a program of the stanford a lumni assoc iat ion

S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y

Exploring Temples and Mountain Hideaways of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh

August 10 to 25, 2011

Some of the most memorable journeys take place in undiscovered corners

of the world, where mega-resorts and bustling

tourist attractions are unheard of and the fulfillment

of adventure is equalled by a sense of wonder

and mystery. Such are the intriguing northern

Indian states of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh

in the shadow of the great Himalayas, where we

find windswept monasteries and temples, ancient

villages and stately colonial homes. Limited to just

24 participants, this unique program sold out quickly

the first time we offered it in 2008, so I encourage

you to sign up soon.

BRE T T S. THOMPSON, ’83, D IRECTOR, STANFORD TR AVEL /STUDY

HighlightsE X P L O R E Leh, capital of Ladakh, with its Bud-dhist monasteries and mixed population of ethnic groups.

M E E T the residents of Dharamsala, current home of the Dalai Lama and his Tibetan government-in-exile.

R E L A X in a luxurious mountain retreat near Shimla, built in the former residence of British military leader Lord Kitchener.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, AUGUST 10 & 11DEPART U.S. / DELHI, INDIA

Depart from home on overnight flights to Delhi, connecting through Europe or flying directly to India. Arrive late Thursday night or early Friday morning and transfer to our hotel. TAJ PALACE HOTEL

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12DELHI

Take time this morning to rest from our long flight, then join an optional exploration of Delhi in the afternoon. Possible excursions include the Red Fort, built by the same emperor who built the Taj Mahal and surrounded by shops and colorful bazaars, or Humayun’s Tomb and the Qutub Minar, one of the most exquisite towers of the Persian world. This evening join fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner in our hotel. TAJ PALACE HOTEL (B,L,D)

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 & 14DELHI / LEH

Depart Delhi on an early-morning flight to Leh and spend

the next two days exploring the sights in and around this captivating city, the capital of Ladakh and once a major stop on the Silk Road. Observe its fascinating mix of Buddhist temples and mosques set beside the crumbling edifice of Leh Palace. Visit the 15th-century Thikse Monastery, perched dramatically on a hilltop with a panoramic view of the fertile Indus Valley. Continue to the 17th-century monastery of Hemis, tucked into a mountainous valley and where the largest thangka (Buddhist scroll-painting) in Ladakh is unfurled every 12 years. GRAND DRAGON LADAKH HOTEL (B,L,D – BOTH DAYS)

MONDAY, AUGUST 15LEH / ALCHI

Drive along the Indus Valley and admire spectacular scenery en route to the remote village of Alchi, famous for being the site of the oldest-surviving monastery in the Himalayas. Visit the monastery and view its splendid murals, painted by Kashmiri artists in the 10th and 11th centuries. ALCHI RESORT

(B,L,D)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16ALCHI / LAMAYURU / LEH

Return to Leh, stopping along the way to visit the monastery of Lamayuru, founded in the 11th century and today home to some 150 resident monks, making it the most-populated monastery in Ladakh. With its scenic backdrop of windswept high desert, Lamayuru is a stunning testament to the endurance of its faithful builders and residents. GRAND DRAGON LADAKH HOTEL (B,L,D)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17LEH / DHARAMSALA / PALAMPUR

Fly from Leh (via Delhi) to Dharmasala in Himachal Pradesh, formerly a powerful capital and famed for its mountain scenery. Upon arrival transfer to Palampur and enjoy lunch and the afternoon at leisure in our stately hotel, still in the hands of the royal family of Jammu and Kashmir. TARAGARH PALACE (B,L,D)

THURSDAY & FRIDAY, AUGUST 18 & 19DHARAMSALA / PALAMPUR

Enjoy two full days in Dharamsala, the current home of the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetan Buddhist

Itinerary

Leh

Shimla

Delhi

DharamsalaPalampur

CHINAPAKISTAN

I N D I A

HIMACHALPRADESH

UTTARPRADESH

RAJASTHAN

JAMMU ANDKASHMIR

TIBET

LADAKH

to Bagdogra

I N D I A

BagdograDelhi

Darjeeling

followers who sought refuge here in 1960 following their exile from Tibet. Visit Upper Dharamsala, known as McLeod Ganj or “Little Lhasa,” explore the Dalai Lama’s temple, Tsuglagkhang, and tour the offices of the Tibetan government-in-exile, including the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. Visit St. John’s Anglican Church and Tse-Chok Ling Monastery, as well as Dolma Ling Nunnery and the Norbulingka Institute whose mission is to preserve the artistic and cultural traditions of ancient Tibet. TARAGARH PALACE (B,L,D – BOTH DAYS)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20PALAMPUR / ANDRETTA / PRAGPUR

