Kali Temple at Hatu Peak and a view of the enthralling Himalayan snowline

Day 01:
Reach Parkwoods Forest Retreat, Shogi (near Shimla) in the afternoon.

For nature lovers and / or adventure seekers, there is nothing to compare with Parkwoods - 18 kms short of Shimla. Rustic, bamboo cottages and deluxe swiss tents with all modern facilities in the middle of a pine forest on a ridge. The locale is surrounded by untouched countryside with panoramic views, numerous village treks, jungle walks in pine, oak and rhododendron forests. Also on offer are numerous activities. A perfect juxtaposition of comfort, safety and serenity. 

After settling down, loosen your limbs and test your physical and mental strength. Our team of trained and certified adventure instructors lead you through interesting activities on the obstacle course like tree bridge, commando net, cat walk, valley crossing and flying fox. Surprise yourself with how much more you can actually do than you ever imagined! 

Later, enjoy hot tea and cookies at Westend in Parkwoods from where you get to see mesmerizing sunsets with the sky a riot of blazing colors. 

A quick nap, and you are ready for the bonfire under the star spangled sky.
Barbeque and tandoori snacks are available on order.
In the evening, enjoy yourself either listening to soft music in the open or just enjoying the sounds of nature.
After dinner your snug cottages / tents await you for a well deserved sleep.

Overnight at Parkwoods Forest Retreat.
 

Day 02  (Adventure Activities and Forest Picnic at Parkwoods)

Wake up at leisure and with your morning tea, laze around in the hammocks or thatched sit-outs just taking in the splendor and beauty of nature all around – verdant forested valleys, emerald rolling meadows, misty mountains.

After breakfast, let the instructors make a mountaineer out of you. Reach for the heights! Rock climbing can be interesting and you start appreciating simple things like stairs, escalators and elevators so much more J. Somebody once said, “Climbing may be hard, but it's easier than growing up." Find out for yourself. Follow this with rappelling which brings back your self-esteem to respectable levels!

Past noon, don your trekking shoes, caps and designer shades as you hike through shaded forest trails to a nearby meadow. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch in the hill environs in the outdoors surrounded only by virgin nature.  Rest, relax, do nothing at the meadow! By late afternoon return to Parkwoods.

Evenings are reserved for soulful songs with moonlight spreading radiance thru' pines adding to the inimitable ambience.

An astronomical telescope is also available on hire at Parkwoods for star-gazing.

Overnight at Parkwoods Forest Retreat.

Day 03 (Parkwoods-Kufri-Fagu-Narkanda, 80 kms)

Early risers, after morning tea, take a pre-breakfast nature walk amongst the Himalayan flora & fauna in the surrounding pine forest along our marked trails. Here you get to see a lot of birdlife –blue tailed magpies, brown fronted woodpeckers, khalij pheasants and many more. The experience is absolutely meditative and invigorating. Binoculars and guides are available at Parkwoods on hire.

After a leisurely breakfast move out in a taxi (arranged by Parkwoods) to Narkanda. Continue on the offbeat trail to Kufri climbing upto 8600 feet. As you approach the hamlet, do not miss the verdant deodar filled emerald forested slopes on the right. The helipad up from Wildflower Hall commands the best views of the countryside and of course Kufri with its pony rides and mini zoo (though crowded in season) is a must do! Enchanting views of the Himalayan ranges and snow capped peak on clear days.

Carry onwards crossing Fagu on the way, perhaps stopping for a hot cuppa as you once again get an uninterrupted view of the snow ranges.

Soon after, reach Narkanda at 9240 feet. Narkanda Resorts with its beautiful alpine settings is located on the foot of the Hatu hill. With its calm and serene surroundings, the area is lush green with pine and rhododendron forests. The Retreat has been built to exciting standards  with wooden floors, cozy furniture and an inviting ambience. Built at a picturesque location the rooms offer splendid views of the Himalayas, villages and valleys.

Activities include skiing (winter), mountain biking, horse riding, nature walks as well as camping and allied activities.
For people wanting just to relax, there is a pool room, fire place and a library.
In season visits to apple and cherry orchards are possible.

After an early dinner, retire to rejuvenate for the next day.

Overnight at Narkanda Resorts.
 

Day 04 (Narkanda – Hatu Peak – Thanedar / Kotgarh – Narkanda, 50 kms)

Today you discover the best of what the mountains has to offer and also what Himachal Pradesh is best known for – its apple orchards.

After breakfast, drive upto the Hatu Peak at 10,500 feet. The 8 km jeep track is interesting and will take you through pine, oak, deodars, silver fur and rhododendron trees with a wild profusion of flowers and herbs.

Hatu hillock provides beautiful and majestic views of the Himalayas and the surrounding pahari hamlets. It also has a small Kali temple. For almost six months in a year (winter and spring), Hatu is covered with a thick blanket of snow.

The lush green meadow at Hatu is the perfect place for a picnic lunch.

After lunch, drive 18 kms to Thanedar in Kotgarh area. Kotgarh, enjoys a special place in Himachal history. In 1916 Samuel Stokes, a social worker from Philadelphia brought the first apple saplings to Kotgarh, the place he adopted as his home.

During the summers you can see the beautiful rosy pink flowers blooming on the apple trees and August onwards the orchards are laden by green and red apples. 

Parmjyotir Temple built by Stokes in the Pahari style is located within Thanedar. You get to see stupendous sunsets from here as well.
As dusk sets head back to Narkanda.

Overnight at Narkanda Resorts.
 

Day 05 (Narkanda – Viceregal Lodge Shimla – Mall Road Shimla – Parkwoods Shogi, 55 kms).

After breakfast move towards Shimla, stopping at the erstwhile Viceregal Lodge first. The imposing six-storey edifice, with its manicured gardens is today the Institute for Advanced Studies. There is also a small Peasantry and Bird Park nearby.

Further on to the Mall Road for everything a typical hill-station offers. Walk upto the most happening place of Shimla – The Ridge, also called Scandal Point.

In the evening, back to Parkwoods. Retire after an early dinner today.

Breakfast and check out.