IndiaJanuary 13 – 26, 2016 with Dr. Valery Efimenko

Our trip will take you to India, the most amazing country in Asia. A place to enchant your feelings, to enrich your knowledge, and to stir your soul.

India is one of the oldest world civilizations with a kaleidoscopic variety of languages, powerful spiritual traditions, fairly unusual customs, colorful arts and incredible architectural masterpieces. The itinerary covers all historical periods Ancient, Medieval, Colonial and Modern. We will explore such jewels on the map of historical India as New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri, Orchha, Khajuraho, Sarnath, and Varanasi.

Most important museums, temples and palaces will open their doors to us. Special attention will be given to the religious traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Islam. Traditional Hindu and Buddhist aesthetics will be explained before and during our journey. We will see colourful folk and classical dance performances. The national cuisine will be tasted and a great variety of stylish handicrafts explored.

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OrientationThe orientation course will consist of one Monday evening, January 4 and one Wednesday evening, January 6 from 7 – 9:30, and one Saturday, Janu-ary 9 from 9:30 am – 3:30pm, at the University of Calgary campus. The class will provide an introduction to the history and cultural developments of Indian society. The itinerary, travel arrangements, health matters and insurance coverage will be discussed in detail.

ItineraryThree meals daily are included throughout this trip.

JAN 13 – 14 Depart Calgary for New Delhi.

JAN 15 We begin with a full-day visiting New Delhi visiting the famous India Gate, a drive on the Rajpath (the King’s Way) towards the House of Parliament and President’s Residence, visiting the National Museum, the Humayun’s Tomb, and the Bahai Temple, known as the Lotus Temple.

JAN 16 Today we explore Old Delhi, starting with the Red Fort Complex, named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone, which is considered to be the acme of Mughal architectural creativity. Then we take a Rickshaw ride passing through the narrow lanes of old city of Delhi to have a bazaar experience at Chandni Chowk, the street of silver and goldsmiths. Next we visit the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Additonal important places are the cremation sites of great Indian leaders Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Indira Gandhi as well as the Connaught Place, one of the largest commercial and business centres.

JAN 17 After breakfast we visit Qutub Minar complex built in the early 13th century with important sites of Indian and Islamic architecture, like the red sandstone tower of Qutub Minar, the legendary Iron Pillar, which stood for millennia without rusting, and several other monuments including the Mehrauli Archeological Park and the Lodhi Gardens.

JAN 18 We drive 270 kms to Jaipur popularly known as the Pink city, because it was built of pink stucco to imitate sandstone. Visit the majestic City Palace and museum, which houses a rare collection of Indian art. Jaipur is world famous for gem stones cutting and polishing and we will visit a local Gem Factory here.

JAN 19 Morning travel to the Amber Fort located 11 km north of Jaipur, with a stop enroute at the world famous Hawa Mahal, or “Palace of Winds,” built in 1799. The Amber Fort and the Royal Palace with such attractions as the Hall of Mirrors, are dis-tinguished examples of 17th century Rajput architecture. We return to Jaipur and visit Jantar Mantar (“Magical Device”), an astronomical observatory built by a local ruler in the early 18th century. We will visit some of the local workshops showing the art of carpet weaving and block printing. Jaipur is also known for brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. Traditional Rajasthani dances will be held at dinner this evening.

JAN 20 After breakfast, we travel to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is a perfectly preserved red sandstone “ghost town,” which was built by Mughal emperor Akbar and was the imperial capital for fifteen years, but deserted due to the lack of water supply. The main structures include the Jama Masjid Mosque, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, and the Panch Mahal (Palace of Five Storeys). Then we drive to Agra for the next two nights.

JAN 21 At sunrise we tour the splendid architectural jewels of the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Norhwest of the Taj Mahal famed as a masterpiece of design and construction is Agra Fort, known as the Red Fort built by Emperor Akbar in 1565. The great Mughal Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb governed the country from here. There are many wonderful places within the fort such as the halls of public and private audiences, geometrically arranged gardens, beautiful pavilions, harems and mosques. Evening is free to explore the rich handicrafts of Agra.

