Tours
Preparation
Himalayas with John Bellezza
About John Bellezza
John Vincent Bellezza is a visiting scholar at the University of Virginia where he specializes in the pre-Buddhist phase of Tibetan civilization. Bellezza, a fellow of the American Council of Learned Societies and Explorer's Club, has spent 25 years exploring the most remote parts of the Great Western Himalaya and Tibet. No ordinary academic, John is a great story teller and entertainer, skills he developed during his long years of wandering around the Himalaya. His latest book, "Zhang Zhung: Foundations of Civilization in Tibet", provides comprehensive treatment of the pre-Buddhist civilization he discovered single-handedly.
John will be leading two trips in 2009:
"I was really very impressed with him as a guide. John is totally professional, but fun and flexible. He knows everyone in Nepal and Tibet and showed us things we would have never seen on most trips. He always watched out for every person, coming up the rear of treks, negotiating for people, and giving frequent informational talks. I've been on many pilgrimages and treks and John's pilgrimages still stand out as the most special."
Dr. Lynne Heckert, Founder, Philadelphia Meditation Center
Tibet Looking Glass May 14-31, 2009
This is an unique opportunity to see Tibetan civilization in all its splendor with John Vincent Bellezza, one of the world's leading authorities. From Buddhist monasteries to Eurasian animal art, this journey reveals Tibet in all her depth.
Mustang, Nepal September 9-26, 2009
The Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang: The land of "Lo". Remote and forbidden to travelers for centuries is now open to trekkers. This trip gives you the opportunity to go to the places where few have been before. Most of the trek keeps to arid, high deserts inhabited mostly by people of Tibetan stock. The men folk are either traders or farmers while the women mostly tend the fields. Along with insights into the everyday lives of the people of "Lo" you will have the opportunity to witness their vibrant culture and also a chance to get a look at Lamaistic Buddhism little changed by time.
