Day 1: Depart Heathrow for Delhi
Day 2: Arrive Delhi, where we will overnight at a hotel near the airport to prepare for the internal flight to Bagdogra and the transfer to Karmi the next day.
Day 3: Internal flight to Bagdogra airport. Transfer by Jeep Taxi for the five-hour drive to Karmi Farm. We will break the journey with a stop to sample the local Momo delicacy, a fragrant pot of tea at Kurseong. We will arrive at Karmi around 7.30 pm where a hot meal, hot shower and refreshments will be waiting. The evening will conclude with an informal meet-and-greet.
Day 4: Breakfast followed by a briefing from Karmi owner Andrew Pulger-Frame and Paul on the course. After a tea break, we will explore the local area to find where the materials are sourced and collected from. This will include selecting trees to be felled, choosing rock for the foundations, the right earth for daub, bamboo and straw for wattle.
After lunch, we will begin the practical experience under the supervision of the local craftsmen. We will break into small groups and rotate through different tasks: pit-sawing a tree, collecting stones for the foundations, collecting and sorting earth, sand, straw and bamboo.
The course day will end at around 4pm when we will share some drinks and time with the craftsmen.
Day 5: This is a practical day where in small groups we will rotate between laying foundations, cleaning and squaring timber, preparing and splitting bamboo and preparing the daub.
Day 6: Today will be devoted to erecting the timber frame. There will also be an opportunity to visit and watch the local blacksmith at work as well as local builders lathing and preparing building materials. On the walk around the local area you will be able to visit the homesteads that have been made using traditional methods and witness the slow transition to more modern materials such as corrugated roofing, rebar and concrete.
Day 7: Having worked on the framing and making of panels for infilling the previous day, today will be devoted to wattle and daub technique and putting on the finishing coat, which in this area is cow dung. As well as fixing in the wattle we will be preparing, mixing and applying the daub using traditional methods.
Day 8: A free day, the chance to relax and reflect on the course and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Excursions can be arranged, for example day trip to Darjeeling or a hill walk which, weather permitting, offers stunning views.
Guests can also visit the Karmi Farm Clinic, which was set up by Andrew and Paul to support the local community.
Day 9: Depart Karmi and return via Bagdogra to Delhi. Day 10: Depart Delhi for the return flight to Heathrow.
Architectural Traveller | Page 59
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