Getaway to Giri Camp

For four Fridays, Trendy spirits you away from dust and heat, deadlines and gridlocks, up and away for a series on great weekend getaways.

For the next couple of days, leave behind those faux cheery FM voices, the next scinitillating episode of the latest reality show everyone is hooked to, and the built-up uglies. Escape into the air, water and earth.

Leave Delhi at crack of dawn. Head towards Himachal, to Solan. At about mid-day, draw up at a spot from where you can see the lights winking off the Giri Ganga river. Whispering reeds accompany you through the walk to the newly-opened Giri camp.

Snuggle into your tent, which is right on the bank. Pick up a book, and dangle your feet in the water. Swim, if you feel like it. Or not.

Go fishing. Dip your rod in, nod off. If you are lucky, you might hook a rainbow trout. Available on request is a ‘Fisherman’s Walk’: accompany a local fisherman and learn a few tricks.

Giri is great for serious birdwatching. Spot pretty wagtails, perky chats, alertly perched kingfishers flashing turquoise feathers, preening paradise flycatchers.

Come back again. Because a river runs through it.

Contact camp owners Himanshu Joshi at 9810521443, and Anurag Sharma at 9868899990, and email: himjo@gmail.com. Tariff starts from Rs. 2,600 per tent for two, per night, inclusive of three meals a day and morning and evening tea.
How to Reach: If you are driving, Solan is 300 kilometres from Delhi via Chandigarh. From Solan, take a right turn on Rajgarh Road and after 20 km you’ll reach a small place called Maryog. Another right from there and after a kilometer, a left turn on the dirt road will bring you to Chamyoga. From here, a walk of around a 1.5 km along the river bed, and you’ll reach Giri Camp. Mules can be arranged on demand. Alternatively, guests can be picked from Solan. By train: take the Shatabdi, Himalayan Queen, or Kalka-Howrah Express till Kalka, and change onto a narrow gauge train till Solan. Best Time: Throughout the year except during monsoons. The camp is closed in July and August because of rains. Carry light woolies.

And click here to the read last Friday’s getaway to the Terraces in Kanatal.