Typically depart from US on 1/2 arriving in Mumbai on 1/3. Typically depart from Delhi late evening 1/16 or early am 1/17 and arrive in US on 1/17.
Cost
Double Room is $5,590 per person.
Single Room is $6,990.
Price does not include International airfare, optional tips, most beverages at meals, some small incidental fees like video or photo charge at specific sites, restrooms, etc..
Registration
Deposit:
$1,000 per person by August 10, 2023.
Balance Payment
$4,590 per person in a Double Room (one double bed or two twins); $5,990 in a Single Room. Due two weeks after deposit.
An initial deposit of $1,000 is due to secure your spot.
Registration will remain open until August 10th, or when the trip has reached capacity.
Program Highlights
Visit the 6th century Elephanta Caves with an archaeologist, historian and specialists on caves; discuss non-violence with a Gandhian scholar at Ghandi Memorial; learn from a local expert about Mughals and their love of architecture in Agra.
Witness the Mumbai dabbawallas in action and travel with them on a local train; take part in the lifestyle of the Bishnoi tribes on an interesting village safari.
Feast in the wilderness at a traditional Shikar (hunting celebration); enjoy a Rajasthani cooking workshop with an expert at Rohet; end with a farewell dinner at the award-winning Peshawar restaurant.
Boat cruise at sunset on Lake Pichola in Udaipur; Tuk-tuk ride to the old city of Jodhpur; Rickshaw around old Delhi to Asia’s biggest spice market; take a train to Agra for iconic views of the Taj Mahal at sunset and sunrise.
Delve into India’s identity and history, with David Campion with presentations, and late night conversations. Journey with like-minded curious Lewis & Clark friends.
Itinerary
Arrive at Mumbai International Airport. You will be met by an airport representative who will escort you to your hotel. One of the world’s top ten centers of commerce, Mumbai is the financial and entertainment capital of India. Time at leisure to unwind and relax.
The Taj Mahal Tower Hotel Mumbai
Morning at leisure. 11am to 12noon: Introduction and lecture by Professor David Campion. Followed by Lunch at the hotel - Masala Kraft, a specialty Indian restaurant.
Afternoon Colonial walk of Mumbai (approx. 2 hours). This tour starts with the Gateway of India, the emblem of Mumbai tourism. This victory arch was built to welcome the British Queen to the city. Post this, we will walk past the Royal Mumbai Yacht Club, the Police Headquarters, the National Gallery of Modern Art and the city museum. En-route, we will stumble upon the Kala Ghoda area, which is the art area of Mumbai. Here amidst stories of Sassoon and Jewish history, you will hear stories about the Watson Hotel – the first iron cast building in the city that hosted Mark Twain.
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant - Khyber, serving Indian cuisine.
The Taj Mahal Tower Hotel Mumbai
Early morning - Mumbai by Dawn. Mumbai has an infectious charm and energy of its own and its early morning sights gives you an interesting peek into the mercurial character of the city. As the city wakes up, one can get a whiff of the cultural insights of the real Mumbai, the underbelly of this magnificent city and understand what makes it tick. Mumbai by Dawn pays homage to the people of Mumbai such as the newspaper vendors, the fruit and vegetable sellers operating in various markets of the city, the flower vendors and the milkmen unfailingly delivering milk every morning, all striving hard with a sole and focused intent – a better life.
Return to the hotel for breakfast. Late morning free-time to explore city on your own. Lunch at the hotel - Shamiana, multi-cuisine.
Afternoon - Take a private boat to Elephanta Island. The island is famous for its great cave shrine, excavated in the 6th century. From the Gateway of India, board a ferry to Elephanta Island, the glorious abode of Lord Shiva. The cave temples are chiseled into a rocky cliff and contains some great masterpieces of Indian sculpture. With a conjectural history, the Elephanta caves point to a monotheistic past and hold more secrets than they reveal. You will be accompanied by Dr. Suraj A. Pandit (subject to availability), a trained archaeologist and active researcher in the field of Indian Art and Archaeology. Dr Pandit has authored several books including, ‘Shakti in Indian Archaeology, Art, Literature and Philosophy’, and ‘Stories in Stone’. He specializes in the art, architecture and history of the cave systems in Western India and was credited most recently for the discovery of seven caves in Kanheri, at the sprawling Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
Dinner on your own or with Professor Campion as you wish.
