Detailed Description

About the Retreat:

80 kms from Shimla on the old Hindustan-Tibet road lays Thanedar, which enjoys a special place in Himachal history. In 1916 Samuel Stokes, a social worker from Philadelphia brought the first apple saplings to Thanedar (a couple of kms from Thanedar), the place he adopted as his home. One can still see the 'Starking Delicious' apple orchard that he planted there. Nestled amongst acres of apple blossoms in this region is the Banjara Orchard Retreat - an eco-friendly getaway that will enchant nature lovers.

       There are fully furnished rooms, family suites and independent log cabins with attached baths and a well-equipped kitchen to cater to a variety of tastes. Mr. Prakash Thakur, the host, for whom the Orchard Retreat has been a labor of love, is also the resident expert on the history and culture of this little piece of paradise.    

       Thanedar unfolds as a magnificent panorama of mountains. The farthest of them are cloaked in snow, other is deodar clad or draped in soft blue haze. In a gorge, some 6000ft below and cleary visible to the naked eyes, flows the River Sutluj. The slopes of Thanedar are studded with apple & cherry orchards & prosperity via these fruits is legendary. Every year several lakh cases of apple leaves Thanedar & Kotghar for different parts of the country & abroad. This accounts for the unbroken line of trucks that ply these roads during harvest time, from July through September. Nestled amongst acres of apple blossoms is the Banjara Orchard retreat- an eco- friendly getaway that will enchant nature lovers. There are fully furnished rooms & suites, two independent log cabins, all with attached baths, and a well equipped kitchen to cater to a variety of tastes.

      You can also do other activities like: Hattu Peak:15 kms away, at 11,000 ft, this peak offers a panoramic view of the snowline. St.Mary's Church:Built in 1872; this church at Kotgarh is one of the oldest churches in India. Parmjyotir Temple: Built by Stokes in the Pahari style, the temple is 1 km away from the retreat. Saroga Forest: Ideal for a refreshing early morning walk. Shila Jan Ridge:For a good hiker, a hike to this ridge makes for a fantastic day. Etc.

Inclusions:

All Meals are included in the cost

Exclusions:

We have introduced a 3% SERVICE CHARGE from this year on all Banjara properties. The same need to be paid directly on site.

The driver are charged Rs. 300 for food and Rs. 200 for stay i.e. Rs. 500 per day

Other activities like Angling, Trekking ,etc will cost Rs.500/- extra and min 4 persons.

How to Get There:

       From Shimla you take NH 22 via Kufri to Narkanda(64 kms). At Narkanda, you leave NH 22 and get on to the Narkanda-Thanedar-Bithal road.

       Thanedhar is 15 kms down the road and the Banjara Orchard Retreat is 1 km short of the Thanedar Bazar. A signboard of the Retreat greets you at the turn off. The same road carries on to meet the Shimla-Sangla highway (NH 22) at Bithal, which is 21 km from the Retreat.

Applicable Seasons:

Open throughout the year (unless it snows heavily in Jan/ Feb. Temperatures vary with the seasons).

May to September have pleasant days and cold nights

March- April & October- November has pleasant days and night temperature may dip to 2-3 degree centigrade.

December- Feb can get very cold with good chance of snow fall early Jan onwards