KarmaQuest Ecotourism and Adventure Travel The Colors of South India A Women’s Tour with Christina Wilson and Wendy Lama January 9-24, 2017 South India is a marvel of senses, a multiplicity of cultures, a collage of landscapes, and a menagerie of wildlife, legends and deities that has drawn travelers since the dawn of South Asian civilizations, some 4000 years ago. On this trip, we’ll visit some of the classic must sees – the famous rock temples of Mahabalipuram, the architectural wonders of Madurai said to nearly rival the Taj Mahal, and the classical dance, music and arts of Kochi and Chennai; we’ll float down the quiet waterways of Kerala’s backwaters where life passes at the pace of a floating leaf, visit a homestay family at riverside, overnight on a houseboat and track wildlife at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The itinerary has been planned to give you a taste of South India’s ancient cultures, arts, and history – as well as colorful spice, flower, vegetable and textile bazaars, the heart of urban life -- at a relaxing pace that allows you to discover some of your own treasures in this rich tapestry of life. We’ll spend two to three nights at most destinations. We’ll also spend time with local women: joining village women in the kitchen at Pongal Festival in Madurai and with our home- stay hostesses in Kumarakom. We’ll go back stage at cultural dance performances and visit a social service project site where our contributions can help uplift disadvantaged women. We’ll seek out women leaders with whom we’ll gain insight into a woman’s world in India. Please join Wendy Brewer Lama and Christina Wilson on a continuing series of women’s travel experiences in Asia. Women-to-women, we seek to build friendships across the world, and to nurture a sense of comradery and ease among our returning and new trip members. “I felt safe, secure and content the whole time, even before we left thanks to your attention to detail.” D. Paul, 2014 (Photo above: “My life is my message,” Mahatma Gandhi, at his ashram in India.) To sign up, please contact Nancy Pole Wilhite at Terra Nova Travel, LLC, 2154 NW Aspen Ave, Portland OR 97210 Telephone: (800)267-8002 or (503)296-7913 / Fax: (503)292-4314 Email: [email protected] www.terranovatour.com
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KarmaQuest Ecotourism and Adventure
Travel
TheColorsofSouthIndiaAWomen’sTourwith
ChristinaWilsonandWendyLamaJanuary9-24,2017
SouthIndiaisamarvelofsenses,amultiplicityofcultures,acollageoflandscapes,andamenagerieofwildlife,legendsanddeitiesthathasdrawntravelerssincethedawnofSouthAsiancivilizations,some4000yearsago.Onthis
trip,we’llvisitsomeoftheclassicmustsees–thefamousrocktemplesofMahabalipuram,thearchitecturalwondersofMaduraisaidtonearlyrivaltheTajMahal,andtheclassicaldance,musicandartsofKochiand
Chennai;we’llfloatdownthequietwaterwaysofKerala’sbackwaterswherelifepassesatthepaceofafloatingleaf,visitahomestayfamilyatriverside,overnightonahouseboatandtrackwildlifeatPeriyarWildlifeSanctuary.TheitineraryhasbeenplannedtogiveyouatasteofSouthIndia’sancientcultures,arts,andhistory–aswellascolorfulspice,flower,vegetableandtextilebazaars,theheartofurbanlife--atarelaxingpacethatallowsyoutodiscoversomeofyourowntreasuresinthisrichtapestryoflife.We’llspendtwotothreenightsatmostdestinations.We’llalsospendtimewithlocalwomen:joiningvillagewomeninthekitchenatPongalFestivalinMaduraiandwithourhome-stayhostessesinKumarakom.We’llgobackstageatculturaldanceperformancesandvisitasocialserviceprojectsitewhereourcontributionscanhelpupliftdisadvantagedwomen.We’llseekoutwomenleaderswithwhomwe’llgaininsightintoawoman’sworldinIndia.
