HMML Millennium Club & Legacy Society Members*

2019 HMML Trip to India: February 4-17

Nepal Extension: February 18-23/24

Space is limited!

Join HMML executive director, Fr. Columba Stewart

on an authentic Northern India adventure

that includes

India’s most spectacular sights

Visit Delhi’s major Mughal period sites (Red Fort, Old Delhi,

Humayun’s Tomb) and other impressive features of this

sprawling city. Then to the “Golden Triangle” and other sites

in Rajasthan: Agra (for the Taj Mahal and other Mughal

buildings); Jaipur (Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar);

Udaipur (Fort, City Palace, and Bazaar); Jodhpur

(Mehranghar Fort and the “Blue City”); Jaisalmer (a desert

city of camel caravans and a massive, still-inhabited castle).

Optional Extension to Nepal:

Intertwined Hindu and Buddhist Culture

Visit Kathmandu and environs (Durbar Square, Patan, Bhakta-

pur, Bagmati, Swayambhunath, Pashupathinath, Bouddhan-

ath). Fly west to Pokhara for views of the Annapurna Range

across the peaceful lake; return to Kathmandu on February

23. Depart for home on February 23 or 24 (depending on

flight times). Visits to HMML project sites as feasible.

*Millennium Club members contribute $1,000 or more annually to HMML. Legacy

Society members have made a provision for HMML in their estate plans. Members

may invite their guests along.

Day 1

Monday, February 4

On arrival in Delhi, transfer to Le Meridien Hotel to settle

in and rest from the trip. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 2

Tuesday, February 5

Full day leisurely tour of New Delhi with guide, visiting

sights such as Humayun’s Tomb, the India Gate and gov-

ernment buildings, and Connaught Place with its colonial

architecture. Overnight at Le Meridien Hotel.

Day 3

Wednesday, February 6

Full day guided tour focused on Old Delhi, including the

magnificent Red Fort with its many beautiful structures and

the Jama Masjid mosque. Enjoy a ride on a cycle rickshaw

in Chandni Chowk for a glimpse of life in Old Delhi, with

its bazaars and colorful shops. Lunch at Chor Bizarre res-

taurant; dinner and overnight at Le Meridien Hotel.

Day 4

Thursday, February 7

After breakfast a 3.5-hour drive to Agra (134 miles). Check-

in and lunch at Agra Hotel Radisson Blu. And then a high

point of the trip, the extraordinary and poignant Taj Ma-

hal, followed by the Agra Fort. Dinner and overnight at

hotel.

Day 5

Friday, February 8

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (5.5

hours/152 miles). Lunch will be at the unique village hotel,

Chandra Mahal Haveli, in Bharatpur. Arrive and check-in

at the Samode Haveli Hotel in Jaipur, followed by a brief

orientation tour. In the evening, pre-dinner cocktails and

dinner at the Samode Haveli accompanied by authentic

Indian music.

Day 6

Saturday, February 9

A full day of sightseeing including the famous Amber Fort

(with the option of an elephant ride) and a city tour, with

lunch along the way. That evening, we will be the guests

of Usha & Inder Vijai Singh at their family home, with

cocktails, a hands-on cooking demonstration, and dinner.

Overnight at Samode Haveli.

Day 7

Sunday, February 10

Departure for Deogarh (5 hours/171 miles). Check-in and

lunch at the Deogarh Mahal Hotel before the “Rural Ram-

ble,” a jeep safari through northern India’s agricultural

region. Visit Anjaneshwar Mahadev, a cave temple with a

famous abstract representation of Lord Shiva formed by the

interplay of water and calcium from the rock. From the top

a panoramic view of the volcanic landscape, followed by a

lakeside visit to observe migratory birds and wildlife. Dinner

and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Monday, February 11

After breakfast, a train ride on a 1930’s British meter gauge

track. The leisurely trip covers 10.5 miles in two hours, fea-

turing bridges, tunnels and lots of monkeys. After lunch at

the hotel in Deogarh, head to Udaipur (3 hours/80 miles).

