Bhutan and the Ganges River With four nights on the deluxe Ganges Voyager March 5–17, 2019 Study leader

Annapurna Garimella is a Delhi-based designer and an art historian. Her research focuses on late medieval Indic architecture and the history and practices of vernacular art forms in India after Independence. She heads Jackfruit Research and Design, an organization with a specialized portfolio of design, research, and curation. Jackfruit’s recent curatorial projects include Vernacular, in the Contemporary (Devi Art Foundation, New Delhi); Faith: Manu Parekh in Benaras 1980- 2012 (Art Alive, New Delhi); Drawing 2014 (Gallery Espace, New Delhi); Mutable: Ceramic and Clay Art in India Since 1947 (Piramal Museum of Art, 2017); and Barefoot College of Craft in Goa (Serendipity Arts Festival, 2017).

Dr. Annapurna’s most recent book is about a collaboration between a Rajasthani miniature painter and an expatriate American photographer and is titled The Artful Life of R. Vijay (Serindia, 2016). In 2017, she was awarded the India Today Emerging Curator of the Year Award. Garimella is also the founder and managing trustee of Art, Resources and Teaching Trust, a not-for-profit organization that runs a public art library, conducts independent research projects, and does teaching and advisement for college and university students and the general public.

Visit the Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, breathtakingly perched on a mountainside high above ’s Paro Valley (cover), and marvel at the massive golden Buddha Dordenma in Bhutan’s capital, (left). The impressive concentration of Hindu temples at Kalna (back cover) includes detailed terra cotta ornamentation. Dear MIT Alumni and Friends,

This classic program combines an intimate look at the spectacular natural beauty, fascinating cultural traditions, and charming people of Bhutan with a four-night cruise aboard the Ganges Voyager riverboat along the venerated Ganges River, in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Arrive in Delhi and spend a day exploring India’s old and new capital. Then fly to Bhutan, the smallest of the Himalayan Kingdoms. Visit the valley town of Paro and the capital city of Thimphu; hike to the sacred Taktsang Monastery, perched high above the Paro Valley; visit dzongs, chortens, and , which embody the heart of Bhutanese ; and enjoy Bhutanese arts, crafts, and folk dancing.

Return to India and board the Ganges Voyager for a round-trip cruise between Kolkata and Chandannagar. From its source high in the mighty Himalayas, the Ganges River, “Mother Ganga” to Indians, flows 1,500 miles south and east through areas Western visitors have rarely seen. A tapestry of varied religious beliefs, awe-inspiring history, rich architecture, and cultural traditions spreads along its banks. Lectures and discussions throughout the program will explore the cultural history, diverse religious traditions, artistic expressions, and architectural achievements of Bhutan and India. An optional pre-trip extension to Agra, home of the incomparable Taj Mahal, is available as a memorable way to begin this Bhutan and India adventure.

MIT travelers will be sharing this program with travelers from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Smithsonian. The Ganges Voyager can accommodate only 44 guests, so I encourage you to reserve your cabin now by calling the MIT Alumni Travel Program at 800-992-6749, or email us at [email protected]. You may also contact the tour operator, Criterion Travel, at 888-328-2089.

Sincerely,

Melissa Chapman Gresh Director, MIT Alumni Travel Program

P.S. Visit our website at alum.mit.edu/travel for details and updates on all of our programs. Find us on Facebook at MIT Alumni Travel Program. Traditional Bhutanese dress Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

