SoutH to SerendiB Southern India and Sri Lanka aboard Island Sky March 24–April 7, 2017 SoutHern indiA And Sri lAnkA aboard island Sky March 24–April 7, 2017 • (14 nights/15 days) The scenic backwaters of Kerala (cover), the serene elephant herd protected at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (above), and the spice-infused curries of South Indian cuisine (left) all contribute to making this exploration of Southern India and Sri Lanka an unforgettable experience. CruiSe ABoArd tHe All- And then there’s Serendib, known today Suite iSlAnd Sky to three as Sri Lanka and the inspiration behind of India’s southern states the word “serendipity.” From the ruins of and Sri Lanka, a little gem of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa to an island once known as Bundala National Park, a UNESCO Man Serendib. During this and Biosphere Reserve, and the Temple 11-night voyage, visit of the Tooth, which houses one of stunning rock-cut shore Buddhism’s most sacred relics, Sri temples, a landmark Lanka offers much that is both museum with a Gothic roof unexpected and fascinating. and minarets, a tiny tile- An optional pre-cruise extension to the floored synagogue, a center massive and wildly colorful Temple of for innovative agriculture, the imposing the Fish-Eyed Goddess in Madurai and Basilica of Bom Jesus, and the lush an optional post-cruise extension to backwaters of Kerala. Also enjoy an the incredible rock-hewn caves of exciting, colorful performance of Ajanta and Ellora are available to round Kathakali, a stylized classical Indian out this exotic experience. dance-drama, and sample Southern India’s distinctive cuisine. to Book A trip call 800-422-1636 or ViSit AluMni.HArvard.edu/travel HArvard Study leAder Why As this brochure goes to print, we have not yet confirmed the faculty study leader for this program. We intend, however, that you will be travel joined by a Harvard lecturer who will enhance your travel experience. You will discover that our lecturers are not only first-rate scholars and teachers but also friendly traveling companions, eager to share With their insights through conversation as well as in scheduled presentations. the HAA? AdditionAl Study leAder • Expert Harvard faculty Michael Golay, a professor in the Nuclear Science and Engineering and study leaders Department at MIT, will also lecture during this program, on the dominating roles of rapidly developing countries in driving global climate change, and their policies for using energy technologies that • Over 80 destinations do not emit greenhouse gases. on all 7 continents • Choice of land & rail, Marvel at cruises, rivers & lakes, Mamallapuram’s shore and family adventures temples (below), a highlight of the Group of Monuments at • Travel with fellow Mahabalipuram and a UNESCO World Harvard alumni Heritage site. (Left) Tufted gray langurs are • Local culture, history, at home in Bundala National Park. (Back and cuisine at each stop cover) Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India was built to commemorate • Relationships that last the visit of King George beyond your itinerary V and Queen Mary to the city then known as Bombay in 1911. For detAiled itinerArieS ViSit ALUMni.HArVArd.edu/trAVel SCHedule By Day Included meals are designated as B=breakfast, L=lunch, R=reception, D=dinner Enjoy visiting a variety of destinations that are a feast for the eyes: the Dutch-influenced architecture of Galle fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site (above, left); the bold designs of Kathakali dance costumes (above, center); and the candy-store colors of the Temple of the Tooth (above, right). Friday–saturday, March 24–25 2005. Park residents also include of Padmanabhaswamy Temple, an Home / Chennai, india Asian elephants, langurs, jackal, intricate fusion of indigenous Kerala Depart home on an overnight flight to leopards, mongooses, wild boars, and and Dravidian styles, and visit the Chennai. Upon arrival, transfer to the spotted deer. Island Sky (B,L,D) Puthenmalika Palace, renowned for hotel for check-in. Taj Coromandel the 122 horses carved into wooden thursday, March 30 wall brackets. Also explore the Napier sunday, March 26 Galle Museum, which houses a rare collection Chennai Delve into Galle’s colonial past at the of archaeological and historic artifacts, Today visit Mamallapuram, home Galle Fort, built by the Portuguese bronze idols, ancient ornaments, ivory to the Group of Monuments at in 1588 and extensively fortified carvings, and a temple chariot. Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World by the Dutch in the 17th century. Island Sky (B,L,D) Heritage site. Picturesquely situated A UNESCO World Heritage site, between beach and lagoon are the fort resembles a walled town sunday, april 2 chariot-shaped temples, cave complete with a rectangular grid of kochi sanctuaries, giant open-air rock streets, Dutch colonial-style houses Kochi, an important spice trading center reliefs, and the Shore Temple, adorned with gables and verandas, on the west coast of India as early as the embellished with thousands of historic churches and mosques, 14th century, is still an active port. Visit sculptures dedicated to Shiva. and commercial and government the Portuguese/Dutch Mattancherry Return to Chennai for embarkation. buildings. Island Sky (B,L,D) Palace, which has a series of remarkable Island Sky (B,L,D) murals painted on its wooden walls. Friday, March 31 Cruise through the “backwaters,” a Monday, March 27 Colombo network of canals, lakes, and lagoons, At Sea Dock in Colombo and explore the city on a traditional houseboat for a peek Enjoy the onboard lecture program or take a full-day trip to Kandy, the at traditional, rural lifestyles. In the as Island Sky cruises to Sri Lanka. last capital of the ancient kings of evening, enjoy a spellbinding Kathakali Island Sky (B,L,D) Sri Lanka. Kandy has UNESCO World dance performance on board. Heritage designation as the site of Island Sky (B,L,D) tuesday, March 28 the Temple of the Tooth, where one trincomalee, Sri lanka of Buddhism’s most sacred relics is Monday, april 3 Explore the 12th-century ruins of what housed. En route to the temple, visit kochi was once Sri Lanka’s magnificent the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, The graceful, cantilevered Chinese medieval walled capital Polonnaruwa, where the largest herd of captive fishing nets along the shoreline of Kochi a UNESCO World Heritage site. Asian elephants in the world is are the legacy of a centuries-old fishing Island Sky (B,L,D) nurtured and protected. custom now more dependent on tourism Island Sky (B,L,D) than fish. Visit St. Francis Church, the Wednesday, March 29 oldest European church in India and Hambantota / saturday, april 1 the original resting place of Portuguese Bundala national park thiruvananthapuram, india explore Vasco da Gama, and the tiny Explore Bundala National Park, an In Thiruvananathpuram, a city of Paradesi Synagogue, with its hand- important wintering ground for pagoda-shaped buildings and narrow painted, blue-willow floor tiles. migratory water birds and a UNESCO winding lanes, view the exterior Island Sky (B,L,D) Man and Biosphere Reserve since For detAiled itinerArieS ViSit ALUMni.HArVArd.edu/trAVel SCHedule By Day Included meals are designated as B=breakfast, L=lunch, R=reception, D=dinner Mumbai BAY OF BENGAL MAHARASHTRA INDIA Cruise from Chennai Goa PANAJI Trincomalee Mangalore Chennai KARNATAKA Polunnarua TAMILNADU SRI LANKA Kochi KERALA Kandy Thiruvananathpuram Colombo INDIAN OCEAN Hambantota Bundala National Park Galle Enjoy visiting a variety of destinations that are a feast for the eyes: the Dutch-influenced architecture of Galle fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site (above, left); the bold designs of Kathakali dance costumes (above, center); and the candy-store colors of the Temple of the Tooth (above, right). detAilS Activity level: Moderate tuesday, april 4 Mangalore Group size: 93 guests Co-sponsors: MIT, Dartmouth, and Stanford At renowned Soans Farm, learn about its innovative agricultural techniques and wHAt to expeCt taste some of the produce grown here. These tropical climes are humid, with daytime highs ranging from the Continue to Moodabidri to see the 15th- mid 80s to the mid 90s F, and a slight chance of rain in Sri Lanka. The century thousand-pillared Jain temple, pace of this program is moderately active, with some early-morning and in Karkala marvel at the monolithic departures and long motorcoach drives (two-three hours), and walking statue of Bhagawan Bahubali. up to two miles at one or two sites, on occasion over uneven terrain, Island Sky (B,L,D) while ashore. Participants must be in good health and able to keep up Wednesday, april 5 with the group without assistance from tour staff. Participants with Goa medical issues and/or dietary restrictions must make them known to Goa was the capital of Portugal’s eastern us well before departure, and impairments regarding mobility must be empire for 400 years. In Old Goa, visit disclosed prior to booking. If you have any questions about the level of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO activity of this program or your ability to participate, please call HAA World Heritage site, which contains the Travels at 800-422-1636. silver casket of St. Francis Xavier. Also explore the State Archaeological Museum, optionAl pre-trip extenSion whose collections of portraits, wooden Madurai March 22–25, 2017 sculptures, architectural fragments, and The geographical and religious center of Madurai is a massive Hindu ephemera highlight the Portuguese period temple complex dedicated to Meenakshi, the “fish-eyed goddess.” in Goa. Island Sky (B,L,D) Its fourteen elongated pyramidal towers swarm with thousands of garishly colored figures of gods, demons, and animals, while inside thursday–Friday, april 6–7 priests perform rituals at multiple shrines, and worshipers seeking Mumbai / Home favors from the gods pay their respects.