PleasejoinWendyBrewerLamaandChristinaWilsononacontinuingseriesofwomen’stravelexperiencesinAsia.Women-to-women,weseektobuildfriendshipsacrosstheworld,andtonurtureasenseofcomraderyandeaseamongourreturningandnewtripmembers.“Ifeltsafe,secureandcontentthewholetime,evenbeforeweleftthankstoyourattentiontodetail.”D.Paul,2014
(Photoabove:“Mylifeismymessage,”MahatmaGandhi,athisashraminIndia.)Tosignup,pleasecontactNancyPoleWilhiteatTerraNovaTravel,LLC,2154NWAspenAve,PortlandOR97210Telephone:(800)267-8002or(503)296-7913/Fax:(503)292-4314Email:[email protected]
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ItineraryDay1–January9(Monday):ArriveinChennai(Madras)You’llbemetonarrivalattheinternationalairportandtransferredtoyourhotel.OvernightattheVivantabyTajConnemaraorsimilar,Chennai.Nomealsincluded. -/-/-Day2–January10(Tuesday):Chennai:FulldaysightseeinginChennaiChennaiwasthesiteofthefirstBritishsettlementoftheBritishEastIndiaCompany.TodayitisthecapitalofTamilNaduState,withapopulationofover5million.We’llvisitthe17thcenturyFortSt.George,fromwhereChennaigrewasanearly“FactoryHouse”onthebeach,nowhousinggovernmentoffices;StMary’sChurch,India’sfirstEnglishchurch,completedin1680,withcannon-proofroofsand1.3mthickwalls;vastandlengthyMarinaBeach(photoright);SanthomeCathedral,whichhousestheremainsofSt.ThomastheApostle;KapaleeshwararTemple,a16thcenturyShivatemple;andtheBronzeGalleryoftheGovernmentMuseum,amongotherhighlights.Totaketheedgeoffthecitybustle,we’llalsostrollthroughtheHuddlestonGardensoftheTheosophicalSocietyofIndia:over260acreshousingamyriadofbirdsandwildlife,anda450-year-oldbanyantreewithaerialrootscovering60,000squaremeters.OvernightattheVivantabyTajConnemaraorsimilar,Chennai. B/-/-Day3–January11(Wednesday)MorningvisittoKalakshetra,an
internationalcenterofclassicaldancemusicandfinearts(dancerphotoright)foundedbyRukminiDeviIrondale.Intheafternoon,we’llgoonaguidedwalkingtourofoneofChennai’sfascinatingneighborhoodsandhearthestoriesbehindthesites.OvernightattheVivantabyTajConnemaraorsimilar,Chennai. B/-/-
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Day4–January12(Thursday)Chennai/Kanchipuram/Mahabalipuram/CovelongMorningdrive(approx2hrs)toKanchipuram,aspectaculartemplecitydatingbacktothe2ndcentury.CapitalcityofthePallavas,andforsuccessivedynasties,thisancientcityisoneofthesevenmostsacredsitesinIndia.Itisalsoknownforitshandloomindustry.Theexquisitesilksarisandclothsmadefrommulberrysilkyarnareworldfamousandthebestinthecountry(and
availableforsalehere).AlsovisitKanchikudilHeritageHouse,ahundredyearoldhouseoutfittedbyitemsfromthatperiod.Driveanother2hourstoMahabalipuramwithitsinnumerableimposingrock-cutsculpturesandtemples--aUNESCOWorldHeritagesite.ContinueashortdistancetoCovelong,abeach-sideresort.OvernightattheVivantabyTajFisherman’sCoveorsimilar,Covelong. B/-/-Day5–January13(Friday)Covelong/Chennai/MaduraiMorningatleisuretostrollonthebeach.Thendrive(approx1hour)toChennaiairportandflytoMadurai.Relaxatyourhotelandintheevening,visittheflowermarket,famousforjasmineandlilies.Laterproceedtowitnessa“weddingceremony”ofShivaandMeenakshi(Parvati)attheSriMeenakshiTemple,accompaniedbyTamilNadustylehornsanddrums.OvernightattheGatewayHotelTajPasumalaiorsimilar,Madurai.B/-/-Day6–January14(Saturday)Madurai:PongalFestivalMaduraiisoftenreferredastheAthensoftheEast,andthecradleofTamilculture.ItisalsothethrivingpulseofTamilNadu’sindustrialgrowth.SituatedonthebanksofriverVaigai,Maduraiismorethan2,500yearsoldandwasanimportantculturalandcommercialcenterasearlyas550AD,whenitwasthecapitalcityforthePandyakings.ThisdaymarksthemaindayofthefamousfestivalofTamilNadu“Pongal,”aharvestfestivalcelebratedattheendofthefarmingseason.Pongalalsomarksthebeginningofthenorthwardjourneyofthesunfromitssouthernmost-limitandcoincideswiththewinterharvestfestival.We’lljoinavillagetopreparetraditionalfoodssuchasaspecialsweetdishmadeofricecalled“pongal,”makingofferingstothesungod,decoratingthehomedoorstepanddressinginsarifortheoccasion(provided).Laterreturntothehotel.OvernightattheGatewayHotelTajPasumalaiorsimilar,Madurai. B/-/-
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Day7–January15(Sunday)Madurai:PongalActivitiesInthemorningwe’llwitnessatraditional“bullfight”orcattlewrestlingevent(subjecttoconfirmation),thenproceedforacitytourvisitingTirumalaiNayakMahalPalace,builtin1636intheIndo-Mughalstylewithnumerousdomes,archesandornatestuccowork;andothernote-worthymonumentsandsightsincludingtheSriMeenakshiSundareswarTemple–contemporarywiththeTajMahalinAgra,with4,000granitesculptures,imposingtowers,andthe“TankoftheGolden
Lotus.”OvernightattheGatewayHotelTajPasumalaiorsimilar,Madurai. B/-/-Day8--January16(Monday)Madurai–Thekkady/PeriyarAfterbreakfast,driveintothecoollushhills,andtolakesideThekkadyat800m/2624ft.(about4hours).En-routevisittheAyyanartemple,paddyfields,andDhobighat.CheckinattheSpiceVillageResort.ThegroundsofthismagnificentspotmergewiththespicegardensandtheverdantlandscapeborderingthePeriyarWildlifeSanctuaryandTigerReserve.Afternoonisfreeforexploringonyourown.AspaandyogacenteroffersmassagesandAyurvedatreatments.SettleinfortwonightsattheSpiceVillageorsimilar,Periyar. B/-/-Day9–January17(Tuesday):SpicePlantationsofThekkadyandPeriyarWildlifeSanctuaryCoveringanareaof300squaremilesPeriyarWildlifeSanctuaryisthehomeofwildelephants,sambar(alargeantlereddeer),wildboar,barkingdeer,leopard,bison,monkeys,Malabarsquirrel,andtheRoyalBengalTiger,protectedthroughProjectTigersince1973.Riseearlyforamorningboatridewithanaturalistonthelakewhenbirdsandwildlifearebestviewed.Returntotheresortforbreakfast.Tournearbyplantationsofcardamom,pepper,andtea(photoabove).OvernightattheSpiceVillageorsimilar,Periyar. B/-/-Day10–January18(Wednesday)KumarakomFamilyHomestayMorningdrivetoKumarakom(approx.3hours).OnarrivalcheckintoyourfamilyhomestayaccommodationinKumarakom.Spendtwonightsinacomfortablevillatwin-sharinghomestayontheriver.Spendtherestofthedayatyourleisure,orpartakinginsomeofthebelowlistedactivities.OvernightatPhilipkutty’sFarmorsimilar,Kumarakom. B/L/DDay11–January19(Thursday)KumarakomFamilyHomestayTodayisunplanned,subjecttoyourwhim.Youmightenjoycookingorparticipatinginotherdaytodayactivitieswiththefamilymembers,ortakingvillagewalks,bikingorboating.Note:someactivitiesmayincuranextracharge.Philipkutty’sFarmorsimilar,Kumarakom. B/L/D
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Day12–January20(Friday)Kumarakom/AlleppeyAfterbreakfast,departtoAlleppey(approx.1.5hourdrive)whereyouwillboardaprivateback-waterhouseboat.Alsoknownaskettuvallamorriceboats(left),thesevesselswereusedtocarryricebagsintheearlierdays.Theyareuniquelydesignedusinglocalmaterialssuchasbamboopoles,coconutfinerropes,bamboomats,andcarpetsandhavebeenre-furbishedashouseboats.Ourboatwillhavesleepingquartersfullyfurnishedwithattachedbathroom,abalconywith
