Starscapes Sky Gazing Experience at Zemya Farms

Starscapes Sky Gazing at Zemya Farms with Magucho

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At a time when breathing space keeps getting choked over in cities, i had the opportunity to explore stars at an organic, pesticide free haven not far from the city limits of Gurgaon!

On 23rd of March, 2025, i joined the Sky Gazing group from Magucho to set camp at Zemya Farms. Assisted by the technical team from Starscapes, i hopped on to a “local getaway” that included families and kids in the age group 6-11 years. The participants had low to medium levelof astronomy knowledge, with little to no experience of building telescopes.

Starscapes Sky Gazing with Magucho : The venue Zemya Farms

Zemya Farms is located in Sector 58, Gurgaon close to the Pathways School campus in Baliwas. The ride can be circuitous with a mix of kachcha roads and lanes getting narrower… but once you get there, the expansiveness of the farm puts you at ease. The lush, verdant surroundings are a refreshing delight to be in.

Zemya is an “urban farm“. The space is structured into a herb garden, a kitchen, and a reading nook close to the main farming area. The farm is apt for hosting outings and owning mini farms for, well, farming for actual farm enthusiasts.

The setup has a minimal, organic feel to it with bamboo fences and gateways. The zones are clearly demarcated and washroom facilities are housed in a pakka structure block.

The team from Zemya also offered us fresh, seasonal vegetable produce – radishes, lettuce leaves, cabbages and turnips to take home. They conduct farm-to-table “eat-ups” and gatherings for guests as well as for those who have a farm subscription.

The Evening Sky Gazing Setup at Zemya Farms

The team from Starscapes took charge of the setup with Celestron telescopes. The aim was to spot Mars and Jupiter. The team commenced the talk with an on-site presentation on Mars and other planets, led by their senior team member and advisor Kunal Wadhawan. The kids and their parents alike were excited to spot Mars, Jupiter, constellation Orion and the North Star. The entire experienced spanned over 3.5 hours, starting 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. There was no overnight stay required. The sky was clear and allowed us a good view of the firmament.

Starscapes Sky Gazing Partnership with Magucho

Magucho is an agency founded by Gul Panag, a former pageant winner and adventure travel expert. Magucho partners with Starscapes, an astro tourism company that conducts tours across India. Starscapes also operates its own observatories in Kausani, Mukteshwar, Corbett and Coorg.

The entire experience was priced at Rs. 2,330/- plus taxes. It included gourmet food and beverages served on picnic tables. The group was small in size and the interactions meaningful. Starscapes team took queries from curious youngsters and followed up with explanations.

Previously, i’d attended a stargazing camp site with AAAD near Tijara (Patan Kala, Rajasthan) to watch Lyrid meteor showers. The experience was different as it was meant for people with advanced knowledge of astronomy and included building telescopes. The accommodation was arranged in tents that facilitated overnight stay.