AN EXCLUSIVE RIVER CRUISESlowly Down the Ganges

March 6 – 19, 2018

Worldwide Quest presents to University of Toronto Alumni and Friends

The name Ganges conjures notions of India’s exoticism and mystery. This is a marvellous opportunity to experience India’s colourful traditions, its spectacular sites, and its beguiling quiet corners, from the comfort of an elegant river cruiser.

You will be on board the exclusively chartered RV Bengal Ganga for this very special voyage. Based on a traditional 19th century British design, this modern 28-stateroom replica colonial steamer blends beautifully with the timeless landscape. Over eight leisurely days and 650 kilometres, you will experience the vibrant, complex tapestry of diverse architectural expressions, historical narratives, religious beliefs, and fascinating cultural traditions that thrive along the banks of the Ganges. Daily presentations by expert study leaders will add to your understanding of the soul of Indian civilization.

You will visit colourful and fascinating Varanasi, the important Buddhist site of Bodhgaya, and India’s artistic and cultural capital, Kolkata. Optional pre- and post-tour extensions give you the opportunity to explore more of this enthralling country with guided visits to Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan, and Mumbai.

This river cruise is an experience for the culturally curious about India’s mesmerizing heritage, for photographers of unforgettable landscapes, and for adventurous travellers who relish authentic moments. The experience of the Ganges River is beguiling, complex, infinite and profound. I hope you will join us.

Sincerely,

Daphne TaoManager, Alumni Travel ProgramThe University of Toronto respects your privacy, your personal information remains confidential and is never released to our travel partners. The promotional information in this mailing is provided by an official travel partner of the University of Toronto. Revenue generated through travel programs support student and alumni events and initiatives. If you prefer not to receive information regarding the university’s travel programs, please contact address.update@utoronto.ca or write to: “Alumni Records — Attn.: no travel mailings”, 21 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 3J3.

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Aarti Ceremony

Detailed Itinerary

Tuesday, March 6: Arrive DelhiYou are met on arrival and transferred to the deluxe Trident Hotel.Overnight: Trident Hotel, Gurgaon Wednesday, March 7: Fly to VaranasiExperience the colourful and fascinating street life in a guided walk through the oldest winding lanes of the city. Witness the Aarti Ceremony, part of the evening prayers. Taj Gateway, Varanasi B, D Thursday, March 8: VaranasiTake an early morning small-boat ride on the Ganges. Visit the ruins and museum at Sarnath where Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.Taj Gateway, Varanasi B, L, D Friday, March 9: Drive to BodhgayaVisit the Mahabodhi temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that marks the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment under a banyan tree. Many monasteries and temples dot the bucolic landscape.Taj Darbar, Bodhgaya B, L, D Saturday, March 10: Drive to Munger & EmbarkDrive to Rajgir, the first capital of the Magadha Empire dating from the 6th century BCE. Continue to Nalanda, one of the oldest seats of learning in India to see the ruins of nine monasteries and four main temples. We embark our exclusively chartered river cruiser in Munger.On board RV Bengal Ganga B, L, D

Sunday, March 11: SultanganjStart the day with a visit to the Bihar School of Yoga, which has developed techniques founded on traditional vedantic, tantric, and yogic teachings. Set sail for Sultanganj, conspicuous for its two great granite bluffs, crowned by a temple and a mosque. Visit the 16th century temple of Ajgaibinath Shiva and the long causeway connecting the mainland with the island of Jahngira on which the cluster of shrines is entwined along with the seemingly floating rock. On board RV Bengal Ganga B, L, D Monday, March 12: Bateshwarsthan, Samtaghat Cruise through the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary where the endangered Gangetic river dolphin is protected. From Bateshwarsthan, take a short jeep ride to the excavation site of the Vikramshila University dating from the late 8th Century A.D.On board RV Bengal Ganga B, L, D Tuesday, March 13: Samtaghat – Farakka – Jangipur Enjoy a relaxing full day sail today, observing life along the river. See the Farakka Barrage, an amazing feat of engineering over two kilometres long with 109 water gates regulating the river flow.On board RV Bengal Ganga B, L, D