The Taj Mahal Tower Hotel Mumbai
Breakfast at Hotel. Morning – Witness the Dabbawalas or the 6 sigma workers of Mumbai sending over 5,00,000 boxes of lunch to their rightful owners with extreme precision. Enjoy a short train ride with them. Studied by consultants and business schools for the secrets of their proclaimed near-flawless efficiency, the dabbawalas have been feted by British royals (Prince Charles) and titans of industry (Richard Branson) alike. Even FedEx, which supposedly knows something about logistics, has paid them a visit.
Lunch at a local restaurant – Chetna, serving Gujrati/ Indian thali. Afternoon - Visit the very first museum of the city, the Bhau Daji Lad Museum – a living, breathing incubator of Indian art. Formerly called Victoria & Albert Museum, it showcases the city’s history and heritage through old maps, lithographs and paintings. The sculpture garden showcases an eclectic collection of statues that date back to Mumbai’s British colonial period and makes for an interesting visit.
Take a walk down the famous Mumbai Spice Market, as the aroma almost restarts your stomach engines, even for the ones who have over-eaten already. Here, you can not only buy the spices, but can also get them dry roasted and ground into the masala mix of your choice before your own eyes. It’s not uncommon to see ladies patiently waiting, with bagful of spices and a recipe that has been handed down since generations.
Dinner own arrangements
The Taj Mahal Tower Hotel Mumbai
Breakfast at Hotel before check-out. Purchase food for lunch on the plane. Drive to Mumbai airport in for your flight to Jodhpur 12:14 / 14:15. Light Snack/ Sandwich and soft beverages on plane. A representative will meet you at the airport, later we drive to Rohet – approx. 1 hour. Check-in at Rohetgarh.
Special “Shikar dinner” with local folklore.Optional Camel ride at sunset through the majestic Thar Desert for those interested.
Rohetgarh Hotel
Breakfast at Hotel. Morning - Enjoy an interesting village safari to meet the Bishnoi tribes. This safari will give you a glimpse of the lifestyle and culture of the Bishnois. The Bishnoi followed 29 principles, including their unconditional love for nature and wildlife. Witness their unique and traditional ‘opium ceremony’. The safari continues to meet other tribes – weavers, gold smiths, etc.
Afternoon – Cooking workshop and lunch with an expert at Rohet Garh. This gastronomy experience will give guests a glimpse into a world that is privy to a select few. Learn about spices, curries, secret age-old recipes and master the art of Rajasthani cooking.
Discussion by Professor David Campion. Afterwards, time permitting admire the beautiful and rare breed of Marwari horses of the Mewar region. Should any guests wish to have a ride, it could be made possible.
Dinner at the hotel - Multi cuisine.
Rohetgarh Hotel
Breakfast at Hotel . Drive to Jodhpur - approx. 45 minutes. Visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort that has expansive courtyards, intricate carvings, multistoried palaces. It houses private collections of the Maharajas of Jodhpur.
Later travel in a convoy of tuk-tuks to the old city where lunch will be arranged at Raas – Rajasthani cuisine. Later meet a Master Perfumer whose family has been producing exclusive perfumes for generations for the HH of Jodhpur. Guests will get an opportunity to learn about Indian herbs, flowers and spices that are used to produce these organic perfumes.
Afternoon - Photo-stop at Toorji Ka Jhalra (ancient step well) located next to Raas. Later walk around the market and explore. Return to your hotel. Free time to explore.
Dinner own arrangements.
Rohetgarh Hotel
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - Drive to Jain temples near Ranakpur (opens at 12 noon for Foreigners) – approx. 3 hours with an en-route lunch stop for lunch at the Mountbatten Lodge.
Post lunch continue to Udaipur – approx. 1 hour 45minutes. Dinner at the hotel.
Fatehgarh Hotel
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - Begin your tour at City Palace, home to an impressive collection of artifacts, weapons, miniature paintings, etc. Continue to the Durbar Hall, one of the most gorgeous banquet halls in the country, dominated by brilliant crystal chandeliers. Above, the Crystal Gallery is the world’s largest privately owned collection of crystal objects housing a jewel-encrusted carpet and – the only crystal bed in the world!
Lunch at a local restaurant – Royal Repast serving Indian and Continental cuisine. Travel in a convoy of tuk-tuks.
