STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

Lands Himalayasof the HIGH POINTS OF T I B E T , AND BHUTAN

September 23 to October 9, 2012

a program of the stanford alumni association

In 1995 I led a group of Stanford travelers to the kingdoms of the Himalaya. It was a trip I will never forget—we felt as though we had stepped back through time, to the days when reincarnated and ancient dynasties ruled these misty mountain realms. While some things have changed since then—the intrusion of cell phones and the internet come to mind—the most memorable things have not: the spiritual nature and devotion of the people; ancient temples and monasteries dedicated to piety and the pursuit of learning; colorful ceremonies conducted by magenta-robed monks; and of course, the breathtaking beauty of the majestic Himalaya, truly the “rooftop of the world.” Join us on an adventure you’ll never forget!

Brett S. Thompson, ’83, Director, Stanford Travel/Study

Highlights

WANDER the streets of VIEW more than 100 VISIT the famous Lhasa, crowded with awe-inspiring Himalayan Taktsang Monastery, nomads clad in native dress, peaks, including Everest a place so holy that all monks spinning prayer by air and travel over soar- Bhutanese try to visit wheels and merchants ing mountain passes and it at least once during selling spices and amulets. through lush alpine valleys. their lifetimes. from Beijing

CBeijingHINA C HINA Lhasa C HINA Tsedang TIBET s H i m a l a y a

Punakha Paro Thimphu N EPAL B HUTAN

INDIA to Bangkok

Wednesday, September 26 Friday, September 28 BEIJING / TSEDANG, LHASA Itinerary TIBET Today take in Lhasa’s Fly to Lhasa this morning colorful sights: traditionally Sunday & Monday, and travel to Tsedang clad nomads, monks holding September 23 & 24 through the historic Yarlung DEPART U.S. / prayer wheels and vendors BEIJING, CHINA Valley, reputedly the cradle selling spices and amulets. Depart on an overnight of Tibetan civilization. Visit Spend the morning at the flight to Beijing, crossing Yumbu Lakhang, Tibet’s magnificent Potala, palace the international date line first palace, and watch the of the Dalai Lamas. From en route. Arrive on Monday sun set over the majestic its position atop Red Hill, and enjoy the remainder mountains from our location the Potala dominates the of the evening at leisure. east of the Yarlung River. landscape in all directions. YARLUNG RIVER HOTEL (B,L,D) PENINSULA PALACE HOTEL After lunch, travel west to Drepung Monastery, Thursday, September 27 Tuesday, September 25 located in the shadow of an BEIJING TSEDANG / LHASA Visit Tiananmen Square, Travel to Lhasa, capital imposing Himalayan peak. where Mao Zedong of the Tibet Autonomous Founded in 1416, Drepung announced the birth of Region situated at was once Tibet’s largest the People’s Republic of approximately 12,000 feet monastery and served as China and, 40 years later, above sea level. Along the residence of several a student protest turned the way, stop at Samye incarnations of the Dalai into a massacre that made Monastery, the oldest . LHASA HOTEL (B,L,D) headlines around the world. monastery in Tibet and Take a guided walk through considered the birthplace of Tibetan . Samye Saturday, September 29 the Forbidden City to see the LHASA majestic Imperial Palace, the is a unique combination of Visit the holy Jokhang largest and best-preserved Chinese, Tibetan and Indian Temple, which shelters the cluster of ancient buildings in architectural styles whose Jowo Sakyamuni, Tibet’s China. Enjoy an afternoon at construction reflects the most revered image. Join leisure before our welcome ideal universe of Buddhism. the procession of pilgrims LHASA HOTEL (B,L,D) reception. moving in a clockwise PENINSULA PALACE HOTEL (B,L) circuit around the temple from Beijing

