STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

BhutanSUITCA SE SEMINAR In the Land of the Thunder Dragon October 20 to November 4, 2011

a program of the stanford alumni association I'll never forget the first time I visited with a Stanford group: the people welcomed us with genuine, open smiles, and the sky was such a clear, crisp blue that it literally took my breath away. One of the world’s most isolated countries, Bhu- tan still possesses an unparalleled mystique and charm for the intrepid traveler, filled with treasures few tourists ever see. Stanford history professor Mark Mancall, currently director of the Royal Edu- cation Commission of Bhutan, resides most of the year in Bhutan’s capital, , and his special access, gained through a long relationship with the local people, opens many doors exclusively for us. Join us on this extraordinary journey!

BRETT S. THOMPSON, ’83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

Highlights Bhutan M EET and discuss ADMIRE the impressive HIKE to the 10,000-foot- SUITCA SE SEMINAR Bhutan’s past, present dzongs (monumental for- high Taktsang (“Tiger’s and future with local tresses) and exceptional Nest”) Monastery, spec- In the Land of the Thunder Dragon dignitaries and govern- artifact-filled museums tacularly perched on a ment officials at a special in Punakha, Trongsa cliff 3,000 feet above the reception in Thimphu. and Paro. valley floor.

TAKTSANG ("TIGER'S NEST") MONASTERY C HINA T IBET

H i m a l a y a s Punakha Phobjikha

Bumthang Paro Trongsa Thimphu

B HUTAN

from Bangkok I NDIA

overflows with elegant Buddhist crop fields and villages to visit Itinerary iconography. Then continue Chimi Lhakhang, a 15th-century to Sangay Gang, a hilltop fertility pilgrimage shrine. ZANGTO PELRI HOTEL (B,L,D) THURSDAY & FRIDAY, offering panoramic views OCTOBER 20 & 21 of the Thimphu Valley. Visit U.S. / BANGKOK, Changgangkha Lhakhang, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26 THAILAND PUNAKHA Depart the U.S. on an overnight a temple that contains An optional morning hike flight to Bangkok crossing ancient Buddhist scriptures near the traditional village the international date line en and thankas, the painted or of Nezigang takes us on a route. Arrive in Bangkok late embroidered Buddhist banners scenic climb to Khamsum Friday evening and check in typically hung in a monastery Yuley Namgay Chorten, a to our hotel. AIRPORT NOVOTEL or carried by monks in monument built by the royal SUVARNABHUMI ceremonial processions. Learn family that’s festooned with about the history of weaving magnificent colorful images SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 and traditional clothing at BANGKOK / PARO, of Guru Rinpoche, known BHUTAN /THIMPHU the National Textile Museum. in the as “the Early this morning, fly over the Enjoy a special evening with second Buddha.” Take in Eastern Himalayas on our way Bhutanese dignitaries and breathtaking views of the to Paro, location of Bhutan’s scholars at a nearby restaurant. Punakha Valley, then continue only airport. Enjoy lunch at a TAJ TASHI HOTEL (B,L,D – BOTH DAYS) to the impressive 17th-century nearby restaurant, then drive , winter fortress through the countryside for TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25 of the Je Khenpo, traditional a mid-afternoon arrival in the THIMPHU / PUNAKHA On our half-day journey to chief hierarch of Bhutanese country’s capital, Thimphu. Join Punakha, stop at scenic Buddhism. ZANGTO PELRI HOTEL fellow travelers at a welcome Dochula Pass (10,200 feet) (B,L,D) reception and dinner this with its views of the Himalayas evening in our hotel. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 on clear days and the site of TAJ TASHI HOTEL (B,L,D) PUNAKHA / BUMTHANG 108 chortens, small religious A scenic, full day’s drive takes SUNDAY & MONDAY, monuments that are symbols us eastward into central OCTOBER 23 & 24 of enlightenment and one THIMPHU Bhutan. Pass picturesque Spend two full days exploring of the most ancient icons of villages and forests and cross sites in and around Thimphu. Buddhist art. Enjoy a picnic the 10,830-foot-high Pele La Begin at the monumental lunch before descending 6,000 Pass. Descend into the Trongsa Memorial Chorten, which feet into Punakha Valley, where Valley, catching a glimpse of dominates the skyline and we set out on a walk through Trongsa’s magnificent fortress C HINA T IBET