Itinerary 1955. Visit the 169-foot-tall, massive golden which houses some of the finest specimens Buddha Dordenma statue, which sits atop of , including bronze Tuesday–Wednesday, March 5–6 Home / Delhi, India a gilded meditation hall and contains more and paintings covering more than 1,500 than 100,000 miniature bronze and gilded years of Bhutan’s cultural history. In the Depart home on an overnight flight to Buddhas. The statue commemorates the afternoon, visit the 17th-century Paro Delhi. Arrive on March 6 and transfer to centennial of the Bhutanese monarchy and Dzong, the center of civil and religious the hotel. Enjoy a welcome reception and fulfills two ancient prophecies. Then explore authority in the Paro Valley, and popularized orientation this evening. Radisson Blu Plaza (R) Motithang Takin Preserve, a wildlife reserve by the film The Little Buddha. Back at the area for takin, a goat-antelope that is the hotel, enjoy a performance of folk dancing. Thursday, March 7 national animal of Bhutan. Le Meridien (B,L,D) Hotel Zhiwaling (B,L,D) Delhi Old Delhi, the capital of Muslim India for Saturday, March 9 Monday, March 11 seven centuries, consists of eight different Thimphu Paro cities built by a succession of empires. New Begin the day with a visit to the Memorial By special arrangement, visit the iconic Delhi was created as the capital of India by , or Thimphu Chorten, a prominent Taktsang (“Tiger’s Nest”) Monastery, whose the British in 1911, and is the epicenter of landmark embellished with golden spires white temples cling to a soaring cliff 10,000 contemporary Indian political activity. In and bells, built in 1974 to honor the third feet above the valley. The monastery is a Old Delhi, visit Jama Masjid, the largest king of Bhutan. Continue to the Royal pilgrimage destination that all Bhutanese mosque in India, with its tapering minarets Textile Academy, dedicated to preserving people aspire to visit at least once in their and marble domes. In New Delhi, visit two and promoting the art of weaving, a lives. Hotel Zhiwaling (B,L,D) World Heritage sites: the red sandstone significant part of the cultural traditions and marble Qutab Minar, the tallest of Bhutan; and Simtokha Dzong, an Tuesday, March 12 minaret in India, and Humayun’s Tomb, the important historical monastery/fortress Kolkata, India / Hooghly architectural forerunner of the Taj Mahal. that also houses one of Bhutan’s premier After a morning flight to Kolkata, embark Also see the India Gate, a memorial to learning institutes. Le Meridien (B,L,D) the Ganges Voyager, your home for the Indian soldiers killed during World War I. remainder of this program. This afternoon Radisson Blu Plaza (B,L,D) Sunday, March 10 cruise to Hooghly for a visit to the Hooghly Paro Imambara, a mosque/congregation hall for Friday, March 8 Paro, Bhutan / Thimphu Drive through the picturesque countryside Shia Muslim commemoration ceremonies to Paro, observing local village life along the in West Bengal. Hooghly Imambara is This morning fly to Paro, site of the only way. Visit Dungtse Lakhang, a Buddhist famous for its clock, located between twin airport in the tiny country of Bhutan, and temple in the form of a chorten, rare in towers constructed over the doorway of the drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital since Bhutan. Explore the National Museum, main entrance. The clock has two dials with Tibet DEHLI H I NEW DEHLI Nepal M A L A Y A S Mt. Everest