JAN 22 We transfer to the railway station to board a train to Jhansi (221 km) and a drive from Jhansi to the medieval town of Orchha, famous for its palaces and temples built in the 17th and 18th century. A special attraction of the area is the marvelous murals of the Bundela School of painting. After lunch in Orchha we will continue our drive to Khajuraho.

JAN 23 Khajuraho is a village in Madhya Pradesh, about 620 kilometres southeast of Delhi. Originally there was the capital of the Chandela Rajputs, a dynasty that ruled this part of India from the 10th to the 12th centuries. There is a large group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, richly carved with excellent sculptures that are frequently sensual and, at times, sexually explicit. The temples are decorated sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art and have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

JAN 24 Today we fly to Varanasi, the most sacred city of India and the oldest living city in the world. Thousands of pilgrims come to bathe and worship in the river at the first light of dawn. Life in the city of Varanasi revolves around the over 84 Ghats, a special type of river landing stairs, used for ablutions and cremations. Visit Hindu temples and the Aurangzeb’s Mosque. In the evening we go to the banks of the Ganges to witness the devotional ceremony of Aarti performed by devout Hindus.

JAN 25 In the early morning sunrise we cruise on the River Ganges — a serene experi-ence — watching scores of pilgrims and priests fill the riverbanks bathing in the holy waters and performing various rituals. After breakfast we explore Sarnath, one of the major Buddhist centers of India, the site of Lord Buddha’s first sermon after attaining enlightenment.

JAN 26 This morning we fly back to New Delhi and overnight there before returning to Calgary.

Accompanying Resource PersonDr. Valery Efimenko graduated from the Oriental Department of St. Peters-burg State University. For over thirty years, his academic interests were focused on East Indian studies and most of his publications are related to Indian culture, philosophy, and religion. Many years he taught at the Institute of Social Sciences in Moscow and the Moscow University Touro, the first American university in Russia teaching courses in History of Eastern Philosophy, Indian Cultural Traditions, and Comparative Religion. He lived in India and has widely traveled the Indian subcontinent. In 1990 – 1991 he was an exchange professor in Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Since 2004 he has been teaching for Continuing Education at the University of Calgary. His most popular courses are Comparative Religion and Introduc-tion to Indian Culture. He has led a number of study tours with Continuing Education including trips to India, Nepal, Tibet, Central Asia, and Russia.

CostAirfare $2,800Land, tuition and other costs $6,600GST $75TOTAL $9,475Single supplement $1,900

Cost includes: Tuition and orientation course, airfare, accommodation, trans-fers, all surface travel, and meals as listed in the itinerary. A deposit of $500 is required with the registration form. There is a $200 withdrawal fee prior to the final payment date. Final payment is due on June 10, 2015. Please see the Refund Policy section for withdrawal/refund procedures and liabilities. Fees are based on the information available at the time of print and are subject to change to reflect any changes in currency rates, airfares, or land costs. There are possibilities of decreases or increases, and any changes will be reflected on the final payment and passed on to the participant. All fees are based on double occupancy.

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FeesCost includes: tuition, orientation course, airfare, accommodation, transfers, all surface travel, and meals as listed in the itinerary. A deposit is required with the registration form. There is a withdrawal fee prior to the final pay-ment date. Fees are based on the information available at the time of print and are subject to change to reflect any changes in currency rates, airfares, or land costs. There are possibilities of decreases or increases, and any changes will be reflected on the final payment and passed on to the partici-pant. All fees are based on double occupancy. Fees in all programs exclude airport taxes, passport and visa fees, luggage, cancellation, medical and other personal insurance, gratuities for local guides, wine, liquors, and other items not specifically mentioned as included and other personal services.

Single SupplementThe single supplement fee is listed in each program description. Every effort is made to find a suitable roommate for those who wish to share, however, if this is not possible, a single supplement charge will be applied.

