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For details or to reserve: wm.orbridge.com (866) 639-0079 OCTOBER 29, 2021 – NOVEMBER 12, 2021 POST-TOUR: NOVEMBER 12, 2021 — NOVEMBER 15, 2021 INTRIGUING INDIA Colorful. Chaotic. Mesmerizing. Exotic. Many words describe India—a vast, diverse country sporting the Himalayas in the north, beaches in the south, tribal territory to the east, and desert to the west. Ever-changing, yet timeless, it is a land of both contrasts and constants, displaying the full spectrum of life. Come experience India's vibrant interior during an in- depth exploration of its history, culture, and wildlife. Larger-than-life palaces, battle-scarred forts, and engaging artisan encounters, along with varied opportunities for sighting flora and fauna, highlight the best elements the subcontinent has to offer and create indelible impressions for defining India your way. Dear Alumni and Friends, Please join us for a unique immersion into the rich and exotic depths of India’s history, traditions, and nature—where thousands of years of civilization, contemporary locals and skilled artisans, and an abundance of intriguing wildlife fuse together on one incredible subcontinent. This multifaceted journey of the Golden Triangle and beyond will transport you through the rise and fall of empires and dynasties while surveying architectural grandeur that reflects the history, culture, and religions of an amazing past. Visit a variety of significant structures with “bucket list” appeal, including the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Humayun’s Tomb, the Taj Mahal, Amer Fort, Agra Fort, and Hawa Mahal. Experience a colorful mosaic of Indian life in this expertly curated adventure with an invigorating rickshaw ride through Delhi, engaging village visits, and special opportunities to meet with artisans to discover their living traditions. Watch the craft of marble inlay, learn how gems are processed into jewelry, and browse handmade goods at various vibrant markets. No in-depth exploration of India would be complete without nature and wildlife. This robust itinerary features a visit to one of the most spectacular water bird sanctuaries in the world—Keoladeo National Park, plus extended time at Ranthambhore National Park for a pulse-racing chance to spot elusive tigers, diverse other wildlife, and endless breathtaking scenery. Space is limited. With significant savings of more than $1,000 per couple, we anticipate this program will fill quickly. Book this experience today online at wm.orbridge.com, by phone at (866) 639-0079 or by using the enclosed reservation form. Sincerely, Marilyn W. Midyette ’75 Executive Director, William & Mary Alumni Association Please note: The information contained in this document is current as of 5/6/2020 Program Highlights: Survey the contrasts between Old and New Delhi with sightseeing and an informative talk by an art historian during a guided tour of the capital. Travel to Agra to see the colors of sunrise and sunset paint the ivory-white Taj Mahal mausoleum, and visit an artisan workshop to learn about the tradition of its handcrafted marble inlay. Discover the 16th-century Agra Fort—a colossal, red sandstone and marble complex of palaces, mosques, and courtyards, which was the main residence of the Mughal emperors. Delight in a performance of Raas Leela—an Indian dance traced back to sacred Hindu writings. Explore Keoladeo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where nearly 400 species of birds have been recorded, including the rare Siberian crane. Enjoy authentic cultural-immersion activities, including a cooking class, puppet show, and yoga session. Watch for chances to spot a Jungle Book of creatures at Ranthambhore National Park: tigers, desert fox, jackal, mongoose, sloth bear and 50 species of butterflies. Journey to Jaipur, the “Pink City,” renowned for sensational shopping and the architectural treasures of Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort, and the City Palace. Drop into an artisan’s workshop to see how gems from all over the world are processed into jewelry. In picturesque Udaipur, tour the magnificent City Palace—the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, which includes a museum housing a myriad of historical artifacts and royal memorabilia. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime stay at the legendary Taj Lake Palace, an 18th-century royal summer palace constructed from white marble on an island in Lake Pichola. What's included: 12 nights hotel accommodations and a day room on departure day; 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 8 dinners; full guiding services of an Orbridge Travel Director and expert local guides; private motor coach transportation; admission to all locations listed on the 15-day itinerary; internal airfare from Jaipur to Udaipur and from Udaipur to Delhi; luggage porterage; gratuities to Orbridge Travel Director, local guides, drivers, porters, and wait staff for included meals; and airport transfers for guests arriving and departing during the suggested times. Itinerary: Day 1: En route from U.S. Friday, October 29, 2021 Day 2: Arrive in Delhi, India Saturday, October 30, 2021 Welcome to India! Settle into your elegant and modern hotel for a restful evening. Overnight: The Imperial Day 3: Old Delhi / New Delhi Sunday, October 31, 2021 Following breakfast and a morning briefing with the Orbridge Travel Director, depart for Old Delhi—a city that pulses with energy and color. As its name suggests, Old Delhi is the oldest area of Delhi, where traffic from honking cars, rickshaws, and ox carts blends with crowds of merchants and shoppers in a tangle amid narrow alleyways. The sights, sounds, and aromas come alive as brightly colored fruits and vegetables, intriguing street food, and handicrafts intermingle with exhaust, hot oil, spices, and the din of voices from passersby. Stimulating, and sometimes perplexing, this is an experience that won’t be forgotten. Drive past the Red Fort—Delhi's most iconic monument and one of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Massive red sandstone walls standing 75-feet high enclose a complex of palaces, gardens, and a mosque. Across the road, and towering over Old Delhi with its tapering minarets and marble domes, is the Jama Masjid—the biggest and perhaps most well-known mosque in India. One of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India, the Jama Masjid was created by Emperor Shah Jahan, who also commissioned the Taj Mahal. The mosque took more than 5,000 workers toiling six years to complete. Next visit Chandni Chowk, the main thoroughfare through Old Delhi, and its business nerve center. Experience a rickshaw ride through the streets teeming with life. Pass by mansions from the past and a vast display of goods from today. This afternoon, venture into New Delhi, a city of wide boulevards bordered by formal parks and attractions, including Rashtrapati Bhawan—the official residence of the president, and India Gate—a 138-foot-tall arch that bears the names of thousands of Indian soldiers who perished in conflicts such as World War I and the Third Afghan War. Humayun’s Tomb, built in the mid-16th century, is also of structural and historical interest. Admire the arched façade of this regal mausoleum with its inlaid bands of white marble and red sandstone, and note how the building follows rules of Islamic geometry, with emphasis placed on the number eight. Today also features educational enrichment through an informative discussion with an art historian on Delhi's history and culture. Overnight: The Imperial (B,D) Day 4: Delhi / Agra Monday, November 1, 2021 After breakfast this morning, drive approximately four hours to Agra. Nestled on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the iconic Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. With sunset comes the first glimpse of India's most ornate mausoleum, the Taj Mahal, meaning "crown of palaces" in Urdu and Persian. Built by nearly 20,000 workers and 1,000 elephants over 20 years, this vital stop on any India tour is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Watch as the last natural light illuminates beautiful colors within the structure's marble and showcases the gardens and reflecting pools. See the sunset cast its fiery-orange glow on the Taj's white marble dome and observe in awe what photographs cannot do justice, including the builders' and designers' mastery of perspective. The height and the width of the Taj Mahal are equal, yet an optical illusion makes it appear taller. Delight in the scene's stately scale and ethereal quality of grace and elegance. Overnight: Jaypee Palace (B,L,D) Day 5: Agra Tuesday, November 2, 2021 With an early start today, sunrise presents an additional enchanting view of the Taj Mahal. Soak in the dawn with cooler temperatures and fewer visitors. Ready your camera to capture the rising sun and mist blanketing the Yamuna River. Stroll through the arches into the grounds to explore in and around the Taj, admiring the calligraphy, the minarets, and the intricate lattice screens of the interior. Return to the hotel for breakfast. The next adventure: a visit to Agra Fort, a complex of beautiful mosques and palaces that once housed royals who were guarded by crocodiles and tigers. The fort was the main residence of the Mughal emperors in this former capital. In 1657, when Shah Jahan fell ill, his son Aurangzeb declared himself emperor and confined his father to the fort. Discoveries await inside these imposing, 70-foot walls, including the walls themselves. Legend has it some were made hollow and then filled with river water to keep occupants cool during the summer. Today's itinerary is enhanced with a visit to an artisan’s workshop that showcases the continuing tradition of handcrafted marble inlay (as seen at the Taj Mahal).