Exclusive U-M Alumni Travel departure – January 23-February 8, 2022 Mystical India with Ranthambore Tiger Preserve 17 days for $5,687 total price from Detroit ($4,895 air & land inclusive plus $792 airline taxes and fees) Mystical and spiritual, chaotic and confounding, India overflows with riches. While staying at excellent hotels, we travel the classic Golden Triangle: bustling Delhi; Agra, home of the sublime Taj Mahal; and Jaipur, great city of the Rajput. We also search for elusive Bengals at Ranthambore Tiger Preserve, and absorb the holiness of Varanasi. NEPAL Delhi Kathmandu/ Nagarkot Agra Jaipur Varanasi Gadoli Ranthambore National Park INDIA Arabian Sea Destination Air Indian Ocean Motorcoach Extension (air) Entry/Departure On Day 12 we visit the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO site considered one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. Avg. High (°F) Jan Feb Delhi 70 75 Day 1: Depart U.S. for Delhi, India Day 5: Delhi/Jaipur Today we travel by coach to Agra 72 77 the “pink city” of Jaipur, one of the great cities of the Day 2: Arrive Delhi We arrive in India’s hyperactive Rajput, with historic forts, palaces, and gardens. We capital late evening and transfer to our hotel. reach our hotel late afternoon. B,L,D Your Small Group Tour Highlights After a morning at leisure followed by Our first stop is the stunning Hawa Tours of Old and New Delhi • Home-hosted dinner with Day 3: Delhi Day 6: Jaipur Jaipur family • Magnificent Taj Mahal • Two-night stay at a briefing about the journey ahead, we set out to dis- Mahal, the elaborately carved pink sandstone “Palace Ranthambore Tiger Preserve • Meena tribal home visit • cover Old Delhi. Our first stop is Qutb Minar, the of the Winds.” We continue on to Amber Fort, built “Pink City” of Jaipur • Holy city of Varanasi • Pilgrimage 379-step tower dating to 1192. We continue on to by the Kachhawah Rajputs as their capital from 1037 site of Sarnath temple and museum Gandhi Smriti, a museum dedicated to the Indian icon; to 1728; Jantar Mantar, the open-air observatory; and pass by India Gate, the majestic arch honoring and City Palace Museum, housing the magnificent Day Itinerary Hotel Rating the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died fighting along- art collections of the Maharajahs of Jaipur. B,L 1 Depart U.S. for Delhi side the British in World War I. Late this afternoon 2-4 Delhi Taj Palace, New Delhi Deluxe we return to our hotel, where tonight we enjoy a Day 7: Jaipur/Sanganer This morning we visit 5-7 Jaipur Jai Mahal Palace Deluxe welcome dinner together. B,D the village of Sanganer to see traditional block print- ing and handmade paper industries. Later we see 8-9 Ranthambore Vivanta Sawai First Class Madhopur Lodge Day 4: Delhi We encounter more of this pulsating local life up close as we explore an outdoor market. city today, beginning at Raj Ghat, the simple black Tonight we are dinner guests in the home of a multi- 10 Kalakho The Clement Not rated Village Retreat marble slab honoring Mahatma Gandhi. After stop- generational Rajasthan family. B,D 11-12 Agra Courtyard Sup. First ping for photos at Lal Qila, the Red Fort complex of Marriott Agra Class palaces, we visit a Sikh temple followed by lunch at a Day 8: Jaipur/Ranthambore We travel today to 13-15 Varanasi Taj Ganges, Varanasi Sup. First Class local restaurant. This afternoon’s sights include the Ranthambore National Park, the former hunt- red sandstone and marble Jama Masjid, India’s largest ing ground of the Maharajah of Jaipur and now a 16 Delhi Hotel Pullman Deluxe New Delhi Aerocity mosque; and the colorful Chandni Chowk market, 512-square-mile natural preserve that is home to 17 Depart Delhi for U.S. where we ride rickshaws. Then the remainder of the hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, mammals, Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel day is free for further exploration and dinner on our and of course, Bengal tigers. This afternoon we industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too own. B,L take our first game drive through the park. B,L,D small, too new, or too remote to be listed. 