The Harvard Alumni Association will offer several upcoming trips to South Asia:
India’s Pushkar Camel Fair, November 9-19, 2013
Harvard Business School Alumni
Faculty Leader: Ali Asani
Join HBS alumni and friends on an enchanting 11-day tour of India, and discover the wonders of one of the oldest and most diverse civilizations in the world as you visit awe-inspiring monuments, explore bustling cities, and get lost in local villages and markets.
India’s Holy River Ganges on Bengal Ganga, January 1-17, 2014
Faculty Leader: Diana Eck
During a nine-day riverboat journey from Kolkata to Simaria, enjoy a panoply of Muslim and colonial-era architecture, Hindu culture, Buddhist temples, the daily rituals of village life, and beautiful, unspoiled countryside. Visit metal craftsmen at work in the village of Matiari, ancient centers of learning at Bateshwarsthan and Nalanda, a sanctuary for the endangered Ganges river dolphin, and the “Bodhi Tree,” where Gautama first attained enlightenment to become Buddha. End in Varanasi, India’s oldest city and a religious center for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.
South India: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Kerala, March 6-22, 2014
Faculty Leader: Sugata Bose
With over 2,000 years of cultural history, India’s far south has the reputation of being the most “Indian” part of the country. Begin in Chennai, the thriving capital city of Tamil Nadu. Witness the ancient art of silk weaving in Kanchipuram, one of India’s seven sacred cities. Cross over to Bangalore, the center of India’s software revolution and a hub for contemporary art. Spend time in Kabini at a jungle resort exploring the wildlife and flora of this area. Drive through the country-side to Mysore to see some fine examples of art and architecture. Fly to Kochi (Cochin) to conclude in Kerala, a region of backwaters, spice gardens, paddy fields, and beaches; and where churches and synagogues mingle with temples and mosques.
Exploring Myanmar: The Land of the Golden Pagoda, March 10-23, 2014
Faculty Leader: Peter Bol
A treasure trove of cultural wonders undiscovered by the tour-bus crowd awaits exploration. Tribes nearly untouched by outside influence populate the hills, stunning empty beaches lie in anticipation of discovery, and the tinkling of temple bells evokes the ambiance of an earlier age. Indeed, you may hardly believe that such a world exists outside the works of Kipling.
Ladakh to Bhutan, September 13-27, 2014
Faculty Leader: To Be Announced
Ladakh, the hill station of Jammu and Kashmir State, conjures up images of Tibetan monasteries and snow capped mountains. The main residents are Tibetan tribes and the religion is predominately Buddhist. Explore many of the gompas or monasteries situated in the mountains around Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The monasteries are a treasure house of Buddhist art with richly decorated thankas, scrolls, wall paintings and statues. After visiting Ladakh, continue the adventure with eight days in Bhutan, a country that strictly limits the number of visitors allowed each year. Hike to the sacred Taktsang Monastery, watch classic Bhutanese folk dances, and explore the National Museum in Paro.