Located in Himachal’s Seraj Valley, Shoja is place that will have you swooning over its stunning views of snow-clad mountains playing peek-a-boo through a thick veil of fog. Other than connecting with nature and unwinding in solitude, the best thing to do at Shoja is to take an unhurried trek on a sun-dappled forest path to a hidden waterfall. Do remember that accommodation options are few and far between at Shoja, but then, that also adds to the charm of this under-explored place.
A tiny village of nomadic herdsmen, Rakcham lies sandwiched between Sangla and Chitkul. With barely any cell phone coverage, a few stone-and-wood homestays and an idyllic backdrop dominated by craggy peaks, verdant pine forests and the meandering Baspa river, this place is as offbeat as it gets. Interestingly, while constructing their houses, the residents of Rakcham use a local stone called Bhog Pathar that is believed to withstand lightning and earthquakes!
Tour Itinerary
Arrival in Paro from Delhi or Kathmandu. You will be met at your hotel in Delhi and transferred to the airport to fly to Shimla in the morning. You will be met and driven to Narkanda (2½ hours). One gets familiarized with common species such as blue whistling thrush, large billed crow, green backed and great tit, grey – hooded warbler, russet sparrow, wire – tailed swallow, khalij pheasant, oriental hobby etc. Birding in Narkanda in the evening. One can look for Indian blue robin, brownish – flanked bush warbler, Himalayan griffon, large hawk cuckoo, black and yellow grosbeak, spotted nutcracker, greenish and lemon – romped warbler, ultramarine and Asian brown fly cat cher, Eurasian blackbird etc. Overnight in a Hotel Hatu.
Morning birding on the trail to Hatu peak. Drive to Sangla (7 – 8 hr.) via Sarahan. Sarahan is surrounded by apple orchards and dominated by Srikhand Mahadev peak (5155 m) and is famous for Bhimakali temple and a pheasant breeding centre. One can expect white – throated fantail, grey – headed canary, yellow – billed blue magpie, common rosefinch, crested bunting, lammergeier, common kestrel, changeable hawak – eagle, common tailorbird etc. Evening bird walk at Sangla. One can expect brown dipper, common raven, European goldfinch, fire – fronted serin, lesser cuckoo, booted eagle, dark sided flycatcher, western crowned warbler, tree pipit etc. Overnight in fully serviced tents.
Drive leisurely to Chitkul (2 hr.) stopping for birding en route. Chitkul is the last inhabited village surrounded by green fields and High Mountain peaks. For birders the special ones are red – headed bullfinch, white – winged grosbeak, gold crest, pink – browed and beautiful rose finch, salty blue flycatcher, white – tailed ruby throat, refocus vented & refocus napped tit, spot winged tit, whit – cheeked nuthatch, blue – capped redstart, brambling etc. The quaint little houses, temples, gompas and the people of Baspa valley conjure up a perfect image of Shangri – La. Return to Sangla in the evening. Overnight in fully serviced tents.
Drive to Shoja via Jalori Pass. Shoja, a small village at an altitude of over 8000 feet. The access to Shoja winds through thick forests, alpine trees which provide an untouched habitat. Arrive here in time for lunch and later a walk on the forest logging road into pristine pheasant country. The pheasants seen here are monal & khaleej. Other birds are sulphur – bellied warbler, white – throated tit, Indian blue robin, brownish flanked bush warbler, 2 species of grosbeaks, nutcracker, white – collared blackbird, ultra marine flycatcher, variegated laughing thrush etc. Overnight in cottages in Banjara Retreat.
Shoja
Full day birding with your guide on numerous trails and short treks. Overnight in cottages in Banjara Retreat. Shoja is situated in the Seraj Valley. Its beauty changes from a sunny green conifer valley, full of flowers in the summer to mist covered snow – peaked cold Himalayan village in the winters. The numerous walks and treks in the surrounding forests and meadows are a special feature of the area. During spring the slopes get covered with purple iris flowers and wild strawberries grow all along the road. It is one of the most beautiful and unforgettable sights that will haunt you for a long time.
Shoja to Goshaini
Drive down to Goshaini, a beautiful spot by the Tirthan River . One can look for M onal, Khalij, Rosy Pipit etc. This area en route remains less explored so we may have some special birds here. Goshaini is a scenic and idy llic Himachali village. Our stay is one of the main attractions of this off the beaten track place. A delightful homestay on the banks of the Tirthan River, this quaint wooden lodge can be reached by sitting in a hand pulled pulley cart over the gushing ri ver! The setting is picture perfect amidst apple orchards and high mountains and a river full of trout. Right on the riverbank, th is place is ideal for relaxing on the hammocks, trout fishing, sharing stories around the fireplace or going for long walks ac companied by the owner’s lovable dogs. Trek to the Great Himalayan National Park and afternoon downstream walk along river Tirthan. One can expect to see yellow – billed blue magpie, brown dipper, Asian brown and paradise flycatcher, jungle myna, Asian barre d owlet, common kestrel etc. Overnight in Tirthan Orchards.
Drive to Kullu (3 hr.) to fly back to Delhi. Arrive in Delhi by noon. Tour Ends.
– Great Birdings.
– Very interesting Himalayan drive through high passes.
– Quaint lodges and camps.
– Amazing food.
– Short hikes and walks.
– Local lifestyle.
(1). This is the itinerary for a tour which we run regularly. It can be altered, and we like to discuss plans with clients and can make suggestions about special places to visit depending on our clients’ interests, and available time. The itinerary is planned in such a way that you gain altitude gradually , you get a good and proper time to acclimatise properly while travelling through the Central Himalayas . Every day there is enough free time to make walk / or to relax your own so you could experience the people and culture from much close on the tour.
(2). In case you require accompanying tour escort / local guide with you please tell us and we will be happy to arrange local, knowledgeable guide for your tour, as per your choice.
(3). Please do not hesitate to collect any travel information from us, before working a final tour programme for yourself. We would be glad to provide you all the travel information and hotels details etc. at the time of planning your holidays with us, before you book your tour with Incredible Himachal Holidays. Being local, we can provide you with a wonderful private, personalise, tailor-made holiday tour in India at a cheaper cost than the standard package / group holiday that you might find elsewhere. We believe in delivering the service, more than- promised to our clients.
• Accommodation on twin sharing basis.
• Meals as per the itinerary.
• Guided birding throughout.
• Any permits.
• All surface transfers by a private vehicle.
• Tips, laundry, phone calls, alcohol, camera fee etc.
• International and domestic air fare, visa, insurance.