6 Visit us at alumni.umich.edu/travel B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D – Dinner Tour limited to 24 Alumni Association members and friends Day 9: Ranthambore We take both morning and I AM A WANDERER IN MY HEART.” afternoon game drives today to see not only game (though tiger and leopard sightings are not guaranteed), – RABINDRANATH TAGORE but also picturesque ruins of forts and palaces. B,L,D Day 14: Varanasi/Sarnath Before breakfast today, Day 10: Ranthambore/Kalakho We depart early for those who wish can join in a private yoga session. Then Kalakho, where we set out on a village walk to meet we visit nearby Sarnath, where the Buddha first taught local Meena tribespeople in their homes. Tonight we after achieving enlightenment. One of Buddhism’s enjoy a traditional folk dance performance. B,L,D four holiest sites, Sarnath draws pilgrims from the world over. We see some of the temples and stupas Day 11: Kalakho/Agra En route to Agra, we stop then tour Sarnath Museum, housing a superb col- in the ancient village of Abhaneri to see the fortified lection of Buddhist artifacts from excavations here. Chand Baori step well (c. 800 CE), whose 3,500 steps Late afternoon we attend a traditional aarti ceremony: descend some 13 stories into the ground. Continuing as we cruise along the Ganges, we watch as devout on, we reach the ancient Mughal stronghold of Agra, Hindus offer their lit lamps to the deities. B,D where this afternoon we visit Itimad-ud- Day 15: Varanasi Early this morning we return to Daulah, the two-story the Ganges where Hindu pilgrims perform their rituals marble “Baby Taj” along the ghats (steps) leading to the river. We visit that inspired the Taj several ghats by boat as we experience for ourselves Mahal. B,D the spiritual aura of the hallowed Ganges waters. Then we return to our hotel with time to rest before Day 12: Agra This this afternoon’s walking tour and private performance morning we visit the of classical sitar. Tonight we celebrate our journey at Taj Mahal, the mag- a farewell dinner at our hotel. B,D nificent tomb built by Emperor Shah Jahan Day 16: Varanasi/Delhi We fly this afternoon to in memory of his be- Delhi, where the evening is at leisure. B loved wife Mumtaz. Then we take an Day 17: Return to U.S. Very early this morning we Amber Fort, former Rajput capital Indian cuisine cooking transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S. At last count, Ranthambore boasted 71 Bengal tigers. lesson and enjoy the results for lunch. Later: imposing Agra Fort. B,L Tour Departs: January 23, 2022 Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees Day 13: Agra/Delhi/Varanasi We depart by coach this morning for Delhi, where we board a late after- Boston, New York $5,187 noon flight to Varanasi, Hinduism’s holiest city. B,L,D Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, $5,387 Post-Tour Extension San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, DC February 8-13, 2022 Atlanta, Baltimore, Nepal Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, $5,587 6 days/4 nights for $1,295 total price Minneapolis, Orlando, Single Supplement: $245 Philadelphia, Tampa Absorb the beauty of the Himalayan Denver, Detroit, kingdom – and the warmth of its people – on this $5,687 Phoenix, Portland (OR) special journey featuring sacred shrines, royal cities, and Land Only (transfers not included) $4,195 indigenous lifestyles. Nepal’s majestic Himalayas Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person Your Tour Price Includes Your Tour Price Includes based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $792, which are subject to change • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights • Round-trip air transportation Delhi/Kathmandu, inclusive of until final payment is made. airline taxes and fees within India Single travelers please add $1,495. Your $500 deposit is • 4 nights’ accommodations: 2 nights in Nagarkot at Club Hima- • 15 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All 2022 laya Nagarkot (Superior First Class); 2 nights in Kathmandu at First Class, and unrated hotels tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, Crowne Plaza Soaltee (Superior First Class); day room in Delhi • 32 meals: 14 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 10 dinners • 8 meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners and fees) are guaranteed. • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Extensive sightseeing, including Pashupatinath shrine (UNESCO site); Boudhanath monument; colorful Bhaktapur, • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: “City of Devotees;” Swayambhunath Temple; royal city of • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip $4,195 per person in addition to the above costs (upgrade Patan; and Kathmandu and environs • Luggage handling for one bag per person is subject to availability and pricing is subject to change). • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director • Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and Please note: This trip involves considerable walking, • Private motorcoach transportation hotel porters, and all drivers • Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, as well as some lengthy coach rides. You should be in and all drivers • $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next U-M/Odysseys good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.