AIR PARO THIMPHU CRUISE Bhutan LAND

FLIGHT FROM DELHI

India

MAYAPUR KALNA GUPTIPARA

CHANDANNAGAR

KOLKATA

Krishna temple, Mayapur

different sizes of bells that ring to signify the its beautiful frescoes; the Chaitanya temple, hours and quarter hours, and requires two the oldest and smallest; and the Ram people to wind it for half an hour each week Chandra temple, the richest in terra cotta with a key that weighs 44 pounds. Cruise to work. Ganges Voyager (B,L,D) Kalna this evening. Ganges Voyager (B,L,D) Friday, March 15 Wednesday, March 13 Chandannagar Kalna Cruise to Chandannagar, a former French Ride in rickshaws to the enchanting Rajbari colony established in 1673. Explore the complex, whose impressive concentration of many historic buildings along the tree- Optional Pre-Tour temples includes the Pratapeshwas Temple, shaded Strand, and the nearby Sacred Heart Extension richly ornamented with terracotta, and the Church, a prime example of French colonial Nabakailas Temples, 108 slope-roofed Shiva architecture. This evening celebrate your Agra & Fatehpur Sikri temples arranged in two concentric circles. Bhutan and Ganges River adventure at a March 2–6, 2019 Relax aboard Ganges Voyager this afternoon farewell dinner. Ganges Voyager (B,L,D) Visit Agra and the incomparable Taj en route to Mayapur. Ganges Voyager (B,L,D) Mahal, completed in 1654 in memory Saturday–Sunday, March 16–17 of Emperor Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz, Thursday, March 14 Kolkata / Home and often described as the most beautiful Mayapur / Guptipara Explore colonial Kolkata, the capital of British monument to love ever built. Also explore Experience the fascinating culture India until 1912, including Dalhousie Square; the UNESCO World Heritage site of of Krishna followers with a visit to the Writers’ Building, once the administrative Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted imperial capital the International Society of Krishna offices of the British East India Company; and built by Emperor Akbar in the late 16th Consciousness (ISKCON) temple, Raj Bhavan (the Governor’s House), seat of century and abandoned after only 14 years comparable in size to the Vatican. Also imperial British power. Also visit the Mother due to the lack of an adequate water supply. walk through the Pilgrim’s Bazaar and Teresa of Calcutta Center. Later this evening, A perfectly preserved example of a Mughal visit a goshala (cow shelter), where cows transfer to the airport for flights home, arriving city, Fatehpur Sikri, with its audience halls, are protected because of their religious on March 17. (B,L,D) palaces, courtyards, pools, and enormous significance. This afternoon explore Photo Credits: (From Dreamstime.com): Taktsang mosque, remains nearly untouched by time. Monastery © Lcchew; Buddha Dordenma statue © Eakpong; the interesting mix of Bengal temple Textile details © Antonella865; Prayer flag detail © Eakpong; Arrive in Delhi in time to join the main architecture exhibited by the four great India Gate © Deepak Bagwari; Traditional dress © Antonella865; program on March 6. Rates: $1,395 per Humayun’s Tomb © Lakhesis; Krishna temple © Rudra Narayan Vaishnava temples at Guptipara: the Mitra; Qutab Minar © Maharaj Khazanchi; Hindu temple, Kalna person, double occupancy; $1,920 per person, © Dennis Richardson. (From Wikipedia): Detail of Pratapeswar single occupancy. Complete details will be sent Krishna Chandra temple, in the aatchala temple © Piyal Kundu. (From Unsplash.com): Taj Mahal © style; the Brindaban Chandra temple, with Koushik Chowdavarapu; Taj Mahal detail © Judson Moore. to confirmed participants. Ganges Voyager

The elegant all-suite Ganges Voyager, launched in 2015, transports guests in style, comfort, and luxury along the Ganges River, an ideal way to observe the ever-changing tapestry of life unfolding along the riverbanks. Accommodations embody the grace and style of India’s colonial era, with modern conveniences and luxuries that rival the finest hotels. Spacious, well-appointed suites provide individual climate control, panoramic floor-to- ceiling French doors, flat-screen television with on-demand movies, electronic safe, en suite bathroom with spa quality robes, slippers, hair dryer, and bath amenities, generous storage, daily housekeeping with turndown service, fine bed linens, premium mattresses, duvets, Program Rates Include your choice of pillows, and daily international news. The friendly staff provides the level All accommodations as specified in of attentive service that makes for a memorable river cruise, and the ship’s culinary team the itinerary • Meals as specified in the prepares sumptuous meals incorporating both the incredibly flavorful cuisine of India as well itinerary • All excursions as specified as the diverse cuisines of Europe, served in the beautifully appointed dining room. Public in the itinerary • Full program of spaces include an inviting lounge, a sun deck with chaise lounges and shaded seating areas, briefings, lectures, and presentations and a spa and fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment. • Airport transfers for all participants on group arrival and departure days 317 315 313 311 309 307 305 303 • Baggage handling • Gratuities to 301 Upper deck porters, wait staff, guides, drivers, and 302 shipboard personnel • Entrance fees • 318 316 314 312 310 308 306 304 Welcome and farewell wine receptions • Bottled water on motorcoaches • Professional tour manager 209 207 205 203 201 What to Expect Main Deck This is a