InsuranceWe highly recommend cancellation and medical insurance. Information will be sent out at the time of final payment.

Liability and ResponsibilityUniversity of Calgary and its travel agents will exercise all reasonable care in making arrangements for conducting the tour. They are, however, acting only in the capacity of an agent and do not assume liability for any damage to persons or property resulting from or arising out of any act or inadvertence of any hotel, carrier, restaurant, or other company or persons rendering any of the services included in the tour or for any damage caused by other factors beyond their control. The passage contract in use by the airlines concerned when issued shall constitute the sole contract between

the airlines and passengers. All prices are based on current international exchange rates and airfare prices at the time of planning the tours, and are subject to change. In the event that it becomes necessary or advis-able to alter the itinerary or arrangements for any reason whatsoever, such alterations may be made. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants; conversely refunds will be made to participants if any savings are affected thereby. The right is reserved to decline, accept, or retain any participant or tour member at any time.

Refund PolicyPlease call 403-220-5052 or write to Lois Kokoski at the address on this page. Up to the final payment date, a cancellation fee of $200 will apply. After the final payment date, the amount of refund will depend on the amount recoverable from the tour operators. We highly recommend insur-ance.

RegistrationPlease complete the registration form on the back cover and mail it with your deposit.

Contact InformationLois Kokoski, Program Director Educational Travel Study Program Phone 403.220.5052 Fax 403.284.9242 kokoski@ucalgary.ca conted.ucalgary.ca/travelprograms

Educational Travel Study Program U of C Continuing Education Education Tower 1120 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB T2N 1N4

Travel with us in 2015...

Do you love to learn? Do you love to travel? You can experience both with U of C Continuing Education! Every year, University of Calgary Continuing Education, in association with other U of C academic departments, offers you a series of amazing travel programs. The educational component that is part of every program is what sets these trips apart from any other holiday you will ever take.

Travel worry-free, knowing a Continuing Education travel program coordinator has handled all of the logistics. You will be guided throughout the program by an expert resource person — someone who has a passion for your destination.

All of the travel programs begin with orientation classes in Calgary.

Everyone is welcome in the University of Calgary Educational Travel Study Program, where every trip is the trip of a lifetime!

Lois Kokoski, Program Director, Travel Study

Lois has traveled to over 90 countries and has been involved with the U of C Educational Travel Study Program for 24 years. In this time she has coordinated hundreds of trips and has taken many groups abroad.

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE...

University of Calgary Continuing EducationTravel Study ProgramEducation Tower 11202500 University Drive NWCalgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4

Fax: 403.284.9242

Choose your adventure:■ Yellowknife: Aurora Borealis at Its Best March 14 – 19, 2015 TRA 152-004

■ Normandy and LoireApril 13 – 26, 2015 TRA 171-001

■ New Orleans Jazz FestivalApril 27 – May 4, 2015 TRA 142-002

■ Roman and Medieval Provence: An Historical Journey May 14 – 29, 2015 TRA 121-002

■ Art and Culture: VeniceJune 6 – 17, 2015 TRA 172-001

■ Wild Brazil: Pantanal Wetlands & Iguazú FallsJune 15 – 27, 2015 TRA 132-002

■ Ancient Peru TourJuly 1 – 17, 2015 TRA 173-001

■ Namibia: Deserts and WildlifeAugust 14 – September 1, 2015 TRA 135-002

■ Vienna, Wachau, Český Krumlov and Salzburg: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Heart of EuropeSeptember 8 – 25, 2015 TRA 174-001

■ The Great Bear Rainforest: Spirit Bears, Grizzlies and Ancient ForestsSeptember 16 – 22, 2015 TRA 175-001

■ IndiaJanuary 13 – 26, 2016 TRA 176-001

■ Galapagos: The Enchanted Islands and Amazon Basin Extension February 17 – March 2, 2016 TRA 159-003

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