We are always looking for an opportunity to go on short breaks. In 2007 and 2008 we have been to many places, but I have not written about these places. This December 08, we were discussing and planning a trip of 7 days. Courtesy my company, it was cut short to 5 days. Every one of us had different opinions. We had Puri, Konark, Corbett, Nainital, Udaipur and Himachal in our list. Ultimately we decided to go to Himachal. My inclination for Himachal was for two reasons
1) Places Planned were new &
2) I could take another test of my driving skills in unknown territory.
We – me, wife & two daughters
Destinations – Thanedhar & Shoja (HIMACHAL)
Transport – Our dependable Maruti Swift (Petrol)
Accommodation – Banjara Camps.
Day 1 (10th Dec. 08)
We left at 5 am and headed for Thanedhar via shimla & Narkanda. We stopped for early morning breakfast at our usual joint Ahuja No. 1, Murhtal for Aloo pranthas with white butter. We continued our journey with no further major breaks.
At Kalka before proceeding to hill journey, I got the tank full and was surprised to observe that my Swift gave an average of 20 km/liter, irrespective of driving speed between 80-90 km/hr. On reaching Narkanda, there was a small road to Thanedhar was branching off on right side. It was approximately 16 km drive on narrow road through forest and apple orchards, once you are near Thanedhar.
I was driving very carefully and looking for traffic from opposite direction, which may appear suddenly. I noticed that basic driving rules are not observed by locals, truck drivers and bus drivers. By passing through the small villages, we reached Banjara Orchard Retreat at 4 pm and covered a distance of 455 km.
It was a pleasant experience to see such a beautiful property in a remote place. This place is surrounded by Apple trees on all the sides. Apple season was over and trees were without a single leave, but were looking magnificent. We were given Kiwi suite, very well appointed and decorated suite. As the luggage was set at its place, a boy appeared with hot tea & coffee and sandwiches. Mr. Thakur was aware of the fact that we did not stop for lunch.
Mr. Prakash Thakur is well cultured and well informed gentleman. He owes the orchards in this area and works for social causes too. He suggested us to go for a short walk to Thanedhar bazaar, so as to get our limbs stretched. We followed his instructions and went for 2 km walk through small bazaar of Thanedhar village.
Thanedhar is a village but with beautiful houses, some to these are dream houses for us. This is all because of Apple economy. Mr. Samuel Stokes, who is considered as Godman by apple growers throughout Himachal had come to India in 1916 and traveled to reach Thanedhar. He settled here. That time it was deserted, he started experimenting growing some crops and was successful. Around 1930 he brought apple saplings from USA and planted those here. Height and climatic conditions suited and Apple growing was successful.
After walk we came back and had dinner in retreat’s dining hall, which gives more than 180° view of valley and mountain peaks. They have recreation room, where one can play carom, ludo, chess, scrabble etc. They have very good collection of books, which can keep the guests busy. It was an excellent dinner with wide varieties of dishes. Presentation and ambience was of high standard. Guest can suggest his choice of menu also and they really take care of it. Next day I had requested for local pahari menu and they had cooked the dishes which were really new to me.
*Day 2 (11th Dec.)
*We got up early in cold morning and had our breakfast by 8.30 am. Mr. Thakur had plan ready for us and asked us to go to Hatu Peak (11, 152 ft). This was on way to Narkanda a km before. It is 6 km from main road and we were suggested to take car up to 3 km and walk to the top for rest of 3 km.
Believe me it is very narrow and steep road. I was not enjoying driving on this road. In case of any car from opposite side, there was no place for both of us to give side to another person. After 2.5 km, we found a wider patch and without a second thought parked our car there. As I have mentioned about the steep climb, that means we had achieved very good height and this place was quiet. We started climbing up and found that we were the only souls on this track. Our speed was around 2 km/hr. On the way up we found patches of fresh snow. It was scattered in particular part or slope and was indicating that by month end, this place will be covered up by snow.
On reaching the top, we were crying in excitement to have 360° view of Himalayan peaks, high and low like layers of mountains one over other and the mightiest one with snow crowns over their heads. We spent some time in taking photographs and then started back for return journey. It was a different experience to inhale purest air and walk all alone in dense woods with two grown up daughters. It was not same feeling what we have in our civilized world.
We returned back at retreat for a late lunch. At 3.15 pm we started for Saroga forest walk with our guide and host Mr. Sharma. He called up for a taxi to take us to up by 3.5 km on a surface, which can not be called road. I was happy that Mr. Sharma ignored my suggestion of taking my car. Taxi driver dropped us at a point high up in jungle and returned back to Thanedhar. This walk is through very dense forest. We had to be back on main road before it gets dark.
My wife had troubled in walking because of pre lunch trek to Hatu peak. It was working out too much for her. Mr. Sharma was explaining about various trees, herbs and grass. He showed us some wild berries, tree for cancer treatment and found some whit deposition on a stick lying on ground. He asked us to taste it; reluctantly we took it but were surprised that it tasted as sweet as pure sugar. Path was becoming narrow and required full concentration. I slipped at one of such point but with no harm.
Suddenly there was some sound in trees above us. Mr. Sharma was walking with a careful look around and suggested us to cut the walk short as it was late to reach main walk because of slow walking of my wife. He informed that since it is getting cold on heights and there is no food so bears come up to villages in search of food. Yesterday only at around 6.30 pm a bear had come to the hut of their chowkidar.
When we reached Banjara Camps, it was dark and was greeted by staff who had arranged for bon fire. We enjoyed it with dance and songs and had dinner to retire after hectic day.