Puja flowers for aarti ritual

Wednesday, March 14: MurshidabadExplore the historic town where rural Bengali life and 18th Century architecture meet. Visit the Hazarduari Palace Museum with its more than a thousand real and false doors in its vast corridors, the clock tower, the former regal residence, and the elegant Madina Mosque. Walk back to the ship through the local bazaar enjoying its incredible sound and colour – fabulous photo opportunities! On board RV Bengal Ganga B, L, D Thursday, March 15: Matiari Early morning visit to the Katra Mosque built in 1724-25. Sail past the battlefield of Plassey where in 1757 Robert Clive of the British East India Company defeated the Mogul Nawab and his French Allies establishing the company rule in India. On board RV Bengal Ganga B, L, D Friday, March 16: KalnaObserve master craftsmen at work making hand crafted brass and copper pots and utensils. Visit Kalna, the ‘City of Temples’ by cycle rickshaw to see “eight slope-roofed” Shiva temples arranged in two concentric circles and the Pratapeshwar Temple richly ornamented with terra cotta friezes. The town is famous as a production centre for textiles.On board RV Bengal Ganga B, L, D

Saturday, March 17: Disembark in Kolkata Sail under the huge span of the iconic Howrah Bridge right into the city’s heart. It was from here that the British ruled a large part of Southeast Asia for two centuries. Following in their footsteps, the Bengali aristocracy and middle class came to settle here, together with Armenians, Jews, and Chinese. All left their imprint and legacy, which in turn contribute to Kolkata’s thrilling cultural blend that we begin to explore this afternoon. Lalit Hotel, Kolkata B, L, D Sunday, March 18: KolkataVisit the Jain Temple to see its exquisite and ornate mass of mirrors, coloured stones and glass mosaics. See the Victoria Memorial Hall, a monument to colonialism and a perfect example of Indo-Gothic architecture. At Kumartolli, see the craftsmen making idols and decorations for the city’s grand festivals. Visit the Missionaries of Charity where Mother Teresa lies in peace; there is a photo gallery on her life and work. End the day at the Kali Temple, a great pilgrimage centre of the Hindus to fling hibiscus flowers at a crowned, three-eyed Kali image. Lalit Hotel, Kolkata B, L, D

Monday, March 19: Depart KolkataThe morning is at leisure before transferring to the airport for homeward bound flights.

Optional extensions to Rajasthan, South India, and Nepal are available. Please contact Worldwide Quest for details.

Note: The itinerary and accommodation described in this tour brochure are subject to change due to logistical arrangements and to take advantage of local events.

Optional Pre- and Post-Expedition toursPlease contact Worldwide Quest for tour details and customized extensions.

Delhi & the Taj Mahal (pre-trip)A four day extension exploring the dynamic city of Delhi and the splendours of Agra with visits to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

Cost (per person): US$995 per person Single supplement: US$350Tour cost includes: accommodation based on double occupancy (two nights at the Trident Hotel, Delhi; one night at the Radisson Hotel, Agra), breakfast and dinner daily, transportation by private vehicle, entrance fees, full sightseeing program with private expert guides.

Rajasthan (post-trip)Discover the grand forts, extravagant palaces, and spectacular colours of Rajasthan on this fully guided extension to Jaipur, Jodhphur, and Udaipur.

Cost (per person): US$2195 per person (based on six participants) Single supplement: US$795Tour cost includes: Airfare (Kolkata to Jaipur and Udaipur to Delhi), accommodation based on double occupancy (two nights at the ITC Rajputana, Jaipur; two nights at the Ajit Bhawan, Jodhpur; two nights at the Lalit Hotel, Udaipur), breakfast and dinner daily, transportation by private vehicle, entrance fees, full sightseeing program with private expert guides.

Hyderabad & Mumbai (post-trip)Explore two ancient cities. Hyderabad boasts a legacy of magnificent palaces, mosques, and tombs – a whirl of colour in the narrow lanes filled with markets and wandering animals. Mumbai is India’s front door, with grand colonial-era architecture and a dynamic energy.

