Travel-Learn Program

When: September 05, 2009 - September 25, 2009 (iCal)

Description

Join us for a journey through Asia, exploring the myriad cultural treasures of Buddhism. Travel with an experienced expedition staff, including a dedicated expedition physician and renowned art historian Barry Till. See the terra-cotta funerary army and gravity-defying Shaolin monks in Xi’an, China. Step through Zen gardens, temples, and shrines in Kyoto and Nara, Japan. Visit the Gandan Monastery and meet with a nomadic family in their traditional home in Mongolia. See the Himalaya and the ancient Bodnath Stupa in Kathmandu. Enter holy sites of India, such as where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Marvel at the beautiful architecture of Angkor Wat, and explore the golden temples of Luang Prabangtuf. Overnight in boutique accommodations, including Bhutan’s secluded Amankora Paro; dine at festive banquets featuring cultural performances; and go beyond the main itinerary to enjoy your choice of personalized excursions throughout the journey. Also, take advantage of a pre-tour extension to Beijing, China and Lhasa, Tibet!

Cost

From approximately $46,950 per person (plus airfare to starting location)

Contact

Contact: For more information, contact Usha Sellers, Program Director, in the Office of Alumni Relations at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 1-800-THE-ALUM (1-800-843-2586) or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart the U.S.

Depart from the U.S. on a commercial flight, cross the International Date Line, and arrive in Xi’an, China.

Day 2-4 – Xi’an, China

Visit one of the most significant archaeological excavations of the last century—the terracotta funerary army of Emperor Qin’s tomb. Representing a variety of squadrons in full battle array, the 7,000 life-sized warriors and horses were meant to accompany and protect the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty into the afterlife. Marvel at the Famen Temple’s 13-tiered pagoda, and the largest religious vault ever discovered in China, where Sui and Tang Dynasty riches—colored glazeware, jewelry, silks, and golden artifacts—and a precious relic of the Lord Buddha were protected in secret for centuries. Then, witness the gravity-defying feats of Shaolin kung fu masters. Travelers may also choose to see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, examine relics at the Xi’an City Museum, take a cooking class, walk along the ramparts of the Old City Wall, peruse the markets of the Muslim Quarter, or enter the Yangling Tombs, first opened to the public in 2005.

Day 5-7 – Nara & Kyoto, Japan

Today, travel by private jet to explore the incredibly well-preserved treasures of ancient Nara, Japan’s first imperial capital. See the glorious Todai-ji Temple—the world’s largest wooden building, guarded by two exquisite Nio figures and featuring the enormous bronze Daibutsu Buddha, weighing 437 tons. Pass by more than 1,000 stone lanterns along the enchanting path to Kasuga Shrine. Enter the Yakushi-ji Temple and gaze up at the main object of veneration, a statue of ‘The Medicine Buddha,’ one of the first Buddhist deities to arrive from China in 680 A.D. The next day, explore historic Kyoto, Japan’s second imperial capital for nearly 1,000 years. Stroll the tree-lined streets by the Kamo River where traditional shops, theaters, and teahouses abound. See the colorfully-kimonoed residents and observe the gorgeous robes up-close at a demonstration of the art of dressing in a kimono. See the resplendent Kinkaku-ji golden pavilion; pay homage to Kannon, the goddess of mercy, at Sanjusangendo, a centuries-old wood temple that houses 1,001 statues in her honor; and admire the palaces and gardens of Nijo Castle. Travelers may also choose to stroll the historic streets of Gion, take a class in calligraphy or traditional flower arrangement, walk the “Path of Philosophy,” see the silver pavilion, and participate in a tea ceremony.

Day 8-9 – Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Venture into the legendary Eurasian Steppe to visit with a nomadic family in their traditional ger dwelling, and gain a rare, insider’s view into their remarkable, rugged lifestyle. Observe Buddhist monks praying at the renowned Gandan Monastery, one of the few Buddhist institutions to survive the political upheaval of the 1930s. Visit the National Museum of Mongolian History for an impressive survey of local culture, and continue on to the Museum of Natural History to see dinosaur skeletons and eggs unearthed from the Gobi region. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts to observe rare religious artifacts. Travelers may instead choose to spend a day in the dramatic landscapes of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Ride a Mongolian horse through the stunningly beautiful scenery, and visit one of the many nomadic families who live here in traditional ger dwellings.

Day 10 – The Gobi Desert, Mongolia

Fly deep into southern Mongolia for a comfortable ger-style camp experience in an unforgettable setting—the Gobi Desert. This area is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including the

Gobi bear, ibex, black-tailed gazelle, and more than 250 species of birds. Follow in the footsteps of Roy Chapman Andrews and look for dinosaur fossils at the Flaming Cliff s with an expert guide. See dinosaur eggs, jaws, and skulls at the Museum of Natural History in Ulaanbaatar. Travelers may also choose to ride a Bactrian camel into sand dunes at Moltsog Els, or examine the ancient petroglyphs by our camp.