CBeijingHINA C HINA Lhasa C HINA Tsedang TIBET s H i m a l a y a

Punakha Kathmandu Paro Thimphu N EPAL B HUTAN

INDIA to Bangkok

and continue around the Monday, October 1 Wednesday, October 3 Barkhor, which is the heart KATHMANDU THIMPHU Visit Patan, known as a Today explore the Third of the old city. Visit the city of the arts and a World King’s Memorial Chorten, Sera Monastery and follow Heritage site. Patan has a full of Buddhist iconography an in-progress religious long Buddhist history and and Thimphu’s primary debate with the help of our each of the four corners landmark; the National translator. LHASA HOTEL (B,L,D) of the city is marked by Library, repository of the a stupa. View the city’s nation’s religious literary Sunday, September 30 Royal Palace and its ornate heritage; and the Folk LHASA / temples and shrines before Heritage Museum with its KATHMANDU, NEPAL continuing to Bodnath, a fascinating overview of Fly to Nepal’s capital, small town that boasts a traditional Bhutanese life. Kathmandu, set among World Heritage stupa built This evening, meet with the world’s highest by Tibetan Buddhists. Bhutanese intellectuals and mountains and just north HYATT HOTEL (B,L) public figures for dinner at a of the wide plains of India. local restaurant. Vital and complex, the Tuesday, October 2 TAJ TASHI HOTEL (B,L,D) city is an ideal place for KATHMANDU / PARO, understanding Himalayan BHUTAN / THIMPHU Enjoy a spectacular flight Thursday, October 4 Buddhism. Visit the giant THIMPHU / PUNAKHA over the Himalayas to Paro Buddhist stupa (large On our half-day journey to and continue to Thimpu dome-shaped reliquary) of Punakha, stop at scenic by bus. Along the way Swayambunath with its all- Dochula Pass (10,200 visit Simtokha Dzong, seeing eyes of Buddha, and feet), site of 108 chortens an important historical Kumari Chowk, the palace (Bhutanese for stupas) and and religious monument courtyard of Kathmandu’s which, on a clear day, offers that also houses one of “living goddess,” a child a magnificent view of the Bhutan’s premier learning worshipped by Nepali Himalayas. Enjoy a picnic institutes. lunch before descending Buddhists and Hindus as TAJ TASHI HOTEL (B,L,D) the manifestation of the 6,000 feet into Punakha goddess Durga. Valley. Walk through crop HYATT HOTEL (B,L) fields and villages to visit

Chimi Lhakhang, a 15th- the key location for the Monday, October 8 century pilgrimage fertility movie, Little Buddha. At PARO / BANGKOK, THAILAND shrine. the National Museum in Fly from Paro to Bangkok ZANGTHO PELRI (B,L,D) Paro, view exhibits about and check into our airport the history, culture and hotel. Friday, October 5 religion of Bhutan. AIRPORT NOVOTEL PUNAKHA ZHIWALING HOTEL (B,L,D) SUVARNABHUMI HOTEL (B,L) An optional morning hike takes us past farms and Sunday, October 7 Tuesday, October 9 fields to the charming PARO BANGKOK / U.S. village of Nezigang. Climb By special arrangement, Fly to the U.S., crossing gradually to Khamsum hike to the iconic Taktsang the international date line Yuley Namgay Chorten, (“Tiger’s Nest”) Monastery, en route and arriving back built by the royal family, whose white temples cling home the same day. (B) with superb views of to a soaring cliff 10,000 Punakha Valley, then follow feet above the valley. a trail along the river to Legend claims that Guru the impressive Punakha , the father of Dzong, the winter fortress Bhutanese Buddhism, of Jo , chief arrived here astride a flying hierarch of Bhutanese tigress and meditated in Buddhism. Alternatively, a cave for months. The visit the dzong (fortress) monastery is a pilgrimage directly from the hotel. site that the Bhutanese ZANGTHO PELRI (B,L,D) people aspire to visit at least once in their lives. Saturday, October 6 Enjoy a farewell reception PUNAKHA / PARO tonight before dinner. This morning depart ZHIWALING HOTEL (B,L,D) Punakha for the drive back to Paro. Visit the Paro Dzong, one of the most beautifully situated fortresses in Bhutan and

Information

Dates Not Included and cobbled paths. In addition, long, Sept. 23 to Oct. 9, 2012 (17 days) International and U.S. domestic airfare often bumpy bus rides are sometimes Passport fees Immunization required to reach remote locations. Size costs Meals and beverages other Drive times range from one to five Limited to 35 participants than those specified as included hours on winding mountain roads. Independent and private transfers You should be prepared to handle Cost* Trip-cancellation/interruption and your own luggage at customs points $10,295 per person, double occupancy baggage insurance Excess-baggage in those airports where porters are not $12,195 per person, single occupancy charges Personal items such as permitted. If you are susceptible to *Association nonmembers add $200 per person email, telephone and fax calls, laundry altitude sickness, please be aware that and gratuities for nongroup services Lhasa is 12,000 feet above sea level. Included 15 nights of deluxe and best-available Air Arrangements Accommodations are first-class or hotel accommodations 15 break- International and U.S. domestic airfare best-available. Outside of the large fasts, 14 lunches and 10 dinners is not included in the program cost. cities on this itinerary, lodgings are Welcome and farewell receptions Round-trip, economy-class airfare on basic, on a par with accommodations Bottled water on excursions United Airlines from San Francisco to at an American national park lodge. Visa fees On-tour airfare: Beijing / Beijing, China, and return from Bangkok, We expect that participants will be a Lhasa / Kathmandu / Paro / Bangkok Thailand, is approximately $1,450 as self-selecting group whose interest in Gratuities to porters, guides and of December 2011 and is subject to the places we visit will far outweigh the drivers for all group activities All change without notice. Information on need for creature comforts. In many tours and excursions as described in recommended flight itineraries will be ways, the challenges of this program the itinerary Transfers and baggage sent by our designated agent. are part of the learning experience. handling on program arrival and This region’s tourism industry is still departure days Minimal medical, WHAT TO EXPECT developing, thus patience with local accident and evacuation insurance Although this program is not a trek, we service standards will greatly improve Educational program with lecture consider it to be strenuous, because we your enjoyment of this trip. Participants series and pre-departure materials, cover rugged terrain, with considerable must be physically fit, active and in including recommended reading walking at high altitude. There are also good health. Medical treatment and list, a selected book, map and several rigorous travel days with early care are not always available or up to travel information Services of our departures. Daily excursions involve two U.S. standards. We welcome travelers professional tour manager to assist to four miles of walking, including stairs 15 years of age and older on this you throughout the program without handrails, high thresholds program.

