Featured
Armenian Panorama: Explore the Soul of Armenia
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Banjara Camps and Retreats is a luxury camp, located in a remote Sangla valley, in the heart of the Himalayas. Set along the Baspa River, flowing from nearby glaciers, it offers a romantic retreat, away from the blazing Indian summer with a cool, tranquil and serene atmosphere. Once every so often you find yourself a hidden gem in the maze of accommodations on offer. Banjara Camps is such a hidden secret, surrounded by green landscapes with interesting nature and mountain trails.
Banjara Camps & Retreats have 3 properties of which the main property with 26 rooms is set in the remote Sangla Valley. Two more properties are set along the route to Sangla, in locations that provide exclusivity and closeness to nature. Located above 2,000m these properties provide dramatic views of the Himalayas and pleasantly cool weather during the hot Indian summer.
In addition to the luxury Swiss Tents, the Banjara Camps also has bricks and mortar retreats but their mission remains the same – soft adventure with impeccable service. A new addition are the two exclusive log cabins mostly booked by the honeymooners. The family friendly resort caters for outdoor and indoor games, adventure activities and a library with interesting and educative books. Excursions include treks to local villages and temples with local experts.
Amenities
Stay Banjara Camps and Retreats has 26 rooms available in 10 Swiss Cottage Tents, 14 Retreat Suite Rooms and 2 Log Huts. All the tents and rooms are fully furnished and have attached baths with hot/cold water. The spacious Swiss Cottage Tents have direct views of the Baspa River, fixed bathroom and a separate changing area. It has a double bed with an antique dressing table and a planter’s chair. The two log-huts, romantically placed near the Baspa River are real havens for the honeymooners.
ChildCare Children are welcome to stay at Banjara Camps and Retreats. There are family rooms with an additional mezzanine step-up sleeping area for children. There is a room for children with toys and an outdoor area for games. Babysitting can be arranged, on request.
Dine The food in Banjara Camps and Retreats is an interesting communal affair. The Camp’s Teahouse serves Indian tea or ‘Chai’ served with savoury and sweet snacks, including homemade brownies. Dinner is served in the dining hall or buffet in the central courtyard around a bon-fire. Some nights include a barbecue of Himalayan trout and jacket potatoes. The resident chef is always at hand to cook your favourite dish or meals based on your personal preferences. Lunch is in the dining hall or picnic lunch is provided for those taking day tours.
Relax The main attraction of Sangla Valley is its natural beauty, and this is best experienced through the many walks organised by Banjara Camps. There is trekking to Rakcham, Sangla and Rakchham meadows from the camp. All treks offer different terrains and ever-changing views of the mountains, Baspa River and the wooded area along it. The difficulty level also varies with each trek from easy to medium to hard. Other activities include river crossing, rappelling and wall climbing. Outdoor games include basketball, badminton and table tennis.
Experience Set within apple orchards, Banjara Camps and Retreats organises free tours to neighbouring villages where you meet apple growers and learn tips on growing, feeding and pruning apple trees. The house chef conducts cooking lessons and will be happy to share his recipes. Visit local weavers for high quality Kullu shawls and other handloom-woven goods and rugs.
Location Banjara Camps & Retreats, is a luxury resort in a remote Sangla Valley, in the heart of the Himalayas. Set along the Baspa River, flowing from nearby glaciers, it offers a romantic retreat, away from the blazing Indian summer with a cool, tranquil and serene atmosphere.
Getting There The best way to get to Banjara Camps & Retreats is to fly from Delhi to Bhuntar airport in the Kulu-Manali region. The resort will provide reception and drive you to Sojha for a 2-night stay. Then travel to Thanedar for overnight. Alternatively, travel from Delhi by car (arranged by Banjara Camps) stopping one night in Thanedar. From here it is a 5-hr drive to Sangla Valley. Take the same route back to Bhuntar and fly back to Delhi.
When to go The best time to travel to India is between September and March. However, the best time for the Indian Himalaya is between April and November. The Banjara Camp is open from Mid-March to October. May to September have pleasant days and cold nights while March, April & October have pleasant days but night temperature may dip to 2-3 degrees.
Featured
Discover sides of Asia you never knew existed, revealed by people who know every facet.
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said us recently.
“I would like to thank Asian Geographical Expeditions staff for organising a perfect holiday for my family to Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives…”
“We are grateful for the exceptional planning and care taken by Asian Geographical Expeditions to ensure our holiday was perfect.”
“… organised by Asian Geographical Expeditions following a recommendation from a close friend. He wasn’t wrong! Asian Geographical Expeditions immediately showed us their professionalism, care and attention to our wishes.”
“Thank you for suggesting the helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp and breakfast with a view of Mt Everest—a truly spectacular moment.”
“The history and cultural specialists also deserve a mention for the way they illuminated the heritage of the places we visited, as does the Buddhist scholar with his apparently boundless knowledge.”
“We were very impressed to learn that its CEO had led some amazing first-ever expeditions … Clearly, he’s still an ace at organising expeditions.”
“Tibet was a revelation … it surely was a blessing to travel back to the region after 50 years … Thank you, Asian Geographical Expeditions, for making this possible.”
"Everything went smoothly, and we want to thank our friendly guides and driver who shared their personal stories and the rich histories of their countries. That is the AGE difference."
"A heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Asian Geographical Expeditions who made this super trip possible."
"… we had a stress-free trip, ‘hands-free’, enabling us to enjoy the sights and rich cultures of Dubai and Oman ."
"The meticulous care, support and guidance provided by Asian Geographical Expeditions made the trip extra-special."
"The itinerary was as we expected... the Asian Geographical Expeditions did a fantastic job, going the extra mile to ensure we had the best holiday ever.”
"The attention to detail shone through every aspect of our journey … we gained a deep understanding of a region that remains enigmatic to many. Thanks for a remarkable travel experience!"
"I am deeply grateful to the entire team at Asian Geographical Expeditions for their dedication and hard work in crafting such a memorable holiday."
"The guides were exceptional—they clearly loved sharing their knowledge and insights into the local culture and history."
"We were really impressed with the immaculate organisation ... The Asian Geographical Expeditions team kept in communication during the tour, ensuring that each of our members was comfortable."
"The detailed itinerary and thoughtful pre-trip information removed all stress from our travels, which went off without a hitch, allowing us to dive deep into the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of Central Asia."
"The hospitality was truly remarkable... we are immensely grateful to the team for their efforts and look forward to our next adventure with Asian Geographical Expeditions."
"Every detail of our trip was superbly executed... (and) the exceptional attentiveness of the guides added a feeling of luxury and comfort that was much appreciated."
"The guides were not only knowledgeable but also truly passionate about sharing their rich cultural histories, which added a personal touch that was deeply appreciated."
"Every aspect of the trip, from guides to accommodation and the well-planned itinerary ... was seamlessly orchestrated. We will always recommend Asian Geographical Expeditions for anyone looking to explore Central Asia in unparalleled depth and comfort."