STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

LINDA ASHCRAFT, ’72, MONGOLIA, 2016

FEATURING DHARAMSALA— HOME OF THE DALAI LAMA

September 6 to 22, 2017

a program of the stanford alumni association Some of the most memorable adventures take place far off the beaten tourist track, where visitors are rewarded with unspoiled scenery and authentic experiences. Our journey to Kashmir and Punjab, during which we explore Ladakh’s moon-like landscape, visit the Himalayas’ oldest Buddhist monasteries and join Sikh pilgrims in prayer at their most sacred shrine, promises to be just such an adventure. Deepening our understanding of the region is our faculty leader, Buddhism expert Greg Watkins, ’85, PhD ’02. Join our intimate group of intrepid travelers on this unique expedition to India’s magical northern states—so far removed from the rest of the subcontinent they seem to belong to another world altogether.

BRETT S. THOMPSON, ’83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Highlights EXPLORE the former LEARN about the preser- VISIT the Golden Temple, kingdom of Ladakh, home vation of Tibetan culture in or Sri Harimandir Sahib, to the Himalayas’ oldest- Dharamsala, current resi- the holiest place of worship surviving monastery and dence of the Dalai Lama in Sikhism, located in the distinguished by unique and headquarters of his Punjabi city of Amritsar. ethnic groups. government-in-exile.

COVER: LEH

LAMAYURU GOMPA Faculty Leader GREG WATKINS, ’85, PHD ’02, is the associate director of Stanford’s Structured Liberal Education (SLE) program and a resident fellow in East Florence Moore Hall. A filmmaker himself, Greg focuses his research on the intersection of film and religion, and, more generally, of art and religion. His interest in Buddhism started in graduate school when he was a teaching assistant for Stanford’s course on Zen Buddhism. Since then, Greg has taught multiple times at Stanford’s Sophomore College and the Bing Overseas Seminars, which included trips to Bhutan, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Burma. His “Greg Watkins’ lectures for this trip will focus on the Tibetan Buddhism practiced in Ladakh and Dharamsala, not as a set of beliefs (which tends to be the way religion is understood in the West) but as a kind of lectures culture in a broader sense. were thought- — Associate director, Stanford Structured Liberal Education program (SLE) — Co-director, virtual Mandala project, Stanford provoking, Humanities Lab — Instructor, Continuing Studies program relevant and — Co-instructor, Stanford Sophomore College and Stanford Overseas Seminars to Bhutan very informative.” and Mongolia — BA, social theory, 1985, and a dual PhD, BRUCE ROBBINS, ’75, religious studies and humanities, 2002— VIETNAM, LAOS AND all Stanford University CAMBODIA, 2015

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

SIGN UP ONLINE: alumni.stanford.edu/trip?kashmir2017 OR BY PHONE: (6 5 0) 725 -10 9 3