Depart this morning for Pragpur, stopping along the way in the small town of Andretta, home of the famed Punjab artist Sardar Sobha Singh, and admire crafts at a local market. Arrive in Pragpur and explore the first of India’s heritage villages with its intriguing mix of medieval homes and Italianate buildings that still line Pragpur’s cobblestoned streets. JUDGES COURT (B,L,D)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21PRAGPUR / SHIMLA

Depart this morning for our full-day drive to Shimla, arriving in the late afternoon and checking in to our luxury spa-hotel, once the residence of Great Britain’s commander of British troops in India in the early 1900s, Lord Kitchener. OBEROI WILDFLOWER HALL (B,L,D)

MONDAY & TUESDAY, AUGUST 22 & 23SHIMLA

Once an important British hill station and the summer capital of the British Raj, Shimla retains many monuments from its colonial era. Spend a full day exploring the sights of the city, including Shimla Mall Road with its row of English country village-style shops; the 19th-century Christ Church; Gorton Castle; and the former Viceroy Lodge on Observatory Hill. On our second day, relax and enjoy the amenities of our spa-resort. Those with more energy can choose from among various hikes in the hills surrounding the hotel or a guided tour on horseback (at an additional cost). This evening gather with fellow travelers for a festive farewell reception and dinner at our hotel. OBEROI WILDFLOWER HALL (B,L,D – BOTH DAYS)

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, AUGUST 24 & 25SHIMLA / DELHI / U.S.

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for our return flight to Delhi. Check in to dayrooms and enjoy a final, informal dinner before returning to the airport for late-evening flights to the U.S., arriving back home on Thursday. RADISSON HOTEL DELHI – DAYROOMS (8/24: B,L,D)

Optional Post-Trip Extension toDarjeelingAUGUST 25 TO 29, 2011 (4 ADDIT IONAL DAYS)

Fly from Delhi to Bagdogra and spend two days in Darjeeling. Take an optional sunrise excursion to vista points with breathtaking views of the Himalayas, visit Buddhist monasteries and ride a portion of the famed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, nicknamed the “Toy Train,” which still utilizes steam locomotives to transport passengers to Darjeeling. Details and a reservation form will be sent to confirmed participants.

Leh

Shimla

Delhi

DharamsalaPalampur

CHINAPAKISTAN

I N D I A

HIMACHALPRADESH

UTTARPRADESH

RAJASTHAN

JAMMU ANDKASHMIR

TIBET

LADAKH

to Bagdogra

I N D I A

BagdograDelhi

Darjeeling

D A T E SAugust 10 to 25, 2011 (16 days)

S I Z ELimited to 24 participants

C O S T *$8,795 per person, double occupancy$10,945 per person, single occupancy*Association nonmembers add $200 per person

I N C L U D E D13 nights of best-available hotel accommodations, plus use of dayrooms (until 10:00 p.m.) in Delhi on August 24 13 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 13 dinners Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions Bottled water on all excursions Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers for all group activities All tours, excursions and transportation as described in the itinerary, including internal flights within India Airport transfers and baggage handling for all participants arriving into or departing from Delhi Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educational program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, including recommended reading list, a selected book, map and travel information Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program

N O T I N C L U D E DInternational and U.S. domestic airfare Passport and visa fees Immunization costs Meals and beverages other than those specified as included Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges Personal items such as email, telephone and

fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services

W H A T T O E X P E C TWe consider this to be a fairly strenuous program that is at times demanding and busy. Travel in the Himalayas puts us at high altitudes, from approximately 5,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level. Daily programs involve several early-morning departures, and typical excursions involve one to three miles of walking, often on uneven terrain such as temples and ruins, where elevators are unavailable and stairs do not have handrails. During our Seminar we travel between destinations by vans, four-wheel-drive Jeeps and commercial aircraft. Roads in India, particularly in the mountainous Himalayas, are narrow and often unpaved or undergoing repair, and our journey at times requires long travel days (up to 6 or 7 hours on a few days). The hotels we use are the best-available; all are clean, safe and comfortable, but a few are considered quite basic by Western standards. The hotel in Alchi, where we spend one night, does not provide hot water in rooms, and electricity is powered by a generator. Participants must be physically fit and in active good health. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program.

Information

Deposit & Final PaymentA $1,000-per-person deposit is required to hold space for India’s Himalayan States. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure.

Cancellations & RefundsDeposits and any payments are fully refundable, less a $500-per-person cancellation fee, until 120 days prior to departure. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and your place(s) can be resold, in which case a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee will apply. We recommend trip-cancellation insurance; applications will be sent to you.

