Visit Jibhi in Himachal Pradesh: A Hidden Gem in Banjar Valley (2024)
Jibhi Travel Guide:
Jibhi is a beautiful and lesser-known village located in Tirthan Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The place has managed to stay hidden from an excessive number of tourists and hence the place is not commercialized. Jibhi is a peaceful and tranquilizing gateway and ideal for people who want to go to the mountains for some quiet, peace, and some soul searching, the place is surrounded by pine and deodar trees and summers which make the place no less than heaven. In winters, the temperature drops to sub-zero degrees and can freeze your bones. The scenery is as magical during the winters. The entire village is covered in cotton soft snow and it feels like you are in some other world.
Jibhi is a fairly old Himalayan village settled on the banks of the beautiful Tirthan river that is a tributary of the Beas river. The ancient architecture of the place has a lot to say about the history of the place and its style of living. The houses in the area are constructed in ancient Himalayan architecture. Most of the houses in Jibhi are built of stone and wood. The wooden construction of the houses gives them a unique beauty and you would feel like living in some swiss cottage or a cabin out in the wilderness.
The houses are surrounded by apple orchards, Malta trees, and Galgal trees in the backyards of almost every house in this Himalayan village. It is an ideal place to go for adventure seekers both young and old as there are many hiking trails around Jibhi. These hiking trails vary are easy to moderate and difficult and one can choose based on their capability and fitness level. Jibhi, a small hill station, is packed with surprises with numerous things to do to calm and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. This place is adorned with beautiful hills and a view of lush valleys that you would not feel like going back from this place once you are here. of tourism of the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Places To See And Things To Do While In Jibhi
- Jibhi Waterfall: One of the most favorite and pristine places to spend your time while in Jibhi is the waterfall. It is an absolutely quiet and peaceful walk to the waterfall. And about a kilometer, before you reach, you start hearing the sound of water falling on a rock and that is the most enchanting and peaceful sound in the whole universe. This is a hidden gem in the Himalayas and many people who go to Jibhi are sometimes not aware of the waterfall unless the locals tell them to visit or a travel guide takes the visitors to the waterfall. The waterfall is hidden deep inside the forest and you cannot see it until you are close to it. There are small wooden bridges built near the waterfall that provides a picturesque view of the entire place. You must sit near the waterfall for some time and enjoy the music of nature. It looks extremely tranquilizing that you would not be able to stop yourself from getting inside the water and go swimming or take a dip or two in the fresh cold water in the mountains. The waterfalls are surrounded by deep coniferous forests on all sides which makes it even more tempting and beautiful. You can also go to this place with your friends and family to spend some time or for a day picnic too.
Credit: Himachal Wale Image Source
- Chaini Fort: Chaini fort is an ancient fort which is built in traditional Himachal architecture and the fact that the ruins of this place are standing tall in the wilderness of Jibhi makes it more enchanting. A building standing alone with a watchtower in the middle of nowhere surrounded by forests, under the old winter sky hits the spot. Chaini Fort was built around 1500 years back is filled with grandeur. You will see a tower made of timber which has a height of around 40 meters is the best place from where you can see the panoramic beauty of the whole place. The fort even has a secret tunnel underground, and you can take a walk through the tunnel. An interesting fact about the place is that it is built from fine timber which is interlocked with each other that gives the fort its unique appearance. The fort stands tall and is majestic. Now the fort is transformed into a temple of Lord Krishna which is visited by locals and tourists equally. You will feel at peace at this place. It is an ideal place for some soul searching and enjoying the nothingness of life.
Image Source - Serolsar Lake: Serolsar lake is located at a distance of 6 km from Jalori Pass. This lake can be reached by a trek from Jibhi or Jalori Pass. Serolsar Lake is hidden amidst dense forests covered with pine trees. Serolsar Lake is located at an altitude of 3199 m above sea level. It is surrounded by thick coniferous forests. The water in the river is very clear and the perfect shade of blue. The water of the lake is also believed to have medicinal properties. People from nearby areas have a belief that the water in this lake treats diseases. Make sure you wear proper shoes while visiting Serolsar Lake as the lake has a narrow walking track lined up with thick tall trees on the exterior. There is a very famous local temple on one side of the lake which is called Buddha Nagini temple. The devotees worship and offer ghee to the deity.
Image Source - Jalori Pass: The Jalori Pass is situated at a distance of 12 km from Jibhi. Travel enthusiasts and people who fairly fir tend to go for a trek from Jibhi to Jalori pass. However, you can take your taxi or your car to Jalori pass if you have a good driver with you. The path also leads to the nearby Serolsar Lake and ‘BudhiNaagin’ temple. You must visit the lake and temple and can spend some time here before reaching the top.Jalori pass is a place to quiet and calm and is situated away from the hustle-bustle of the city. The pass is located on the way from Khanag towards Shojha. It is nestled in the peaks of the majestic northern Himalayas. There are restaurants available that serve nice lunches at the top of the Jalori pass. You will also get to visit the Mahakali temple known as Jalori Mata. It is visited by thousands of devotees from the nearby villages. The road to the top is both scenic and challenging. But all the trouble is worth everything when you see the view from the top of Jalori pass. This is a place one must visit while traveling to the Himalayas.