Check-in and dinner at the Udapair Radisson Blu Resort.

Day 9

Tuesday, February 12

Tour of Udaipur, visiting the City Palace, temples, and the

bazaar. Lunch at a local restaurant; a sunset boat ride on

Lake Pichola, with dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

Wednesday, February 13

After breakfast, off to Jodhpur via Ranakpur (5 hours/157

miles). Stop along the way at the Ranakpur Jain Temple,

followed by lunch at Hotel Fateh Bagh Ranakpur. Upon

arrival in Jodhpur check-in at the Taj Jari Mahal Hotel fol-

lowed—if time permits—by a walking tour of the Old City.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11

Thursday, February 14

Day-long tour of the “Blue City” of Jodhpur, including the

spectacular Mehrangahr Fort and the Old City, with its

famed spice markets and the opportunity to see Rajasthani

cooking techniques, and lunch at Hotel RAAS. Dinner and

overnight at the hotel.

Day 12

Friday, February 15

After breakfast, drive toward the desert city of Jaisalmer (6

hours/178 miles), stopping for a village walk and lunch at

the Manvar Resort. Upon arrival in Jaisalmer, check-in at

the Marriott Resort and Spa followed by an introductory

tour if time permits. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Nepal Extension Cont’d

Days 2-3

Tuesday, February 19-Wednesday, February 20

Kathmandu consists of several ancient villages that now form a

conurbation. Our tour over two days will visit each of the major

centers. Some were severely damaged in the 2015 earthquake,

while others survived unscathed. Sights include Kathmandu’s

famous Durbar Square and the Ason Tole market area with tem-

ples tucked amidst busy urban life; the artistic city of Patan,

Bhaktapur with its many temples; the hilltop Buddhist pilgrim-

age center of Swayambhunath; the major Hindu temple at

Pashupathinath and the nearby Bouddhanath stupa surrounded

by charming shops and cafes.

Day 4

Thursday, February 21

After breakfast, a one-hour flight west from Kathmandu to

Pokhara, a lakeside city at the foot of the Annapurna Range.

During the flight there will be incredible views of the Himalayas.

After check-in at the Temple Tree Hotel and lunch, a private

boat ride on beautiful Phewa Lake and a visit to the island Tal

Barahi temple.

Day 5

Friday, February 22

Walk up to the World Peace Pagoda, a viewpoint with a pano-

ramic view of Pokhara and Phewa Lake. Afterwards visit Devi's

Falls, the nearby Gupteswor Mahadev Cave, and the new and

fascinating International Mountain Museum. Along the way, see

the historic houses of old Pokhara. Time for shopping and ex-

ploring before dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

Saturday, February 23

Fly back to Kathmandu, with time for shopping and touring on

your own before evening flight departures or dinner and over-

night at the Yak and Yeti hotel for those departing the next day.

Day 13

Saturday, February 16

Morning sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer including the Fort,

the remarkable cenotaphs, and the Patwon Ki Haveli palac-

es now a museum. After lunch at the hotel, a visit to the

spectacular sand dunes outside the city. A special evening

will include traditional Rajasthani folk dance, cocktails,

barbeque snacks, and the opportunity to ride a camel or

just watch the sunset. Dinner and overnight at the Jaisalmer

Marriott hotel.

Day 14

Sunday, February 17

After a late breakfast at the hotel, depart for the Jaisalmer

Airport and the flight to Delhi. After arrival in Delhi, lunch

and check-in at Le Meridien Hotel. Free time for shopping

or touring. Farewell dinner with music, and overnight at

the Delhi Hotel Le Meridian.

Day 15

Monday, February 18

Breakfast at the hotel, and checkout by 12:00. Flight home.

Nepal Extension

Day 1

Monday, February 18

Plane to Kathmandu from Delhi, transfer to the Yak and

Yeti Hotel with its famous gardens near the former Royal

Palace. Walking tour of the area, including the Kesar Re-

search Library (a potential HMML project) and the famous

Thamel district. Dinner and overnight at the Yak and Yeti.

Nepal Extension

Day 1

Monday, February 18

Plane to Kathmandu from Delhi, transfer to the Yak and

Yeti Hotel with its famous gardens near the former Royal

Palace. Walking tour of the area, including the Kesar Re-

search Library (a potential HMML project) and the famous

Thamel district. Dinner and overnight at the Yak and Yeti.

Price (subject to adjustment based on group size):

India package: $4550; single supplement: $1350

Nepal extension: $1650, single supplement: $300

Included:

All accommodation on a twin sharing basis, all meals,

tips, drinking water and soft drinks while on the bus.

All transport within India, including air-conditioned

bus, airport transfers, flight from Jaisalmer to Delhi

with 20 KG of checked baggage.

All entrance fees for venues mentioned in the itinerary.

Not included:

Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flight to

Delhi with arrival on February 4 (departing from the USA

at least one day before) and departure on February 18.

For those traveling on the Nepal extension, the tour will

include the flight from Delhi to Kathmandu. You will be

responsible for your own departure from Kathmandu on

the evening of February 23 or on February 24.

Laundry, alcoholic beverages except where specified on the

itinerary, and other personal expenses.

General notes:

Visits with HMML partners or prospective partners will be

arranged as schedules permit.

The trip will require a lot of walking, much of it over rough

surfaces and up steps. Bring good shoes and be ready to

walk. We will not be able to make accommodation for those

with mobility issues.

India is intense: lots of people, lots of poverty, everyone

moving quickly to get through the day’s challenges. Raja-

sthan will be less so but be prepared for a lot of stimulation.

You will also find extraordinary hospitality and simple kind-

ness.

Temperatures will be pleasant throughout the trip, with day-

time highs in Rajasthan in the low-mid 80s with cool nights.

Delhi and Agra will be cooler. Everywhere the sun will be

fierce, so bring good hats and sunscreen.

Generally speaking both men and women will be more com-

fortable in long trousers/skirts except at places like hotel

swimming pools. When visiting mosques and temples, shorts

and bare shoulders are not permitted for either men or

women. Women should have a scarf handy as a head cover-

ing for visits to holy places, especially those less frequented

by tourists.

Once one leaves Delhi/Agra, travel is slow on India’s poor

and crowded roads. In Delhi and other major cities

(including Kathmandu) the traffic is terrible. Fortunately,

there is always something to see along the way.

Delhi is notorious for its poor air quality; it should be better

in February than December/January, but those with breath-

ing issues should consult their physician. Elsewhere, air quali-

ty should not be an issue, except possibly in Kathmandu.

For those taking the Nepal extension, altitude should not be

an issue since both Kathmandu and Pokhara are in valleys

with an elevation of only 4500 ft. above sea level.

The hygiene standard of tourist hotels and restaurants is very

high; laundry service is fast and readily available.

Please consult with your physician about recommended im-

munizations. Anti-malarial prophylaxis is generally not rec-

ommended for tourists traveling in northern India or Nepal,

but if you have reason to be concerned, ask your physician.

Questions?

Contact: Linda Orzechowski

320-363-3514

Payment Dates

September 1, 2018 –RSVP to:

Linda O, 320-363-3514

Early reservations are encouraged as

trip size is limited to 25 participants.

November 1, 2018 —50% of the trip cost is

due at HMML as a deposit

January 1, 2019 —Balance of trip cost is due

at HMML

HMML accepts all major credit cards.

Checks should be made out to:

Hill Museum & Manuscript Library

ATTN: Linda

2835 Abbey Plaza, P.O. Box 7300

Saint John’s University

Collegeville, MN 56321