Yuthog Mountain Tours
Tibetan Herbal Excursions to Ladakh
with Amchi Tsewang Smanla
Amchi Tsewang Smanla is a Ladakhi physician who is practising traditional Tibetan medicine, which is also called "Amchi Medicine". According to local custom he first studied medicine with his father. Subsequently he was a disciple of Venerable Trogawa Rinpotsche, one of the foremost Tibetan doctors in our times. For many years Tsewang Smanla was working at "Leh Nutrition Project" in Ladakh. There he was mainly occupied with the education and training of Tibetan doctors in rural areas. In connection with his activity he was leading several excursions where local doctors exchange their experiences and could solve problems with respect to use and identification of medicinal plants. Tsewang Smanla speaks excellent English!
In 1996 he quit his job at Leh Nutrition Project in order to concentrate fully on his "Project for Preservation and Development of Tibetan Medicine" at his home village Nurla. Here again he is mainly concerned with training and education. Young Ladakhis, especially of remote villages, receive a basic knowledge in the traditional medical system. Later they will provide basic health care to their villagers, especially during the long and hard winters.
In August 98 Amchi Tsewang will lead for the fifth time an excursion designed for western people. The first part of this year's excursion will be organized as a trek. Starting from Leh we will drive to Sapi valley. There we will explore the Flora and Fauna on foot. On the way to Sapi we will camp several times and will collect and herbarize plants at these places as well.
Sapi is a secluded valley in Kargil district, western Ladakh. Up to the present day the valley is only accessible by foot. Like this its unique high altitude flora is still preserved without disturbance. During the excursion we will meet some of the most interesting and widely used Tibetan medicinal plants. Tsewang Smanla will show and explain us use, effect, preparation as well as methods of collection and preservation of these plants. This will be preceded by an introduction to the fundamentals of Tibetan medicine.
Apart from studying about plants and medicine there will be time to visit some lamaist monasteries and other historical and Holy places of Ladakh and eventually a hot spring.
During the trek we will sleep in tents, so
bring your sleeping bag and a good insulation mat! All other
equipment will be provided. There will be yaks and
horses to carry tents and equipment. The number
of participants will be about 15
people.
As mentioned, this excursion is the fifth of a series of excursions to take place in years to come. Apart from giving the western participants an insight in Ladakhi and Tibetan medicine and culture, also Amchi Tsewang's students will benefit from the excursion. They are getting the chance to visit remote places and learn about new plants and also earn a little extra money during the trek. All financial surplus of the excursion will benefit Amchi Tsewang's project in Nurla. The western people helping to organize the tour work absolutely voluntarily.
Costs: The excursion will cost approximately US $ 1300.- per person. This includes all transport, food and lodging while in Ladakh. A reduction for students and people with low income will be negotiable. Flights from Europe to Leh will add to approximately US $ 800.- and will be organized as a group flight.
Here is the itinerary
of the excursion.
Please contact us for further questions
