Jibhi & Tirthan Valley
5 daysJibhi and Tirthan are about slowing down: wooden guesthouses over a river, forest walks, and almost nothing you have to be anywhere for.
Five days gives a day in Jibhi, a day up at Jalori and Serolsar, and a day in Tirthan, with the travel either side. Four days is possible if Jibhi and Jalori share a day; six lets Tirthan or Banjar go slower. Autumn after the rains, when everything is green and the streams are full, is a favourite time.
Chandigarh/Delhi → Jibhi
By Bilaspur and Mandi, through the Aut tunnel, then a right turn off the Manali highway into the Banjar valley. About six to eight hours from Chandigarh. From Delhi it is nearly twice that, so plan on an overnight on the way.
Jibhi
A slow day around the village: the Jibhi waterfall, the turquoise river pool at Kulhi Katandi, and the road up to Bahu's Balu Nag temple. Walk from Shringa Rishi temple to Chehni Kothi, a tall tower of interlocked wood and stone in the old kath-kuni style.
Jalori Pass → Serolsar Lake
Up the winding road to Jalori Pass, a short drive from Jibhi, then walk through oak and deodar forest to Serolsar Lake and its small Budhi Nagin temple. Raghupur Fort is a further hike for long views over both sides of the ridge. The pass is closed under snow from about December to mid-March.
Tirthan Valley
Down to Gushaini and the Tirthan river, known for trout. From here the road runs to the edge of the Great Himalayan National Park, with waterfall walks like Chhoie near Nagini and village stops at Pekhri and Tindar.
Tirthan → Chandigarh/Delhi
The same road home, back to whichever city you started from. In summer, the return can go over Jalori and by Narkanda to Shimla instead.