The Colors of South India Itinerary Final Colors of South India 2017... · The Colors of South...

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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:nancy@terranovatour.comwww.terranovatour.com

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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)297-3234orbumpus@pacifier.com

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:nancy@terranovatour.comwww.terranovatour.com

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