Road Scholar : Home
Mystical Lands: The People and Culture of India and Nepal

Program Number: 18546RJ
Start and End Dates:
9/15/2013 - 10/1/2013; 10/6/2013 - 10/22/2013; 10/20/2013 - 11/5/2013; 11/3/2013 - 11/19/2013;
Duration: 16 nights
Location: India/Nepal
Price starting at: $3,877.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type:
Meals: 38; 14 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 13 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Colorful temples framed by skyscraping mountains. Ornate fortresses that stand as reminders of ancient kingdoms. Undisturbed countryside where a trip into town means a camelback ride through rolling emerald hills. Experience the timelessness of India and Nepal, where ever-present reminders of 9,000-year-old histories blend with the invigorating energy of today.




Highlights

• Watch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, the ultimate symbol of India, illuminating its white marble domes and spires in morning light.
• In Nepal, discover sacred temples including the ancient hilltop stupa of Swayambhunath, known for the holy monkeys that inhabit it.
• Break bread with a noble Indian family at Sankotra Haveli, a palace home.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to three miles per day. Elevations up to 5,000 feet. Often hot and humid weather.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Delhi (India), 3 nights; coach to Jaipur, 2 nights; coach to Kalakho, 1 night; coach to Agra, 2 nights; coach to Delhi; flight to Varanasi, 2 nights; flight to Kathmandu (Nepal), 4 nights; departure.



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Delhi (India)
3 nights

Visit Raj Ghat, the eternal flame memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, and Gandhi Smriti, his last home. Learn about modern India as you venture to the Sansad Bhavan (Parliament House) and the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace). Share lunch in the home of a family that represents the country’s new middle class.



Coach to Jaipur
2 nights

Visit Amber Fort, an imposing palace blending Hindu and Muslim architecture, and step inside to see its royal halls decorated with intricate ivory, mirrors, glasswork and paintings. Examine the enormous, amazingly accurate astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar.



Coach to Kalakho
1 night

Venture to serene Kalakho in the picturesque hills of Rajasthan. Embark on a camel safari to a rural village and interact with its residents. Enjoy an authentic folk dance and musical performance.



Coach to Agra
2 nights

Journey to Agra to stand in awe of the Taj Mahal, I'timâd-ud-Daulah's Tomb, often regarded as an architectural draft of the Taj, and Agra Fort, in reality a palatial city of ornately constructed and decorated structures. Learn the secret ingredients of Indian cuisine in an expert cooking demonstration.



Flight to Varanasi
2 nights

Witness the sacred religious Hindu rituals of “puja” and “arati” while taking a boat ride in the Ganges River in the holy city of Varanasi. Situated just outside of Varnasi, explore Sarnath, one of the four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha himself for pilgrimage.



Flight to Kathmandu (Nepal)
4 night
Overnight flight to the U.S.
1 night

Descend over snow-capped Himalayan peaks to arrive in Kathmandu, home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Meet the young students of Tribhuvan University, the oldest and largest university in Nepal. Step inside Pashupatinath temple, seat of Nepal’s national deity. Visit Patan’s Tibetan refugee camp, established by the International Red Cross. Venture to the ancient town of Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley and see its 55-window palace, intricately carved Golden Gate and the elaborate statues and terraces of its temples.
Accommodations
Delhi: Five-star hotel in the heart of the city. Jaipur: Four-star hotel with beautiful fountains and gardens. Kalakho: Lodge retreat set among golden wheat and mustard fields. Agra: Four-star hotel near the Amber Fort. Varanasi: Four-star hotel. Kathmandu: Comfortable hotel.
Meals and Lodgings
   The Suryaa New Delhi
  Delhi, India 3 nights
   Trident Hotel Jaipur
  Jaipur, India 2 nights
   Dera Village Retreat
  Kalakho, India 1 night
   Trident Hotel Agra
  Agra, India 2 nights
   Radisson Hotel Varanasi
  Varanasi, India 2 nights
   Hotel Himalaya
  Kathmandu, Nepal 4 nights
 The Suryaa New Delhi
Type: Five-Star Hotel
  Description: The Suryaa New Delhi is 5 Star Deluxe Hotel located in the heart of New Delhi, a mere 35 minute drive from the International Airport & adjacent to Delhi's business districts - Nehru Place, Pragati Maidan-International Trade Fair venue, Okhla & Noida Export Promotion Zone. Shopping malls, recreation facilities, and historical monuments are all in the close vicinity of the hotel.
  Contact info: New Friends Colony
New Delhi,  110 025 India
phone: +91 11 268 350 70
web: www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/NDESU/welcome?start=1
  Room amenities: A/C, Hairdryer, In Room Safe, Cable/Satellite TV, Direct Dial Phone, Coffee Making Facilites, High Speed Internet Access, Iron/Ironing Board, 24 Hour Room Service
  Facility amenities: Health & fitness center, Spa facilities, Dry cleaning/laundry service, Outdoor Pool, Business Center, Wi Fi wireless broadband internet access, 4 restaurants
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Yes Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services for more information.