OFFICE moderately strenuous program, at times

DINING ROOM 210 208 206 204 202 physically demanding and busy, with considerable walking at some sites. Program Rates, per person* Daily activities can involve up to two

Category/Deck Double Single miles of walking, over sometimes rough terrain; often elevators are unavailable l Signature Suite/Main Deck and stairs may not have handrails. Approx. 260 sq. ft., floor-to-ceiling glass doors with French balcony, Altitude considerations: Paro is at twin beds or queen bed, sitting area, spacious bathroom with shower $9,990 $15,990 7,200 feet; Thimphu is at 7,660 feet; l Colonial Suite/Upper Deck Approx. 260 sq. ft., floor-to-ceiling glass doors with French balcony, Taktsang Monastery is at 10,240 feet. twin beds or queen bed, sitting area, spacious bathroom with shower $10,990 $16,590 Participants should be fit and in active good health. By forwarding the deposit l Heritage Suite/Upper Deck Approx. 280 sq. ft., floor-to-ceiling glass doors with Juliet balcony, for passage, the participant certifies that king bed, sitting area, spacious bathroom with shower $12,490 — s/he does not have any physical or other limitation that would create a hazard for l Viceroy Suite/Upper Deck Approx. 360 sq. ft., floor-to-ceiling glass doors with French balcony, her/himself or other travelers. king bed, sitting area, spacious bathroom with shower $12,990 — A Note about Costs l Maharaja Suite/Upper Deck Tour Approx. 400 sq. ft., floor-to-ceiling glass doors with French balcony, costs are based upon current fuel prices, king bed, sitting area, spa-style bath with soaking tub and separate shower $13,990 — currency values, taxes, tariffs, and a minimum number of participants. Air Arrangements Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc., can help with airline arrangements for this trip and can While we will do everything possible be reached at 877-376-1754. You are also welcome to book your air transportation through your local travel to maintain the listed prices, they agent, an online travel site, or the airline of your choice. Please note: U.S. domestic and international airfare is not included in the program rates. Round-trip economy-class airfare from New York to Delhi, with return from are subject to change. If there are Kolkata, is approximately $1,390 per person as of May 2018 and is subject to change without notice. significant changes, details and costs *On-tour airfare Delhi/Paro/Kolkata ($695 per person) is not included in the program rates. will be advised prior to departure. General Information Bhutan and the Program Rates Do Not Include U.S. domestic Ganges River and international airfare • On-tour flights Delhi/Paro/ With four nights on the Ganges Voyager Kolkata ($695 per person) • Passport/visa expenses • Medical March 5–17, 2019 expenses and immunizations • Private airport transfers • Travel insurance • Optional excursions or deviations from the Reservation Form scheduled tour • Excess-baggage charges • Meals not specified in the itinerary; dishes and beverages not part of the included To reserve your space, please complete the form and send it to: meals; liquor or soft drinks • Laundry or dry cleaning • MIT Alumni Travel Program, 600 Memorial Drive, W98-2nd Floor, Telephone, email, and fax charges • Room service • Other Cambridge, MA 02139. Deposit checks should be made payable to items of a personal nature Criterion Travel. You may also call the Alumni Travel Program at 800-992-6749 or the tour operator, Criterion Travel, at 888-328-2089. Insurance We strongly recommend the purchase of trip Contact Information cancellation insurance. An information packet about travel insurance will be sent to registrants and is available in advance Name #1 (as on passport) MIT Affiliation upon request. Preferred name for name badge

Group Size This program is limited to 44 participants, Name #2 (as on passport) MIT Affiliation including travelers from MIT, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Smithsonian. Preferred name for name badge