Terms and Conditions

D e p o s i t a n d confirmation about one week after responsibility for losses or additional Final Payment we receive your deposit. The product expenses due to delay or changes in A $1,000 deposit is required to hold offered in this brochure includes a air or other services, sickness, weather, space for this program. Complete and special Waiver of Pre-Existing strike, war, quarantine, force majeure return the attached reservation form Conditions and coverage for Financial or other causes beyond our control. or place your deposit online. Final pay- Insolvency and Terrorist Acts if you All such losses or expenses will have ment is due 120 days prior to departure. postmark your insurance payment to be borne by the passenger as As a condition of participation, all within 15 days of the date listed on tour rates provide arrangements only confirmed participants are required the confirmation letter. for the time stated. We reserve the to sign a Release of Liability. right to make such alterations to this Eligibility published itinerary as may be deemed Cancellations We encourage membership in the necessary. The right is reserved to and Refunds Alumni Association as the program cancel any program prior to departure Deposits and any payments are fully cost for nonmembers is $200 more in which case the entire payment will be refundable, less a $500-per-person than the members’ price. Parents and refunded without further obligation on cancellation fee, until 120 days prior their children under 21 may travel on our part. The right is also reserved to to departure. After that date, refunds one membership. For more information decline to accept or retain any person can be made only if the program is or to purchase a membership, visit as a member of the program. No refund sold out and your place(s) can be alumni.stanford.edu/goto/membership will be made for an unused portion of resold, in which case a $1,000-per- or call (650) 725-0692. any tour unless arrangements are made person cancellation fee will apply. We in sufficient time to avoid penalties. recommend trip-cancellation insurance; Responsibility Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk applications will be sent to you. The Stanford Alumni Association, entirely. The airlines concerned are Stanford University and our operators not to be held responsible for any act, insurance act only as agents for the passenger omission or event during the time that Stanford Travel/Study provides all with respect to transportation and passengers are not onboard their plane travelers who are U.S. or Canadian exercise every care possible in doing or conveyance. Neither the Alumni citizens with minimal medical, accident so. However, we can assume no liability Association, Stanford University nor and evacuation coverage under our for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay our operators accept liability for any group-travel insurance policy. Our or irregularity in connection with the carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred group policy is intended to provide service of any automobile, motorcoach, by the purchase of a nonrefundable minimal levels of protection while you are launch or any other conveyance used in ticket in connection with the tour. traveling on this program. We strongly carrying out this program or for the acts Program price is based on rates in recommend that you subscribe to or defaults of any company or person effect in January 2012 and is subject optional baggage and trip-cancellation engaged in conveying the passenger to change without notice to reflect insurance. A brochure offering such or in carrying out the arrangements of fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs insurance will be mailed with your the program. We cannot accept any or fuel charges.

California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50

Tel (650) 725-1093 FAX (650) 725-8675 Email [email protected] © COPYRIGHT 2012 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Printed on recycled, FSC-certified paper in the U.S. Faculty Leader

ROSAMOND “ROZ” NAYLOR, PHD ’89, Stanford teacher and researcher, explores areas of junction relating to economic development and environmental science. She directs the Center on Food Security and Environment at Stanford, and is involved in field-level research projects throughout the world. Roz teaches courses in the economics department and in the School of Earth Sciences on the world food economy, sustainable agriculture, food and security, and human society and environmental change. When she is not in the field or in the classroom, Roz and her husband, Wally, are avid skiers and climbers and have shared mountain adventures around the world.

During our program, Roz plans to lecture on “The Happiness “The other Index” as a measure of progress in Bhutan, the implications of global climate change for Himalayan communities, the effect of participants international food price volatility on local markets, and the Dalai on Stanford Lama's separation of political power from his spiritual leadership.

Travel/Study At Stanford: professor in the School of Earth Sciences since 2009; associate professor (by courtesy) in the programs make economics department since 2000; and Wrigley senior group travel an fellow since 2000 Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellow in environmental science experience to and public policy, 1999, and Pew Fellow in conservation be treasured.” and the environment, 1994 BA, economics, University of Colorado; MS, economics, Mary Hampton,’75, London School of Economics; PhD, applied economics, T r a v e l / S t u d y traveler Stanford University

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

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T I B E T , CA 94305-6105 CA of the Stanford Travel/Study Stanford Frances Arrillaga C. Alumni Center Galvez326 Street Stanford, (650) 725-1093 Lands Himalayas HIGH POINTS OF BHUTAN AND NEPAL 2012 October 9, to September 23

“The trip provided views of cultures confronting change with the clash of classical Tibetans and the Han Chinese. The scenery was spectacular.” Robert and Blanch Bast, Lands of the Himalayas, 2010

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY