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Tirthan Valley is situated close to the Tirthan river in Himachal Pradesh at a height of 1600 meters (5249 ft).

Tirthan Valley is a gate to the Great Himalayan National Park. A spot where you can simply overlook the world to relax, rejuvenate and have loads of nature walks along one path another, into the forested areas or close to the stream.

Taking all things together, it’s a perfect spot for connecting with nature, outing with family, appreciating with friends over campfires, sit by the river and listen to music, getting together to know one another, eating out or simply lazing around, and so on.

The list of such activities in Tirthan Valley tour goes on and makes it a complete offbeat destination in Himachal.

Also Read: Bahu – An unexplored destination in Himachal Pradesh

Also Read: Chopta – A Detailed Travel Guide & Itinerary

About Tirthan Valley, Banjar

Tirthan Valley or Banjar Valley are synonymously known for Banjar tehsil situated in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Tirthan Valley is situated in Banjar village and due to this fact, the valley has Tirthan river flowing through it, the spot is well-known by the name of Tirthan Valley.

Jibhi is another known or well-known name from Banjar Valley and separated from the small village areas, there isn’t a lot of distinction between Banjar or Tirthan Valley or Jibhi.

Each of the three are a piece of Banjar Valley alongside not many other close by villages where Gushaini and Jibhi are the two most prevalent visitor areas of Tirthan. Some people also allude to Tirthan Valley as Trout Fishing Valley.

About the Property

What can you say about a place that makes you consider Alice in Wonderland the minute you enter? Settled in the midst of the Tirthan Valley, just three hours drive from Kullu, you need to cross the Tirthan river in a pulley trolley to reach Raju’s homestay.

When you enter the house grounds, you’re surrounded by apple, chikoo, apricot trees, and cherry bushes and 4 bhutias (mountain dogs) come bouncing up swaying a warm welcome.

Raju Bharti is the man in charge and his cabins are cozy but very comfortable with running hot water and clean sheets every day. Some notable trekking routes – for the serious and not so serious trekkers are close by, and trout fishing for the passionate fishermen.

There is a crisp trout for dinner and a warm bonfire in the evening time. It’s the ideal place if you are looking for a quiet retreat with the family.

Ideal for couples, small families who appreciate being close to nature, are not afraid of dogs and cats and don’t mind climbing a bit to get to their rooms.

Where is it located

If you are coming from the side of Mandi/Manali/Aut – Larji side, you have to take a U-turn towards Gushaini Tirthan Valley or Great Himalayan National Park, rather than the straight road which leads to Banjar.

When you take that road, you have to cover around 8-9 KM passing Sai Ropa FRH, at that point pass by Nagini Village to reach toward the end point… Then a bridge will come, and you take left on that bridge and in the wake of an intersection you will see a sign board on the right says Gushaini 1 KM. Just before that sign board, a way goes down slope where the parking is available for Raju’s Cottage.

Parking

As mentioned above, after crossing the bridge at the end of the road to Gushaini you will see a sign board on the right that says Gushaini 1 KM. Just before that, a way goes down slope where the parking is available for Raju’s Cottage. There is a reasonable amount of space to park around 4 vehicles.

At that point you have to take the baggage and individuals so that they can cross the river on a pulley trolley (which is totally safe) to arrive at the cottage on the other side of the river.

Cost and Bookings

You can connect with Raju ji or Varun using the below contact details:

+91-9459833124 OR +91-9459227375 OR +91-9418149808 OR +91-9625211848 and +91-8894488122

The price ranges from Rs 1400-1700 per person per day depends upon the choice of meals, veg/non-veg. The price includes all meals, juice, fruits, snacks, tea/coffee.

The food is served in a common dining lobby which is wonderfully put and done at a fixed schedule for all meals. For non-veggies, trout fish is served on alternate days.

My experience at Raju’s cottage

There are a couple of blocks in which the visitor’s house is separated. One is sitting on the slope where you have to climb from the base block for around 5 minutes to reach up there. It has a nice and open regular spot/sitting territory with beautiful views.

However, you have to come down for food and the river. There is one block at the base close to the river, where for the most part only families with children are allowed.

Rooms

Rooms in the visitor’s house are basic but very nice, pleasant, comfortable and obviously, clean. The best thing was in an area so remote that you are getting a homely experience, which is a kind of extravagance for an individual like me.

The rooms are open enough with attached washroom with hot water supply, however, there is no room heater.

Food

The quality of food / juices was great, and everything was prepared to our familiar taste buds. Breakfast consisted of parathas, a selection of eggs, toast, homemade jam, fresh apricot, apple or rhododendron juice and tea or coffee.

Lunch consisted of a mix vegetable, a paneer dish, a chicken or mutton dish, salad, pickle, rice and roti. Evening were held for freshly prepared tea and coffee. Dinner had a similar spread as lunch, alongside fried trout fish and a sweet dish.

Activities and Attraction In-Around the Cottage

Tirthan Valley has a long list of places that you can visit. The attractions here cater a wide scope of travelers including families and travel lovers.

Also Read: Munsiyari Travel Guide – A Complete Travel Itinerary

Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP)

As Tirthan is the entrance to GHNP, you can go hiking or evening camping in nature on your excursion. There are various villages within the park and an excursion here will not only give you a taste of excellence of wildlife and the local culture of the people of remote Himachal.

You can get the vibe of nature by walking or hiking in it to the inward entrance and afterward authorizations are required for the entrance on a daily basis if you desire to hike deeper into it. A fun place to trek with family or friends.

The park is a real pleasure for anyone who has the slightest of interest in photography, natural life, bird watching, trekking, hiking or outdoors.

Tirthan Valley Waterfalls

There are two isolated waterfalls about an hour of trekking distance with higher one being in more than 50 feet high. The two are closely isolated from one another. The aerial views of Tirthan from the trek to the falls are magnificent.

Raghupur Fort

Raghupur Fort is around 3 kilometers of a trek from Jalori Pass and will take you an hour to visit. The fort is now totally in ruins with only a couple of walls standing yet the view you get from here is incredible. The trek to the Fort also very satisfying one, going through a beautiful woodland and has breathtaking views on the mountains.

If you were carrying camping gear, you can surely set up your tent at the fort itself for the night.

Gaidhar Waterfall

This is one of the must do trek in Tirthan valley. The trek starts from Gaidhar Village. It is a steep trek but worthy of effort. The Waterfall is so calm and peaceful.

It would be ideal if you keep up and control yourself from noise pollution as there are numerous resident birds and Local Gods in the area.

Chhoie waterfall

The trek leading to the Chhoie waterfall is one of the best and most regular hikes in the valley. It is a short walk of around 45 minutes that will take you to this stunning waterfall. The degree of the water anyway depends entirely on the season.

Jalori Pass

Jalori Pass, at an elevation of 3120 meters (10236 ft), it is one of the steepest passes to drive in Himachal and it separates the Kullu valley and the Shimla Valley. You need to cover just about 2500 meters in under 25 km to reach at the top.

The slope is steep, and alert is required to go up and down. Ensure you utilize low gear braking else you may wind up with brake failures.

Serloskar Lake

Jalori Pass remains covered with snow from December end till March end. It is likely one of the least explored passes of Himachal and is genuinely an unfamiliar beauty all around. You can visit the pass either by roads or by trekking right to the top.

Serloskar lake trek begins from Jalori Pass and the lake is around 5 km from Jalori pass. It will take about 2 or 3 hrs. to arrive at the lake and 2 hrs. to return to Jalori.

There is no motorable road leading to it and one must trek the whole distance. This trek is also called the Jalori Pass trek sometimes.

Fishing

Tirthan valley is probably one of the well-known places all over Himachal for fishing, also called angling. If you are in Tirthan Valley between March and October, be sure to try angling.

The Tirthan River is loaded with trout fish, and if you manage to catch a couple of, then have it cooked for dinner. Raju’s offers fishing shafts on lease at Rs 800, which also incorporates a fishing permit and some basic training.

Bashleo Pass Trek (1-2 days)

This trek starts from Batahad (Bathad) village which is 9-10 km from Gushaini. The 10 km trek must start early in the morning so you can get to the place and return the same day. Else, you can go to Kullu Sarahan and stop there for a night.

Village Hopping in Tirthan

The greatest pleasure of the entire Tirthan Valley lies in its lovely villages, which are not far from each other. There are many villages within the mountains, with small trails lead to them. Every village may pleasure and delight you here in some way or another.

Tirthan Valley climate

The climate in Tirthan remains decent and charming most of the year with temperature in summers being under 24-degree Celsius. There is more often presence of cool wind because of the streaming river.

Due to the streaming Tirthan river neighboring the valley, you will consistently feel music noticeable all around and lots of greenery around you add to that pleasant feeling.

In winters, the base temperature may fall below the freezing point and thus, snowfall is normal during winter. The climate gets dry in peak winter months. Snowfall is normal in January – February months and you can generally go for snow at Jalori Pass.

Also Read: Tehri Garhwal – Travel Guide

Best time to visit Tirthan Valley

Even though Tirthan is extremely decent, peaceful, loose and lovely spot almost consistently. However, during the spring season from March to May, it’s simply incredibly reviving and delightful. Fully loaded with apple plantations, the magnificence of Tirthan Valley prepares to hypnotize any spirit on earth.

Hence, the best time to visit Tirthan Valley is certainly spring season. Long winter periods are bad for someone who doesn’t like cold climate and tends to fall sick easily. This is also not a good time for family getaway here, except if snow is the thing that your family was after.

Please keep in mind that in winters, Tirthan becomes very cold and helpless in the face of wildlife interference, particularly because of the presence of leopards and bears there.The presence of snow in the heights forces the natural life to submerge towards the valley. In snow because of less amount of food in the mountains, these leopards and bears will certainly attack, so be cautious when walking through forested areas.

Hence, if you are heading to Tirthan in winter, it is better to avoid camping or take wildlife precautions when camping in the wild.

How to reach Tirthan Valley

The first and the more generally used route it as referred to below

As Tirthan Valley is situated in Kullu, place of Himachal Pradesh, you need to take Delhi to Manali Highway to reach a place called Aut after Mandi.

You don’t need to enter the tunnel at Aut but to continue the road on the right that brings you into Banjar Valley. If you are not sure, stop there for a minute and ask the local.

The distance from Delhi to Tirthan Valley is around 500 km by means of Mandi – Pandoh route. The complete route is mentioned below:

Delhi – Sonipat – Panipat – Karnal – Ambala (188 KM) – Chandigarh – Roopnagar (282 KM) – Kiratpur – Bilaspur (371 KM) – Surendernagar – Mandi (440 KM) – Pandoh – Aut (481 KM) – Larji – Gushaini – Tirthan (500 KM)

Alternate Route: Delhi – Shimla – Tirthan

The second and longer of the two different ways to reach Tirthan runs by means of Shimla and Narkanda. If you are coming from Delhi, then it is 2 days trip with night end at either Shimla or Narkanda.

The course you will pursue is as underneath. This route is 30 Km longer and is mentioned below Tirthan valley tour:

Delhi – Sonipat – Panipat – Karnal – Ambala (188 Km) – Chandigarh – Kandaghat – Shimla (370 Km) – Narkanda (430 Km) – Kingal – Anni – Khanag – Jalori Pass (520 Km) – Shoja (524 Km) – Ghiyagi – Jibhi – Banjar – Gushaini (Tirthan Valley) (540 KM)

Via Air

The closest airport from Tirthan Valley is Bhuntar, around 50 km away. You need to take a taxi / bus to get to Tirthan from Bhuntar. The airport has a restricted network and may face interruptions, given climate changes in the Kullu district.

Via Train

Chandigarh is the nearest railway station. There are no direct trains go to Mandi from Delhi or Shimla. However, you can take Shatabdi till Chandigarh and hire a taxi / bus till Mandi. You can also travel to Joginder Nagar train station too which is around 120 km from Tirthan Valley.

Road Conditions

On the way from Delhi to Aut, the roads are in pretty good shape being a national highway from Delhi to Manali. At that point from Aut, the roads are somewhat narrow but for the most part in great to average conditions with no trouble.

In the whole route, there are a couple of hard patches, so that you never lose your focus.

However, when you travel through the Jalori Pass from Tirthan to Shimla, the story of going up and down the Jalori Pass is extraordinary. If there is rain, the wreck conditions will be a muddle just around Shoja and all the way up to Jalori Pass.

Preferred Vehicles

The most ideal way is to take your car or bike and hit the road from Delhi to Tirthan. The hatchbacks and sedans will work just as the SUVs. There is no extraordinary requirement for an  SUV vehicle or a 4×4 vehicle to visit Tirthan valley.

Nearest ATM in Tirthan Valley

There are several ATMs can be found in Banjar town. It is  better to carry enough cash. Even while coming in, you should find ATMs in Aut.

What to Buy in Tirthan?

Local handicrafts, Himachali Topis (cap), and other small things can be found in shops. These are small places, but you can always ask. Banjar is a big town and has more shops. You can buy different kinds of fruits can, depending on the season.

Persimmon is the fruit that can be seen everywhere in late October and early November all over the hills.

Mobile and Data connectivity in Tirthan

Tirthan does have respectable mobile network connections coverage. BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone and Jio networks are available. If you are planning to trek to the remote villages, then only BSNL will work. As far as Data connectivity, you will get 4G Speed.