Overview
The Banjar valley, with Jibhi and the Tirthan valley at its heart, has become Himachal's favourite escape from the crowds: wooden homestays beside rushing streams, apple orchards, old tower temples and forest walks. This five-day trip gives you two nights in Jibhi, with a day up at Jalori Pass and the walk to Serolsar lake, and two nights by the Tirthan river at Gushaini, the gateway to the Great Himalayan National Park. The drive from Chandigarh now takes about six to seven hours through the Aut tunnel, and once you're there, every drive is short.
Best for: Couples and families who want forest, rivers and wooden villages instead of busy hill stations
- Two nights in Jibhi's wooden homestays
- Jalori Pass and the walk to Serolsar lake
- Chehni Kothi's ancient tower temple
- Two nights by the Tirthan river
- A walk into the Great Himalayan National Park
- Trout from the Tirthan river
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to Jibhi
About 270 kmOvernight: Jibhi
Through Bilaspur and Mandi to the Aut tunnel, then up the Tirthan and Banjar valleys to Jibhi. The last hour winds through orchards and villages beside the river. Settle into your cottage and walk to the little Jibhi waterfall before dark.
Road guide: Chandigarh to Jibhi → - Day2
Jalori Pass and Serolsar lake
About 30 kmOvernight: Jibhi
Up to Jalori Pass at about 3,100 m, where a forest trail runs about 5 km along the ridge through oak and rhododendron to Serolsar, a small lake with a temple to the goddess Budhi Nagin. Picnic lunch by the water, then back down. Those who prefer a shorter walk can go to the Raghupur fort ruins instead.
- Day3
Chehni Kothi and on to Tirthan
About 25 kmOvernight: Tirthan valley
A morning walk up to Chehni village and its tower temple, a stone-and-timber structure several storeys high that has survived centuries of earthquakes. Then a short drive to Gushaini on the Tirthan river and an afternoon by the water.
- Day4
Great Himalayan National Park
Local sightseeing, short drivesOvernight: Tirthan valley
Walk into the Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, along the trail from Gushaini towards Rolla, with a local guide. The forest is home to the western tragopan, musk deer and Himalayan black bear, though most are shy. Afternoon fishing for trout with a licence, or simply rest by the river.
- Day5
Tirthan to Chandigarh
About 260 km
Back down the valley to the Aut tunnel and on to Chandigarh, about six to seven hours with lunch on the way.
Why Jibhi and Tirthan
Jibhi and the Tirthan valley offer what Shimla and Manali once did: quiet, green valleys with traditional villages. Homestays here are mostly family-run, built of wood and stone in the local style, and many have been converted from old houses or apple barns. There are no big hotels, no traffic jams and no snow-point queues.
The Great Himalayan National Park
The park covers about 750 square kilometres of forest, meadows and high peaks, and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2014 for its biodiversity. Its lower valleys can be explored on day walks from Gushaini; longer treks of several days go deeper in with a licensed guide and camping.
Who this suits
Couples, families with children who like walking, and travellers from abroad who want rural Himachal will all enjoy this trip. It isn't for those who want nightlife or snow points; it's for those who want to sit by a river with a book.
Route and price at a glance
The Jibhi and Tirthan Valley trip covers about 600 km by road over 5 days, with overnight stops in Jibhi and Tirthan valley. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 1,250 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 4 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹10,000 for 4 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹30,350 for the car and driver and a ₹6,052 service fee: ₹46,402 in all, or ₹23,000 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Chandigarh to Jibhi (about 270 km, overnight Jibhi)
- Day 2: Jalori Pass and Serolsar lake (about 30 km, overnight Jibhi)
- Day 3: Chehni Kothi and on to Tirthan (about 25 km, overnight Tirthan valley)
- Day 4: Great Himalayan National Park (short local drives, overnight Tirthan valley)
- Day 5: Tirthan to Chandigarh (about 260 km)
Jibhi and Tirthan Valley price
Per person, by hotel tier and group size. Prices last calculated 21 October 2026 from current rate cards and hotel listings.
3-star hotels, standard camps and homestays
| Travellers | Per person | Group total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ₹23,000 ≈ US$270 | ₹46,000 | Sedan |
| 4 | ₹17,500 ≈ US$205 | ₹70,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹18,500 ≈ US$220 | ₹1,11,000 | Tempo Traveller |
Per person, twin sharing, all-inclusive of the items listed below. Dollar prices are approximate (₹85 = US$1). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book; it depends on dates, hotel availability and group size.
Where the money goes: 2 travellers, standard hotels
- Hotels and camps (breakfast and dinner)₹10,000
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹30,350
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹6,052
- Total for both₹46,402
Included
- 4 nights in Jibhi and Tirthan valley, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 5 days (sedan or Innova for two, Innova for four, Tempo Traveller for six), including fuel, tolls, parking, state taxes and the driver's allowances
- Pickup from Chandigarh and drop at Chandigarh
Not included
- ×Train, bus or flights to Chandigarh
- ×Lunches, drinks and snacks
- ×Entry fees, ropeways, activities and snow gear hire
- ×GST on the package, travel insurance and tips
Good to know: roads, permits and safety
- No permits are needed for the valley. Entry to the national park requires a permit from the park office, which your guide arranges; it's charged separately.
- Homestays in Jibhi and Tirthan are often reached by short walks or footbridges from the road; pack a backpack-style bag if you can.
- Fishing in the Tirthan needs a licence from the fisheries department; catch-and-release rules apply in some stretches.
When to go
Jibhi: Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov; Snow: Jan–Feb, Dec; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • March to June and September to November are the best months; April brings blossom and October the apple harvest.
- • Jalori Pass is often snowbound from December to March, and the road may close.
- • July and August bring heavy rain and landslides on the valley roads.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Jibhi and Tirthan Valley package cost?+
About ₹18,500 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹23,000 per person for a couple, for all 5 days. Comfort hotels cost more; the price table shows every option.
How far is Jibhi from Chandigarh?+
About 270 km, six to seven hours via the Aut tunnel.
Is the walk to Serolsar lake difficult?+
No. It's about 5 km each way along a fairly level forest ridge from Jalori Pass.
Can we see wildlife in the national park?+
Possibly birds and some mammals, but most animals are shy. Go for the forest and the river.
Can we add Manali?+
Yes. Jibhi is about 110 km from Manali; add two nights there on the way back.
Which car do we get on the Jibhi and Tirthan Valley trip?+
A sedan for two travellers, an Innova for up to four and a Tempo Traveller for six, with the same driver for the whole trip.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Chandigarh to Jibhi taxi
- Manali to Jibhi taxi
- Taxi service in Jibhi
- Kasol and Jibhi tour by private car
Price and route sources: Wikipedia: Jibhi · Wikipedia: Great Himalayan National Park · Wikipedia: Jalori Pass · WanderOn: Himachal tour packages