 Trident Hotel Jaipur
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Situated near the renowned Amber Fort and overlooking the Mansagar Lake. The rose coloured facade of the hotel is reminiscent of traditional Rajasthani architecture.
  Contact info: Amber Fort Road
Opposite Jal Mahal
Jaipur,  302 002 India
phone: +91 141 267 0101
web: www.tridenthotels.com/jaipur/index.asp
  Room amenities: Central A/C, Internet Access, Dual Line Telephones, Tea & Coffee Maker, 24 Hr. Room Service, Electronic Safe, Hairdryer, Voltage 110-220
  Facility amenities: Bar, Restaurant, Fitness Center, Swimming Pool, Business Center, Currency Exchange, Laundry Service
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes

 Dera Village Retreat
Type: Lodge
  Description: Dera Lake View Retreat is a perfect hidden getaway, a picture of serene beauty set among the golden wheat and mustard fields at the end of a monsoon lake in the lap of Arravali hills. It is a village destination that lies just a few kilometres off the least explored stretch of the Golden Triangle that helps complete your journey and introduces you to the people and cultures of ‘Meena’ tribe.
  Contact info: Village Kalakho, Tehsil Sikrai
District Dausa
Rajastan,  303502 India
phone: +91 - 9950873466
  Room amenities: The cabins also caled ("Deras") have A/C and heating, Clean towels, hairdryer.
  Facility amenities: Restaurant serving Indian, Chinese, and Continental cuisines, Gardens, internet, laundry.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Bathroom: Each cabin has private bathrooms with showers and running hot and cold water.

 Trident Hotel Agra
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The Trident, Agra, set amidst beautiful gardens, fountains, landscaped central courtyards, is built of red stone reminiscent of the Mughal era. The Hotel is literally, a stone's throw away from one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal.
  Contact info: Fatehabad Rd.
Agra,  282 001 India
phone: +91 562 223 5000
web: www.tridenthotels.com/agra/index.asp
  Room amenities: Central A/C, Internet Access, Direct Dial Telephone, Tea & Coffee Maker, 24 hr. Room Service, Satellite TV, Electronic Safe, Hairdryer, Voltage 110-220
  Facility amenities: Bar, Restaurant, Coffee Shop, Fitness Center, Swimming Pool, Jogging Track, Business Center, Currency Exchange, Laundry Service
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes

 Radisson Hotel Varanasi
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Radisson has 116 hotel rooms in Varanasi, including 2 elegantly designed suites, 14 Business Class Rooms and 100 Superior Rooms. All of our guest rooms offer turndown service and a wide range of amenities.
  Contact info: The Mall Cantonment, Varanasi
U.P. 221002
221 002,   India
phone: +91 54 2250 1515
web: www.radisson.com/varanasi-u-p--hotel-in-221002/indvaran/rooms
  Room amenities: Newspaper delivered to the room - daily Digital safe in each room Broadband Internet access Mini-bar and tea/coffee maker Telephone with voicemail and direct dial Satellite television Hair dryer
  Facility amenities: Includes complimentary broadband Internet access, television with 48 channels and a bottle of mineral water provided daily. Relax in the oasis of comfort provided by our spacious rooms with the option of interconnecting, city view or pool view. Complimentary buffet breakfast and use of Health Club (gym, steam room, whirlpool).
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 Hotel Himalaya
Type: Boutique Hotel
  Description: Whether on business or holiday, each of the 125 rooms at this 4-star property are designed help guests relax in comfort and style. Guests may take advantage of sporting or leisure activities such as tennis courts, pool at this hotel. The hotel blends expert service with state-of-the-art facilities to provide guests with a memorable stay.
  Contact info: P.O. Box 2141
Sahid Sukra Marg, Lalitpur,
Patan,   Nepal
phone: +x
  Room amenities: Guests will find hair dryer, ironing board, non smoking rooms, internet access – wireless waiting in each room.
  Facility amenities: This excellent hotel in Kathmandu also has laundry service/dry cleaning, bar/pub, swimming pool and Wi-Fi in public areas.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: TBD Please call Road Scholar Travel Services for more details about post/night accomodations.