Terms & Conditions expense, when such action is Complete Terms and Conditions determined by tour staff to be Street Address including Statement of in the best interest of the health, Responsibility will be made safety, or general welfare of available to you at time of the tour group or the individual City/State Zip/Postal Code registration, or in advance upon participant, and subject only to request. A signed “Agreement, the requirement that the recover- Assumption of Risk, Waiver and able portion of the tour price that Home Phone mobile Phone Release” is required from each corresponds to the cost of unused applicant prior to participation services and accommodations on the tour. be refunded, if any. Fax E-mail

Reservations & Payments Itinerary Changes The Single Travelers A deposit of $1,000 per itinerary presented for this tour m person is required to confirm is subject to modification and I prefer to have single accommodations. a reservation. You may reserve change by MIT and Criterion m I plan to share accommodations with space immediately by calling the Travel. Every reasonable effort will m m m MIT Alumni Travel Program at be made to operate the program I’d like to know about roommates. I am a Non-smoker Smoker. 800-992-6749. Or you may send as planned; however, should the completed reservation form unforeseen world events and I understand that if a roommate cannot be found by the final payment with your deposit payment (check conditions require the itinerary to deadline of November 5, 2018, I will pay the single rate. or credit card information) to be altered, the MIT and the tour the MIT Alumni Travel Program, operator reserve the right to do Accommodations 600 Memorial Drive, W98–2nd so for the safety and best interest Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139. Final of the group. Any extra expenses Cabin category preference: 1st 2nd payment deadline is November 5, incurred in this situation are the Bed preference in hotels (not guaranteed): m Two beds m One bed 2018, and can be made by check responsibility of the participant. or credit card. All prices quoted in Payment this brochure are based on tariffs, Responsibility A detailed m costs, and exchange rates of the statement of limitations and Enclosed is my check for $ ($1,000 per person, United States dollar that were in exclusions of liability of Criterion payable to Criterion Travel), to reserve place(s) on Bhutan effect at the time of publication. Travel and MIT for loss of property, injury, illness, or death will be and the Ganges River OR Cancellations & Refunds provided to passengers upon m Please charge my deposit to: Cancellations shall not be effective enrollment and is available by m m m m until they are received in writing by calling the MIT Alumni Travel VISA MasterCard American Express Discover Criterion Travel, the tour operator. Program at 800-992-6749. All Deposits are refundable (less a participants are required to sign credit card number Exp. date $500 per person administration this form prior to trip departure. fee) if written notice of cancella- tion is received within 30 days of Note The MIT Alumni Travel Cardholder Signature Security Code reservation; after that, deposits Program provides further are 100% non-refundable. information about the Travel I/we understand that final payment is due November 5, 2018, 120 days prior Cancellations after final payment Program and the relationship deadline of November 5, 2018: All between the Alumni Association to departure. Registrations after November 5, 2018: full payment is due. payments are 100% nonrefundable, and the tour operator online at: regardless of booking date. http://alum.mit.edu/travel/About. I/we have read the tour information and agree to the Terms & Conditions therein. Refunds cannot be made to passengers who do not complete California Seller of Travel Program the tour for any reason at all. CST #2088800-40 Signature Date Criterion Travel reserves the right to withdraw a participant from a tour at any time at his/her own Signature Date MIT Alumni Travel Program PRSRT STD U.S. Postage 600 Memorial Drive Paid W98–2nd Floor Permit No. 604 Cambridge, MA 02139 Sacramento, CA

Bhutan and the Ganges River March 5–17, 2019

A Ganges River cruise Highlights Two World Heritage sites in Delhi: aboard the 28-suite Ganges Humayun’s Tomb, architectural Voyager, viewing rural village Bhutan’s famous precursor of the Taj Mahal, and Qutab Minar life along the scenic banks and Taktsang Monastery, , a shining iron visiting fascinating temple sites. a holy pilgrimage destination pillar with inscriptions. whose white temples cling Special access Mother Teresa to local dramatically to a cliff The Center dignitaries and religious sites nearly 10,000 feet above in Kolkata (Calcutta), not open to outsiders. the valley below. capital of India for 200 years during the British Raj.