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| Program and Tentative Itinerary for Discovery Journey, |
August 2-13, 2008
Main Program: Discovery Journey Itinerary Cost: $2685, includes international flights
[Institutional visits and learning activities will be finalized in consultation with participants.]
Since the dawn of time, travelers have come to India. Whether they came in search of adventure, spiritual awakening or intellectual enlightenment, they all left with one thing in common- India changed their lives forever. This program is designed to give you a similar experience. In the process, we hope you’ll discover more about yourself, while experiencing the joy of learning.
This journey will take you to the southern states of Karnataka and Kerala, each with unique features. Karnataka, houses the land known as the silicon valley of India, and of course some excellent museums, maharaja’s palaces, etc. The state of Kerala is globally known for its indicators of social development, 100% literacy, low infant mortality, high status of women etc. Discover the secrets behind these outstanding accomplishments.
This trip will take you to organizations and communities engaged in education, health and human services. You will meet and interact with professionals and community leaders in remote villages and urban areas.
- Marvel at the fast moving and bustling cities, and the serenity of the villages
- Feast your eyes on the palaces of maharajas and the thick greens of the rainforest of the South
- Mingle with villagers and interact with professionals
- Enjoy a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage with oils and herbs
- Enjoy some delicious meals, including vegetarian
- See the oldest synagogue outside of Israel
- Visit schools, college and interact with students and teachers
- Study women’s self-help projects like the Grameen Bank
- Enjoy “Kadhakali” the traditional dance of Kerala,
- Visit the largest settlement of Buddhists from Tibet, their schools, welfare programs, seminary where monks are trained
- Do some bargain shopping - silk, cotton, hand-carvings, jewelry.
If you choose the optional extensions
- Behold the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort
- Witness the amazing contras of Old Delhi and New Delhi
- See the Red Fort, Kutab Minar, Jama Masjid, Chandini Chouk
- Enjoy the cruise and a night on the famous Kerala House Boat!
Of course you will be able to do some bargain shopping as well. You will also feast your eyes |
Day 01 (Jul 31, THU) Leave Chicago/New York to discover India
Day 02 (Aug 1 FRI): Enroute
Day 03(Aug 2, SAT): Early morning arrive Bangalore. Traditional Style Welcome with floral garlands. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon, overview of program and city tour -, rich in its historical and cultural background. Bangalore is well-known for its IT industry, popularly known as the Silicone valley of India. Visit Lal Bagh gardens, the Vdhan Soudha etc. Evening, meeting with program director for those taking the program for credit. Overnight at hotel Golden Land Mark |
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Day 04 (Aug 3 SUN): After breakfast, visit an NGO or a school; Late morning, drive to Mysore (140 kms 4 hrs); enroute, visit Sreeranga Pattinam, the destroyed capital of Tipu Sultan. On arrival check in hotel Sandesh the Prince. Time permitting, visit Chamundi Hills and a local market. Over night at hotel Sandesh The Prince
Day 05 (Aug 4 MON): After breakfast, Maharajas Palace and then drive to Bylakuppe (120 kms 4 hrs); this is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in south India, Check in hotel, Overnight at guest house.
Day 06 (Aug 5 TUE): At Bylakuppe- visit the monasteries and social welfare programs run by the monks; Overnight at guest house. Educational activiaties.
Bylakuppe is the location of "Lugsum Samdupling" (established in 1961) and "Dickyi Larsoe" (established in 1969), two adjacent Tibetan refugee settlements, in the west of Mysore district. The nearest town is Kushalnagar in Kodagu in the State of Karnataka.
It consists of a number of small camps/agricultural settlements close to each other, and has a number of monasteries, nunneries and temples in all the major Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Most notable among them are the large educational monastic institution Sera, the smaller Tashilunpo monastery (both in the Gelukpa tradition) and Namdroling monastery (in the Nyingma tradition).
Particularly well known among the temples is the spectacular Golden Temple which is also a major tourist spot in the area. |
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Day 07 (Aug 6, WED): After breakfast, drive to Kalpatta; Today we cross the border of Karnataka state with Kerala state As you cross the border, you will be entering a different culture, language base, food habits, etc. The state of Kerala, the first state in the world to democratically elect a communist government, is known for its social development indicators with its 100% literacy, egalitarian distribution of resources, status of women, low infant mortality, etc. Visit a tribal school, an alternative school/commune in Wayanad district, Kerala, India, set up by writer, activist and film director K. J. Baby. The school's activities include traditional plays, music, and martial arts (Kalarippayattu) training. Overnight, at hotel, Green Gates. Educational activities.
Day 08 (Aug 7 THU): After breakfast, drive to Guruvayur (210 kms 6 hrs)
Guruvayoor is one of the very popular Hindu temples in India. Entry is strictly for Hindus with traditional dress. Getting married in front of this temple considered to be very special for Hindus, some special days more than 200 couples getting married here! Overnight at hotel Sopanam Heritage
Day 9 (Aug 8 FRI): After breakfast drive to Cochin (80 kms 2 hrs), enroute visit the Guruvayoor elephant sanctuary with 63 elephants! Cheraman Masjid, the first mosque in Kerala etc. Check in hotel Fort Heritage. Evening, a Kathakali dance performance, the famous dance drama of Kerala; also see a little bit of the elaborate makeup (it takes more than 2 hours to put on the makeup of a character!!)
Over night at hotel Fort Heritage
Day 10 (Aug 9 SAT): After breakfast, visit Fort Cochin, where Vasco de Gama, the first European to visit India by sea route, was originally buried. It also was the home for the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonies. Also see the Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, the Indo-Portuguese museum, a Jewish Synagogue, the oldest outside of Israel, the Dutch palace etc. Evening, roundtable discussion
Day 11, (Aug 10, SUN): 4:30 AM Air India flight from Kochi for a same day scheduled arrival in Chicago/New York.
Samanwaya and Conference: Cost: $485
Day 11 (Aug 10, SUN): AM Leave for Alleppey, overnight on houseboat.
Day 12, (AUG 11 MON ) Leave for Kottayam, Participate in Samanwaya program at BCM college
Day 1 3 (Aug 12, TUE): Kottayam, Conference
Day 14 (Aug 13 WED): Kottayam, Conference
Day 15 (Aug 14 THU): Morning IA flight from Kochi to US (with overnight stay in Mumbai
Day 16 (Aug 15 FRI): Arrive USA |
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Optional Early Departure and visit to New Delhi and Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, Cost $485
JUL 28 MON: Departure for New Delhi
JUL 29 TUE: Enroute
JUL 30 WED: Early morning arrive New Delhi; late morning Sightseeing of New Delhi and Old Delhi
JUL 31 THU: Visit to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal and return to New Delhi
AUG 1 FRI: Discover visits and educational activities in New Delhi
AUG 2, SAT: Early morning flight to Bangalore
Price includes transportation by air conditioned coach with driver as per the program; accommodation on twin sharing basis with breakfast in hotels mentioned or similar category, tolls, parking ,interstate charges, driver bata; services of an English speaking guide
Price does not include any item not listed above such as visa fees, add-on airfare from participants home town to Chicago/New York, entrance fees to monuments and expenses of personal nature, etc.
For detailed itinerary, please write to gp@discoveryjourney.org |
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