comfortablechairs,afullyequippedkitchenandanexperiencedcooktoprepareauthenticKeralacuisinewithseafoodspecialtiesandfreshvegetables.Duringthecruise,we’llstopandvisitvillagestoseetoddytapping,coirmaking,ricefields,fishingandlocalevents:oneneverknowwhenaprocessionmightgoby!Overnightonapremiumhouseboat,Alleppey. B/L/DDay13–January21(Saturday)Alleppey/CochinAfterbreakfastdrivetoCochin/Kochi.Onarrivalcheckintothehotel.Enjoyfreetimeatyourleisure.OvernightattheMalabarHouseorsimilar,Cochin. B/-/- Day14–January22(Sunday)CochinTodaywe’llhaveahalfdayofsightseeingtakinginthecity’shighlights,includingtheKochiFort,foundedin1503bythePortuguese,isnowinruinsbutforaplaquecommemoratingthearrivalofVascoDaGamain1500.ThePortuguesealsobuiltMattancherryPalacein1557asagiftfortheRajaofKochiinexchangefortradingrights.In1663,theDutchsubstantially
rebuiltit.Roomscontainfurnishingsofroyalty.VisittheJewishsynagogueisinMattancherryamidstathrivingantiquemarket.TheJewshaveclaimedtohavesettledherein587BCandsomelegendstracetheorigintoKingSolomonin1030BC.Walkalongthebeachandwatchthefishermandiptheirnetsintothewaterfromaskeletonstructure--mostpicturesqueatdawnandsunset(aboveright).Exploreonyourownintheafternoon.Intheevening,we’llattendthecolorfulKathakalidanceperformancewithbehindthesceneslookatthedancersastheyprepareforthislivelyperformance(photoleft).OvernightattheMalabarHouseorsimilar,Cochin. B/-/-
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Day15–January23(Monday)CochinTodaywe’llhaveaguidedwalkingtourofOldKochi.StrollKochi’scolorfulbacklanes:ashopper’sdelight.We’lltakeinJewstownandthespicemarkets,withafternoontimetorestbeforeaFarewellLunchorDinnerandearlytobedforanearlydeparturetomorrow. B/LorDDay16–January24(Tuesday)DepartCochinRiseearlytocatchyourinternationalflight,orconnectonadomesticflightforyouroptionalextensiontrip(seebelow).Checkouttimeisnoon.Assistanceondepartureatthehotelandtransfertoairport. B/-/- EndofServicesTripPrice:$8,920/personforagroupof6to8persons(Basedonhalftwinsharingbasiswithoutdomesticflights)Minimumgroupsize:6/Maximumgroupsize:10Singlesupplementroomcharge(optional):$2,690Supplementfordomesticflight(ChennaitoMadurai):$210(Flightpricesubjecttochangedependinguponthefuelsurchargeatthetimeofticketpurchase.)DepositandfullpaymentareacceptedbycheckpayabletoTerraNovaTravel,LLC,wiretransferorcreditcard(Visa,MasterCardorAmExpress).).Ifyouwishtopayyourlandpackageanddomesticairfare(withinIndia)bycheckorwiretransfer,wearehappytodeductthecreditcardcompanyprocessingcharges(average4%)fromyourtriptotal.Wefeelitisimportanttoidentifyjusthowmuchyouarepayingincreditcardchargesandultimatelyleavethedecisioninyourhands.Tourcostincludes:∗ Accommodationontwinsharingbedandbreakfastbasis(i.e.,allbreakfastsincludedasnoted).∗ Accommodationonfullboardbasisatthefamilyhomestayandonthehouseboat.∗ AspecialFarewellLunchorDinner∗ Alltransportationservicesusinganairconditionedspaciousvehiclewithdriver,withrickshaw
ridetovisittheMeenakshitempleinMadurai∗ KarmaQuestDirectorWendyLamaasTripLeader,aswellaslocalEnglishspeakingguides∗ MonumententrancefeesincludingKalakshetravisitaspertheitinerary∗ ExclusivetraditionalPongalprogramatMadurai∗ BoatrideandentryfeesatLakePeriyar∗ KathakalishowinKochi∗ Tipsforlocalandspecialguides,driversandhotel/airportservicestaff∗ Abeautifulcustomizedtripjournalwithmaps,diarypages,languagetips,andmuchmore.
