The Summit of Learning is an immersive 8-day educational journey specifically designed for Nepali school leaders. This program explores Tibetan educational wisdom, blending cultural heritage, ancient philosophy, and modern modernization to provide new perspectives on leadership and pedagogy.
Key Thematic Pillars
The itinerary is structured around several core learning modules:
- Philosophical Foundations: Focuses on the “Philosophy of Stillness,” social cohesion through community rituals (Kora), and the power of slowing down to gain presence.
- Holistic Science & Mentorship: Participants visit the Tibetan Medicine Hospital (Mentsikhang) to study Sowa Rigpa, exploring a mentorship model based on direct lineage.
- Literacy & Mastery: Includes hands-on workshops in calligraphy and observations of Thangka painting to contrast long-term mastery with modern “instant gratification”.
- Environmental Stewardship: Uses sites like Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier to discuss climate literacy and the responsibility of educators to protect disappearing ecosystems.
- Critical Thinking: Observes high-energy monastic debates at Tashilhunpu Monastery as a model for “Socratic Inquiry” to replace rote learning.
- Modernization vs. Tradition: Evaluates how high-speed infrastructure and urban development (Wanda Mall) can coexist with deep cultural roots.
Potala Palace & Red Palace: A deep dive into a 13-story vertical labyrinth of history, focusing on mural galleries that serve as visual textbooks and exploring how spiritual leadership is honored.
Mentsikhang (Tibetan Medicine Hospital): An exclusive meeting with senior faculty to explore Sowa Rigpa—a holistic medical system integrating psychology, astrology, and biology.
Sacred Arts Workshops: Hands-on experience in a Calligraphy Lab using traditional bamboo pens and soot-based ink to enhance focus, alongside studying the multi-year discipline of Thangka painting masters.
Glaciology & Conservation Experiential Learning: A visit to the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake (“Coral Lake”) and standing just meters from the ice of the Karola Glacier to witness historical dust layers and discuss climate literacy.
Academic Board Exchange: A formal, sit-down meeting with the Shigatse school board to discuss critical contemporary education issues like bilingualism, digital integration in remote regions, and teacher retention.
Everest Base Camp & Leadership Reflection: A journey to the Rongbuk Monastery area at 5,000 meters for a sunset leadership reflection, using the grit and resource management required to reach the world’s highest peak as a metaphor for educational goals.
The Great Debate at Tashilhunpu Monastery: Witnessing the high-energy, physical debate style (including strategic hand claps and stances) of a massive monastic university to study ancient Socratic Inquiry models.
High-Speed Bullet Train: Traveling along the Shigatse-Lhasa rail line to experience the infrastructure of the New Silk Road and discuss its impact on educational access.
Princess Wencheng Show: An massive evening outdoor performance featuring a cast of 500 people and hundreds of animals (including 100 sheep, 50 horses, and 25 yaks) demonstrating a grand spectacle of tradition meeting modern scale.
Day 1: The Threshold of the Plateau
Acclimatization & Cultural Orientation
- Arrival in Lhasa: Transfer to a boutique hotel in the Old Quarter (3,650m).
- The Philosophy of Stillness: An afternoon at a local tea house to practice “slowing down” and observing the rhythm of Tibetan life.
- Evening Insight: Observe the Kora (circumambulation) around Barkhor Street to study social cohesion and community ritual.
Day 2: Governance, History & Holistic Science
Leadership Structures & Traditional Medicine
- Potala Palace: Exploration of the 13-story vertical labyrinth, focusing on mural galleries as visual textbooks and the history of spiritual leadership.
- Mentsikhang (Tibetan Medicine Hospital): Meeting with senior faculty to study Sowa Rigpa (traditional science).
- Educational Takeaway: Discussion on the lineage mentorship model as a comparison to modern school shadowing programs.
Day 3: The Literacy of the Soul
Sacred Arts & Focus
- Jokhang Temple: A study of 7th-century architecture and structural resilience.
- Calligraphy Lab: Hands-on workshop using traditional bamboo pens and soot-based ink to explore fine motor skills and mindful focus.
- Thangka Painting: Observation of students who train for 10 years, highlighting long-term mastery versus instant gratification.
Day 4: The Earth as a Classroom
Ecological Majesty & Glaciology
- Yamdrok Lake: Discussion on conservation and the plateau’s role as the “water tower” for Asia and Nepal.
- Karola Glacier: Close-up viewing of ice layers to facilitate a dialogue on climate literacy and environmental stewardship in schools.
Day 5: The Summit of Exchange
Primary Education & Everest Base Camp
- School Visit (Shigatse): A formal sit-down with the local school board to discuss bilingualism, digital integration, and teacher retention.
- Everest Base Camp (Rongbuk): Journey to 5,000m to learn about grit and clear vision.
- Leadership Lesson: A sunset reflection on the “oxygen” (resources) required for the educational journey.
Day 6: Logic, Debate & Critical Thinking
The Tashilhunpu Monastery Experience
- The Great Debate: Witnessing high-energy monastic debates featuring hand claps and aggressive stances designed to “wake up” the mind.
- Educational Takeaway: Study of Socratic Inquiry and methods to implement active, verbal reasoning in schools to replace rote learning.
Day 7: The Future & The Flow
High-Speed Rail & Urban Modernization
- Bullet Train: Travel on the Shigatse-Lhasa rail line to discuss how infrastructure changes access to education.
- Wanda Mall: A visit to an ultra-modern complex to discuss balancing high-tech preparation with cultural roots.
- Princess Wencheng Show: An evening spectacle involving 500 performers and hundreds of animals, demonstrating tradition at scale.
Day 8: The Departure
Synthesis and Action Plans
Create Action Plan: Translating the journey into concrete, implementable steps (e.g., mindfulness, debate, or conservation programs).
Director’s Roundtable Breakfast: Final gathering for collective reflection.
Identify Insight: Each leader selects one specific Tibetan insight to bring back to their institution.
Service includes
- Overnight accommodations in hotel with daily breakfast
- All Necessary Tibet Travel Permits
- A Local English speaking Tibetan Tour Guide
- Entrance Ticket of above Sightseeing
- Goverment Tourist Licence Vehicle
- Mineral water & Oxygen cylinder in bus
- Train first class seat ticket
- International and Domestics flights with airport tax
- Travel and Health insurances
- China Visa Fee
Service excludes
- Any extra fees due to unforeseen events such as road blockage, flight delays or events which are out of our controls
- Flight delays or cancellation due to adverse weather condition or potical upheavel
- Tips to the Guide & Driver
- FINE for venturing into prohibited area
- All the rest which are not mentioned under the service inclusive section
- China Visa Cancellation fee
FAQ