SALEM ACADEMY

Photos by Todd Gustafson, Gustafson Photo Safari
SALEM ACADEMY
India Exploration: A Global Perspective of Culture & Ecology
January 10-20, 2016
India offers superb monuments ranging from temples of
various ages, numerous forts and palaces, mausoleums
like the unmatched Taj Mahal and one of the last places
to see Tigers in the wild. This amazing program will allow
you to not only learn about the diversity of Indian culture
and social issues of India but also become involved in
community service and conservation projects including
tiger conservation. You will have the opportunity to
search for Tigers in Ranthambore, one of India’s premier
national parks, with researchers and learn about methods
used to study the Tigers, their ecology and behavior. Time
will be spent working with surrounding communities on
meaningful service projects. You will also visit UNSECO
World Heritage Sites such as Red Fort, Humayun’s
Tomb, Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. The cultural triangle
includes Delhi, the “Pink City” and land of royals—
Jaipur, Agra Fort and the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of
the Seven Wonders of the World.
This program will give you the ability to do things
not normally available to tourists. You will come back
knowledgeable about India’s many cultural groups,
conservation within local communities, what the Tiger is
facing for survival and the challenges of India’s role on the
global stage.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
•
Search for wild tigers on safari through Ranthambore National Park.
•
Experience an elephant ride through the Amber Fort.
•
Explore the rich history and architecture of Delhi, independent
India’s capital city.
•
Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Red Fort, Humayun’s
Tomb and Agra Fort.
•
Experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal.
•
Meet members of the local communities to learn about their
challenges and daily lives.
•
Learn about Tiger Watch, a tiger conservation organization, and
their mission to protect tigers in India.
holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111
ITINERARY
BLD = BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
JANUARY 10 - DEPARTURE
Depart the United States for the overnight flight to India.
JANUARY 11 - DELHI
Upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, you will be greeted by
our company representative with a placard bearing your name on it at the arrivals
lounge. He will assist you with your luggage and transfer you to the hotel in your
private vehicle. Delhi, the capital city of independent India, rewards the determined
sightseer with more than a thousand monuments and two old capital building
complexes, including the present seat of Government, designed by the British
architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Cosmopolitan hotels, shopping, and fine restaurants
abound. Delhi also offers a glimpse into the real India: the labyrinthine street bazaars
of Old Delhi, and the temples and monuments of India’s checkered colonial past.
In the deepest sense, from Old Delhi’s Red Fort and Jama Masjid Mosque to New
Delhi’s chic art galleries and nightclubs, Delhi is a profoundly Indian city. Make sure
to get some rest before tomorrow’s activities. Overnight at Hotel Bill Palace.
JANUARY 12 - DELHI
Today explore Old and New Delhi. The Old Delhi or Shah Jahanabad, was built
by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the first half of the 17th Century. This old
city is a dense network of narrow alleys and tightly packed markets and houses.
We visit from outside the largest of the Delhi’s monuments, Red Fort, or La Qila,
whose thick red sandstone walls, bulging with the turrets and bastions, rise above a
wide, dry moat in the Northeast corner of the original city of Sahanajanabad. Later
visit Jama Masjid by cycle rickshaw. This is India’s largest mosque, designed by the
eminent architect Shah Jahan, and built by a workforce of 5,000 between 1644 and
1656. We also visit the Kinari Bazaar, a colorful street set on Chandini Chowk, and
connected to the main road by Daribi Kalan, “the street of incomparable pearl,”
which is the center for the jewelers. The shops in Kinari Bazaar overflow with bright
wedding finery. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the sites of New Delhi. New
Delhi, the modern area of Central New Delhi, with its wide tree lined avenues and
solid colonial buildings, has been the seat of the central government since 1931. At
this hub the royal mall, Rajpath, runs from the palatial Rashtrapati Bhavan in the
east to the India Gate war memorial in the west. Rashtrapati Bhavan is the former
Viceregal Lodge, now the official residence of India’s president. Northeast of the
Viceroy’s house is the Council House, now Sansaan. Overnight at Hotel Bill Place.
(BLD)
JANUARY 13 - JAIPUR
This morning after breakfast visit Adharshila, a non-profit organization that runs
development awareness programs for underprivileged communities in South Delhi.
Spend the morning at Adharshila working with the children. Possible work includes
teaching math, English, fine arts or computer classes. This afternoon, transfer to the
railway station to board the Delhi Jaipur special train with packed dinner served
en route. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Surrounded on three sides by the
rugged Aravali Hills and celebrated for its striking pink buildings, Jaipur, or the City
of Victory, was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It is a marvelous
synthesis of architectural influences — Hindu, Jain and Mughal — and is one of the
few well-planned cities of yore. The walled city is called the Pink City, as by law all
buildings must be painted deep pink. The practice follows a tradition that dates back
to the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876, when the entire city was freshly painted
in his honor. The city is surrounded by a couple of forts, the most magnificent being
the Amber Fort. Its bazaars teem with people, camels, horses and a multitude of
varied vehicles, while around them loom magnificent palaces and buildings. On
its streets, see women in their brilliant red and orange ohnis (head coverings) and
sweeping skirts, and men in their equally vivid turbans and upturned mustaches.
Overnight at Hotel Arya Niwas. (BLD)
JANUARY 14 - JAIPUR
After breakfast visit a local high school for a cultural interaction with students.
