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 are able to 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 further 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 totally doable that the street journey would possibly get prolonged to incorporate the opposite lovely locales as properly.
THE ROUTE
We can be driving my Dad’s Diesel Maruti Ertiga by way of the Shimla Route.
Plan to go away on a Sunday morning at 0500hrs in order that we are able to keep away from most metropolis visitors. even when we drive comfortably, with a few lengthy breaks, we should always be capable of attain Banjara Orchard Retreat, Thanedar, by or earlier than 1700hrs. The aim is to achieve earlier than Sunset.
As soon as we’re there at Thanedar, dinner and sleep. The subsequent couple of days can be spent exploring apple orchards, probably lake Tani-Jubbar and naturally the scrumptious meals that each one Banjara properties are recognized 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 need to {photograph} on the way in which, journey time would possibly lengthen to 7-8 hours.
At 2,700 meters above sea degree 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 degree, for an evening of acclimatization as a result of the subsequent cease is Chicham, which is positioned at a top of 4,270 meters and it’s suggested to take it simple when climbing so excessive so rapidly. 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 needs to 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 can take roughly an hour of driving time.
There can 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 images after all. I additionally hope to hold just a few 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 can 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 can 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 certain it’ll principally be sunsets although), birds, landscapes and a number of flowers and crops and timber. Other than the distinctive features of every property after all. I’m carrying my complete vary of lenses and cameras, one tripod and even the laptop computer goes with me this time. SO EXCITED.
After Sangla, it’s going to be a drive again house to Gurgaon. This can be 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 can be updates on my Instagram. Comply with alongside! (You may also 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 return!
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