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India
January 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.
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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.
conted.ucalgary.ca/travelprograms | 403.220.2952
Orientation
The orientation course will consist of one Monday evening, January 4 and
one Wednesday evening, January 6 from 7 – 9:30, and one Saturday, January 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.
Itinerary
Three 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 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 experience — 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.
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 distinguished 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.
good thinking.
Accompanying Resource Person
Dr. Valery Efimenko graduated from the Oriental Department of St. Petersburg 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 Introduction to Indian Culture. He has led a number of study tours with Continuing
Education including trips to India, Nepal, Tibet, Central Asia, and Russia.
Cost
Airfare$2,800
Land, tuition and other costs
$6,600
GST $75
TOTAL Single supplement $9,475
$1,900
Cost includes: Tuition and orientation course, airfare, accommodation, transfers, 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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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.
Fees
Cost 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 payment 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 participant. 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.
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 advisable 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 Policy
Single Supplement
Please 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 insurance.
The 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.
Registration
Insurance
We highly recommend cancellation and medical insurance. Information will
be sent out at the time of final payment.
Liability and Responsibility
University 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
Please complete the registration form on the back cover and mail it with
your deposit.
Contact Information
Lois 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
CHOOSE YOUR
ADVENTURE...
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India
January 13 – 26, 2016 TRA
Will you be travelling with another person?
n No
Would you like to have a roommate? n Yes n No
lease note that if you wish to share, every effort will be made to find you a suitable
P
roommate. However, if this is not possible, a single supplement will be applied.
Payment
If you are registering for a trip, your deposit of $500 must accompany this registration.
Remit by credit card, cheque or money order in Canadian funds payable to University of
Calgary.
n CHEQUE ENCLOSED
176-001
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Galapagos: The Enchanted Islands and
Amazon Basin Extension
February 17 – March 2, 2016 TRA 159-003
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Continuing Education course and forms part of the permanent student record. If you
have questions about the collection or use of this information, or, if you want your name
removed from our mailing list, call 403-220-2952.
Mail or fax your completed form to:
University of Calgary Continuing Education
Travel Study Program
Education Tower 1120
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T2N 1N4
Fax: 403.284.9242