
Untold Kerala
Dates: 2-5 February
4 DAYS / INR 32K
Dates:
Locations:
Experience:
Story Trails designed to explore untold & authentic stories, Impact Photography and Filmmaking mentorship and social/community leadership.

Story Trails
by The Impact Society
Explorers x Photographers x Filmmakers x Cinematographers
Conservationists x Change-makers >> This is for you
If storytelling is your thing, join this community of explorers, photographers, filmmakers, writers and creators, discover unseen & untold stories, gain insights by renowned professionals, exchange traditional knowledge, indulge in authentic explorations, meet inspiring local leaders and co-create magic on this journey of endless possibilities.
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Story Trails by The Impact Society, is a journey designed for experiencing inspiring stories of natural history, cultural legacy, environmental & wildlife conservation, climate actions and sustainable leadership, with a tribe of conscious seekers & explorers.

Untold Kerala
If storytelling is your thing, join this community of explorers, photographers, filmmakers, writers and creators, discover unseen & untold stories, gain insights by renowned professionals, exchange traditional knowledge, indulge in authentic explorations, meet inspiring local leaders and co-create magic on this journey of endless possibilities.
​
Story Trails by The Impact Society, is a journey designed for experiencing inspiring stories of natural history, cultural legacy, environmental & wildlife conservation, climate actions and sustainable leadership, with a tribe of conscious seekers & explorers.
Tour Snapshot
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Dates:
2-5 February' 2023
Thursday - Sunday
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Experience Type:
Story Trails of Thar
Heritage | Culture
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Group Size:
12-14
Limited Seats available
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Travel & Transit:
Innova / Jeep
Roadtrip
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Stay Type:
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Food:
Heritage Property
& Desert Camping
Breakfast + Dinner
4 Star Grade
Vegetarian + Non-Vegetarian
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Group Type:
Storytellers x Explorers
Photographers, Filmmakers, Writers, Social Leaders, Solo Travelers, Creators
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Mentor:
Ajay Menon
Photographer & Filmmaker
Take an adventure to discover the untold
If storytelling is your thing, join this community of explorers, photographers, filmmakers, writers and creators, discover unseen & untold stories, gain insights by renowned professionals, exchange traditional knowledge, indulge in authentic explorations, meet inspiring local leaders and co-create magic on this journey of endless possibilities.









Experience Snapshot
Handpicked & Curated Explorations
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
Local Exchange & Tales
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
Travel with your Tribe
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
Storytelling Walks/Talks/Workshops
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
Heritage & Boutique Stays
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
Explore Collaborations
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
Handpicked & Curated Explorations and Discovery Trails
The Journey
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Day 1: Arrivals & IntroductionsArrive in the blue city of Jodhpur and head to Kaner Retreat - India's first desert botanical resort. Refresh and meet your fellow storytellers for a quick round of introductions. Settle-in for the night and exchange stories of explorations and discoveries with our Fellow Storytellers.
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Day 2: Landscapes & EnvironmentKickstart the day with a short stroll to the sacred grove, locally known as Oran, opening the doors to the world of desert plants. Experience miles of untouched desert wilderness and a walk through hundreds of indigenous as well as cultivated plant species. Session Perspectives: Through stories and anecdotes from local culture, we explore desert botany and its role in the culture of the Thar Desert. Come back for a traditional lunch and reconvene for the evening session and presentation, over tea and coffee, with our fellow storytellers. The presentation will give you insights over diversified forms of art and storytelling, using photography and films. Session Perspectives: Diversify your learnings and knowledge on 'Broadcast and Film Journalism' and 'Environmental Portraits' as means to create impact storytelling. End the evening with a showcase musical performance by the Bhil tribe, and post the performance a short Q+A with artists.
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Day 3: Culture & Co-existenceExplore the dunes of Thar and discover the life of nomads, their culture, and untold stories of co-existence with nature. Spend the day at Kheechan, a village cluster in Jaisalmer, known for the resting grounds of Demoiselle cranes. Every September, these cranes take flight above 16,000 feet from Mongolia, crossing the mighty Himalayas and landing in a small village in Rajasthan – Kheechan. Locally known as ‘Kurja’ these birds are fed and looked after by the villagers who collect money to feed them tons of grains in the ‘Chuga Ghar’ or feeding point. Kheechan is also home to beautifully carved havelis, telling tales of merchants who were once part of the silk route. Session Perspectives: Through storytelling and field-documentation, we will shape narratives of conservation & communities, that can tell a tale of preserving our lasting habitats. Come back to experience a starry night in the dunes and explore some night photography.
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Day 4: Reviving Arts and Artisan CommunitiesCommunities play an important role in shaping society and drive social change. A day we spend on understanding Rajasthani craftsmanship and skill at Pokhran. Pokhran is home to exquisite handicraft work, a dying skill that needs to be revived to preserve the heritage of this place. Gomat a tiny village in Pokhran is home to these exceptionally talented weavers who produce the “Pattu work “on variety of shawls, bedsheets, Kurtis, cushion covers etc. Weaving has instilled courage in the women living in the veil to be financially independent and earn a respectable place in the society. It has not only generated employment for the village, but also empowered women to take part in decision making. Session Perspectives: Document the intricate challenges and underlying narratives in traditional arts and artisan skills. Come back to exchange perspectives, reflect on narratives, build and shape stories and exchange our collective experiences. The night ends with a celebratory dinner on the dunes.
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Day 5: Closing & DeparturesCheck-outs are at 12pm. We close the program with a pledge to continue the trail of stories through our art. Spend the day at Jodhpur city and take the evening flights, while keen adventurers can stay back to explore the blue city.
Inclusions:
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2 Nights stay with dinner & breakfast at a quaint homestay in Manali (to&fro)
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6 Nights stay with fellow creators on double-sharing basis at Osel Rooms, Kaza, Spiti
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Meal Plan : Breakfast + Lunch + High Tea for 6N/7D with local cuisine in Kaza (Dinner is excluded which you can explore cafe's in Kaza)
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Gala Dinner on the last night
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All workshops & creative sessions
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All transfers from Manali - Kaza - Manali and internal transfers to multiple locations & explorations
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Local Explorations and Village excursions
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Stationery for your hacks & mentor notes
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Mentorship on the move from - Ishita Khanna + The Impact Society & Spiti Ecosphere team to guide you
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Give-aways & gifts
Exclusions:
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2 Nights stay with dinner & breakfast at a quaint homestay in Manali (to&fro)
-
6 Nights stay with fellow creators on double-sharing basis at Osel Rooms, Kaza, Spiti
-
Meal Plan : Breakfast + Lunch + High Tea for 6N/7D with local cuisine in Kaza (Dinner is excluded which you can explore cafe's in Kaza)
-
Gala Dinner on the last night
-
All workshops & creative sessions

Tour Mentor
Ajay Menon
Photographer/Filmmaker
Ishita Khanna is a dynamic social entrepreneur who is the founder and director of Ecosphere (a social enterprise) - that helps create sustainable livelihoods that are linked to nature and culture conservation.
Her experience of working at the grassroots and passion for the environment and the mountains has been the driving force for Ecosphere which enables her to live her philosophy. Here they address the triple bottom-line of conservation, development and economies, which also forms the very foundation of their genesis.
Meet change-makers on this unique journey

Dhawalika Singh
Cinematographer

Payal Kumar
Travel & Wedding Photographer

Amit Srivastava
Author & Travel Photographer



Zarna Jain
Social Leader
Akshay Bapat
Documentary Filmmaker
Kavya Narayanan
Biologist & Science Journalist




In association with Roots of Indigene

Ecosphere is a social enterprise which is a collaborative effort of the local community of Spiti and professionals from diverse backgrounds, with a wide spectrum of skills and experience, effectively spanning the bridge from the general to the niche.
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Their focus is to create sustainable livelihoods that are linked to nature and culture conservation. As a social enterprise it is our mandate to address the triple bottom-line of conservation, development and economies, which also forms the very foundation of their genesis.