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Tourcostdoesnotinclude: ∗ InternationalairfaretoandfromIndia,andhotel/servicesenroute∗ Domesticairfare(estimatedat$210)∗ Indiavisafeeandprocessingfee∗ Airportdeparturetax(includedinmostairtickets)∗ Expensesofapersonalnaturee.g.,laundry,phonecalls,cameracharges,excessbaggage,etc.∗ Tipsatmeals,roomserviceorforrequestedpersonalizedservices∗ Mealsnotincludedinitinerary(generallydinnerandlunches)∗ Allbeverages,includingdrinksatincludedmeals∗ Earlycheck-inandlatecheck-out∗ Transportation,sightseeingandentryfeesforindependentexplorationduringfreetime∗ Tripcancellationinsurance(optional)∗ Medicalandemergencyevacuationtravelinsurance(mandatory)∗ Templeandsocialservicedonations(individualandgroup)∗ Anyexpensescausedbyreasonsbeyondourandourassociateoffices’controlsuchasflight
delays,reschedulingorcancellations,anyaccidents,medicalevacuationriots,strikes,politicalunrest,naturaldisasters,etc.
∗ Anyothertaxesorservicechargesthatcouldbeenforcedduringthetravelperiod∗ Anyotherexpensesnotspecifiedaboveinthe“included"sectionabove.
RegardingBookings,Deposits,CancellationsandRefundsAdepositisrequiredinordertosecureyourplaceonthisspecialtrip.Anon-refundabledepositof$1,800mustbereceivedbyTerraNovaTravelbyMarch27,2016tosecureyourbooking.FinalpaymentmustbemadebySeptember15,2016.Forbookingsmadewithin90daysoftripdeparture,theentirecostofthetripisdueimmediately. Subsequentbookingswillbeacceptedbaseduponavailability.FinalpaymentmustbemadebySeptember15,2016.Forbookingsmadewithin90daysoftripdeparture,theentirecostofthetripisdueimmediately.CancellationsandRefundsIfitbecomesnecessaryforyoutocancelyourtrip,pleasenotifyusimmediatelyinwriting,preferablybyfax.Ifyoucancelanyportionofthetripwhileinprogressordonotavailofanyplannedservices,thereisnorefund.Westronglysuggestthatyoutaketravelers'insurancetocoverunforeseencancellations.Afullcancellationpolicywillbegivenattimeofbooking.Trippriortodeparture CancellationfeeAnytimeafterbooking $1,80060to90days 30%oftotallandcost(including$1,500)30to59days 50%oftotallandcost“”1to29days 100%oftotallandcost“”
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SouthIndiaWeather/TemperaturesinJanuary-FebruaryChennaiandCochinandthecoastalareastotheirsouthwillbeinmidtohigh80stolow90sduringthedaytimeandmid-60sand70satnight.InMaduraiexpectdaytimetemperaturesinthelow70sto80s,cooleratnight.Itwillbecooler(high40stolow-60s)inthehighlands(Thekkady).SingleSupplementsOnthistrip,unlikeonpastChristinaWilson-KarmaQuest-TerraNovatrips,wewillnotincludea“rotatingsingle”roomwhichallowedsomeonetooccasionallyhaveasingleroom(onrotation,oronspecialrequestduetoillness,etc.).Wehavefoundthatpeopleprefertohavethesameroommate,orhaveasingleroomthroughouttheentiretrip.Singleaccommodationscanberequestedbythosewhowishtoroomalone,andwillbesubjecttoavailabilityatthetimeofbooking.ThesinglesupplementchargereflectsthepricesthatIndianhotelschargeforoccupyingasingleroomvssharingaroom.Ifyouwishtosharearoomanddonothaveatravelcompanionwithwhomtoshare,wewillinformyouofothersamongthegroupmemberswhoalsowishtosharearoomandinviteyoutocontactthem.Ifyouchoosenottoorareunabletoshare,youwillberesponsibleforthesinglesupplementcharge. Accommodations,TravelConditions,ServicesandExpectationsHotelschosenaregenerallyequivalenttothreetofour+starstandard(withinIndia’shotelstandardratingsystem).SeveralareoftheexcellentTajhotellineinIndia.Othersaresmallerandlovelyboutiqueorheritagehotels.Homestayfacilitiesarevillastyle(separatebuildingsfromthefamilyhome),andthehouseboatisdeluxewithairconditioning.AllareselectedtoprovideyouaverycomfortableandsafeenvironmentthatreflectsIndia’suniqueculturalflavouraswellasfortheiroptimallocations.Occasionally,duetocircumstancesbeyondourcontrol,theselectedhotelorthepreferredroomstandardisnotavailable.Everyeffortwillbemadetoprovidetheutmostlevelofcomfortandsatisfactionatalltimes. Ingeneralthecheck-inandcheck-outtimesatallhotels,unlessotherwisestatedinthisitinerary,isbetween1200noonand1400hours.Wheneverpossible,wewillarrangeforsuitablelocationsforrestandrespiteshouldflightschedulesandtheitineraryrequireotherwise.Roadstravelledonthistriparegenerallypavedandwellmaintained.Someoverlandtravelinruralsettingsmaybeonunpavedroads.TraveltoandfromPeriyarinvolvessomecurvyhillsideroads.Allroadsaresubjecttoconstructionorotherinterruptions.Yoursafetyandcomfortareourutmostpriority.Travelerswilllikelybepleasantlysurprisedatthelevelofhospitalityafforded.Weencourageyoutomaintainaspiritofadventureandreadinessforunanticipatedopportunitiesandchangeofplans.Ourfollow-uppre-departureinformationwillprovideadditionaltipsfortraveling,packing,andknowingwhattoexpect.
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SocialServiceProgramInkeepingwiththetraditionofsupportingsocialservicesinthecountrieswevisit,thistripwillfeaturetheopportunityfortripmemberstovisitandcontributetoasocialserviceprograminIndia.Wewillprovideadditionalinformationabouttheprogramandhowwecancontributeatalatertime.OptionalExtensionsWewouldbehappytohelpyoudesignacustomizedpre-orpost-triptripextensionforyouwithinIndiaortheregion.Pleaseinquire.Somesuggestionsfortwoormoredayextensiontripsare:∗ MarariBeachResort,southofCochin:Acoastalresort1.5hours’drivesouthofCochin/Kochi.
Spendyourdaysatleisure,exploringthebeachesandnearbyvillagesorenjoyinganAyurvedamassageorspatreatment.Optionalactivitiesincludegamesandsports,yoga,bicyclingorwanderingtonearbyvillagestomeetlocalfishermen,farmersorwomenshopkeepers.
