I used to be first acquainted with Banjara Experiences again in 2021 once 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 taking place!
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 solely potential that the street journey may get prolonged to incorporate the opposite stunning locales as nicely.
THE ROUTE
We will likely be driving my Dad’s Diesel Maruti Ertiga by way of the Shimla Route.
Plan to depart on a Sunday morning at 0500hrs in order that we will keep away from most metropolis site visitors. even when we drive comfortably, with a few lengthy breaks, we must always be capable to 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 will likely 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 best way, journey time may lengthen to 7-8 hours.
At 2,700 meters above sea stage at Sangla, there are extra orchards, the Baspa river flows subsequent door and perhaps 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 following cease is Chicham, which is situated at a top of 4,270 meters and it’s suggested to take it straightforward when climbing so excessive so shortly. Oxygen deprivation is kind 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 ought to be doable in 7 hours if we make zero stops on the best way. However that’s no prone to occur.
After an evening at Kaza, we go away 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 perhaps go for a stroll to my “Emerald Pond”. And many pictures in fact. I additionally hope to hold a number 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 go away for the Banjara Village Retreat at Sojha, which is roughly a 6 hour drive. At Sojha, we will likely be in the midst of the Nice Himalayan Nationwide Park, so I’m trying ahead to a number of forest sights and sounds.
PHOTOGRAPHY
All through this journey, I’m trying ahead to photographing sunsets and sunrises (I’m fairly certain it is going to largely be sunsets although), birds, landscapes and a number of flowers and vegetation and timber. Other than the distinctive elements of every property in fact. I’m carrying my total 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 dwelling 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 return!
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