PALAMPUR Alchi Indus River Leh JAMMU AND KASHMIR CHINA INDIA

Dharamsala Palampur Amritsar HIMACHAL TIBET PRADESH PUNJAB PAKISTAN Chandigarh

I NDIA Delhi

cinating mix of ethnic cultures, with its splendid murals painted Buddhist temples, mosques by Kashimri artists in the 10th Itinerary and the crumbling Leh Palace. and 11th centuries, and stroll GRAND DRAGON LADAKH (B,L,D) through the colorful local ba- WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, zaar. ULEY ETHNIC RESORT (B,L,D) SEPTEMBER 6 & 7 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 U.S. / DELHI, INDIA LEH / HEMIS / TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Depart the U.S. on overnight THIKSEY / LEH ALCHI / LAMAYURU / flights, arriving in Delhi on Spend the day exploring sites in ALCHI Thursday. Transfer to our five- and around Leh. Drive to Hemis Drive to Lamayuru Gompa, star hotel in the heart of New Gompa (Monastery), Ladakh’s one of the largest and oldest Delhi. TAJ MAHAL NEW DELHI most important Buddhist reli- monasteries in Ladakh, with gious center. This 17th-century a population of 150 resident FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 monastery, located in a hidden monks. With its scenic moon- DELHI gorge surrounded by dramatic scape-like backdrop of wind- After a welcome orientation, mountains, contains a sacred swept high desert, Lamayuru visit the Mughal Emperor Hu- thanka (Buddhist scroll painting) is a stunning testament to the mayun’s Tomb, the architecture so large it is unfurled once only endurance of its faithful builders of which was the first of its kind every 12 years. Visit the 15th- and residents. Also visit Chuli- in India, setting a precedent for century Thiksey Gompa, built chan (Chomoling) Nunnery. future Mughal royal mausolea, high atop a hill overlooking the ULEY ETHNIC RESORT (B,L,D) culminating in the Taj Mahal. Indus Valley and considered the Gather this evening for a wel- most beautiful of all Ladakh’s WEDNESDAY, come reception and dinner. monasteries. Stop at Shey Pal- SEPTEMBER 13 TAJ MAHAL NEW DELHI (B,L,D) ace, the 500-year-old summer ALCHI / LIKIR / LEH home of the old kings of Leh. Journey today from Alchi to SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 This evening, enjoy a traditional Leh, stopping en route to visit DELHI / LEH Ladakhi dance performance at Likir Gompa, an isolated 11th- Fly to Leh, capital of the former our hotel. GRAND DRAGON LADAKH century monastery situated in Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh, (B,L,D) a beautiful setting on a small now part of the Indian state of hill in a valley. Likir Gompa is the Jammu and Kashmir. Spend the MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 seat of the Ngari Rinpoche, the rest of the day relaxing and ac- LEH / ALCHI present incarnation of a man climatizing to the altitude. Early Drive along the Indus Valley, who happens to be the younger this evening explore Leh’s Main past the picturesque villages brother of the Dalai Lama. Bazaar, where local farmers sell of Spitok and Nimo, admiring GRAND DRAGON LADAKH (B,L,D) their produce, and the smaller spectacular scenery en route Chang Gali, full of artisan stalls to the remote village of Alchi, THURSDAY, selling precious stones, carved famous as the site of the oldest- SEPTEMBER 14 yak-horn boxes and other surviving monastery in the LEH / CHANDIGARH crafts. Observe the city’s fas- Himalayas. Visit the monastery Fly to Chandigarh, capital of Alchi Indus River Leh JAMMU AND KASHMIR CHINA INDIA

Dharamsala Palampur BLUE LAGOON Amritsar HIMACHAL TIBET PRADESH PUNJAB PAKISTAN Chandigarh