Day 11 – Kathmandu & Bhaktapur, Nepal

Land in the Himalaya Mountains in Nepal, home to eight of the ten tallest peaks in the world. The colorful capital city Kathmandu—at once ancient and modern, Buddhist and Hindu, natural and urban—will serve as our base for local flights to and from the Kingdom of Bhutan. While in Nepal, we visit Bhaktapur, the capital of the Kathmandu Valley from the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries. The glorious art and architecture of its many temples, palaces, and huge squares attest to the city’s prosperity during its golden age, when it was a stop along the prosperous caravan route between Tibet and India. Talented builders developed a distinctive pagoda style, as seen in the heaven-piercing Nyatapola Temple.

Day 12-13 – Paro, Kingdom of Butan

Secluded in the eastern Himalaya and opened to visitors only decades ago, Bhutan—the last independent kingdom in the Himalaya—exudes a magical charm. We take a local flight to Paro and land deep in a valley dotted with mountaintop Buddhist monasteries and gaily decorated fortresses, or dzongs. Visit the great Paro Dzong at the Paro River, home to a monastic community of 200. Admire a superb collection of textiles, ancient weapons, and classical thangka paintings depicting Buddhist cosmology at the National Museum. Witness a Buddhist prayer ceremony recited by monks at Choeding Temple, enjoy a picnic beside the Paro River, and visit with a Bhutanese family at their farmhouse. Travelers may instead choose to hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the country’s most revered sites, perched at more than 9,500 feet.

Day 14-15 – Sanchi, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi & Sarnath, India

Fly to India, first landing in Bhopal, our base for an excursion to see the Great Stupa of Sanchi and its four magnificently carved toranas (gateways). At the Sanchi Archaeological Museum, see an ornamental torana depicting Buddha’s enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, and many more sacred objects. Then fly to the eastern state of Bihar and delve into the epicenter of Buddhism at Bodh Gaya. Visit the tiered Mahabodhi Temple, stand in the shade of a descendant of the original sacred Bodhi tree where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, and see many temples built by the peoples of Sri Lanka, Sikkim, Myanmar, and the countries we visit during this expedition. We reboard our private jet and fly to Varanasi, located on the Ganges River. Cruise the river while the setting sun sheds an ethereal light on the surrounding temples, pavilions, and terraces. See pilgrims gather along the river’s stone steps, or ghats, to perform ritual ablutions. Nearby, at the temple of Sarnath, stroll through the tranquil deer sanctuary and behold the great Dhamekha Stupa, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.

Day 16 – Hué, Vietnam

In Hué, the cultural, religious, and former imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, enjoy a special vegetarian meal at the Kim Tien Pagoda and a talk on Buddhism by the pagoda’s welcoming head monk, Thich Giac Dao. Meet with the children of the Duc Son Pagoda orphanage and school. At Tu Hieu Pagoda—former home of the Zen master and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Tich Nu Minh Tu—we participate in a walking meditation, relax by the tranquil half-moon lake, and admire the stone stele houses engraved with stories of the pagoda’s long history. Explore Hué’s Imperial Citadel, where thirteen Nguyen Dynasty emperors lived in splendor. Go over its zigzagging moat, step through the Ngo Mon Gate, and then marvel at the lacquered columns, gilded wooden carvings, and Imperial throne of the Palace of Supreme Harmony.

Day 17-18 – Luang Prabang, Laos

After arriving in Luang Prabang—a gorgeous city with golden Buddhist temples and French colonial edifices—sample the symbolic foods of a Laotian baci ceremony. Visit the Royal Palace, built for King Sisavang Vong in the early twentieth century, and view its many historical artifacts and treasures, including the most revered object in Laos, the golden Phra Bang Buddha statue. Marvel at the Wat Xieng Thong Monastery, layered with gold leaf and elaborate mosaics depicting the fabled Thong copper tree; see more golden splendors at Wat Sene; and continue up Phousi Hill to enjoy a panoramic view. View Prince Phetsarath’s impressive collection of Buddha figures at Wat Visoun, and gaze up at the rotund anda of the sixteenth-century Lotus Stupa. Learn about the rich weaving heritage of Laos with Carol Cassidy, an acclaimed artist who works with local artisans to produce fine textiles. At nearby villages, observe skilled blacksmiths at work and sample of the local rice whisky produced with age-old methods. And cruise the Mekong River to the cave temples of Pak Ou, home to thousands of lacquered and gilded Buddha figures.

Day 19-20 – Angkor, Cambodia

Survey Angkor Wat’s massive towers, carved murals, colonnades, and courtyards that exemplify classic Khmer architecture. Visit the royal quarters of Angkor Thom, featuring the extraordinary Bayon Temple, considered to be the model of the Buddhist universe. Venture into the ancient site of Ta Prohm, left largely as it was found a century ago, engulfed by thick banyan trees. And meet with the teachers and students at Kok Dong Primary School. Travelers may also choose to visit the National Museum, housing an excellent collection of ancient Khmer artifacts. Or instead of Angkor Wat, travelers may travel to the lost jungle temple of Beng Melea, and then continue on to the Rolous temple complex. Observe the production of traditional crafts at village workshops. Or instead of Angkor Thom, go to Banteay Srei, the Citadel of Women, considered the “jewel” of Khmer Art.

Day 21 - Return Home

Following breakfast, depart from Cambodia on individual commercial flights.

This itinerary is preliminary and subject to change. An updated itinerary will be sent with final documents.