This afternoon explore the surrounding region, beginning with The City Palace,
which was built by Maharaja Jai Singh. A fine example of Rajput architecture, it
covers a large area, a portion of which is the current residence of the former ruling
family. Another portion has been converted into a museum with various galleries
showcasing royal artifacts, textiles, manuscripts and weapons of war. Adjoining the
palace museum is the royal observatory called ‘Jantar Mantar,’ built by 18th century
astronomer king Jai Singh. The complex houses multiple structures, each with a
specialized function for astronomic calculations. Continue with a visit to the old
walled city of Jaipur. Overnight at Hotel Arya Niwas. (BLD)
JANUARY 15 - RANTHAMBORE
This morning begin the 3-4 hour drive to Ranthambore (with packed lunch),
visiting the Amber Fort en route with elephant riding. Amber Fort is the former
capital of the former ruling family of Jaipur, and is located in the rugged Aravali
Hills. A combination of Indo-Islamic architecture, it is made of red sandstone and
white marble. Its forbidding exterior hides beautiful pieces of art and architecture
in its interiors. Late afternoon or early evening nature walk and village visit to
understand the surroundings of the Ranthambore National Park. Over dinner you
will receive a detailed briefing about the activities for the next few days, followed by
talk and film on the park. Overnight at the Ranthambore Bagh Hotel. (BLD)
JANUARY 16 - RANTHAMBORE
In the cool hours of the morning you will begin a service project in the local
community. Options include community and park clean up in conjunction with
the Kids for Tigers organization or working with a local, nomadic Mongia tribe to
improve their youth hostel. Later this afternoon go on safari in private open-top
trucks. The local naturalist will introduce you to the flora and fauna of the park and
also teach you to listen and distinguish between different alarm calls of the main
prey species of the park, the tiger. This evening enjoy a talk on tiger behavior around
the campfire and watch a film on the tigers of Ranthambore. Overnight at the
Ranthambore Bagh Hotel. (BLD)
JANUARY 17 - RANTHAMBORE
Today, accompanied by a wildlife expert, learn about the ecology of the park and
tiger habitat. Enjoy an open truck safari. Also discuss the pressures the park is facing
from human activities. This afternoon visit Dastkar, a non-profit working for the
sustainable livelihood of people living around the park. They have been working
for the past 24 years to provide an alternative livelihood to the women of the area
who were dependent on the forest for their resources. Spend the remainder of the
day working on the assigned service project. Evening talk by researcher or worker
from the Tiger Watch conservation organization. Overnight at the Ranthambore Bagh
Hotel. (BLD)
JANUARY 18 - AGRA
This morning transfer to the train station for the Janshatabdi Express to Bharatpur.
Upon arrival at Bharatpur Station drive to Agra with a visit to Fatehpur Sikri
en route. Fatehpur Sikri is Akbar’s famous ghost town, “city of victory,” was the
Emperor’s capital for a short span of sixteen years. In the tiny, original village
hamlet of Sikri, a holy hermit named Shaikh Salim Christi prophesied that the
Emperor would father three sons. When the prediction came true, Akbar was so
persuaded of the Shaikh’s piety and Sikri’s sanctity, the he built his new capital there
in commemoration of this benediction. This evening visit Agra Fort. Agra is the
home of the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Agra Fort,
built by Emperor Akbar is considered one of the most important forts in India and
a succession of Mughal emperors made this walled palatial city their home. It is
semicircular in design and has four gates. The buildings inside the fort have a mix
of Hindu and Islamic architectures. In fact, some of the decorations feature images
of living creatures such as birds, which is forbidden under Islam. Overnight at Amar
Hotel. (BLD)
JANUARY 19 - DELHI
In the morning explore the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Built over a period of 22 years and
involving thousands of artisans from across the world, this magnificent building is
considered to be the greatest monument to eternal love, an homage to her beauty
and life. A mausoleum for Empress Mumtaz Mahal built by her beloved husband
Shah Jehan, the Taj Mahal is often described as a ‘dream in marble’. The city of Agra,
the quintessence of the grand Mughal era, reigns to this day in the public mind as
the embodiment of royal grace, imposing architecture and power. After lunch drive
to Delhi, which will take approximately 4 to 5 hours. Day room included at Mapple
Emerald Hotel. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening before transferring to the
airport. Dayroom at Mapple Emerald Hotel. (BLD)
JANUARY 20 - ARRIVE HOME
PROGRAM PRICING
Land price: $2,980 (based on 14 participants)
Estimated airfare: $1,575
THE FINE PRINT
Price is based on triple/quad occupancy. Cost does not include visa fees (a visa is required to
visit India), personal expenses or optional activities, gratuities, or travel insurance. A $200
per person deposit is required to hold your spot on the trip and should be received no later
than September 12, 2015. This deposit is refundable until October 7, 2015 excluding a $100
cancellation fee. Final payments are due no later than October 7, 2015. Cancellations received
after this date are not refundable. Travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
For more information call Travel Insured at 800-243-3174 or visit travelinsured.com.
Holbrook Travel’s agency number is 15849.
* A visa is required to travel to India. Visas can only be obtained through visa services.
The official visa service of India Consulate is Travisa. For more information visit their
website: www.indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/homepage
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Lisa Palmese-Graubard at lisa@holbrooktravel.com or 800-451-7111 x339