Update: 1/13/2026 8:30pm:
Original Article: 1/12/2026 10:17am:
A cross-country walk-for-peace pilgrimage is about to walk through the Charlotte region in the coming days, likely attracting tens of thousands of onlookers. The group of Theravada Buddhist monks say they expect to arrive in Charlotte around Jan. 15 on their trek to DC.
The monks started in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 26, 2025. They are walking roughly 2,300 miles through 10 states and aim to reach the nation’s capital in mid-February. Organizers post daily locations and encourage supporters to follow a live map, while warning that weather, logistics, and safety can shift the timeline.
The journey has drawn large crowds and an even larger online audience. The group now has nearly one million Facebook followers (up from 400k the last time we reported on them). Supporters have turned Aloka into a symbol of the trek, using the hashtag #AlokathePeaceDog.
Their South Carolina march through Columbia offered a preview of what Charlotte could see. Tens of thousands turned out as the monks reached the State House steps, with many joining parts of the march and gathering downtown to greet them.
The group’s latest updates say they are now heading to Great Falls, SC this morning. The monks are then expected to pass through Rock Hill and Fort Mill on Wednesday before speaking at several major events in Charlotte starting on the 15th.
During their stops, the monks stress the walk is not about conversion, but rather, mindfulness, forgiveness, and healing.
Anyone hoping to join should rely on the group’s live tracking updates on the following map:
Here is the entire map of their planned route:
