A three-week, intensive study tour of India that will introduce students to the culture and religious traditions of India in the Northwest Himalayan regions and along the sacred river Ganges.  Students will follow high-altitude pilgrimage trails to the Hindu temples of Kedarnath (right) Gangotri, and Tungnath. They will trek to the sacred source of the holy Ganges river, camp out amidst majestic Himalayan peaks at Tapovan and the Valley of Flowers, visit yoga centers and encounter world-renouncing holy men in the sacred cities of Rishikesh and Hardwar, and observe Sufi prayer and musical performance in Delhi.

 

To deepen your knowledge of India (and by extension the world) and its great cultural diversity

To expand your awareness of religious world views, practices, architecture, art, literatures and lifestyles.

To have an unforgettable, fun, challenging, eye-opening, and (hopefully) life-changing experience, all amidst some of the most spectacular mountain peaks on the planet.


Tour Leaders:

DANIEL MECKEL

Dan is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at St. Mary's. He specializes in the religions of India and does ethnographic research in the Indian Himalayas.

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SCOTT SATER

Scott is a teacher and Director of Bands in Shakopee, Minnesota. His passion for the mountains and expertise in trekking has taken him to multiple locations in the Indian Himalayas.

DELHI

The capital city of India. Our point of entry and final departure. There we will explore sites and architecture
of the Mughal empire, see the ancient Jain temple of Lal Mandir, shop in the Old Delhi
marketplace, visit the Sikh
temple of Bangla Sahib, as well as the tomb of Sufi saint
Nazrat Nizam ud-din

Projected cost of the tour is $3800. This covers tuition, airfare, lodgings, ground transportation, expedition services, travel insurance, and most meals. It does not cover immunizations, visa, personal expenses, or medications. Payment will be made in three installments: an initial $100 is due at the time of application to reserve a space on the tour; a second payment of $2500.00 due by February 20th; and a final payment of $1200.00 by April 15th. The tour is limited to twenty students, with a minimum of seven. Please see our refund policy.

Several $500 scholarships will be announced in the Spring.

Students will register for the study tour as a Summer course, worth 4 credit hours. We will meet twice a week for two weeks prior to departure. Students will keep journals throughout the adventure and write a reflection paper after returning.

For more information, contact Daniel Meckel
djmeckel@smcm.edu. Tel: 301-240-4464

To apply for the tour and reserve a space,
download the application form