H i m a l a y a s Punakha Phobjikha

Bumthang Paro Trongsa Thimphu

B HUTAN

from Bangkok I NDIA

as we continue to Bumthang, a watchtower, admire relics and century Indian mystic, Guru district of four mountain valleys. artifacts collected from the royal Padmasambhava, arriving on GONGKHAR LODGE (B,L,D) family’s archives. the back of a flying tigress, HOTEL YANGKHILL (B,L,D) meditated after bringing FRIDAY & SATURDAY, Buddhism to Bhutan. The OCTOBER 28 & 29 BUMTHANG MONDAY, OCTOBER 31 sight of the white temples at TRONGSA / PHOBJIKHA / Spend two days exploring the PUNAKHA an elevation of 10,000 feet and area around Bumthang, visiting Depart Trongsa this morning on clinging to a cliff some 3,000 the royal monastery of Kurjey a scenic, full day’s drive. Stop feet above the valley below is Lhakhang, which contains the in the valley of Phobjikha to see one of the highlights of our stay remains of the first three kings the endangered black-necked in Bhutan. Those who prefer of Bhutan. Stop at a traditional cranes that migrate here in the not to hike will be able to view country house to see how puta winter from the high plains of the monastery from afar, then (buckwheat noodles) are made, Tibet. After a late lunch, arrive visit Kyichu, a 7th-century and to sample ara, the locally back in Punakha. monastery located along the brewed rice wine. Explore the ZANGTO PELRI HOTEL (B,L,D) river, and Dungtse Lhakhang, Choekhor Valley, a remote and established in the 15th century pristine place where cultural TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 and housing perhaps the PUNAKHA / PARO and religious traditions have Depart Punakha for Paro most beautiful wall paintings changed little through time. Visit and, upon arrival, visit the in Bhutan. Celebrate the several of the oldest temples in Paro Dzong, one of the most conclusion of our adventure at a the country, among the most beautifully situated fortresses in farewell reception and dinner in sacred sites in all of Bhutan. Bhutan. As the key location for our hotel. ZHIWA LING HOTEL (B,L,D) GONGKHAR LODGE (B,L,D – BOTH DAYS) the movie, Little Buddha, this particular dzong is one of the THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 PARO / BANGKOK, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 most recognizable in the West. THAILAND BUMTHANG / TRONGSA At the National Museum in Paro, Depart on an early-morning Begin our return journey view exhibits about the history, flight to Bangkok and check westward as we travel to culture and religion of Bhutan. in to our airport hotel. AIRPORT Trongsa. Upon arrival, explore ZHIWA LING HOTEL (B,L,D) NOVOTEL SUVARNABHUMI (B,L,D) the Trongsa Dzong, the great ancestral home of Bhutan’s WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 royal family, built on a mountain PARO BANGKOK / U.S. Enjoy an optional hike to see Fly to the U.S., arriving the spur high above the gorges of the famous Taktsang (“Tiger’s same day. (B) the Mangde Chhu. Inside the Nest”) Monastery. Taktsang new museum in the dzong’s marks the spot where the 8th- included Independent and private transfers Information Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges DATES Personal items such as email, telephone and October 20 to November 4, 2011 fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup (16 days) services

S IZE Limited to 28 participants What to Expect

COST* We consider this to be a fairly strenuous $8,495 per person, double occupancy program that is at times demanding and busy. $9,695 per person, single occupancy Participants must be physically fit, active and *Association nonmembers add $200 per person in good health. Travel in Bhutan puts us at high altitudes, from approximately 5,000 to 10,800 INC LUDED feet above sea level. Daily programs involve 14 nights of hotel accommodations several early-morning departures, and most 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 13 dinners excursions require a considerable amount of Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions walking, often on uneven terrain such as that Bottled water on excursions Gratuities to found at temples and fortresses, where elevators porters, guides and drivers for all group activities are unavailable and stairs are very steep and may Bhutan visa for U.S. citizens All tours and not have handrails. Roads in Bhutan are winding, excursions as described in the itinerary Flights narrow and often undergoing repair, and our between Bangkok and Paro on October 22 and journey at times requires long travel days in small November 3 Transfers and baggage handling minibuses (up to 7 or 8 hours on a few days). throughout program Minimal medical, accident We make occasional rest stops, but often toilets and evacuation insurance Educational program are not available and nature’s facilities are more with lecture series and pre-departure materials, inviting and abundant than those that are man- including recommended reading list, a selected made. The hotels we use are the best-available; book, map and travel information Services of all are clean, safe and comfortable, but a few our professional tour manager to assist you (with the exception of the hotels in Thimphu and throughout the program Paro) are considered quite basic by Western standards. We expect that participants will be a N OT I N C LUDED self-selecting group whose appreciation for the International and U.S. domestic airfare places we visit outweighs the need for creature Passport fees Immunization costs Meals comforts. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and beverages other than those specified as and older on this program. Terms & Conditions

