India’s long and rich history of religious diversity is both well known and highly complex.  During our month in India, we’ll study a host of religious traditions (Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Parsi, and Christianity) within a wide variety of their historical and cultural settings. Our study will examine both individual traditions and the complex history of their interaction.  We’ll also examine how religions interact with political, social, and economic systems as well as look at examples of religious pluralism in historic and contemporary settings. Most of all, we’ll dunk ourselves in Indian culture for a month as we seek to understand another world in which to live.

Our study will take us from one of the world’s largest metropolises (New Delhi) to remote Himalayan villages (e.g., McLeod Ganj) to cities, towns, and villages in between. We’ll start our study in New Delhi, touring the Jama Masjid (a famous Islamic mosque) as well as the vast Hindu Swami Narayan temple complex, together with important sites in the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Next, we’ll investigate exquisite examples of Islamic Mogul architecture and religious syncretism, seen most dramatically in the Taj Mahal in Agra, as well as in striking examples in a number of Rajasthani cities and villages. We’ll spend time in Jaipur, renowned for textiles and gemstones as well as its famous Galtaji Temple (aka the monkey temple) and the Amer Palace, where we’ll ride elephants to the top of that palace. Next, we’ll enjoy a camel ride in the desert as well as a leopard safari and overnight stay in the Jawai nature preserve. We’ll zipline over Mehrangarh (a fort built 1459) in the Blue City of Jodhpur before we travel to the Himalayas to immerse ourselves in Tibetan Buddhism in “Little Lhasa” (home of the Tibetan Government in Exile) which is located in the hill station of picturesque McLeod Ganj. From there we’ll visit Sikhism’s Golden Temple in the holy city of Amritsar.

Our travels then lead us to the south of India and the fabulous, seventh-century shoreline temples at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO Heritage Site where we will also catch one of India’s most celebrated dance festivals. From there we’ll enjoy the relaxed vibes of Pondicherry, a town which hosts the Auroville ashram and a French Quarter which recalls its earlier colonizers. A stop in the Indian city of Chennai will find us at St. Thomas’s Cathedral, the burial site of “doubting Thomas,” one of Jesus’s original twelve disciples. From there we fly to Goa, a coastal state heavily influenced by fifteenth-century Catholic Portuguese settlers, to investigate the forms of Christianity spawned by these colonists and their interaction with Indian religious and cultural forces. And, we’ll have the opportunity to see the “incorruptible body” of Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552, co-founder of the Jesuit order) whose remains are on display in a glass coffin in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa as well as spend time relaxing at the beach.

We’ll round out our tour with a trip to Bengaluru (the tech capital of India) and nearby Sravanabelagola, a much-revered fifty-one foot tall sacred Jain monolith before flying home.

We’ll move between extremes not only in religious and cultural configurations but also in terms of geography and climate as well. Please note that the itinerary is tentative and locations are subject to change. This trip is demanding and recommended for hearty travelers with intrepid curiosity and a real sense of adventure.

• Sunday, Jan. 3: Depart from SFO
  Depart SFO on Cathay Pacific Airlines at 11:25 AM (CX 879)

Week 1

• Monday, Jan. 4: Arrive at HKG (Hong Kong), Depart
  Arrive Hong Kong (HKG) at 7:00 PM 
  Depart Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific Airlines at 8:15 PM (CX679)
• Tuesday, Jan. 5: Arrive at DEL (New Delhi)
  Arrive New Delhi (DEL) on Cathay Pacific Airlines at 12:10 AM
  Activities: Arrive early in the morning and rest. After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed tour of Old and New Delhi.
• Wednesday, Jan. 6: Agra (The city of the Taj)
  Drive to Agra via deluxe air-conditioned coach
  Excursions: Visit Agra's Mughal treasures: the Taj Mahal, and Agra Fort
• Thursday Jan. 7: Travel to Jaipur
  Drive to Jaipur via deluxe air-conditioned coach
  Excursions: Visit Fatehpur Sikri and the Abhaneri stepwell on the way.
• Friday Jan. 8: Jaipur (The Pink City)
  Activities: A full day exploring Jaipur's forts, palaces, and bazaars, with time for shopping.
• Saturday Jan. 9: Travel to Jawai (Into leopard country)
  Drive to Jawai via deluxe air-conditioned coach
  Excursions: Visit the holy town of Pushkar on the way.
• Sunday Jan. 10: Jawai (In search of the leopard)
  Excursions: Morning and evening leopard safaris among the dramatic granite hills of Jawai.