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Meet at program hotel in Delhi in the evening for group orientation on Day 2. You will be staying at The Suryaa New Delhi that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends at the airport in Kathmandu on Day 16. You will be staying at Hotel Himalaya the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
We do not recommend driving in these countries.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
To Start of Program
  Location:  Delhi
  Transportation to site: If independent flights do not coincide with the designated group transfer, it will be the responsibility of the participant/s to make arrangements to get to the program site. Taxi from New Delhi airport to hotel is available. Airports Authority of India in coordination with Delhi Traffic Police is now providing 'Prepaid Taxi Service' for arriving passengers at Domestic and International Terminals to ensure safe travel up to their destination. Approved rate of fare for various locations in the city are displayed inside the counter. Prepaid taxi counters are located outside customs hall in concessionaire area and outside Arrival Visitors Lounge (West Wing). Payment is made in advance at counters and coupons are issued. Pickup points are located just outside the terminals. No reliable public bus or subway transport available. Please note that the transfer from the airport takes about 40 to 50 minutes. Private arrival and departure transfers -at an additional cost- may be arranged in advance by the calling Road Scholar Travel Services.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Kathmandu
  Transportation from site: You may also want to inquire with the concierge at Hotel Himalaya bout alternative transportation services from the hotel to the airport. Private arrival and departure transfers -at an additional cost- may be arranged in advance by the calling Road Scholar Travel Services.
Elevation Note: Kathmandu's elevation is 4,368 ft.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Departure
(Sunday, October 20)
   
 Depart From: Depart from US on overnight flight to Delhi, India.

Day 2: Arrive Delhi
(Monday, October 21)
   
 Afternoon: Upon Arrival at the Delhi Airport, transfer to the hotel and check in.
 Dinner: Light dinner at hotel.
   
Accommodations: The Suryaa New Delhi
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: New Delhi
(Tuesday, October 22)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at hotel.
 Morning: Learn about India's more recent history as your expert local guide leads you past India Gate, the Parliament & the President House. Then continue with a visit to Gandhi Smriti, the scared place where Mahatma Gandhi lived. Here you will learn about Gandhi's life and mission and a presentation on "Relevance of Gandi in Today's World".
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
 Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: The Suryaa New Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Old Delhi/Raj Ghat/Rickshaw Ride
(Wednesday, October 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. (Buffet.)
 Morning: This morning prepare for an Old Delhi Excursion. Then with your expert local guide, drive past Red Fort and Jama Mosque. Then take a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk.
 Lunch: Lunch on own.
 Afternoon: Explor Qutub Minar. Qutab Minar is a great masterpiece of Mughal architecture. The tall minaret was constructed in 1192 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, and later completed by his successor Iltutmish. The soaring conical tower is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture. Qutub Minar is a World Heritage Site and has survived the ravages of time impressively.
 Dinner: Home hosted dinner.
   
Accommodations: The Suryaa New Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Delhi/Drive to Jaipur
(Thursday, October 24)

Note: Drive from Jaipur to will take about 5 hours.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. (Buffet)
 Morning: Check out of hotel. Transfer to coach. Depart for Jaipur. Enroute lecture: Rajputs of Rajisthan.
 Lunch: Lunch at resort enroute.
 Afternoon: Enroute visit to a small Rajasthani village. Arrive in Jaipur in late afternoon.
 Dinner: Dinner at hotel.
 Evening: Explore the colorful bazaars of Old Jaipur.
   
Accommodations: Trident Hotel Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Amber Fort / City Palace / Dinner with Host Family
(Friday, October 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. (Buffet)
 Morning: This morning depart for Amber Fort. En route, view Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). This five storied wonder has a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires. Amber Fort is an example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts reflected in the Maota Lake below. The interiors of the fort have various royal halls decorated with intricate ivory, mirror and glass work complemented by exquisite wall paintings.
 Lunch: Lunch at the cafe w/bottled water & coffee/tea.
 Afternoon: Continue your exploration of Jaipur with a stop at the City Place. Then walk through Jantar Mantar Astronomical Observatory. There will also be a expert-led talk about the "Science of Astronomy: An Important Part of India's Living Traditions".
 Dinner: Family-hosted dinner.
   
