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Untold Sikkim

Dates: 26-30 March

EARLY BIRD OFFER | INR 45K

Dates:

Location:

Experience:

A wildlife & impact storytelling expedition to the unknown side of Eastern Himalayas, it's pristine habitat

and thriving flora & fauna.

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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.

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Untold Sikkim
26-30 March

Untold Sikkim is an expedition to discover the pristine ecological stories of an untouched & sensitive habitat.

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A wildlifers paradise, this is a journey through the dense forests of Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary - home to some of the most remarkable species & also home to the elusive

Red Panda - the State Animal of Sikkim.

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A story trail designed to experience impactful stories, led by an inspiring photographer/storyteller to discover the unknown side of the Eastern Himalayas.

Tour Snapshot

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Dates:

26-30 March' 2023

Sunday - Thursday

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Experience Type:

Story Trails of Sikkim

Wildlife | Conservation 

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Group Size:

12-14

Limited Seats available

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Mentor:

Sushil Chikane

Wildlife & Nature Photographer, Filmmaker & Conservation Expert

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Stay Type:

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Food:

Pangolakha Wilderness Homestay

Breakfast +
Lunch + Dinner

Homestay

Vegetarian + Non-Vegetarian

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Group Type:

Storytellers x Explorers

Wildlife Photographers, Filmmakers, Writers, Social Leaders, Solo Travelers, Adventurers 

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Investment/Cost:

INR 45,000/person

* Early Bird Offer for
6 Spots only.
* Double Sharing Occupancy

Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary & Homestay

Located in Eastern Sikkim, this park lies in the Pangolakha range along the Silk Route. This range named Hathichirey (A place where elephants can penetrate) is a tri-junction between Bhutan, Sikkim and West Bengal.

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Due to the altitudinal zone and habitat types, it is home to some of the most remarkable species. The wetlands act as a migratory hotspot during summers.

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Expect elusive sightings of rare birds like Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Great Parrotbill, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Sunbirds and many other. It is also home to shy and rare mammals like the Musk Deer, Himalayan Goral, Yellow Throated Martin and The Extremely Rare Red Panda.

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An Eco-Tourism initiative Pangolakha Wilderness Homestay, is an eco-tourism initiative for conservation of nature by involving local communities in wildlife tourism, started by a local monk revered by many as - Lamaji.

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Experience Snapshot

Handpicked & Curated Explorations

Discover rare & elusive species, conservation initiatives, environmental co-existence and social leadership through our thoughtfully picked, authentic experiences.

Local Exchange & Tales

Immerse in local experiences, document the nomadic life, discover traditional co-existing knowledge systems & thriving communities.

Travel with your Tribe

Travel with a resonating & conscious tribe who yearns to unlearn and explore just like you.

Storytelling Walks/Talks/Workshops

Hear from our host storyteller and meet inspiring change-makers, to unlearn 'The Art of Impact Storytelling'

Impact Learnings

Giving back to the community, by means of slow and regenerative experiences that extends benefits and empowers local opportunities and preservation.

Explore Collaborations

While you are on this explorative journey, exchange thoughts, ideas and collaborate with a like-minded community to co-create Impact.

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The Journey

  • Day 1: Arrivals & Introductions
    Arrive 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.
  • Day 2: Landscapes & Environment
    Kickstart 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.
  • Day 3: Culture & Co-existence
    Explore 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.
  • Day 4: Reviving Arts and Artisan Communities
    Communities 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.
  • Day 5: Closing & Departures
    Check-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:

  1. 4 Nights stay with (breakfast, lunch & dinner) at Pangolakha Wilderness Homestay (Double Occupancy)

  2. Meal Plan (Veg + Non.Veg) : Breakfast + Lunch + High Tea + Dinner for all days with authentic local cuisine

  3. All explorations, photo-walks and story-trails

  4. Airport + Internal transfers

  5. Forest Permits and internal transfers

  6. Stationery for your hacks & mentor notes

  7. Sessions and mentor workshops by Storytelling Mentor - Sushil Chikane & The Impact Society team to guide you

  8. Give-aways & gifts

  9. Taxes

Exclusions:

  1. Meals (During walks/explorations/trails)

  2. Air/Train Travel (To&Fro) from destination to Sikkim

  3. Medical/Personal Expenditures done during the tour

  4. Any personal explorations that are not within the itinerary

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Storytelling Mentor
Sushil Chikane
Wildlife Photographer/Filmmaker

Sushil is an avid traveller and a photo artist based out of Pune. He has traversed India extensively and there's nothing he loves doing more. His passion for what he does translates into every one of his travels, ensuring every client experiences  and makes the most out of their travel with him.

 

With a cumulative experience of 15 years in the field of conservation, having worked with an array of organisations and mastering in biodiversity, he has had the privilege to observe some very fascinating and rare creatures that inhabit the wildernesses. Additionally, his unique ability to compose images of wildlife in an artistic manner, gives them a unique feel and can be interpreted in a myriad ways.

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Sushil's pictures have been published in some leading magazines like Heritage India, Saevus and Sanctuary Asia and in books such as the Reptiles and Amphibians of Maharashtra and Reptiles of India.  Sushil garners a deep love for India and a talent to be able to tell stories through his photographs.

Meet your tribe on this unique journey

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Dhawalika Singh 

Cinematographer

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Payal Kumar

Travel & Wedding Photographer

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Amit Srivastava 

Author & Travel Photographer

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Zarna Jain 

Social Leader

Akshay Bapat 

Documentary Filmmaker

Kavya Narayanan

Biologist & Science Journalist

Giving Back to the Community

Lamaji, as we lovingly call him, is a monk in the small village of Padamchen (near Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary), East Sikkim, India.

 

Our team accidentally ended up at his home stay this December. What we saw there touched us. This is a monk who runs a home stay so that he can support a school and an orphanage. His school supports around 110 students and manages to house 35 orphans.

 

He manages to do so by the money he raises from the home stay and some occasional direct funds that some visitors give him. They curate indigenous circuits to help travellers get close to local tribes and understand their lives from the grass root level, preserving their knowledge systems through sustainable tours. 

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CONVINCED?
hit the button

Send in your profile and details for screening and expect a call within 24hrs.

If you are convinced, reserve your spot with an amount of only INR 25,000/-

If you still need more details + a call from our team let us know and we will get back to you within 24hrs.

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