∗ Mumbai,andtheAjantaandElloracaves:FlyashortdistancetocosmopolitanMumbaiandtakeaonedaysightseeingtourofthisfascinatinghistoricalcityonthesea.ThenflytoAurangabadforanunforgettabletwodayguidedtouroftheincredibleUNESCOWorldHeritagesitecavesatAjantaandEllora,adornedwithBuddhistandHindufrescoesandstatuesfrompre-BCtimestothe5thcenturyAD.
∗ Delhi,Varanasi,andBodhgaya:FlytoDelhi(orskipitandflydirectlytoanairportservingVaranasiorBodhgaya)toexploretheseimportantpilgrimageplacesforHindusandBuddhists:Varanasi,whereHindushonortheirdeadontheshoresoftheGangesRiver,andBodhgayawhereBuddhaattainedenlightenment,andnearbySarnathwherehegavehisfirstteaching.
∗ Goa:Spendsometimeatafabuloussparesort,enjoyingthewarmbeachesandthecolorfulhistoricPortuguesecommunitiesandchurchesofGoa,abitofEuropeinIndia.
ProfilesofKeyTripPersonnelChristinaWilson,TripOrganizerChristinahasbeeninterestedintravelingherentirelife.In1982shetookherfirsttriptoNepalandIndia.Sincethen,shehasbeengoingtoeveryexoticplaceshecanfindintheworld.Hergoalistovisitalltheinterestingplacesincludingherownbackyardduringherlifetime.ChristinaworkedwithOutwardBoundformanyyearsanditwasthere,puttingwomen’stripstogether,thatshefoundherpassion.OutwardBoundtaughtherthatitwasthejourney,notthedestinationthatwasimportant;andabouttheimportanceofgivingbacktothecommunitythatshevisits.Thetripssheputstogetheralwaysincludeaserviceprojectoracontributiontoalocalorganization.Christinahasledmanytripsallovertheworld.Hertripsareusuallysmallsothatthegrouptravelsintimatelyandeasily.Forthelasttwentyyearsshehasledmanygroupstointerestingplaces,
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includingPeru.Bolivia,Ecuador,Italy,England,Tibet,Bhutan,Nepal,Thailand,Burma,Micronesia,Bali,andIndonesia,tonameafew.Hermostrecenttrips,operatedbyKarmaQuest,arewithasmallgroupofwomenwhotouredLaosandVietnaminFebruary2009,NorthIndiainJanuary2011andBurmain2014.ChristinaisontheBoardofTrusteesoftheNationalTropicalBotanicalGardens.SheledherthirdtripforNTBGinNovember2008toMadagascarandSouthAfricaandmostrecentlyontheNTBG-sponsoredAmazoncruiseledbyNTBGFellowandformerheadofKewGardens,SirGhillieanPrance.PleasecontactChristinaWilsonwithgeneralquestionsaboutthetrip.Tel:(503)[email protected]
WendyBrewerLama,On-the-TripManagerandDirectorofKarmaQuestEcotourismandAdventureTravelKarmaQuestEcotourismandAdventureTravelfoundersWendyandKarmaLamahavebeenorganizingspecialinterest,educational,adventure,eco-,andculturaltripstoAsiaformorethan20years.KarmaQuesttripsvisit:Nepal,India,Bhutan,China(andTibet),Thailand,Burma,Laos,Vietnam,Cambodia,KyrgyzstanandMongolia.
