Journey to the Roof of the World

31 May 2026 elinepa

As part of its educational programs, the Hellenic-Indian Society for Culture and Development and the Society for Asian Studies are organizing a cultural journey to the top of the world with main destinations being important cities and places of astonishing beauty and spiritual power that have been timeless cradles of development of the most refined philosophical and spiritual traditions of India and Tibetan Buddhism:

Main Destinations:

Kathmandu (Nepal),

Lhasa (Tibet-China)

Tseτang (Tibet-China)

Gyantse (Tibet-China)

Yamdrok Lake (Tibet-China)

Shigatse (Tibet-China)

Duration and Dates of the Trip

The duration and dates of the trip will be determined according to ticket availability and the choice made by the majority of interested travelers, on dates from August to October 2026. (State your preferences in the form HERE)

The trip includes:

Accommodation – Double rooms in 3 or 4 star hotels with an additional charge for single rooms. Their selection is made after extensive research in their category and according to the existing availability without having to split the group into different hotels.

Food – Breakfast daily in the hotels. Dinner can be included in the hotels for an additional charge for those who wish. In the big cities there are many good restaurants but always the food in South Asia needs special attention. In some cases, especially after a long trip it is good to wait for the food at the hotel.

Transportation – Long distances will be made by plane, Athens – Delhi – Varanasi – Kathmandu – Lhasa – Kathmandu – Delhi – Athens, Transportation within the cities and shorter distances will be made by cars and rickshaws.

Horse Availability – Horse rental is optional and should be done on site. Price is not included.

Communication – wi-fi will be available for free or at a reasonable charge in most of the hotels. In some places there will be no communication due to the high altitude. Choose e-SIM to avoid buying cards in each country separately.

Boating – Boating on the Ganges.

Guides – Local guides will be used for the sights of the major cities in Kathmandu and Lhasa

Lectures and Seminars – Lectures by local teachers and monks in the ashram and monasteries. Introductory seminars on the philosophy of Saivism and Mahayana Buddhism with Indologist Professor Dr. Dimitris Vassiliadis.

Cultural Programs – Will be informed later about which cultural programs are available.

Visas

Visas will be required from India, Nepal (issued at the airport) and China after obtaining permission to visit Tibet from our agent in Kathmandu.

Your passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry.

Participation requirements:

Very good physical condition.
Medical examination: Ask your doctor if you can climb to high altitude.
Clothing: Suitable for hiking and living at high altitude. In Tibet, the nights are cold.
Simple living, basic knowledge and understanding of local cultures.

Download and read the Medex book with instructions for traveling to high altitude