STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY THE Ganges EXPLORING INDIA’S HOLIEST RIVER January 9 to 25, 2014 a program of the stanford alumni association STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY The majestic Ganges River, which begins in the snows of the lofty Himalayas, plays a vital role in Indian life as it crosses the plains on its way to the Bay of Bengal. Our cruise aboard the RV Bengal Ganga takes us on an 800-mile journey upon its waters. From the capital city of Delhi we fly to noisy, bustling Varanasi for a visit to India’s holiest city before we board our river vessel to sail to Victorian Kolkata. As we navigate the river, we observe Hindu culture, colonial architecture, Muslim monuments and Buddhist temples and learn about the traditional agricultural life of the unspoiled countryside. From the ship’s observation deck, watch exotic birds in flight, water buffaloes along the shore and freshwater dolphins at play. Join us to witness the daily rituals of farming, fishing and village life along India’s most sacred river. Brett S. THOMPson, ’83, DireCtor, Stanford Travel/Study Highlights WATCH freshwater LEARN about the yogic VISIT the sacred temples RIDE in a rickshaw dolphins frolic near our tradition with a visit to the of Sarnath where Buddha through Varanasi’s colorful ship as we sail through Bihar School of Yoga, which is said to have delivered his street markets to the river’s West Bengal’s Vikramshila is located in the 15th-century first sermon after achieving crowded edge where we Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary. Munger Fort. enlightenment. witness the age-old Aarti ceremony. Delhi CHINA NEPAL T h e BHUTAN G a n g Simaria e s Varanasi Munger Nalanda Raj Mahal Farakka Bodhgaya Murshidabad Katwa Kalna I NDIA Kolkata Bay of Bhubaneswar Bengal Puri Konark market to the river to observe the earth with his right hand; stretch of the Ganges, take in the Itinerary the Aarti ceremony on one of the in this posture the Buddha is beautiful countryside, traditional ghats. TAJ GATEWAY GANGES (B,L,D) said to have attained supreme monuments and magnificent enlightenment. Drive by the Thai shrines, and observe the spirited THUrsday TO SatUrday, TUesday, JanUary 14 Temple, Wat Bodhgaya, built in culture. Cruise this evening JanUary 9 to 11 VARANASI / SARNATH 1956 by the Thai king and Indian toward Sultanganj, consisting of U.S. / DELHI, INDIA Enjoy an early-morning boat ride Depart the U.S. on Thursday prime minister as an initiative to two great rocks, one surmounted on the Ganges and watch the sun and lose a day crossing the strengthen relations between by a large temple, where our ship rise over the river. After breakfast international date line en route to the two countries. Also pass by docks for the night. BENGAL GANGA take an excursion to Sarnath, India. Arrive in Delhi on Saturday two Japanese temples, Daijokyo (B,L,D) where Gautama Buddha is said and this evening enjoy a welcome and Indosan Nipponji, each with to have delivered his first sermon reception and dinner at our hotel. simple designs and manicured SatUrday, JanUary 18 after receiving enlightenment. SULTANGANJ / TAJ MAHAL HOTEL (1/11: D) gardens. ROYAL RESIDENCY (B,L,D) Explore the ruins of monasteries BATESHWARSTHAN built more than 2,000 years This morning we cruise through SUnday, JanUary 12 THUrsday, JanUary 16 ago—the Dhamok Stupa and BODHGAYA / NALANDA / the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin DELHI Sanctuary, established for the Depart our hotel this morning for the Dharmaraji Ka Stupa. The SIMARIA / EMBARK RV BENGAL GANGA protection and conservation of a full day of sightseeing in Delhi, famous Ashoka Pillar of polished This morning drive from the Ganges River’s fresh-water the capital of modern India. In sandstone, whose lion capital has Bodhgaya to the famous dolphins. Watch these delightful Old Delhi, visit Humayan’s Tomb been adopted by the Republic of Nalanda University, one of the creatures as they cavort and and the Kubal Minar, and in New India as its state emblem, stands oldest seats of learning in India. frolic in the water. In this area Delhi view governmental buildings at Sarnath. Return to Varanasi for It has a rich spiritual heritage and take note of the astounding and the memorial to Mahatma a city tour, followed by a festive contains extraordinary ruins of variety of migratory and resident Gandhi. TAJ MAHAL HOTEL (B,L,D) dinner at the Raja Ghat, located structures built in the 5th century birds, otters and turtles. In the on the river’s edge. TAJ GATEWAY by the Gupta kings. Continue to afternoon, disembark and drive to Monday, JanUary 13 GANGES (B,L,D) Simaria, where we embark the the ruins of Vikramshila University, DELHI / VARANASI Bengal Ganga to begin our grand This morning fly