I NDIA

Delhi THINGVELLIRGOLDEN TEMPLE, NATIONAL AMRITSAR PARK

the state of Punjab and ranked proliferation of wheat that is cul- Himachal Pradesh. Formerly as the wealthiest, cleanest and tivated there. Arrive in Amritsar a powerful capital, Palampur happiest city in India. This after- late this afternoon and check in is today famous for its moun- noon visit its extraordinary Rock to our hotel. Tonight visit the tain scenery and picturesque Garden, a 40-acre sculpture stunning Sri Harmandir Sahib, tea gardens. Check in to our garden created from recycled or Golden Temple, the holiest stately hotel, still in the hands materials. The complex is gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) of the royal family of Jammu widely regarded as one of the in the world. Attend the Palki and Kashmir. WELCOMHERITAGE modern wonders of the world. Sahib ceremony, during which TARAGARH PALACE (B,L,D) TAJ CHANDIGARH (B,L,D) the holy scriptures are moved out of the temple for the night. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 RADISON BLU AMRITSAR (B,L,D) PALAMPUR / CHANDIGARH UPPER DHARAMSALA Spend today exploring Chan- SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 / PALAMPUR digarh, whose layout was AMRITSAR Explore Upper Dharamsala, planned by the famous Swiss- Today we visit Pingalwara, an also known as McLeod Ganj or French architect Le Corbusier NGO that cares for individuals “Little Lhasa,” being that it’s the and is internationally renowned who have been abandoned by current home of the Dalai Lama for its architecture and ur- society. Attend a kirtan, (musi- and his thousands of Tibetan ban design. Enjoy a specially cal chant) by some of the dif- Buddhist followers who sought arranged walking tour of Le ferently abled children who are refuge here in 1960 after being Corbusier’s Capitol Complex, taken care of by Pingalawara’s exiled from Tibet. Visit a 19th- declared a World Heritage site orphanage, followed by a guest century church; Tsuglagkhang in 2016. This afternoon explore lecture on Sikhism by a local Complex, the official home of the Government Museum and expert. Ride auto-rickshaws the 14th Dalai Lama; and the Art Gallery, whose unique to Jallianwala Bagh, site of the Tsechokling Monastery. Also collection of paintings, sculp- 1919 massacre of nonviolent visit the excellent Tibet Museum tures and decorative arts was protestors and Sikh pilgrims at whose mission is to document housed in the Central Museum the hands of the British Indian and preserve Tibet’s history in Lahore (present-day Paki- Army, then visit the local bazar. and culture. WELCOMHERITAGE stan) until Partition in 1948. This evening attend a perfor- TARAGARH PALACE (B,L,D) TAJ CHANDIGARH (B,L,D) mance of Punjabi bhangra and giddha folk dances. WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY, RADISON BLU AMRITSAR (B,L,D) SEPTEMBER 20 SEPTEMBER 16 PALAMPUR / CHANDIGARH / MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 DHARAMSALA / AMRITSAR AMRITSAR / PALAMPUR Drive through the plains of PALAMPUR Tour the offices of the Tibetan Punjab, one of India’s most Drive through the Kangra Val- government-in-exile, including fertile regions and often referred ley to the verdant hill station the Library of Tibetan Works to as its “bread basket” for the of Palampur in the state of and Archives. Also visit the LEH LAMAYURU GOMPA

Tibetan Children’s Village, WHAT TO EXPECT an educational community We consider this to be a fairly strenuous program that for exiled Tibetan children. is often physically demanding and busy. The itinerary Continue to the Noralingka involves spending time at high altitudes, which reach Institute to learn about the center’s mission to preserve elevations of 12,000 feet. Daily excursions involve one the artistic and cultural traditions to three miles of walking, including negotiating steep of ancient Tibet. Stop at the staircases without handrails, cobbled paths and rocky Dolmaling Nunnery and Institute terrain. In many instances, guided tours require standing of Buddhist Dialectics before in one place for up to one hour, with tours lasting as attending a special tara puja, or lamp-lighting, ceremony. long as four hours. Few sites have elevators and many Celebrate the culmination of do not allow buses to pull up in front, thus requiring a our adventure with a farewell walk of several minutes, sometimes uphill, to reach the reception and dinner this entrance. Travel in this region can be time-consuming evening. WELCOMHERITAGE and unpredictable, requiring unexpected changes to TARAGARH PALACE (B,L,D) our schedule. During our program we travel between THURSDAY, destinations by van, four-wheel-drive vehicle, coach and SEPTEMBER 21 commercial aircraft. Many days require early-morning PALAMPUR / DELHI starts and long coach rides of up to seven hours. Roads Fly from Palampur to Delhi in the Himalayas are narrow and unpaved. All of our and check in to our airport hotel. RADISSON BLU PLAZA DAY ROOMS (B,L,D) accommodations are clean and comfortable but it is important to note that Kashmir’s tourism infrastructure FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 in particular is at times basic. We expect that participants DELHI / U.S. will be a self-selecting group whose interest in the places Transfer to the airport for return we visit far outweighs the need for creature comforts. flights to the U.S. (B) We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program.