Accommodations: Trident Hotel Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Kalakho / Camel Safari
(Saturday, October 26)

Note: It is a 2 hour drive from Jaipur to Kalakho.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at hotel.
 Morning: Check out of hotel and depart for Kalakho. On the way, stop at Fatehpur Sikri, built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He had planned this city as his capital but a shortage of water compelled him to abandon it. Continue to Kalakho and upon arrival check into your designated cottage.
 Lunch: Lunch at the retreat.
 Afternoon: Enjoy a camel safari or camel carts (subject to avilability) into a tribal village and experience life in this rural village by visiting the homes of the local people. Return to the retreat and watch a local folk dance and music performance before dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner at the retreat.
   
Accommodations: Dera Village Retreat
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Depart Kalaho/Arrive in Agra
(Sunday, October 27)

Note: Drive from Kalakho to Agra will take about 3.5 hours.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. (Buffet)
 Morning: Check out of hotel. Depart towards Agra. En-route explore a small village school where you can have an opportunity to interact with the local school children.
 Lunch: Lunch at the hotel in Agra.
 Afternoon: Late afternoon, head towards Metab Bagh. Metab Bagh, translated -Moonlight Garden-is suggested to have been built as the large octagonal pool in the centre of the terrace in order to reflect the image of the Mausoleum and thus would provide a perfect setting to view the Taj Mahal. At the Metab Bagh, your study leader will give a presentation on Mughal History.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Trident Hotel Agra
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Sunrise at Taj Mahal / Agra Fort
(Monday, October 28)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at hotel after visiting the Taj Mahal.
 Morning: Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty as you watch the sunrise at the Taj Mahal. The building is unique due to its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, and medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it's dazzling white during the day. After breakfast, depart for Agra Fort, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, described as a walled palatial city. The great Mughals Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived here.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Visit the Tomb of Itmad Ud Daulah, this beautiful mausoleum was the first one to be built on a riverbank, which was normally used only to build pleasure gardens till then. The marble mausoleum is designed like a silver jewel box with stunning and delicate inlay work.
 Dinner: Dinner at hotel.
   
Accommodations: Trident Hotel Agra
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Agra/Drive to Delhi/Varanasi
(Tuesday, October 29)

Note: It is a 4 hour drive from Agra to Dehli.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast hotel. (Buffet)
 Morning: Depart for Delhi to take a flight to Varanasi.
 Lunch: Lunch enroute.
 Afternoon: Check-in to hotel at Varanasi at mid-afternoon. In late afternoon, meet an astrologer and learn about this ancient science.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Radisson Hotel Varanasi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Varanasi
(Wednesday, October 30)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Begin with an early morning boat ride on the Ganges river. Mid-morning: Set out for an excursion to Sarnath - part of UNESCO World Heritage - holy site where Lord Buddha delievered his first sermon. Set in well maintained gardens Sarnath's ruins are a pleasant place to stroll amongst or meditate in. The main things to see are Asoka's pillar, the ruins of the Mulagandhakuti and the huge Dharmek Stupa. Further to the east is the modern Mulagandhakuti Vihara with its beautiful wall paintings and behind it the Deer Park.
 Lunch: Lunch at hotel.
 Afternoon: Afternoon In late afternoon, witness "Aarti" ceremony while enjoying the boat cruise of Ganges. Aarti is a Hindu religious ritual of worship, a part of puja, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. Aartis also refer to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when lamps are being offered.
   
Accommodations: Radisson Hotel Varanasi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Transfer to Kathmandu
(Thursday, October 31)
   
