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Dates:
Edition:
A storytelling & leadership expedition
Experience: A impact storytelling expedition with a collective of explorers, storytellers, artists, & change-makers to unlearn, connect & co-create on this epic adventure, to discover the UNTOLD
Led by inspiring professionals & experts, this project gives you a window to connect with communities, unlearn the art of impact storytelling and co-create with a collective, by means of storytelling and leadership actions.
UNTOLD
by The Impact Society
Explorers x Storytellers 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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UNTOLD by The Impact Society, is a storytelling expedition designed to tell untold stories of natural history, cultural legacy, environmental & wildlife conservation, climate actions and sustainable leadership, with a tribe of conscious storytellers & leaders.
Untold Spiti
18-26 August
From snow clad mountain canopies to 1000-year old monasteries, this trans-himalayan region is one of the toughest and extreme habitats to survive and within it lies unheard, untold and unseen stories of change, history and sustainability. Spiti also known as the 'middle-land' lies in the north-eastern part of the Himalayan range between Tibet and India.
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This expedition is designed to discover life in extreme, resilient cultures, climate leadership and sustainable innovations that has led to a positive impact and change in Spiti's eco-tourism model.
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Coupled with in-house training and collaborative sessions designed to co-create with our mentorship & local teams.
Tour Snapshot
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Dates:
18-26 August' 2023
Saturday - Saturday
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Experience Type:
Storytelling Expedition
Sustainability | Climate
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Stay Type:
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Food:
Osel Rooms, Kaza
Spiti Ecosphere
All Meals
Vegetarian + Non-Vegetarian
* Check inclusions
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Group Size:
12-14
Limited Seats available
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Mentor on board:
Rakesh Rao
Science Filmmaker & Photographer
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Group Type:
Storytellers x Explorers
Photographers, Filmmakers, Writers, Social Leaders, Solo Travelers, Adventurers
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Investment/Cost:
INR 65,000/person
(Incl. GST)
* Double Sharing Occupancy only
* Check the inclusions and exclusions below
A Storytelling Expedition
At this expedition, unlearn, collaborate and co-create for community based storytelling, art and design led initiatives with local NGO's, stakeholders & community leaders, leaving behind a positive footprint.
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Edition Stream : Creating awareness about water conservation & preservation
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In collaboration with Spiti Ecosphere, our team, accompanied by local storytellers, and a storytelling mentor will take you through the untold and unseen side of Spiti's cultural diversity coupled with learnings & a project on impact storytelling using photography, films and art.
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Join us, as we unravel our learnings from this frozen landscape through the lens of our participants, who are making a sustainable impact through the medium of art and visual communication.
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Experience Snapshot
Handpicked & Curated Explorations
Discover rare & untold stories about cultures, 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 storytellers 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
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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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Group transfers from Chandigarh airport (To & Fro)
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2 nights stay in Manali (To & Fro with dinner)
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5 nights stay with all meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) at Osel Rooms, Kaza, Spiti (Double Occupancy). Dinner is upon arrival in Kaza.
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Meal Plan (Veg & Non.Veg) : (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner) for all days in Kaza with authentic local cuisine
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All local explorations, storytelling sessions and mentorship
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Sessions and workshops by mentor - Rakesh Rao & The Impact Society + Spiti Ecosphere team to guide you
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Stationery for your hacks & mentor notes
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Internal transfers
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Give-aways & gifts
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All permits
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Taxes
Exclusions:
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Meals during transit
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Any food/drinks purchased (During walks/explorations/trails) which is not a part of the inclusions.
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Air/Train Travel (To&Fro) from destination to Chandigarh
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Medical/Personal Expenditures done during the tour (If any)
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Any personal expenses that are not within the itinerary
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Any project/material cost for any personal showcase that's not a part of the group plan
Experts on Board
A photographer, filmmaker and a science enthusiast who specializes in documenting scientific expeditions and research activities. He has been involved in several projects with his work taking him to the three Cryospheric polar regions of our planet (Arctic, Antarctic and the Himalayas) making him amongst the few documentary film makers to do so. His recent film “The Climate Challenge” won the Best Science Film award at the International Science Film Festival of India.
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His work has been published in the book “90 Degrees South” and several of his photographs have been a part of international photo exhibitions, including the “Sur polar IV” held in Argentina in 2012, and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) open science congress meeting held in Portland, USA . He has contributed for several newspapers, digital publications, magazines including National Geographic Travelers India, Sky and Telescope and several others. His works has been featured in several magazines that includes Smart Photography, Goa Today, Timeline Goa and a number of online platforms the likes of The Better India and The VIBE.
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.
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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 your tribe on this unique journey
Dhawalika Singh
Cinematographer
Johann Binny Kuruvilla
Storyteller
Kochi Heritage Project
Ritika Khare
Creator & Explorer
Soulful Travel Stories
Zarna Jain
Social Leader
Akshay Bapat
Documentary Filmmaker
Kavya Narayanan
Biologist & Science Journalist
In association with Spiti Ecosphere
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.
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.
