I used to be first acquainted with Banjara Experiences again in 2021 after I visited and stayed at Tethys Himalayan DEN at Chicham. Since then, I’ve chatted briefly with Rajesh and Mohit and thought of how we will collaborate and work collectively and FINALLY it’s occurring!
That is the define of the journey plan:
Drive from Gurgaon to Banjara Orchard Retreat, Thanedar
Drive from Thanedar to Banjara Valley Retreat, Sangla
Drive from Sangla to Kaza for an evening of acclimatization
Drive from Kaza to Tethys Himalayan DEN, Chicham
Drive from Chicham to Banjara Valley Retreat, Sangla for a one-night halt
Drive from Sangla to Banjara Village Retreat, Sojha
Drive from Sojha to Gurgaon
Banjara Experiences has a number of extra retreats, resorts and eating places. Which I’ll get to as a part of the general work plan. For now, the above 4 stops determine into our plan definitively. It’s completely attainable that the street journey may get prolonged to incorporate the opposite lovely locales as nicely.
THE ROUTE
We will likely be driving my Dad’s Diesel Maruti Ertiga through the Shimla Route.
Plan to depart on a Sunday morning at 0500hrs in order that we will keep away from most metropolis visitors. even when we drive comfortably, with a few lengthy breaks, we must always be capable of attain Banjara Orchard Retreat, Thanedar, by or earlier than 1700hrs. The purpose is to achieve earlier than Sunset.
As soon as we’re there at Thanedar, dinner and sleep. The subsequent couple of days will likely be spent exploring apple orchards, presumably lake Tani-Jubbar and naturally the scrumptious meals that each one Banjara properties are identified for. The Sutlej River flows subsequent door, in order that’s going to be a spotlight too.
This, above, would be the longest drive of this journey.
From Thanedar to Banjara Valley Retreat, Sangla is about 5-6 hours of driving time. Assuming I’m going to wish to {photograph} on the way in which, journey time may prolong to 7-8 hours.
At 2,700 meters above sea stage at Sangla, there are extra orchards, the Baspa river flows subsequent door and possibly a drive to a scenic spot shut by.
From Sangla, we then drive to Kaza, which is at 3,650 meters above sea stage, for an evening of acclimatization as a result of the subsequent cease is Chicham, which is positioned at a peak of 4,270 meters and it’s suggested to take it simple when climbing so excessive so shortly. Oxygen deprivation is sort of actual and I bear in mind my final time – I used to be out of breath when taking actually 5 steps on the street in Kaza. The Sangla to Kaza drive must be doable in 7 hours if we make zero stops on the way in which. However that’s no more likely to occur.
After an evening at Kaza, we depart for Tethys Himalayan DEN at Chicham. This may take roughly an hour of driving time.
There will likely be a LOT to do whereas at Tethys however I plan to soak within the views from their eating space, hang around with Faizu and possibly go for a stroll to my “Emerald Pond”. And many pictures in fact. I additionally hope to hold a couple of unread books with me and do them justice whereas I’m there.
Then the return leg of our roadtrip begins. We drive from Chicham to Banjara Valley Retreat at Sangla for an evening halt. This will likely be an roughly 8 hour lengthy drive.
Subsequent day, we depart for the Banjara Village Retreat at Sojha, which is roughly a 6 hour drive. At Sojha, we will likely be in the course of the Nice Himalayan Nationwide Park, so I’m wanting ahead to plenty of forest sights and sounds.
PHOTOGRAPHY
All through this journey, I’m wanting ahead to photographing sunsets and sunrises (I’m fairly positive it should largely be sunsets although), birds, landscapes and numerous flowers and vegetation and timber. Aside from the distinctive facets of every property in fact. I’m carrying my whole vary of lenses and cameras, one tripod and even the laptop computer goes with me this time. SO EXCITED.
After Sangla, it’ll be a drive again house to Gurgaon. It is a 12 hour drive and I’m not too eager to do that in a single go. So, we would get in an evening halt at Chandigarh to interrupt the journey. Haven’t finalized this half simply but.
After all there will likely be updates on my Instagram. Observe alongside! (You can even check out Banjara Experiences on Instagram.)
I’m tremendous excited to be doing this in partnership with Banjara Experiences. It feels insanely nice to be appreciated sufficient for my work to be employed to do it. Cheers to so many extra beautiful model experiences to come back!
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