 Breakfast: Early Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Depart the hotel early and transfer to the Airport.
 Lunch: Box lunch en route to the airport.
 Afternoon: Afternoon flight to Kathmandu. It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day with the views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below. Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to hotel and check in.
 Dinner: Dinner at hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Himalaya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Swayambhunath Stupa/Kathmandu Durbar Square
(Friday, November 1)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast Buffet at hotel.
 Morning: Begin the morning with a lecture on the impact of Newari art on Asian art. Visit Swayambhunath, the oldest Buddhist Stupa established more than 2500 year ago, also known as the ?Monkey Temple?. Perched high on a hilltop, it commands a superb view of the entire Kathmandu Valley. Swayambhunath is also known as Sengu and is listed as a World Heritage Site.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own.
 Afternoon: Then discover Hanuman Dhoka (Durbar Square). The Durbar Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that the kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see here are: Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla, in 1549 A.D. Temple Of Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of king Pratap Malla, the Big Drum and, the Jagannath Temple. In the late afternoon, early evening, attend a lecture by a leading expert from the the Mountain Institute on how the Institute is helping mountain communities adapt and build resilience to the unprecedented changes that are occurring as a result of climate change.
 Dinner: Dinner at hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Himalaya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14: Bhaktapur/Pashupatinath/Boudhanath
(Saturday, November 2)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at hotel.
 Morning: Depart for Bhaktapur situated at an altitude of 1,401 meters. In Bhaktapur's Durbar Square, visit the following: The National Art Gallery containing ancient and medieval paintings belonging to Hindu and Buddhist schools depicting Tantrics of various periods. The Golden Gate, built by King Ranjit Malla, the gate is one of the most beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind in the entire world. It's embellished with deities and monsters of marvelous intricacy. The Palace with 55 Windows, among the brick walls with their gracious settings and sculptural design, is a wood-carved balcony with 55 windows. Nyatapola Temple stands on five terraced platforms with each terrace containing a pair of figures; two famous wrestlers, two elephants, two lions, two griffins and the Baghini and Singini (the tiger and the lion goddesses).
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Visit Pashupatinath, one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world. During Shivaratri annual pilgrimage, thousands of devotees of Lord Shiva from all the Hindu communities of the world pay their homage here. Then proceed to Boudhanath the largest Buddhist Stupa in the world. It is built on a flat surface of various levels of terraces. The stupa is painted in pastel colors and adorned with prayer flags. It is set in a Mandala design. Altogether 108 Buddha images and 147 insets of prayer wheels adorn the base of the huge circular edifice. The settlement of Boudhanath has the largest community of Tibetans – twelve thousand in all.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Himalaya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Patan City/Bungmati
(Sunday, November 3)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast Buffet at hotel.
 Morning: Morning lecture on the History and Culture of Nepal, followed by a group discussion with students of Tribhuvan University to learn about their goals, aspirations & lives. Depart for Patan City and discover this city of fine arts. Here you will see: Patan Durbar Square full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines noted for their exquisite carvings. Krishna Mandir, the only temple in Nepal having 21 spires and completely made of stone. Mahabouddha, this Buddhist temple is made of clay bricks in which thousands of images of Lord Buddha are engraved.
 Lunch: Lunch at the Museum.
 Afternoon: The Patan Museum, displays the sacred art of Nepal in an illustrious architectural setting. At a tradional Nepali Village of the Newar clan, see firsthand the traditional way of life which has changed little over the years.
 Dinner: Cocktails and farewell dinner at a private home especially hosted to cater Road Scholar guests.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Himalaya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Departure
(Monday, November 4)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at hotel.
 Morning: Free morning to explore Kathmandu. Late afternoon transfer to airport to start Extention 18548: Deeper into Nepal or to take the return flight to the US.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 17: Arrival home.
(Tuesday, November 5)
   
 Arrive To: Arrive to US.
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


A Traveller's History of India


Author: Sinharaja Tammita-Delgoda


Description: A condensed introduction to the themes and events that have shaped India from prehistory to Rajiv Gandhi's rule.



An Autobiography, Or the Story of My Experiments with Truth


Author: Mohandas K. Gandhi


Description: There is no substitute for reading Gandhi in his own simple, direct prose. A highly recommended glimpse into the personality and life of this remarkable figure.



Annapurna, The Epic Account of a Himalayan Conquest and its Harrowing Aftermath


Author: Maurice Herzog


Description: Conrad Anker provides a new foreword for this 60th-anniversary edition of Maurice Herzog's classic, dictated from his hospital bed in Paris. French minister of youth and sport in the 1960s and former mayor of Chamonix, Herzog recovered nicely (he's 103 in 2012).



Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God


Author: Jonah Blank


Description: Blank's entertaining portrait of contemporary India and Sri Lanka mixes reporting, anecdote and myth as he travels, sometimes in the footsteps of India's great hero Rama.



Birds of India


Author: Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp


Description: Thoroughly revised, with 73 new plates and many others updated or repainted, the second edition of the masterful Birds of India now features all maps and text opposite the plates for quicker and easier reference.



City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi


Author: William Dalrymple


Description: Dalrymple infectiously interweaves his own experiences over a year in Delhi with the art, architecture, history and literature of the city.



Curry, A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors


Author: Lizzie Collingham


Description: This cultural history with recipes is appetizingly organized as a menu (biryani, vindaloo, chai, etc.). Curry explores the origins and spread of Indian food and the interplay between Muslim, Hindu, Portuguese and British traditions on the Subcontinent.