InsuranceStanford Travel/Study provides all travelers who are U.S. or Canadian citizens with minimal medical, accident and evacuation coverage under our group-travel insurance policy. Our group policy is intended to provide minimal levels of protection while you are traveling on this program. We strongly recom-mend that you subscribe to optional baggage and trip-cancellation insurance. A brochure offering such insurance will be mailed with your confirmation about one week after we receive your deposit. The product offered in this brochure includes a special Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions and coverage for Financial Insolvency and Terrorist

Acts if you postmark your insurance payment within 15 days of the date listed on the confirmation letter.

EligibilityWe encourage membership in the Alumni Association as the program cost for nonmembers is $200 more than the members’ price. Parents and their children under 21 may travel on one membership. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit www.stanfordalumni.org/member-ship or call (650) 725-0692.

ResponsibilityThe Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University and our operators act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and exercise every care possible in doing so. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any automobile, motorcoach, launch or any other conveyance used in carrying out this program or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the program. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, force majeure or other causes beyond our control.

All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations to this published itinerary as may be deemed necessary. The right is reserved to cancel any program prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the program. No refund will be made for an unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that passengers are not onboard their plane or conveyance. Neither the Alumni Association, Stanford University nor our operators accept liability for any carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket in connection with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect in December 2010 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability.

© COPYRIGHT 2010 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PHOTOS: NORM ROBINSONPRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S.

Terms & Conditions

TEL (650) 725-1093 FAX (650) 725-8675 EMAIL TRAVELSTUDY@STANFORDALUMNI.ORG

California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50

MR. / MRS. / MS.MISS / DR. / PROF.

MR. / MRS. / MS.MISS / DR. / PROF.

ADDRESS

CITY / STATE / ZIP

PHONE

EMAIL ADDRESS

I/We have read the Terms and Conditions for the program and agree to them.

SIGNATURE

If this is a reservation for one person, please indicate: I wish to have single accommodations.

OR I plan to share accommodations with: _____________________________________________OR I’d like to know about possible roommates.

Here is my deposit of $________ ($1,000 per person) for _____ space(s).

Enclosed is my check (payable to Stanford Alumni Association) OR

Charge my deposit to my: Visa MasterCard American Express

CARD #

EXPIRATION DATE

CARDHOLDER SIGNATURE DATE

Mail completed form to address on mail panel or fax to (650) 725-8675 or place your deposit online at alumni.stanford.edu/trip?himalaya2011. Please submit your reservation only once to avoid multiple charges to your account. 7185

KEILA MACKIE DIEHL, ’85, is the managing editor of Cross-Currents: East Asian History and Culture Review at the Institute of East Asian Studies at UC-Berkeley and the former vice chair of Cal’s Center for Buddhist Studies. Prior to arriving at Cal, she was a post-doctoral fellow and lecturer at her alma mater, Stanford University, where she taught courses in anthropology, religious studies and music on such topics as Tibetan ritual life, Tibetan Buddhism, pilgrimage and ritual music. She has also served as a researcher, course coordinator and lecturer for the Tibetan Studies Initiative, the Center for South Asia and the Asian Religions and Cultures programs, all at Stanford. Dr. Diehl has conducted research in India, Nepal and Tibet and is the author of Echoes from Dharamsala: Music in the Life of a Tibetan Refugee Community (UC Press, 2002), an ethnography based on her doctoral work at the University of Texas-Austin.

“Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh have been the settings for complex economic and political encounters for centuries,” explains Dr. Diehl. “The influences of the Silk Road trade, Tibetan Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and the public and private worlds of the British Raj are all integrated into the unique cultures of these regions today.” This will be her second Travel/Study program, after leading our Lands of the Himalaya seminar in 2010.

Faculty Leader

“The juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern in these exquisite mountainous landscapes is endlessly fascinating to me as an anthropologist.”KEILA D IEHL , ’85

Reservation Form India’s Himalayan States

S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y

CELL / WORK / HOME

NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS

NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS

SIGN UP

ONLINE!

Sta

nfor

d Tr

avel

/Stu

dy

Fran

ces

C. A

rrilla

ga A

lum

ni C

ente

r32

6 G

alve

z S

treet

Sta

nfor

d, C

A 9

43

05

-610

5(6

50)

725

-10

93

Non

pro

fit O

rg.

U.S

. Pos

tage

P A

I D

Sta

nfor

d A

lum

ni

Ass

ocia

tion

Ex

plo

rin

g T

em

ples

an

d

Mo

un

ta

in H

ide

aw

ay

s o

f L

ad

ak

h a

nd

Him

ac

ha

l P

ra

desh

Au

gu

st

10

to

25

, 2

011

“This trip showed me a side of India rarely seen in the news or even in travel literature: the pastoral countryside of small villages and incredibly

diverse beauty. Much to my own surprise, I came home loving India.” K A R E N P I R N I E , ’ 6 8 , L A D A K H A N D P R I N C E LY S TAT E S S U I T C A S E S E M I N A R , 2 0 0 8

S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y