The name Sangla itself is engulfed in romantic lore. Sang is said to mean 'light' and la of course means 'pass' in the Tibetan language. In other words it is the 'pass of light'. The local story is that if while crossing the rather imposing surrounding mountains, you suddenly come across this valley ablaze with sunshine and bursting with the scenes of natural beauty, you would naturally go into ecstasies. Hence Sangla. And then you are in Sangla - the town where a handful of houses nestle together presided over by the local deity housed in a typical-of-Himachal Pradesh wooden temple.

Sangla valley village is on a slope with houses rising one above the other with gigantic Kinner-Kailash peak (6,050m) towering over it. Sangla valley is also famous for Kamru Fort. This fort was the place where rajas of Kinnaur were crowned. Now this fort is dedicated to Kamakshi Temple. The Goddess idol was brought from Guwahati (Assam).

District Kinnaur, of which Sangla Valley is one of the main attractions, consists of the Rajputs or Khosias and the Berus. The Khosias include Hindus and Buddhists. The former are dominant in Sangla while later dominate the tracts adjoining Tibet and Spiti.

The people are frank, honest, hospitable and peace loving. The life of the people is simple and hard. However, they have a rich cultural legacy and a wealth of legends and myths. They follow Buddhism and Hinduism. It is believed that the Pandavas came and resided in the land while in the exile. In the ancient mythology the people of region are known as Kinners, the halfway between men and gods.

For six months every year, the Himalayan valleys of Kinnaur and Spiti emerge from a thick cloak of snow to reveal a different, secret world to man. Your discovery of the lesser-known Himalayas can begin at the Banjara Camp in the Sangla Valley. At a height of 2,700 mts the Banjara Camp is surrounded by towering mountains on all sides and is set on the banks of the Baspa river that surges through the valley.

Long walks to discover the amazing fauna and flora of the valley , treks to view snow covered Himalayan peaks, angling for trout, experiencing some of the local culture and traditions, rock climbing, rappelling and river crossing are only some of the delights that are on offer.
 
The Camp is an ideal setting for total relaxation with cosy Swiss-style tents that have attached bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and evening bonfires that keep the chill away. There is no experience more calmer and relaxing than sitting around the bonfire, beside the gurgling Baspa river, feeding the senses with the sweet sounds of the fresh mountain air while also feeding the stomach from a scrumptious barbeque.