Week 2

• Monday, Jan. 11: Travel to Chandelao via Ranakpur (Marble temples en route)
  Drive to Chandelao via deluxe air-conditioned coach
  Excursions: Visit the magnificent Ranakpur Jain Temple with lunch at Ranakpur.
• Tuesday Jan. 12: Jodhpur (The Blue City)
  Excursions: A full day excursion to Jodhpur — Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and the blue old town — returning to Chandelao.
• Wednesday, Jan. 13: Travel to Jaipur (Craft, polo, & a special evening)
  Drive to Jaipur via deluxe air-conditioned coach
  Excursions: Visit the Sunder Rang craft initiative, then drive to Jaipur with lunch en route. This evening, a special dinner after the horse polo, before checking in.
• Thursday, Jan. 14: Jaipur, Depart to Pathankot (North to the Himalayas)
  Excursions: A morning in Jaipur — Galtaji (the Monkey Temple) and shopping. 
  After lunch, transfer to the station for the overnight train to Pathankot (Pooja Express 12413 · Jaipur 4:10 PM → Pathankot 5:00 AM (15 Jan))
• Friday, Jan. 15: Travel to McLeod Ganj (Little Tibet)
  Arrive at Pathankot at dawn and transfer up to McLeod Ganj, the Himalayan home of the Dalai Lama.
• Saturday, Jan. 16: McLeod Ganj (Monasteries & mountains)
  Excursions: Explore McLeod Ganj — the Tsuglagkhang complex (Dalai Lama's temple), monasteries, cafes, and beautiful Himalayan views.
• Sunday, Jan. 17: McLeod Ganj (At leisure in the hills)
  Activities: A relaxed day to enjoy the peaceful mountain surroundings at your own pace.

Week 3

• Monday, Jan. 18: Amritsar (The Golden Temple)
  Drive to Amritsar via deluxe air-conditioned coach
  Excursions: An early start from McLeod Ganj, driving to Amritsar for a full day — the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, and the evening Wagah border ceremony.
• Tuesday, Jan. 19: Travel to Mahabalipuram (South to the coast)
  A relaxed morning, then a daytime flight to Chennai (IndiGo 6E-347 / 6E-6539 · Amritsar 11:00 AM → Chennai 5:10 PM (via Ahmedabad))
  On arrival, drive to the seaside temple town of Mahabalipuram.
• Wednesday, Jan. 20: Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram (Ancient stone & silk)
  Excursions: Explore Mahabalipuram's UNESCO shore temples, the Five Rathas and the great rock carvings, and the temple-and-silk town of Kanchipuram.
• Thursday, Jan. 21: Travel to Pondicherry (A touch of France)
  Drive down the coast via deluxe air-conditioned coach to Pondicherry, with its French colonial charm.
• Friday, Jan. 22: Pondicherry (French Quarter & Auroville)
  Activities: A day exploring the French Quarter, the seafront promenade, and the tranquil township of Auroville.
• Saturday, Jan. 23: Travel to Chennai (The Gateway to the South)
  Drive to Chennai via deluxe air-conditioned coach and explore the city — its temples, colonial heritage, and Marina Beach.
• Sunday, Jan. 24: Travel to Goa (Sun & sea)
  Fly to Goa (IndiGo 6E-973 · Chennai 12:20 PM → Goa 1:45 PM (non-stop))
  Activities: After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Goa — golden beaches and Portuguese charm await.

Week 4

• Monday, Jan. 25: Goa (Beaches & heritage)
  Activities: A relaxed day in Goa — its beaches, old Portuguese churches and easy, sunny pace.
• Tuesday, Jan. 26: Goa (At leisure)
  Activities: A second full day to enjoy Goa at your own pace.
• Wednesday, Jan. 27: Travel to Bengaluru & Sravanabelagola (A Jain pilgrimage)
  Transfer to the airport and fly to Bengaluru (IndiGo · Goa 11:25 → Bengaluru 12:50 (non-stop))
  On arrival, lunch, then drive to Sravanabelagola to see the colossal monolithic statue of Gomateshwara, returning to Bengaluru to check in.
• Thursday, Jan. 28: Bengaluru (Farewell, India)
  Activities: A leisurely start after breakfast, with time to pack. Enjoy Bengaluru, and after a farewell dinner, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
• Friday, Jan. 29: Depart from BLR (Bengaluru), Arrive at SFO
  Depart BLR on Cathay Pacific Airlines at 1:25 AM (CX624)
  Arrive at HKG (Hong Kong) at 09:30 AM, Depart from HKG (Hong Kong) on Cathay Pacific Airlines at 1:30 PM (CX870)
  Arrive at SFO at 9:30 AM
   

Course Fee: $4,800-5,300
Learn about the Jan Term Travel Scholarship for additional funding.

This fee includes:
round trip airfare from San Francisco to India (arrive in Mumbai, depart from Delhi); all transportation in India (chartered buses, trains, domestic airfare); shared accommodations; breakfast and dinner; guides; tips & gratuities for guides and drivers; entrance fees; zip-lining, a boat ride, a camel ride, and an elephant ride; and mandatory medical insurance. And, depending on availability of funds, there may be some subsidized lunches in India.

Estimated cost outside of course fee:
$400-500. A number of items are not included in the base price though primarily lunch (and meals on the train or in the air); personal expenses (laundry, beverages, telephone, etc.); any additional tip for our escort; camera fees at monuments; and any spending money for souvenirs. Also, students are responsible for the cost of any immunizations, medications, and visa requirements (visas are currently $25 for US Citizens).