Camp Redwoods

Redwood Farms – Village Kawalag, Mehli – Junga road, Shimla
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We all have our moments, happy moments, when everything seems just as it is, pristine, divine in unison with nature and our every deep breath. And such moments linger to our souls forever, smiling, resonating as we evolve through the rigmarole of working, living working.

Just one such moment is ‘Redwood Farms’! Lingering, smiling and happy to be there. Welcome to an experience in outdoors. Out here we hear the song of the cuckoo all day, the chirping of parrots, experience the sunrise over the mountains, hark to the village life of going out there farming, walk amidst conifer forests and; if it matters; unlearn, unwind and relax.

‘Redwood Farms’ provides 12 luxury tent cottages, pitched on two farms. All tents have attached bathrooms and toilets and accommodate on twin sharing. The tents are 18ft X 12ft and thus are big enough to accommodate extra beds as well. There is running hot water in the bathrooms which are neatly tiled.

When in the outdoors, the team at ‘Camp Redwoods’ emphasizes on the food and the importance of nutrition and palate. We have an 800 sq.ft log hut which serves as the dining hall and a conference facility. Though during your stay you will be served meals in a buffet, however we do have an exclusive a la carte` menu as well catering to your palate, dishing out the best Indian and world cuisines. The log hut is a 40 cover facility and also consists of a small library (reading books here is a pleasure amidst the luxury of nature and leisure) and a tuck shop.

A leisure holiday is everybody’s priority, however being interactive makes it experiential. The team at ‘Camp splendor’ focuses on providing safe and thrilling adventure activities in and outside the camp. All activities are under the supervision of qualified adventure instructors most whom are advanced certified mountaineering instructors from Mountaineering institutes from Manali and Uttarkashi. There are various activities in which one can indulge at the camp.

1. Hiking and Trekking
Shimla is a hiker’s paradise. The Shimla catchment sanctuary, the village of Mashobra, Shalli Tibba, Taradevi are all within a drivable distance from the camp.

2. ROPE COURSES

Rope courses are an integral part of the activities at the camp. Rock climbing, Rappelling, valley crossing, zip line (flying fox) and Burma bridge activity sites exist just near the camp. For bridge slithering and river crossing we drive down to Ashwani Khud, just a 7 kms drive from the camp.

3. MOUNTAIN BIKING

Numerous trails in Shimla make it a popular playground for cycling. The team at ‘Camp Splendor’ does host it’s own rides and cycling events; call them cycling specialists. The team would be glad to make your holiday special by taking you out there cycling. The camp has 15 mountain bikes of it’s own which the guests can use. Request for a map, directions and a cycling expert – all are at your service.

4. WHITE WATER RAFTING

White water rafting opportunity exists on the river Sutlej, at Tattapani. This is 48kms (approx 2 hours) from the camp. Make your Rafting experience even more thrilling by cycling downhill to the put up site all the way from the camp. The Sutlej is the fastest flowing river in India and rafting on it is an experience on grade 2 and 3 rapids. Though not like Ganga at Rishikesh, however Sutlej is a different experience in itself. The 18km stretch from Chabba to Tattapani takes all but 45 mins.

5. EXCURSIONS and DAY PICNICS

Shimla is built on seven hills. The team at camp splendor has extensive knowledge about Shimla’s heritage and flora and fauna. Nearby small villages and popular hill resorts are all within driving distance. Day excursions and picnics can be planned to make your holiday versatile – Be it a day trip to Chail (31kms), Narkanda (70kms) Mashobra/Craignano (18kms) Kufri (18kms) Shimla town (14kms – Viceregal lodge, museum, Chadwick falls, Glen, The Mall road, Jakhoo hill and Hanuman temple) Taradevi temple (18kms) Sankat Mochan, all these places can be visited from the camp.
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ROPES COURSES
Ropes Courses are today forming an integral part to any outdoor training programs. Initialy Ropes Courses formed a part of an Obstacle course used in the paramilitary forces for training. Today Ropes Courses are much more technical and involve a completely separate expertise.

Burma Bridge :-
A Burma Bridge is a simple rope bridge over a stream or an obstacle which was extensively used by Japanese army when they invaded India through Burma. Some bridges are more than 100 mtrs long and are constructed with ropes made of bark of trees and its branches. Many Himalayan states of India like Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and J & K still use such bridges across many rivers and streams.

Parallel Ropes & Swings
Parallel Ropes is just another version of a Burma Bridge which is much faster to construct but at the same time not as stable. Listen to the safety instructions carefully before attempting the Parellal ropes and Swings

Fidget Ladder
This ladder is not as easy as it looks. A favorite with outdoor training programs, the Fidget Ladder is an interesting way to make a ladder using ropes and bamboo. All you have to do is cross over.

The Flying Fox / Zip Wire:
This exciting high rope course requires some guts and a feel for heights. Climb on to the Machaan hook into your harness, clip on to the pulley and jump. Simple !!!
A Zip wire is a frequently used exercise to teach people how to be daring and take that extra step in life.

Jumar Climbing
Jumars are frequently used tools on mountaineering expeditions. This unique contraption is used to scale over hangs and steep inclines aided by one way friction control. Use these Jumars to climb the hanging rope.

GROUP GAMES

Blindfold Rope Square
A simple team game where blindfolded participants make geometrical shapes out of ropes. The exercise is ideal for team dynamics and planing.

The Log Walk
Participants are required to stand on two logs with one foot on each. A minimum of six participants are required for this exercise. Aim is to coordinate your movements with the rest of the group and walk with lifting the logs together.

Hug your Tree
This experience in nature involves blindfolded participants. They are taken to a tree and told to know the tree by hugging the tree and talking to it. After a while they are led away and are told to identify the tree without the blind fold. Once they find the tree then we tell them all we know about the tree.

Trust Fall
The trust fall is a powerful exercise which forces the participant to trust in his team. The participant stands on a high platform and falls blindfolded into the waiting arms of his teams. Many people have been known to back out of this exercise.
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