from Delhi to Wednesday, JanUary 15 established in the 9th century adventure, sailing on the Ganges Varanasi, India’s holiest city and VARANASI / BODHGAYA and once an important center River toward Munger. BENGAL one of the most interesting cities Drive to Bodhgaya, where we of Buddhist learning. Visit its GANGA (B,L,D) in the eastern world. Situated on explore the Maha Bodhi Temple museum, which contains artifacts the left bank of the Ganges River, in the afternoon. The entire from the Pala dynasty. BENGAL Friday, JanUary 17 courtyard is studded with votive GANGA (B,L,D) the city is replete with religious MUNGER / SULTANGANJ stupas of all sizes that have buildings and ghats (riverbank This morning we visit the Bihar been built over the past 2,500 SUnday, JanUary 19 terraces) and home to many School of Yoga, which lies years. Inside the temple’s main BATESHWARSTHAN / fairs and festivals throughout within the 15th-century Munger RAJ MAHAL sanctum, view the colossal black the year. In the afternoon, join Fort. Interact with teachers As we enter and explore the stone statue of the Buddha in a cyclo-rickshaw caravan for a and students to learn about Bateshwarsthan area, rich in bird sitting posture and touching ride through the colorful open-air the yogic tradition. Along this life, look for large flocks of water CAPTION birds, including the common Continue on to the lovely miniature THUrsday, JanUary 23 Optional Post-trip crane. In Raj Mahal, founded by temples of Baranagar and KALNA / KOLKATA Emperor Akbar as the capital of Jangipur. The temple complex, Sail from Kalna to Kolkata on Extension to Orissa Bengal in 1592, stroll through the constructed from 1714 to 1793 our last day of river travel. Many JanUary 25 to 28 site and explore ruins of palaces by Rani Bhabani, is considered Europeans came to this part of Located on India’s north- and mosques. BENGAL GANGA to be among the best examples India to establish their East Indian eastern coast along the (B,L,D) of Bengal terra cotta art. BENGAL companies, leaving their mark in Bay of Bengal, Orissa, now GANGA (B,L,D) the architecture of the area. Stop Monday, JanUary 20 for a look at Chandannagar, which called Odisha, is a region RAJ MAHAL / FARAkkA TUesday, JanUary 21 was a French colony until 1950 of ancient monuments, This morning join a walk through MuRSHIDABAD / KATWA and has a charming 18th-century master craftspeople and the countryside with our naturalist, The vast Hazarduari Palace, church. This evening we reach artists, wildlife sanctuaries looking for many species of birds. built by an English architect in the outskirts of Kolkata, where and stunning landscapes. Back onboard our river vessel, 1837, dominates the waterfront our ship moors overnight. Tonight The extension includes three cross the historic Farakka Lock at Murshidabad. Explore this enjoy our farewell reception and nights’ accommodations at the Gate and enter the Feeder Canal, impressive site and, inside dinner. BENGAL GANGA (B,L,D) Trident Oberoi in Bhubaneswar where we join the Bhagirathi River, the palace, view its extensive and a visit to the Sun Temple, a long distributary of the Ganges collection of paintings, china, Friday & SatUrday, a World Heritage site. in West Bengal and where we weapons and other objects. JanUary 24 & 25 begin the most spectacular Continue cruising down the river KOLKATA / U.S. Additional details and rates will Disembark our river vessel in portion of our journey as we and observe the various activities be sent to confirmed participants. Kolkata on Friday morning for an approach the “Mother Ganga” ashore as we pass by villages and orientation tour of the colonial part River. Here, watch for more farms. Anchor overnight at Katwa. of this large and important city, varieties of birdlife, as well as BENGAL GANGA (B,L,D) once the capital of British India more tropical vegetation, such by the name of Calcutta. Our tour as mango and lichee orchards. Wednesday, JanUary 22 includes the Writer’s Building, Upon entering West Bengal note KATWA / KALNA / MATIARI built for the administrative staff of the dramatic change in scenery as Sail past Mayapur, a religious town the British East India Company. the landscape becomes lush and whose skyline is now dominated Continue to the General Post semitropical. Vast and impressive by the vast new ISKCON temple. Office; the Race Course, panoramas unfold as the Ganges The temple is the headquarters which hosts the country’s most expands to a width of 1-1/4 miles. of the Krishna Consciousness prestigious racing events; Raj Here the river hums with the Movement, which was founded Bhavan, once the seat of British activity of fishermen and country in the 16th century. At Kalna, imperial power; and Dalhousie boats. Enjoy excursions ashore tour by cycle-rickshaw through Square.