Cost (per person): US$2095 per person (based on six participants) Single supplement: US$795Tour cost includes: Airfare (Kolkata to Hyderabad and Hyderabad to Mumbai), accommodation based on double occupancy (three nights at the Taj Krishna, Hyderabad; two nights at the Trident Nariman Point, Mumbai), breakfast and dinner daily, transportation by private vehicle, entrance fees, full sightseeing program with private expert guides.

Study Leader

Adrienne Fast holds a PhD in South Asian art history from the University of British Columbia. She has taught university courses on South Asian art and currently works as a curator. Her research focuses on the establishment of a visual code of ‘authentic’, modern expression in early 20th Century India, particularly Bengal.

What to ExpectWeatherExpect temperatures around 28°C during the day and 16°C overnight. This is the dry season with little rain expected.

Group SizeLimited to 50 participants. Daily excursions will be in small groups of 16 – 18 participants.

Travel Documents You will require a passport for this trip. Please ensure it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your scheduled return home. You will require a visa for India (C$64). Worldwide Quest will provide instructions for obtaining your visa.

Terms and ConditionsFor information about terms and conditions, please refer to your booking form or Worldwide Quest’s website. All participants are covered by the terms of the Ontario Travel Industry Act.

Loom

Delhi

ChennaiBay ofBengal

Kolkata

Mumbai

INDIA

NEPALTIBET

ArabianSea

van/busplane

startend

boat

VaranasiBodhgaya

Munger

Our Route

Main Deck: US$4995Upper Deck: US$5495Port charges: US$100

Single Supplement: 1.5 times.

Tour Cost Includes:• Airport transfers on arrival and departure• Accommodation based on double occupancy

in hotels listed or similar• Accommodation based on double occupancy

in selected cabin on board the RV Bengal Ganga• Meals as indicated in the itinerary• Flight from Delhi to Varanasi in economy class• All internal transportation by private vehicle• Sightseeing with qualified English-speaking

guides• All activities and entrance fees• Taxes and gratuities (for shipboard staff,

guides, drivers, hotels, restaurants) • Port charges as indicated above

Tour Cost (per person)

Payment DetailsA non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve a space on this tour. A second deposit of US$1000 is due six months prior to departure. Final payment is due December 6, 2017.

Indian curry, naan, basmati rice

Not Included:• Airfare from your home to join the tour• Visa fee (C$64)• Fuel surcharges, if applicable• Travel insurance• Excess baggage charges• Items of a personal nature• Additional arrangements required due to any

emergency or other situation

Worldwide Quest Int’l 491 King St. E. Toronto, ON M5A 1L9 #2667946

The University of Toronto, its officers and employees, do not assume any responsibility for the financing, arranging or conducting of tours. They shall not be liable for any damages or financial loss to person or property of any description that might occur in connection with tours,

howsoever arising from the negligence, omission or otherwise of travel services arranged through Worldwide Quest International.

On board the RV Bengal GangaBuilt in Myanmar in 2004 as a replica of the colonial Clyde steamers, this modern vessel has 28 outside staterooms. Brass and teak feature prominently in the colonial style. Staterooms are approximately 15 square metres large, have air conditioning and are equipped with twin beds, safe, hair dryers, and bath robes but do not have mini-bars, TVs or phones. Internet access is provided on two computers.

Fine Indian and European cuisine, excellent service, and a hospitable and caring onboard team contribute to making this a very special experience. Passengers often describe feeling as if they were guests on a private motor yacht rather than passengers on a cruise ship. Although all staterooms are very comfortable and roomy, most passengers prefer to spend their time outside on the deck, observing the fascinating scenes and scenery along the Ganges River.

TourHighlights

Experience village life along the GangesExplore Kolkata, centre of Bengali culture

Delve into colourful Varanasi Observe Buddhist pilgrims at Bodhgaya

Please contact Worldwide Quest for more information and to book this expedition. 1-800-387-1483 or 416-633-5666 | travel@worldwidequest.com

Visit WorldwideQuest.com/UniversityofToronto today.

This river cruise is offered exclusively to the university alumni community, including: University of Toronto, McGill University and University of British Columbia.

University of Toronto Alumni Travel21 King’s College CircleToronto, ON M5S 3J3Canada

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