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A RETREAT IN SOJHA (3 nights 4 days)
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.
| Kilometers covered: |
250 kms |
| Maximum altitude: |
Jalori pass (3223M) |
| Best time to visit: |
April-October |
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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