banjara camp, sangla

BANJARA CAMP, SANGLA
For six months every year, the Himalayan valleys of Kinnaur and Spiti emerge from a thick cloak of snow to
reveal a different, secret world to man. Your discovery of the lesser-known Himalayas can begin at the
Banjara Camp in the Sangla Valley. At a height of 2,700 Mts the Banjara Camp is surrounded by towering
mountains on all sides and is set on the banks of the Baspa River that surges through the valley.
Long walks to discover the amazing fauna and flora of the valley, treks to view snow covered Himalayan
peaks, angling for trout, experiencing some of the local culture and traditions, River crossing, rock climbing
and rappelling are only some of the delights that are on offer. The Camp is an ideal setting for total
relaxation with cozy Swiss-style tents that have attached bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and evening
bonfires that keep the chill away
Best time to visit:
Temperatures:
Accommodation:
April- October
Temperatures vary with the seasons. May to September have pleasant days (light
woolens) and cold nights while April & October have pleasant days. The night
temperature may dip to 5 degrees.
18 fully furnished tents with attached bath. 24 hrs running hot/cold water
Activities and places to visit around the Retreat
Activities:
Hiking, River crossing, Burma- bridge, Rappelling, Fishing
Chitkul:
Last village on the old Hindustan-Tibet trade route.
Sangla Meadows:
Full day walk to the green pastures.
Rakcham:
Beautiful 4 hr walk along the Baspa River to Rakcham village.
Baspa River:
This River flowing along the valley is great for trout fishing.
Batseri village:
Just across the camp, this village is an excellent example of the great Hill
architecture. The local devta temple here is a must see.
Hiking & Sight Seeing Details:
Hike to the glacier point
Duration: 3 hrs round trip
Level: Between Easy to Medium
For people, especially kids, who would love to have a
feel of snow, this is a good option. In the bargain one
gets to walk through a beautiful Pine forest, cross a fast
flowing rivulet with a makeshift bridge and walk through
the Batseri village. At a slow, leisurely pace it will take
an hour and a half to reach this avalanche site. Making
snow-balls and snow-houses and sliding are activities that
both kids as well as grown ups enjoy. The view from this
point is quite spectacular. Do not forget to take lots of
sun tan lotion, a wide brimmed hat and dark glasses.
Day visit to Chitkul
Duration: 20 kms/1hr drive; 8 kms/ 2 hr walk
both ways to Nagasthi
Level of Difficulty: Medium
There is not a better conception of a day
picnic than a short drive to Chitkul, walk to
Nagasthi and opening the lunch hamper under
the pine trees next to a rivulet on green grass
looking at the beautiful expanse of the valley.
Walk to Sangla Village
Duration: 12 kms/ 4 hrs
Level: Easy
One can set out after a leisurely breakfast around nine
and be back in time for hot lunch. The trail runs across
Batseri village and a dense Cedar forest. The fisheries
farm is an interesting diversion where one can buy some
trout, which we will bar-be-cue for you in the evening
around the bonfire.
We start the day around nine after breakfast.
It takes 45 minutes to reach Chitkul. The drive
is a fascinating one through pine forest that
slowly gives way to ‘Bhojpatra’/Birch trees
and then the tree line disappears. The valley
opens up and you find yourself facing the
snow capped Great Himalayas beyond which
lies Tibet. Perched on the one side of the
valley, below one of the ridges is the quaint
Chitkul village. One look at it and image of
‘Shangri- La’ crosses the mind. Chitkul falls in
what once used to be the ‘Silk Route’. The
village is slowly loosing it's charm with
construction happening all around in the name
of 'development'.
Nagasthi is the last border outpost (bordering
Tibet) and a short walk from Chitkul. Civilians
are not allowed beyond this point. The walk is
a level one and slightly going down the path
through a pastureland and fields overlooking
the freely flowing Baspa.
Walk back and open your lunch hamper at an
idyllic spot. Back in the camp by late
afternoon to rest and relax and be ready for
the evening tea.