KarmaQuest’suniqueandawardwinningtripsdrawupontheexpertiseandrelationshipsWendyLamahasnurturedasanEcotourismSpecialistforinternationalorganizationssincethe1980s.ShehasworkedthroughouttheHimalayanregionforTheMountainInstitutetomanagetheimpactsoftourismandtopromoteconservationofnaturalandculturalresourcesandimprovedlocallivelihoodsthroughecotourism.ShedevelopedanecotourismmanagementplaninsupportofpandaconservationinWanglangNatureReservefortheWorldWildFundforNature(WWF)inSichuan,China.ShehelpeddevelopatourismmasterplanforCentralTibetfortheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgram(UNDP),andtrainedTibetansinparticipatoryecotourismplanning.InKyrgyzstan,Wendyassistedwomen'sgroupsandtouroperatorsinthebeginningstagesofasuccessfulCommunity-BasedTourism(CBT)initiativethatisnowastandardforCentralAsiaandbeyond.SheadvisedtheUNESCOCulturalandEcotourisminMountainRegionsofCentralandSouthAsiaprograminIran,Pakistan,Nepal,Bhutan,India,Tajikistan,KyrgyzstanandKazakhstan.ShehasalsoadvisedtourismdevelopmentinMongoliaandSiberia.BesidesplanningandoperatingKarmaQuesttrips,shehasintroducedecotourismtofarmers,fisher-people,wineries,nurseries,andMainStreetentrepreneursinHalfMoonBay.KarmaQuestdesignsandoperatescustomizedecotourismandadventuretravelforindividualandgrouptravelersaswellasorganizationsanduniversities.ThisistheeleventhtripithasorganizedincollaborationwithChristinaWilsonandTerraNovaTravel,LLC.KarmaQuestEcotourismandAdventureTravel(www.karmaquests.com)isbasedinHalfMoonBay,California.
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NancyPole-Wilhite,TravelResourcePerson,TerraNovaTravel,LLCNancyhasworkedasatravelconsultantsince1978specializinginexoticdestinations.Since1999shehasbeenanindependentagent/tripdesigneroperatingherowncompany,TerraNovaTravel,LLC.Herkeeninterestinadventuretravelandendangeredculturesleadtoher
connectionwithChristinaWilson.ForthelastfifteenyearssheandChristinahavecollaboratedonsuchtripsasBajakayaking,atrektoMachuPicchu,andNTBGFriends’tripstoBhutanin2002,Thailand/Myanmarin2004(withKarmaQuest),Madagascar/SouthAfricainNovember2008,andanAmazonRivercruiseinJune2009.
From2009-2014,NancyandKarmaQuesthaveorganizedwithChristinaaseriesofwomen’stripswithacultural/textilethemetoLaos/Vietnam,NorthernIndiaandmostrecentlytoBurma.
AsaSouthAmericanspecialists,Nancy’ssouthoftheborderexplorationshaveledhertoIguassuFallsandBuenosAirestoresearchavisualartstourforaPortlandartgallery,tothealtiplanoofPeruandBoliviaandinOct2013totheGalapagosforaweekaboardaschooner,theMaryAnne.BitbytheAfricabug,shehasrecentlyvisitedthewildsofMadagascar,traveledtobothUgandaandRwandatoseethefamousmountaingorillas,andspent3½weeksonsafariexploringTanzaniaandNorthernKenyawhichincludedawalkingsafariwiththeSamburutribe.HerexpertisealsoextendstoNepal,Tibet,Bhutan,SEAsia,China,France,Italy,SpainaswellasAfrica,andSouthAmerica.
NancyhasaBAfromtheUniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeleyinEnglishLiteratureandFrench.HerpassionforRenaissanceliteratureandartextendsintothemusicworld.Forthepasttwentyfiveyearsshehasbeamemberoftheliturgicalchoir,CantoresinEcclesiawww.cantoresinecclesia.org.CantoresisdevotedtotheperformanceofpolyphonicmusicfromtheRenaissanceaswellasGregorianChant.NancyalsocurrentlyservesontheBoardofthewomen’sacapellagroup,InMulieribus(www.inmulieribus.org).SheenjoyscookingFrenchandethnicfoods,aswellasgardening.
PleasecontactNancyPole-Wilhitetobookthetrip,andforquestionsandassistanceinpre-triptourlogistics,includingflightbookings,thedaytodayitinerary,extensions,andothergeneraltravelquestions.NancyPole-Wilhite,TerraNovaTravel,LLC.2154NWAspenAve.,PortlandOR97210Telephone:(800)267-8002or(503)296-7913/Fax:(503)292-4314Email:[email protected]
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