Deposit & Final Payment payment within 15 days of the date be borne by the passenger as tour A $1,000-per-person deposit is listed on the confirmation letter. rates provide arrangements only for required to hold space for the Bhutan the time stated. We reserve the right Suitcase Seminar. Final payment is due Eligibility to make such alterations to this 120 days prior to departure. We encourage membership in the published itinerary as may be Alumni Association as the program deemed necessary. The right is Cancellations & Refunds cost for nonmembers is $200 more reserved to cancel any program prior Deposits and any payments are fully than the members’ price. Parents to departure in which case the entire refundable, less a $500-per-person and their children under 21 may travel payment will be refunded without cancellation fee, until 120 days prior on one membership. For more further obligation on our part. The to departure. After that date, refunds information or to purchase a right is also reserved to decline to can be made only if the program is membership, visit www.stanforda- accept or retain any person as a sold out and your place(s) can be lumni.org/membership or call (650) member of the program. No refund resold, in which case a $1,000-per- 725-0692. will be made for an unused portion person cancellation fee will apply. of any tour unless arrangements We recommend trip-cancellation Responsibility are made in sufficient time to avoid insurance; applications will be sent The Stanford Alumni Association, penalties. Baggage is carried at to you. Stanford University and our operators the owner’s risk entirely. The airlines act only as agents for the passenger concerned are not to be held Insurance with respect to transportation and Stanford Travel/Study provides responsible for any act, omission exercise every care possible in doing or event during the time that all travelers who are U.S. or so. However, we can assume no Canadian citizens with minimal passengers are not onboard their liability for injury, damage, loss, plane or conveyance. Neither the medical, accident and evacuation accident, delay or irregularity in coverage under our group-travel Alumni Association, Stanford connection with the service of any University nor our operators insurance policy. Our group policy is automobile, motorcoach, launch or intended to provide minimal levels of accept liability for any carrier’s any other conveyance used in cancellation penalty incurred by protection while you are traveling on carrying out this program or for the this program. We strongly recom- the purchase of a nonrefundable acts or defaults of any company or ticket in connection with the tour. mend that you subscribe to optional person engaged in conveying the baggage and trip-cancellation Program price is based on rates in passenger or in carrying out the effect in January 2011 and is subject insurance. A brochure offering such arrangements of the program. We insurance will be mailed with your to change without notice to reflect cannot accept any responsibility for fluctuations in exchange rates, confirmation about one week after losses or additional expenses due to we receive your deposit. The product tariffs or fuel charges. As a condition delay or changes in air or other of participation, all confirmed offered in this brochure includes a services, sickness, weather, strike, special Waiver of Pre-Existing participants are required to war, quarantine, force majeure or sign a Release of Liability. Conditions and coverage for other causes beyond our control. All Financial Insolvency and Terrorist such losses or expenses will have to Acts if you postmark your insurance

California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50

TEL (650) 725-1093 FAX (650) 725-8675 EMAIL [email protected] © COPYRIGHT 2010 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PHOTOS: BLAKE HARRIS PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S. Faculty Leader MARK MANCALL trained at Harvard University in Chinese studies, specializing in Sino-Russian relations in Siberia and Mongolia. He came to Stanford in 1965 and has taught hundreds of students in such diverse courses as Chinese history, Buddhism, Buddhist social and political theory, South Asian history, the history of socialism and Marxism, and Israeli history. For more than 15 years now, Mark’s primary focus has been in the Himalayan regions of Asia, including India, Bhutan and Tibet. Appointed director of the Royal Education Commission of Bhutan, Mark resides most “Mark’s expertise and of the year in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu. He has led over 35 perspective couldn’t Travel/Study programs since arriving at Stanford.

be more valuable in helping us learn and Director, Stanford Overseas Studies Program, 1973–1985 begin to understand Founder and director, Stanford Program in Structured Bhutan’s history and Liberal Education (SLE), 1973–2007 Has taught at Harvard University, El Colegio de current state of affairs.” Mexico and the University of Haifa, Israel BA, UCLA; PhD, Harvard University CORA LEE MAC K, ’72, BHUTAN SUITC A S E SEM INAR, 2009

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BhutanSUITCAS E SEMINAR In the Land of the Thunder Dragon October 20 to November 4, 2011

E SEM INAR, 2009 fi nitely nitely