Overnight camping
There are many spots in the wilderness one can go to spend a night away from the camp. We carry sleeping
bags, carry mats, alpine tents and spend the night in exotic locale. You listen to the darkness and feel the
pulse of time passing by. It is a very unique experience. And if you are traveling with a child, you cannot
give a better gift than this to your child. Tent pitching, camp breaking, packing and beyond all this realising
how little we really need to live/survive. (Though we promise to feed you well ☺). The Sangla Meadows, the
forests of Mastrang (between Rackcham and Chitkul), the glacier point above the village are some of the
spots where we generally organize the overnight camping. Else, the whole valley is open …
For overnight camping, please discuss with the camp manager at least 24 hrs in advance. Please note
that this is subject to availability of human resource.
Day visit to Kalpa
If Kalpa is not in your itinerary, then a day visit is
highly recommended. Once the favourite haunt of
Lord Dalhousie, Kalpa is just 56 kms from the camp
but it can take over two hours to reach. The drive is
through Karcham, Powari and Recong Peo, the
district headquarters.
Besides the amazing close-up view of the Kinner
kailash range, Kalpa also offers a wonderful walk to
Rogi – just four kms one way.
One can also shop here or in Recong Peo for the
famous Kinnauri shawl or dry fruits. The visit also
gives you a chance to tank up with fuel in case you
are running short.
Batseri – Rakcham walk
Duration: 4-5 hours
Level of Difficulty: Medium
A signature walk of the valley, this route was once used regularly by the villagers from Batseri to go to
Rakcham. It is a fascinating walk through a wide variety of flora. If the trek is done before July, one also
gets to cross two tails of glaciers coming from the top to meet the frisky Baspa.
We start as early as possible with a light breakfast and carry juice and sandwiches for the mid point break!
Arrive back at camp by noon for a hot shower and lunch. A level-cum-gradually climbing path first takes one
to Batseri Village across the Baspa River. A ‘dekko’ at the temple and one is quickly out of the village into
the forest. After about half an hour the path takes a sharp climb and goes on for thirty minutes where one
hits the first ‘glacier’. That can be the first 'chota' halt. Across the glacier one quickly melts into the forest
and here the path goes gradually up. Half an hour and many fascinating views later the path takes a sudden
descent and opens out into the valley.
Lo and behold! Another small glacier walk (only till early June) and a balance walking across a few streams
later one comes to a plain flat ground. This is generally the mid way break point where we stop briefly for
refreshments. Resume the walk after a short break. A big tract of Poplar forest welcomes you as you walk
on. The path from here takes a gradual ascent and goes on for 30-40 minutes to level in a forest which gives
way to the fields of Rackcham village. The Valley opens up here revealing the snow-clad mountains across
which lies Uttaranchal and Tibet depending on which direction one is looking at. Here one has the option to
either take the vehicle back to the camp or else walk back on the road to the camp (7 kms/1.5 hrs). On this
walk, one gets to see most of the tree and plant variety the valley has to offer. For a regular walker it is a
'long walk' and for the uninitiated it can be termed as a ‘good hike’. So at the end of the walk, one is glad to
see the vehicles waiting to drive you back to camp and yet many a 5-6 years old have done this without a
whimper of protest.
Sangla meadows walk
Duration: 5-6 hours to full day
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
For people who love to walk, Sangla meadows is a perfect place to see the Kinner Kailash massif in its full
glory.
The locals have their fields in the Sangla meadows (or Sangla Kanda as they call it). As going up and down
everyday is inconvenient, so lot of people have made their temporary huts here called 'dogris'.
When it starts to get cold in the valley, the shepherds often take their sheep and goat herds across Rupin
Pass (visible in the distance) to the meadows near Dehra Dun. The magnificent 180 degree panoramic view
of the snow-clad Kinner Kailash range is a just reward for all the huffing and puffing one need to do to reach
here. Pack lunch with apple juice chilled in the icy water of the lake is the icing on the cake.
One can either walk from the camp all the way and walk back (full day) or else drive up to Sangla and then
start the walk. Starting at about 8,400 feet from the Baspa River, it will take about 3 hours to reach a small
glacial lake at about 12,000 feet. The ascent is steep in the beginning and so steep in the later part.
Early morning walks
At the crack of the dawn, if you come out Mother Nature welcomes you with invaluable rewards – more so in
the mountains and much more so in the wilderness country - Baspa valley.