Afternoon - Walk around the old city. Afterwards board a sunset boat cruise. Udaipur, also known as the ‘City of Lakes’ is like the oasis of the Thar desert. The many lakes in the city have lent it the name of ‘Venice of the East’. And what better to admire the regal beauty of this historic city dotted with palaces than a boat cruise.
Dinner own arrangements.
Fatehgarh Hotel
Breakfast at hotel. Participants should purchase lunch for plane. Drive to Udaipur airport in time for your flight to Delhi – 12:45 / 14:15. Light Snack/ Sandwich and soft beverages on the plane. A representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.
Delhi is a city built and rebuilt seven times over several centuries. The capital city today marries the quaint and unique elements of different historical eras with the pace of the bustling, growing economy. At every turn of the road, the past and the present coexist.
Presentation by Professor David Campion. Afterwards, Free time to explore the city.
Dinner own arrangements.
The Imperial Hotel
Breakfast at Hotel. Morning - Visit Humayun’s Tomb, the first great example of Mughal architecture in India. Continue to Gandhi Smriti, the sacred place where Mahatma Gandhi’s epic Life ended. The hallowed house treasures many memories of the last days of his life. The Old Birla House was converted into a National Memorial, on display are photographs, sculptures, painting, frescos, and relecis pertaining to the years of Mahatma Gandhi spent here. Talk on Non-violence by a Gandhian scholar at the Memorial.
Lunch at Chor Bizarre - Indian Cuisine. Afternoon Visit Qutab Minar, a soaring Afghan-style victory tower and minaret. Later drive past President’s Palace & India Gate before returning to your hotel.
Dinner at hotel ’1911’ - Multi-cuisine. Evening free-time to explore.
The Imperial Hotel
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - Visit Old Delhi’s Jama Mosque, surrounded by vibrant markets. Cycle rickshaw ride to Asia’s largest spice market. Visit Red Fort, the residence of the Mughal Emperors and the seat of the Mughal capital till 1857.
Lunch at Haveli Dharampura. Afternoon - Return to the hotel and rest of the afternoon at leisure, alternatively visit Dilli Haat, an open-air food-and-crafts market that is a cavalcade of color and sells regional handicrafts from all over India. There are food stands where you can sample cuisine from every corner of the country.
Dinner own arrangements.
The Imperial Hotel
Early start today. Grab breakfast at Hotel or on train. Morning - Transfer to Nizamudin Railway station to connect train to Agra – 08:10 / 09:50 hrs. On arrival a representative will meet you at the station. En-route visit Agra Fort, one of the most important strongholds of the Mughals. Later check- in at your hotel.
Agra is home to some of the most magnificent monuments built by the Mughals.
Lunch own arrangements.
Afternoon - Possibly visit Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity Home or other activities. Home to the less fortunate children and abandoned senior citizens, you will come back with a feeling of profound respect for the missionaries who are tirelessly carrying out the noble job started decades ago by Mother Teresa.
Continue to visit Taj Mahal at sunset. The 17th century Taj Mahal is often called a poem in stone and is considered the world’s monument to love and one of the world’s most inspiriting sights.
Farewell dinner at ITC Mughal signature restaurant, Peshwari. The romance of the rugged North West Frontier of India comes alive at this authentic, award-winning restaurant.
ITC Mughal Hotel
Visit Taj Mahal by sunrise. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
Post breakfast visit Sikandra, an outstanding sandstone and marble tomb that commemorates the greatest of the Mughal emperors, Akbar.
Lunch at the hotel - Taj Bano, Multi cuisine. Post lunch drive to Delhi international airport – approx. 4 hours. En route stop at Itimad-ud-Daulah, the exquisite tomb of Mizra Ghiyas Beg that is fondly called ‘baby Taj’.
A representative will meet you at the airport and assist you in check-in formalities for home bound flight.
Faculty Leader
David Campion, Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. Associate Professor of History
Professor David Campion’s research interests include the British Empire in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries—particularly in North India, Ireland, and the Mediterranean. He has studied the influence of Irish revolutionaries in the development of Indian nationalism and is currently working on a book about the Indian Police during British colonial rule. His scholarly interests tend to focus on the effects of cross-cultural contact, particularly in a colonial setting. David’s research and teaching have been supported by the William J. Fulbright Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, the Andrew J. Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the American Institute of Indian Studies, and the Rotary International Foundation.
