Retreat in Himachal
Duration : 03 Nights / 04 Days
Destination : Delhi - Thanedar - Sojha -
Raghupur - Serolser Lake
Kilometers covered : 250 kms
Maximum altitude : Jalori pass (3223M)
Best time to visit : April-October
This is an experience that is sure to refresh and revitalize you. Shoja is a
little village, which is just 5 kms from Jalori pass 3223m, which links Shimla
to Kullu district. With the advent of summer, the whole drive wears a festive
look with blue Iris in full bloom, gently forcing the mind to outline the plan
to the next visit. While the drive to the retreat is a pleasure in itself, the
numerous walks and treks in the surrounding forests and meadows are a special
feature of the area. The Banjara Retreat is a solid cedar wood house in the
local architectural style tucked away amidst thickly wooded forests from which
you can get a panoramic view of the snow covered Himalayan ranges in the distance.
Shoja boasts dense forests of Deodar rich in wild life i.e. Deer (Black & Brown),
Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Leopard, Jungle Hog and Monal (The State bird of Himachal).
Majority of the buildings in Shoja and Tirthan Valley are made of wood, stone
and mud in the traditional hill style and blend in well with the environment.
They typically have expansive upstairs verandas with arched facades and slate
roof.
Day 1: Delhi - Sojha
Fly into Bhuntar. Drive for 2 hrs to Sojha. Check into Banjara retreat. Acclimatization
walk to Sojha village in the afternoon. Evening around a bonfire.
Day 2: Sojha – Raghupur fort - Sojha - 10 kms drive. 5 kms
trek/ 3-4 hrs
We hike to Raghupur Fort Meadows that overlook the Tirthan Valley in Kullu district
in the West and Shimla district in the East. Drive to Jalori pass and walk in
the open for about hundred meters towards Satluj valley before it heads straight
into the forest on a well-defined trail. Half a kilometer later, a short steep
climb takes one to a small meadow that offers a photo-op. A short rest and off
you go into the Oaks and Rhododendrons forest slowly climbing up and then shifting
gear for a final steep climb of 15 to 20 minutes. Here the tree line finishes
and we move into a lush green meadow. A little up and we are rewarded with a
360 degrees view of The Himalayas, Dhauladhar and Kinnaur ranges, all of them
in one sweeping glance.
Keep strolling and in a while we end up at the dilapidated Raghupur Fort. The
local people believe that an erstwhile king of Mandi province got this fort
constructed hundred of years ago. Theories abound as to why this fort was constructed
on a ridge where scarcity of water was a perennial issue. One of them will have
us believe that this retreat was made in case the king had to retreat in to
the mountains in case his kingdom was attacked by the enemy forces from the
plains. Yet another popular belief is that the fort was constructed for the
pleasure of the king away from the prying eyes of his family and subjects. Whatever
the truth, the King could not have chosen a better location. One look and you
would not want to go back. All around you are swathes of lush green meadows
that gently descend into the oak and blue fir forests.
The meadows also happen to be the favourite ground of local shepherds. It is
a sight to behold with hundreds of sheep and goats munching around with not
a worry in the world, with at least couple of shepherd dogs in attendance. Early
mornings and late evenings provide an excellent photo opportunity.
Hike back to Jalori pass and onto a waterfall. Picnic lunch by the fall in the
afternoon. A short rest and hike back to retreat
Day 3 Sojha - Serolser lake - Sojha - 10 kms drive. 12 kms
hike/ 5-6 hrs
Himachal Pradesh, with most of it lying in the lap of Himalayas, has an abundance
of lakes. One such lake is in Tirthan valley (Kullu District) located 11 kms
(5 by car from our retreat to Jalori Pass and 6 kms from there to the lake)
from Banjara Retreat in Shoja. A drive to Jalori pass will take 15-20 minutes
from the retreat. From there a well-defined trail takes one to the Lake. Few
hundred meters on the trail and then you get in to the Oak forest. The sun rays
filtering through the tree cover, the blue of the sky through the foliage, the
up and down of the trail, an occasional sight of a bird, a clearing showing
the huge green vistas cascading down to the Sutluj valley, all of this and more
will keep you an enchanting company all the way to the lake. The lake makes
up in crystal clear clarity what it lacks in size. The local belief is that
no one has ever found a leaf floating in the lake though leafy trees surround
the lake itself. Nearby is a small temple beyond which the meadows start.
A couple of teashops regularly come up between April-October. They have also
some local sweets and savories- worth trying. During summer a lot of Gujjars
come with their buffaloes and cows to these pastures.
An average person may take about one and a half to two hours to cover the 6
km trail from Jalori pass to the lake. An early start will get you back to the
retreat for the hot lunch. For people who would like to spend more time with
the chirping birds, we will be too happy to provide you with a lunch hamper
for you to enjoy an al fresco lunch on the banks of the lake.
Day 4: Sojha - Delhi
Drive to Bhuntar airport to fly back to Delhi.
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| Himachal Trekking Tour |
Hill Station of Himachal Pradesh |
Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh |
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