SHANTI STUPA, LEH to Delhi. Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educational program Trip Information with lecture series and pre-departure materi- DATES als, including recommended reading list, a September 6 to 22, 2017 (17 days) selected book, map and travel information Services of our professional tour manager to SIZE assist you throughout the program 22 participants (single accommodations limited—please call for availability) NOT INCLUDED International and U.S. domestic airfare COST* Passport and visa fees Immunization costs $10,995 per person, double occupancy Meals and beverages other than those $12,900 per person, single occupancy specified as included Independent and *Association nonmembers add $300 private transfers Trip-cancellation/inter- per person ruption and baggage insurance Excess- baggage charges Personal items such INCLUDED as internet access, telephone and fax calls, 14 nights and 1 day room in deluxe hotel laundry and gratuities for nongroup services accommodations 15 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 14 dinners Welcome and farewell AIR ARRANGEMENTS cocktail receptions Gratuities to guides, International and U.S. domestic airfare is not drivers and porters for all group activities All included in the program cost. Round-trip, tours as described in the itinerary Transfers economy-class airfare on Etihad Airways between and baggage handling between the Delhi San Francisco and Delhi is approximately $800 as Airport and our group hotels on arrival and of October 2016 and is subject to change without departure days Flights from Delhi to Leh, notice. Information on recommended flight from Leh to Chandigarh and from Palampur itineraries will be sent with confirmation materials. Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment if you purchase your policy within war, quarantine, force majeure or A $1,000-per-person deposit is 14 days of written confirmation of other causes beyond our control. required to hold your space on this your participation on the trip. All such losses or expenses will program. Sign up online at alumni. have to be borne by the passenger stanford.edu/trip?kashmir2017 Eligibility as tour rates provide arrangements We encourage membership in the or call the Travel/Study office at only for the time stated. We reserve Alumni Association as the program (650) 725-1093. Final payment is the right to make such alterations cost for nonmembers is $300 due 120 days prior to departure. to this published itinerary as may more than the members’ price. As a condition of participation, all be deemed necessary. The right A person traveling as a guest paid confirmed participants are required is reserved to cancel any program for by a current member will not to sign a Release of Liability. prior to departure in which case be charged the nonmember fee. the entire payment will be refunded Cancellations & Refunds For more information or to purchase without further obligation on our Deposits and any payments are a membership, visit alumni.stanford/ part. The right is also reserved refundable, less a $500-per-person goto/membership or call (650) to decline to accept or retain any cancellation fee, until 120 days prior 725-0692. person as a member of the program. to departure. After that date, refunds No refund will be made for an can be made only if the program is Responsibility unused portion of any tour unless sold out and your place(s) can be The Stanford Alumni Association, arrangements are made in sufficient resold, in which case a $1,000-per- Stanford University and our operators time to avoid penalties. Baggage is person cancellation fee will apply. act only as agents for the passenger carried at the owner’s risk entirely. with respect to transportation and The airlines concerned are not to Insurance exercise every care possible in doing be held responsible for any act, Stanford Travel/Study provides so. However, we can assume no omission or event during the time all travelers who are U.S. or liability for injury, damage, loss, that passengers are not onboard Canadian citizens with minimal accident, delay or irregularity in their plane or conveyance. Neither medical, accident and evacuation connection with the service of any the Alumni Association, Stanford coverage under our group-travel automobile, motor coach, launch University nor our operators accept insurance policy. Our group policy or any other conveyance used in liability for any carrier’s cancellation is intended to provide minimal carrying out this program or for the penalty incurred by the purchase of levels of protection while you are acts or defaults of any company or a nonrefundable ticket in connection traveling on this program. You may person engaged in conveying the with the tour. Program price is based choose to subscribe to optional trip- passenger or in carrying out the on rates in effect in October 2016 and cancellation and baggage insurance. arrangements of the program. We is subject to change without notice to Information offering such insurance cannot accept any responsibility for reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, will be provided to travelers with their losses or additional expenses due tariffs or fuel charges. welcome materials. The product to delay or changes in air or other offered includes special benefits services, sickness, weather, strike,

TELEPHONE (650) 725-1093 © COPYRIGHT 2016 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. EMAIL [email protected] PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50 PAPER IN THE U.S. STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY continue“We to take Stanford trips because of the opportunities for learning and access to people in LINDA ASHCRAFT, ’72, MONGOLIA, 2016 MONGOLIA, ’72, ASHCRAFT, LINDA the country we’re visiting.” DHARAMSALA Stanford Travel/Study Nonprofit Org. Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center U.S. Postage 326 Galvez Street PAID Stanford, CA 94305-6105 Stanford Alumni (650) 725-1093 Association

FEATURING DHARAMSALA— HOME OF THE DALAI LAMA

September 6 to 22, 2017 STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY