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Dates:
Location:
Experience:
A wildlife & impact storytelling expedition to the unknown side of Eastern Himalayas, it's pristine habitat
and thriving flora & fauna.
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 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.
The Journey
Inclusions:
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4 Nights stay with (breakfast, lunch & dinner) at Pangolakha Wilderness Homestay (Double Occupancy)
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Meal Plan (Veg + Non.Veg) : Breakfast + Lunch + High Tea + Dinner for all days with authentic local cuisine
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All explorations, photo-walks and story-trails
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Airport + Internal transfers
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Forest Permits and internal transfers
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Stationery for your hacks & mentor notes
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Sessions and mentor workshops by Storytelling Mentor - Sushil Chikane & The Impact Society team to guide you
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Give-aways & gifts
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Taxes
Exclusions:
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Meals (During walks/explorations/trails)
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Air/Train Travel (To&Fro) from destination to Sikkim
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Medical/Personal Expenditures done during the tour
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Any personal explorations that are not within the itinerary
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
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
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.
