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ON THE PATHS OF THE BUDDHA 2000 KMS ACROSS THE WESTERN HIMALAYAS

Paperback Black and white photographs only Available in stores Euro 10.-, USD 10.-

Original SOLD OUT ! Few copies left to be ordered directly from this site!!! Euro 25.-, USD 25.-

Bertelsmann Club Edition SOLD OUT !

Original title: Peter van Ham Auf Buddhas Pfaden 2000 km durch den Westhimalaya Frederking & Thaler Publishers, Munich, 1994 ISBN 3 89405 335 6 244 pages, 154 color photographs, 60 photographs in black & white, 8 maps, extensive glossary, travel information, Format 17 x 24 cm, hardbound with dustwrap. Price: Euro 25.-, USD 25.- This is the first book by Peter van Ham. It is a cultural travel account about his 2000 kms long journey through the Indo-Tibetan borderlands Kinnaur, Spiti, Lahaul and Rupshu in 1993, just 2 weeks after they had been officially opened by the Indian authorities after 40 years of inaccessibility. The adventurous journey goes from Shimla, the ex-summer capital of the British via dangerous paths in an even more dangerous vehicle through Kinnaur, following the Sutlej River northwards towards the Tibetan border. At Nako the explorer enters the valley of Spiti and moves along the river of the same name to places such as Tabo, Lhalung, Pin, Dhankar and Kye. Via the Kunzum pass the journey moves on to Lahaul and the Kulu Valley and then again northwards on the world´s highest motorable road - the Manali-Leh-Highway. An effort is made to reach the legendary Tso Moriri Lake at Rupshu district and finally the journey ends at Leh, the capital of Ladakh.

Kye Gompa, largest monastery of Spiti. A double page in "On the paths of the Buddha".

Worldwide there is no comparable book existing till today. It is the only travel account about the formerly sealed off Indo-Tibetan borderlands. In 1993 it was almost an exploration of a "terra incognita". The book was the first to describe the regions of Kinnaur and Spiti in detail. It is ideal for readers that want to get an impression about the area or are simply interested in an exciting adventure account from a hitherto unexplored part of the world. The book highlights on cultural sites and customs such as • The monasteries of Tabo, Lhalung and Nako and their formidable artistic interiors • The ritual of "Breaking the Stone" performed by the Buchen Lamas of Pin Valley • The meeting with a high re-incarnated Lama at Lossar • The filling of a huge prayer drum at Khardang Monastery • The spotting of Kyangs at the Rupshu plateau • The prayer at the Ladakh Shanti Stupa. "On the Paths of the Buddha" has been released in German language only. In Europe it has sold app. 15.000 copies in three editions (Original, Bertelsmann Book Club edition and paperback). For enquiries regarding foreign rights please send an email (Click CONTACT on the left).