Escape from Kathmandu


Author: Kim Stanley Robinson


Description: The four interconnected stories in this laugh-out-loud novel include the (mis)adventures of two young Americans with a Yeti, international espionage, mountain climbing of the highest sort and a quest for Shangri-La.



Eyewitness Guide Delhi, Agra and Jaipur


Author: Anuradha Chaturvedi (Editor)


Description: With chapters on Taj Mahal, Amber Fort Palace, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Red Fort and dozens of other highlights for the traveler, this compact, gorgeously illustrated guide to Delhi and its environs features 900 color photographs, maps and site plans.



Himalayan Voices, An Introduction to Modern Nepali Literature


Author: Michael Hutt (Editor)


Description: A collection of 20th-century Nepali poetry and short fiction, much of it translated into English for the first time. This anthology offers insight into Nepal's literary traditions, society and culture.



Hindu Art and Architecture


Author: George Michell


Description: An excellent survey of Hindu art and architecture, explaining the meaning and construction of principal images and buildings, as well as the development of Hinduism and the corpus of myths that have influenced its artistic tradition.



India


Author: Stanley Wolpert


Description: Reflections on India - its religion and philosophy, its art, culture and politics - by the dean of the country’s American historians: beautifully written and provocative as well as evocative.



India Adventure Map


Author: National Geographic Society


Description: The most detailed shaded relief map (at a scale of 1:2,100,000) of India available.



Indian Art, A Concise History


Author: Roy C. Craven


Description: This convenient volume in the acclaimed "World of Art" series is a crisp, illustrated overview of the range of Indian art over the centuries.



May You Be the Mother of a Hundred Sons, A Journey Among the Women of India


Author: Elisabeth Bumiller


Description: A wonderfully written and fascinating portrayal of Indian women from Bollywood stars to Indira Gandhi to prostitutes. It's an insightful portrait of the country as seen through the eyes of its women.



Midnight's Children


Author: Salman Rushdie


Description: Crowned Best of the Booker in 2008, Rushdie's greatest novel is a madcap, comic take on the birth of modern India in all its splendid and unexpected manifestations.



Nepal Map


Author: Nelles


Description: A double-sided map at a scale of 1:500,000, with insets of Kathmandu City and Kathmandu Valley.



Photographic Guide to Birds of the Himalayas


Author: Bikram Grewal


Description: A pocket guide to 250 birds found from the foothills up to high elevations ranging from the Hindu Kush and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalayas. With brief descriptive information, maps and 260 full-color illustrations.



Spectrum Guide to Nepal


Author: Camerapix


Description: A comprehensive guide to the country, its people, history, culture and geography, featuring excellent maps and 200 color photographs.



Taj Mahal


Author: M.C. Joshi, Jean-Louis Nou (Photographer), Amina Okada


Description: This lavish portrait features 158 full-color photographs (including four magnificent foldout panels) by the extraordinary Jean-Louis Nou. With grand exterior views, filigreed inscriptions and bejeweled floral mosaics.



Taj Mahal


Author: Giles Tillotson, Mary Beard (Editor)


Description: An enlightening pocket guide to the myth, meaning and legends of the celebrated tomb, "the queen of architecture."



The Idea of India


Author: Sunil Khilnani


Description: Khilnani confronts the complexities, paradoxes and challenges of the nation in this brief, elegant survey of India since independence.



The Snow Leopard


Author: Peter Matthiessen


Description: The most perceptive, acutely observed and personal of all his books, Matthiessen's account of a five-week journey through Nepal with naturalist George Schaller combines their quest for the elusive cat with a moving introduction to Buddhism and the people and culture of the Himalayas.



Travelers' Tales India


Author: James O'Reilly, Larry Habegger


Description: A collection of 45 descriptive and thought-provoking short excerpts on Indian life and culture, including contributions from Rushdie, Naipaul and Dalrymple, plus some valuable excerpts from books long out of print.



Wild India, The Wildlife of India and Nepal


Author: Guy Mountefort, Gerald Cubitt (Photographer)


Description: An informative introduction to the natural history of the region in a handsome oversize volume. With hundreds of extraordinary photographs of the wildlife and landscapes of the Himalayas, the Indo-Ganges Plain and the Deccan.



World Religions: Eastern Traditions


Author: Willard G. Oxtoby (Editor)


Description: A clear and insightful introduction to Eastern religions by a team of scholars, covering Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist and East Asian traditions. Scholarly, but still rewarding for the general reader.





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