JOURNEY INTO RAJASTHAN’S NOMADIC CAMEL CULTURE
INDIGENOUS RAIKA DISCOVERY EXPERIENCE
Due to current travel restrictions, the dates for the next trip have not been confirmed. Click the button below to register your interest and we will notify you as soon as a date is set..
Rajasthan's nomadic camel culture is under extreme threat ... come and experience a world of vanishing ancient wisdom, seldom seen or understood.
On this indigenous journey you will ...
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Engage with the extraordinary but highly threatened world of the Raika nomads
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Celebrate the beauty, biodiversity and traditional knowledge this culture represents
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Support the next generation in preserving their traditions while evolving as they choose
The Raika journey will be facilitated by Hanwant Singh Rathore and Ilse Köhler-Rollefson, founders of Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan (LPPS) a nonprofit that has supported the Raika for more than 20 years.
The journey consists of a full 5-day programme with practical workshops, talks and unique experiences, 4 nights accommodation (based on double occupancy) and all meals. Translators will be available throughout the journey. Airfares, transfers, visas and insurance are not included.
HIGHLIGHTS
Immerse yourself an ancient way of life, living in harmony with animals and nature. Learn about the Raika's valuable contribution to conserving biodiversity
HIGHLIGHTS
Forage for medicinal plants with a special Raika healer, learning how this ancient wisdom is used to treat both themselves and the camels. Understand why camel milk contains such powerful healing properties.
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience nomadic life sleeping under the stars with the Raika herd. Enjoy making traditional foods, chai tea made with camel milk and the grazing rhythm of the days.
HIGHLIGHTS
Play, sing and dance in a unique gathering with nomadic women from '36 communities'
RAIKA OVERVIEW
India is home to a vast number of cultures whose life revolves around their animals and nature. One of the most famous among them are the Raika, the camel nomads of Rajasthan who believe they were created by God Shiva to take care of the camel. But numbers of camel herds have decreased dramatically due to lack of access to grazing lands and income-producing opportunities for camel herders. This has forced many young Raika's to move to the city to try and find work.
Camel milk and its healing properties have given the herders some hope and income along with culturally authentic efforts such as this trip.
ITINERARY - DAY 1
Traditional arrival celebration and welcome!
Our first meal together will be ‘dal batti’ - the customary meal of Raika on the move, consisting of bread balls cooked in the embers of a fire made from gobar (dried dung) , a tasty lentil stew, and ghee.
ITINERARY - DAY 2
At dawn we will venture out to track down one of the last remaining nomadic camel herds that roam the fields and forests below the majestic Kumbhalgarh Fort. Sit down with the herders for a chat and enjoy camel milk tea brewed on the campfire.
We then return to Butibagh where a group of noted Raika elders will initiate us into their history, culture and ancient skills of looking after camels and other livestock. They will share with us their love for camels, their appreciation of camel milk, but also report about the problems they experience in a modern, more crowded and competitive world.
In the evening we are in for a special treat: the performance of the life-story of Pabuji who is worshipped by the Raika as their God. Pabuji brought the first camels to Rajasthan with the help of Harmal Raika. The story is performed by the Bhopas at important events in Raika lives – even when the camels get sick.
ITINERARY - DAY 3
Walk in the forest with traditional healer and Raika leader Mrs. Dailibai Raika who will tell us about the traditional uses and medicinal value of local plants. We will forage ingredients for making remedies and treatments for camels and humans.
In the evening, we will join another nomadic camel herd and sleep with the under the stars after enjoying a simple nomadic dinner and a nightcap around the campfire. You will see an amazing star-lit sky and listen to the ruminations of the camels around you.
ITINERARY - DAY 4
We will wake up together with the camels and observe how a typical Raika day unfolds: Examining the camels for any wounds and diseases, milking, looking after the newborn camels and supervising breeding activities. Breakfast around the campfire.
Alternatively for those who do not want to stay overnight with the herd, we will arrange a visit to a Raika village.
In the afternoon, there will be an opportunity for trying your hand at making one or more take-home mementoes from your stay among the camels: make delicious cheese, luxuriant soap, bio-diverse poo paper or create some woollens – according to your heart’s content!
On our last evening, we will cook a special bio-diverse meal featuring mostly wild food and then enjoy it with our Raika Gurus. We will reflect on our impressions of the journey and discuss how we all can join in to ensure the conservation of nomadic heritage into the future.
ITINERARY - DAY 5
You – and they - will never forget this finale: Play, sing and dance with women from the ’36 communities’ . Rarely will you experience such an exuberant display of joy of life, despite the restrictions these women face and the physical hardships they have to endure every day. Reevaluate your life – you will be a changed person!
Departure
SPECIAL NOTE: WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF FINALISING THE PROGRAMME. WE DO NOT NOT ANTICIPATE MANY CHANGES BUT WILL POST UPDATES.
Circular Huts
Double Room - Basic
Double Room - Prime
Accomodation Options
Practical Info
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Registration/Deposits
Prices listed are in U.S. Dollars and rates are based on double occupancy. Due to the few rooms on campus, we may not be able to accommodate single occupancy at this time. Bring a friend!
A $300 deposit per person is required to hold a reservation: If reserving for more than one person, each traveler must fill out a separate reservation form. Full payment will be due 8 weeks prior to the event start date.
In the event you cancel your participation: *8 weeks or more before departure: your entire payment will be refunded less $150 *Between 8 weeks and 30 days before departure: 50% will be refunded *30 days or less before the start of the event: No refund will be granted
Camel Charisma (the organization providing this journey) reserves the right to cancel a scheduled journey at any time: In the event Camel Charisma must cancel the journey you have joined, your full payment will be refunded to you.
Preferred payment method is through Transferwise
Need Link
For other options please contact us
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Please inform us of any medical or special dietary needs at time of registration. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to the LPPS campus as well as for arranging for visas as necessary. Proof of international medical insurance coverage including accident coverage as well as coverage for riding a camel if applicable. Evacuation insurance while not required is suggested. Anyone NOT wanting their photos to be used in promotional materials should notify us before the journey begins.
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Travel & Events
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Liability
Local Customs
Coming soon
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Local Customs
Practical Info
01
Registration/Deposits
Prices listed are in U.S. Dollars and rates are based on double occupancy. Due to the few rooms on campus, we may not be able to accommodate single occupancy at this time. Bring a friend!
A $300 deposit per person is required to hold a reservation: If reserving for more than one person, each traveler must fill out a separate reservation form. Full payment will be due 8 weeks prior to the event start date.
In the event you cancel your participation: *8 weeks or more before departure: your entire payment will be refunded less $150 *Between 8 weeks and 30 days before departure: 50% will be refunded *30 days or less before the start of the event: No refund will be granted
Camel Charisma (the organization providing this journey) reserves the right to cancel a scheduled journey at any time: In the event Camel Charisma must cancel the journey you have joined, your full payment will be refunded to you.
Preferred payment method is through Transferwise. Once you complete the registration form we will send you the Transferwise link via email.
For other options please contact us.
02
Please inform us of any medical or special dietary needs at time of registration. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to the LPPS campus as well as for arranging for visas as necessary. Proof of international medical insurance coverage including accident coverage as well as coverage for riding a camel if applicable. Evacuation insurance while not required is suggested. Anyone NOT wanting their photos to be used in promotional materials should notify us before the journey begins.
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Liability
Camel Charisma is not responsible for natural disasters, airline delays, lost luggage, medical or customs regulations. We reserve the right to change the itinerary as needed although not anticipated, weather or other unforeseen circumstances may require it. The information on this website is a guideline only.
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Travel & Events
November is a wonderful time to visit Rajasthan! You may want to consider attending the world-famous Pushkar Camel Fair which is scheduled for November 22-30th. The Fair has suffered due to the declining herds but is still very interesting. Please let us know if you would like a suggestion for a travel agent to help with any of your plans. We are not in any way affiliated, nor are you in anyway obligated to use this agent. We cannot guaranty any of the information provided through this source but just offer it as a suggestion.
