Pre-departure study in preparation is a prerequisite and all participants (including any accompanying spouses) will be expected to be responsible for a major background briefing enroute or at one of the four pre-trip study/preparatory meetings.

This trip will be of most interest to those who have a keen interest in the history and geography of the Silk Road, Buddhism and the spread of Buddhism in China, iconography, the Uighur culture . . . and enjoy traveling in challenging conditions with minimal baggage. Download the tour itinerary here.

The total cost is $5,700 SGD which includes all airfares, train and/or bus transport, meals, guides, entry fees, tips, and accomodations on a "compulsory" twin-share basis, as well as a contribution to the FOM general fund. The tour will be limited in size to ensure the best experience for all participants. All flights on the excellent China Southern (CZ) airlines.

To register, please send (a) a completed Study Tour registration form, (b) a photocopy of the first page of your passport, and (c) a SGD $500 deposit (per person), cheque made payable to FOM to:

Friends of the Museums (FOM)
Study Tours: Silk Road September 2010
61 Stamford Road
#02-06 Stamford Court
Singapore 178892

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Contact and tour leaders:Virginia & Khatiza

Surrounded by mountains (including Kachenjunga, the world's third largest peak!) and bordered by Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, the sparsely populated Indian state of Sikkim is rich in culture and abundant in nature. We'll trek to mist-shrouded monasteries, marvel at the ever-changing flora (and glorious lack of concrete skyscrapers), gaze into the sacred "wishing lake," eat momos and drink traditional millet brew! Our in-country host is the daughter of the last royal ruler of Sikkim, so we'll also gain an insider's view of the country. Our westward route (from Gangtok to Yoksam) offers stunning views of the Himalayas, time to "ponder and wander", plus targeted insight talks by local experts.

Our tour of Sikkim begins in Singapore with an overnight stop in Calcutta continuing the next day to Bagdogra (India). From there we begin our overland journey into Sikkim, heading for Gangtok (its capital and the closest thing to a "city" in Sikkim), passing through the scenic Teesta river valley. In Gangtok we visit Lingdum Monastery, which offers a spectacular view of the Himalayan mountain range and is a destination for Buddhist pilgrims and devotees of fine art alike. We'll also see traditional woodcarving and textile weaving enterprises.

On our journey to Yoksum, our northern-most location, we'll tour a Tea Garden, visit a Bon Monastery (the religion in the region before the arrival of Buddhism from India) and have an opportunity to pay our respects to the youngest leader (Rimpoche) of the Nyingma Buddhism sect. Yoksum, home to the "three thrones" remains of the first capital of Sikkim, is also the starting point for treks along the Himalayas. Here we stop at one of Sikkim's most sacred of monasteries, Takhar Tashidhing. At Pemayangtse (our point furthest west), we'll explore castle ruins, enjoy breathtaking views from a monastery perched on the area's highest point, traverse to a battle site engulfed in a jungle. We return to Gangtok for a personalized lecture/viewing of the Buddhist thangka paintings at the Museum of Tibetology and end with a traditional Sikkimese farewell dinner.

Back in Calcutta (on our return to Singapore), we will have opportunity to shop at the bazaar, and visit Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity and the Victoria Memorial -- a reminder of the British Raj. We arrive in Singapore pre-dawn on Nov 16. Our top-of-the-line accommodations include Heritage properties with views of snow-capped peaks and endless rolling hills. You will never forget your breakfast tea at 6,800 feet! We will also have opportunities along the way to visit smaller villages, observe traditional dancing and taste typical Sikkimese cuisine. Download the detailed itinerary here.

Pre-departure study is a prerequisite and all participants (including any accompanying spouses) will be expected to present their findings to the group. Attendance at most of the pre-trip study/preparatory meetings is also required.

Join us for a journey of the soul and the senses!

The total cost is $4,800 SGD, which includes all airfares, train and/or bus transport, meals, guides, entry fees, tips, and accommodation on a "compulsory" twin-share basis, as well as a contribution to the FOM general fund. The tour will be limited in size to ensure the best experience for all participants. International flights are on Singapore Airlines and domestic flights on Jet Airways.

To register, please send (a) a completed Study Tour registration form (download here), (b) a photocopy of the first page of your passport, and (c) a $500 deposit cheque made payable to FOM, and send to:

Study Tours: Sikkim 2010
Friends of the Museums (FOM)
61 Stamford Road
#02-06 Stamford Court
Singapore 178892

Once you are a paid member of this group, you will be provided access to Dropbox Sikkim - our online repository for all relevant information including Study Topics / Research Sources / Packing List, etc.

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Take a weekend to enjoy the basic treasures of Sarawak, East Malaysia, and experience the history, culture and nature our special neighbor to the east holds. We will start our tour in the capital, Kuching, and review the unique White Rajah history of the state visiting the renowned Sarawak Museum. An introduction to the Dayak culture of Sarawak will be found at the Textile Museum, and the Tun Jugah Foundation for the preservation of pua kumbu.

As part of the nature tour a visit to the Sememggoh wildlife rehab centre is included to experience the orangutan at feeding time. Afterwards, we head further east to the Batang Ai River driving along the historic trunk road, the only trade route along Borneo east to west. Spending the night in a resort longhouse on Batang Ai will help us rest for a full day's outing to visit an authentic Iban longhouse up river as well as a nature hike. On our final day we will return to Kuching and onwards to Singapore.

Louise Macul is your tour leader and has previously lead FOM study tours to Sarawak. If you have any questions regarding this tour, please do not hesitate to contact her at macullm@gmail.com.

An optional, post-tour extension can be arranged and detailed information will be provided upon registration.

This is a short tour to a close neighbor that many people have not visited. Consider it an introduction to the history, culture, and nature of the region and you won't be disappointed.

The cost is approximately, $1510 SGD (based on 10 people) which includes all bus and boat transport, meals, guides, entry fees, tips, and accommodations on a "compulsory" twin-share basis, as well as a contribution to the FOM general fund. The cost excludes airfare Singapore-Kuching at this time of printing. Budget airlines are being considered for scheduling purposes. Our guides are all registered, licensed, and two have won outstanding guiding awards from the Malaysian Tourism Board.

To register, please send (a) a completed Study Tour registration form (download here), (b) a photocopy of the first page of your passport, and (c) a $500 deposit cheque made payable to FOM, and send to:

Friends of the Museums (FOM)
Attn: Study Tours (Sarawak)
61 Stamford Road, #02-06 Stamford Court
Singapore 178892

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