Mashobra (2149 m) – About 12 kilometers from Shimla is a quaint little town called Mashobra. Mashobra has some amazingly beautiful spots that as yet have not been crowded out. Noted for its apple orchards and thick woods, Mashobra is a sylvan retreat with pretty walks and picnic spots. Approx 7500 feet above sea level, the Camp NatureTrails is located in Mashobra. The Mashobra spur is dotted with orchards of fruit trees, and turn-of-the-century houses with evocative names like Fairlawn and Apple Tree House. Its numerous shady glades and flowery glens make it idyllic for camping, as well as treks and river rafting.

Commanding splendid views, Mashobra is ringed by the peaks of the Western Himalayas. On a clear day, the mountains of the Pir Panjal range in the state of Jammu and Kashmir can be seen stretching all the way across to Nanda Devi in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand from a few places in and around Mashobra.

Mashobra has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. In the summer months of April to June, wild flowers fill the meadows, and the air is cool, fresh and pine-scented and it can rain off and on. The rainy season from July to August has an appeal of its own with misty mountains and glorious sunsets. September to November is pleasant and bracing, while winter is crisp and invigorating with snow and bright, sunny weather.

The Camp NatureTrails is located at Sivpur (2 KM by a dirt track from Mahobra), close to the famous Sipur Temple where the annual Sipi Fair is held in May. Thickly forested and removed from the heavily touristy Shimla region, the camp provides a soft adventure avenue while staying close to nature.

Hiking - The area presents endless avenues for the hiking enthusiasts. From a two-hour hike in the surrounding area to a full day Hike to the imposing Shali peak, the options are enough to keep you occupied for a while. A steep two hour walk can also take to a small river. The climb back to the camp is almost three hours and this makes it a whole day activity so pack some lunch and water before you leave.

Adventure Activities at the Camp
River Crossing - You also learn the act of river crossing over the base tied across two trees.

Obstacle Course - A small obstacle course at the camp consisting of Ladder Bridge, Double Rope Bridge, Tarzan Swing and other rope and bamboo assortments is an ideal activity with in the campus.

Recreation - We have a few hammocks all over the camp under shady trees, a small, make shift badminton court, carom, dart, badminton, chess, Rope swings, daily bonfires to keep you occupied at any time.

Dining Arrangements - The camp kitchen takes care of the meals in a buffet arrangement. Chinese and continental food is also served at the camp with prior information and request. Drinking water at the camp is sourced from a natural water spring with in the camp area. The same is filtered before laying out for drinking. Alternatively bottled water is procured for drinking and cooking purposes. Adequate supply of bottled drinking water is also maintained at the camp.

Sanitation - Toilets at the camp are in a central compound. There are 8 English WC Toilets and 4 Indian WC Toilets with bathing units that have running water. Hot water is made available through Hamaams on request.

Activities and the staff conducting them - All activity instructors are professionally equipped with the knowledge they impart to the guests. Most of our staff belongs to the mountains and knows the mountains well. Local staff is always hired at any campsite to become a part of the local economy somehow.

Medical Emergency - A doctor is available on call from Mashobra, which is only 2 km away. Specilaised medical care facilities are available at Shimla if the need may arise. The camp always has complete first aid available.

Communication - GSM Cell phones networks are now active in the region but the signals are often erratic. Landline connectivity is still provided by BSNL. Internet connectivity is still sparse. A GSM cell phone is now kept at the camp for all communications.

By Road - The camp is approximately 360 km from Delhi and 110 km from Chandigarh. It is an ideal 9 Hours Drive from Delhi with a half an hour of midway break included. Most of the way up to Chandigarh one is a pretty fast highway and one makes good time as well. The drive in the hills starts from Kalka to Solan (42 KM) and thereon to Shimla (45 KM).

A detailed route description would look like this Delhi - Karnal - Ambala (200 KM) - Panchkula - Kalka (260 KM) - Barog - Solan (300 KM) - Shimal - Mashobra - Sivpur - Camp NatureTrails (360 KM).

The Kalka Evening Shatabdi leaves Delhi at 1715 Hrs to reach Kalka at 2115 Hrs. On the way back leaves Kalka at 0600 Hrs and reaches Delhi at 1000 Hrs.

The New Delhi Kalka Himalayan Queen Express leaves Delhi at 0600 Hrs and arrives Kalka at 1120 Hrs. On the way back leaves Kalka at 1650 Hrs and reaches Delhi at 2210 Hrs. From Kalka the camp is 3 hours by road.

The Chandigarh Shatabdi Leaves Delhi at 0740 Hrs to Reach Chandigarh at 1050 Hrs from here the camp is 4 Hrs by road.

From Kalka one has the option of taking the toy train to Solan and thereafter take a taxi transfer to the Camp or hire a cab to the camp NatureTrails.