Travels Myanmar | Pilgrimage Itineraries for 2014-2015 Winter 1
Day 5 Sunday, 14.12.2014 (B/L/D Included):
Day 6 Monday, 15.12.2014 (B/L/D Included): Pilgrims take
Day 5 is largely a day of rest. There will be
Q&A with monks, group sittings, and time for
meditative rest and monastery interaction.
the road to Mandalay after breakfast at Mettarshin
Monastery. Lunch will be taken on the way to Mandalay,
and dinner upon arrival in Mandalay. Tour guides take
advantage of the extended bus travel by covering various
topics related to Dhamma in Burma, and take any questions
from the group.
Day 7 Tuesday, 16.12.2014 (B/L/D Included):
In the morning, pilgrims visit the world
famous Maha Muni Pagoda. Part of the day is
spent in Mandalay shopping for gongs with an
option to visit the world’s biggest book! There
is an afternoon connection to Kuthodaw and
Skwe Kyin Monastery.
Day 8 Wednesday, 17.12.2014 (B/L/D Included):
Pilgrims will visit historic Amarapura to see bronze
casting workshops and other sites. Daily events
include stops at Dhamma Mandala Meditation
Center, Mogok Meditation Center, and Monle
Sayadaw Relics.
Day 9 Thursday, 18.12.2014 (B/L/D Included): Pilgrims launch out for Kyauksye to pay respects to the Third
Webu Sayadaw and the village contemporaries. Lunch will be at the monastery with the possibility of
Sangha Dana toward the monastery complex and current Sayadaw. In the afternoon, pilgrims shuttle off to
Amarapura, twice-capital of Myanmar and which has long been respected for its silk weaving and bronze
casting.
Compassionate Travels Myanmar | Pilgrimage Itineraries for 2014-2015 Winter 2
Day 10 Friday, 19.12.2014 (B/L/D Included): Participants travel
to Monywa to visit Dhamma Nyana Dhaja, a new meditation
center establish under U Goenka honoring Venerable Ledi
Sayadaw. Next, pilgrims see Shwetaung Oo where Ledi Cave
and the impressive Maha Ledi Monastery standout.
Day 11 Saturday, 20.12.2014 (B/L/D Included): Pilgrims have an
opportunity for their largest Sangha Dana offering yet, giving alms to 400
monks early in the morning. The next visit is to Pho Win Taung caves
where the historical connections between Ledi Sayadaw and lay farmer U
Thet (later named Saya Thet Gyi) are revealed. Stop-ins at local
monasteries and pagodas are scheduled.
Day 12 Sunday, 21.12.2014 (B/L/D Included): A morning’s travel to Sai Pyin Gyi
village to witness where Ledi Sayadaw was born, ordained, and studied as a monk
and the meditators are met by local media and village crowds. Follwing Sangha Dana,
a midday meal fills up pilgrims. Later, looks into artifacts and Ledi Sayadaw’s
handcrafted pariyatti contributions, shape up the day before returning to Mandalay for
the evening.
Day 13 Monday, 22.11.2014 (B/L/D Included): Pilgrims have a special opportunity
ahead of them on Day 13, visiting Ingyinbin where the presumed arahat Webu
Sayadaw spent much of his life in retreat and teaching. Participants offer Sangha
Dana and get inspired by the intimacy of the Pariyatti and Patipatti camps in
Ingyinbin.
Day 14 Tuesday, 23.11.2014 (B/L/D Included): On
the final day of the pilgrimage, the group goes to
Sagaing and stays at Sitagu Academy. A farewell
dinner is organized so that pilgrims can recall their
experiences of the journey.
At this point, meditators have the option to continue
with us for seven more days to explore Sagaing Hills in
depth. Otherwise, pilgrims may make their own plans,
and Compassionate Travels can help with any assistance
that is needed.
Compassionate Travels Myanmar | Pilgrimage Itineraries for 2014-2015 Winter 3
Q: How did you arrive at a cost of $1,650 per person?
A: The table below provides a breakdown of our budget.
Item
Amount
Hotel Accommodations
$380
Transportation
$350
Meal & Accommodations
(Monasteries/Academies)
$220
Meals
$260
Entrance Fees
$75
Sangha Dana
$110
Compassionate Travels (CT) Guide Fee
$60
CT Guide Expenses
$80
CT Admin Costs
$40
CT Markup
$75
Total
$1,650
Figure 1
For the “Golden Dhamma Land” Pilgrimage, registered participants are asked to make an initial deposit of 1/3 of the 14
day program cost ($550) by 30 October 2014. The second and final installment of $1,100 is due by 30 November 2014.
Seven days of travel can be added-on to the end of the original 14
day pilgrimage track at a marked down price of $550. The program
includes stays only in hotels each night but will not include meals.
Transportation back to Yangon is included. Privately arranged airconditioned buses and boat rides take visitors from Sagaing Hills to
the Ayeyarwaddy River, Mingun, Ava, and then by horse cart
through Amarapura. Entrance fees and local guide costs are
included in the expense. The extended travel option depends on the
total number of participants who sign up.
Item
Amount
Hotel Accommodations
$250
Transportation
$200
Local Tour Guide Fees
$80
Entrance Fees
$20
Total
$550
Figure 2
Questions related to this pilgrimage itinerary, the financial breakdown, or the extended travel plans should be emailed to
[email protected] with the subject “Golden Dhamma Land” Track Inquiries.
Compassionate Travels Myanmar | Pilgrimage Itineraries for 2014-2015 Winter 4

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