Image Source - Hiking: There are numerous short and long hiking routes in the areas including The Jalori pass. You can easily find a hiking map of the area from the guest house or homestay you are staying at. These maps will make you aware of the terrain of the path among other things. Make sure you have a local or a tour guide with you if you are new to the area. There is a fear of some wild animals roaming in the area around and the locals are accustomed to having them around.
- Fishing: You are in for a treat in Jibhiif you like fishing. You can go to the waterfall and enjoy catching some of the finest Himalayan Trout for your next meal. Since the place is not very commercialized, it is best if you carry your equipment. Or if you in the mood to learn some local methods to catch fish, you must accompany some locals on your fishing adventure.
Best Time To Visit Jibhi
You can visit Jibhi at any time of the year but the best time to visit this slice of heaven is between March and June which are the summer months, and the temperature does not drop below subzero degrees. It is a nice time for the tourists to get around and to enjoy the wilderness that is Jibhi. October and November are also good months to visit Jibhi. During summers i.e., between March to June, the temperature does not drop below zero degrees at Jibhi. The weather is pleasant in summers and is considered the ideal time to spend in the lap of the Himalayas.
Summer in Jibhi starts in March and lasts up to May and June and this time is the most visited in the city as the temperature is pleasant compared to other parts of the country where it is brazenly hot.
Winters start in November and last up to February. This time to visit Jibhi is ideal for people who want to enjoy the snow and bone-chilling temperature in the absence of any central heating. However, October and November are manageable. Also, many of the places in Jibhi are inaccessible during these winter months. At the end of February or at the beginning of March the snow starts melting.
How to Reach Jibhi?
Jibhi is well connected to the plains and all the nearby major cities. There are several means of transport available to reach this paradise. People from all over the world come to this place. You can choose from air travel, trains, buses, or taxis to reach this heavenly abode which will become your home away from home in the lap of the Himalayas in no time.
Air Travel To Reach Jibhi: The nearest domestic airport to Jibhi is Bhuntar airport located in the Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh. You will find daily flights from Delhi to Bhuntar. Jibhi is only around 60 km from Bhuntar airport. You can easily get a taxi from the airport to Jibhi. You can take connecting flights from other international or local airports in India. People coming from other countries can hire a taxi from Delhi International airport to reach Jibhi directly and enjoy the scenic views of the magnificent mountains and the beautiful valleys.
Rail Travel To Reach Jibhi: Just like many other hill stations, Jibhi does not have a Railway station of its own. The nearest railway station is Shimla which is around 160 km from the main town. This might not be the best and suggested ways to reach Jibhiand can be taxing for some. There are no direct trains to Shimla from major towns like New Delhi, Chandigarh, etc. The nearest railway head from Shimla is Kalka. You can take or a bus from Kalka to Manali and then reach Jibhi from there. You can also take a bus from Chandigarh going towards Manali or hire a cab to reach Jibhi which should take around 8 to 9 hours. You will be able to enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayas on your journey all through.
Road Travel To Reach Jibhi: Jibhi is one of the lesser-visited cities in Himachal Pradesh by tourists from India as well as outside.This is the best way to reach Jibhi as you will be able to enjoy the views on your way to the city while traveling by road.This might take a longer time than by air or train, but it is worth it. There are several private and state buses of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HPTC) and Haryana Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) providing services from nearby cities. From New Delhi, you can take a direct bus to Manali and get down at Auk. You can either take a taxi to Jibhi directly from Auk or you can take a bus from Auk to Banjar. Banjar is 8km from Jibhi. Once you get down at Banjar. You can take a taxi to Jibhi.
Places to Stay in Jibhi
Jibhi is not a very commercialized place. Hence the possibility of having a luxurious place to stay is bleak. Let alone a luxurious stay, it is safe to say that it will be fairly difficult for you to find a hotel. Most of the options to stay in the village are provided at the houses in the village. Locals in the area have converted their houses into homestays or they rent out a room to the tourists. People who like to stay in the hustle-bustle can find decent accommodation at some of the neighboring villages or towns. Make sure you book your accommodation before visiting the place as the possibility of finding a good or any accommodation gets difficult during the peak season if you just drop by. Staying at these places is best suited for people who like to live their life like the locals in the area do. The heartwarming love you get from the locals by just talking to them politely is so satisfying and something people living in big cities are not accustomed to. Rest assured, be prepared for the locals to take you to the hidden spots in the valley if you manage to befriend them.
Food To Eat In Jibhi
You will not a fancy five-star meal here in Jibhi. Since it is a less visited place in the middle of the majestic Himalayas, they have very limited food options here. There are a few eating joints serving food here. Most of the hotels and homestays have their in-house kitchens where they prepare food and serve it to their guests. You can always try local food which in this area are majorly small stalls with Maggi and other quick snacks for you to munch on. It is advisable to carry food on your journey here so that so you can eat something when you feel hungry during your treks in the area. There is a small Dhaba near Serolsar lake will serve hot food in the cold weather which is very famous and visited by all tourists.
