18
Oct
2019

Comprehensive Travel Guide to Tirthan Valley

Posted By : Akshay Wadhwa

Tirthan Valley is the hidden gem of Himachal Pradesh. The name Tirthan has been taken from the name of the Tirthan River whose origin is Tirth. The Tirthan River flows alongside the Tirthan Valley, and the river ends in the Beas river at Larji. Tirthan Valley is in Kullu, however, it is still an unexplored destination, as it sees a smaller number of tourists. It is a bit like Parvati valley but is an offbeat destination. Despite being an offbeat destination, Tirthan Valley is a beautiful retreat for tourists who want to spend some quality time exploring nature’s heaven. You will not see hustle bustle like Manali and Shimla in Tirthan Valley. This place is known for nature, wildlife, unexplored trails, cold gushing water streams, chilly nights, bonfires, and its calmness. It is an ideal place for people who love to stay around nature. You can explore this amazing destination with your loved ones, friends and family, or solo as well. Let’s get to know more about this secluded heaven.



Things to do in Tirthan valley


Tirthan valley Trek


Well, Tirthan Valley is an absolute beauty to be explored by some small and long treks. It is being called a paradise for trekkers, as it leads to Great Himalayan National Park. It offers both beginners and advanced level treks which can be completed in as early as 2 to 3 days and as long as 15 days. If you are quite passionate about trekking, you can try some small day treks with a height from 4000 meters to high up to 5000 meters & more. Day hike in the nearby Tirthan villages or to Tirthan waterfall is something which you will love to do being an explorer. So, do plan a trek with your friends and family and witness the beauty of Tirthan Valley.


Tirthan valley trek distance

As we said above that Tirthan Valley offers several treks, so the trekking distance varies from one trek to another. If you are planning just a day hike to an offbeat destination, then you can hike to Jalori Pass and Serolsar Lake. The distance for this trek is approximately 5kms. For a bit moderate level treks, you can try Rangthar Hike and Lambri Top Trek. Rangthar Trek is at 7kms distance and it starts from Pekhri Village. Lambri Top Trek is at 19kms distance and it starts from Gushaini. For an extremely difficult and long trek, you can try a trek to Tirth which is at a distance of 76kms, and it takes 8 to 10 days to complete it. There are many more such treks like Shilt Hut Trek, Tiratha Rolla Trek, Chaini Kothi Trek, and a few more. So, which trekking trail you would like to take, the small one to Serolsar Lake or the long one to Tirth Top?



What to see in Tirthan Valley?


There is a lot to explore in Tirthan Valley. We feel that one cannot explore the whole Tirthan Valley in one trip. It offers some majestic waterfalls like Chhoie Waterfall, Gaidhar Waterfall, and Jibhi Waterfall. Do explore the Great Himalayan National Park which comes under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some other attraction sites which one should visit in Tirthan Valley are:

  • Chehni Kothi
  • Shringa Rishi Temple
  • Balo Temple
  • Shangchul Mahadev Temple
  • Serolsar Lake
  • Jalori Pass
  • Jibhi
  • Sojha
  • Sai Ropa
  • Raghupur Fort
  • Pekhri Village
  • Gushaini
  • Larji Dam
  • Lambri Top
  • Sarchi Village


There are many more such places to visit in Tirthan Valley. This somehow shows that this valley can add many experiences in your life. It’s not just that these places are beautiful, but the trail leading to these places is also amazing. So, do visit these places when planning a trip to Tirthan Valley.



Tirthan valley solo trip


Do you love travelling solo? Or would you like to explore Tirthan valley solo? If yes, then Nomadic Feet can assure you that you are going to have one hell of experience exploring Tirthan Valley solo. Tirthan Valley offers several nature treks along with some beautiful places to discover. Being an offbeat travel destination, solo travelling to Tirthan will add many surprising and memorable events in your life. No matter whether you are there just to sit and enjoy the nature and river view, or you are there to have some adventure under waterfalls and exploring uncharted trails. Both experiences are amazing in themselves. Even when being solo, you will never get bored here, as there is a lot to do, like trout fishing, hiking, exploring villages and water streams, watching wildlife, living in treehouses, reading books along the riverside, and lots more. So, do not delay your solo trip to Tirthan Valley anymore, plan it right away.



Best time to visit Tirthan valley


Tirthan Valley looks mesmerizing throughout the year. The best time to visit this place is from March to June, September, and October. During the spring and summer season, you will love this place. As you get to explore the apple orchards, flora and fauna of the valley, and the mountain views. It is also the best time because of the weather, as the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold like the winters. During the monsoons, from June end till August end, the place looks beautiful. However, due to safety reasons on the road and treks, we do not suggest you explore Tirthan Valley at that time. If you are fond of watching snowfall or enjoy the extremely cold temperature, then you can explore Tirthan Valley in between November to February also. Most of the snowfall can be seen in January and February. However, most of the treks are closed during this time, due to heavy snowfall.


Jalori pass Tirthan valley

Jalori Pass is one of the mountains passes in Tirthan Valley which has become popular after the Bollywood film, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani snow-summit scenes. Well, this undiscovered beauty is one of the best places for trekking when in Tirthan Valley. It is at a height of 3120m above sea level. It provides one of the best day hike experiences leading to Serolsar Lake and Buddhi Nagin Temple. The road that leads to Jalori Pass from Shoja village is just 5kms in distance but is extremely steep and narrow. And that is why it is being suggested not to drive there during monsoon and snowfall. The mountain ranges all around giving panoramic views are what you will love about this place.

Tirthan valley itinerary


The Tirthan Valley Itinerary can be made depending on the time you have for exploring this undiscovered valley. The itinerary can be made for either 2 days or 6 days or more. Below, we have shared all the places which you will explore during the Tirthan Valley Experiential Travel. Day 1: On the first day of this experiential travel, we will reach Jibhi. To reach Jibhi you can take a bus from Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, and Kullu till Aut. And then can take a taxi from Aut to reach Jibhi. Or you can also take a bus from Aut to Banjar and from Banjar, you can take a taxi to Jibhi. You can travel with Nomadic Feet also, to have one of the best experiences. After reaching Jibhi, take a break and relax. Then, we will explore Jibhi Waterfall which is just a walking distance from the main road. Once we are done exploring and capturing the waterfall, we will hike to Shoja village. Day 2: On day two, we will leave in the morning for Jalori Pass, one of the unexplored mountains passes via Shoja. From Jalori Pass, we will trek to Serolsar Lake and Buddhi Nagin Temple. It is a day hike of approximately 5kms. After spending some time around the lake, we will descend towards Jalori Pass and will come back to Jibhi. Day 3: On the third day of this experiential travelling, we will visit Bahu Lake which is located in Bahu Village. This village gives beautiful views of the Great Himalayan National Park and Banjar Valley. You can interact with locals here to know the tradition and culture of this place. Day 4: On day four, we will visit Shringa Rishi Temple. You will get to hear a lot of stories related to this temple from the locals. We will also explore Kothi Chehni by trekking to this place. It is located at around 2145 meters height above sea level and known for its architecture and 10 storey building. This is one such village in Tirthan Valley, where you will not find a motorable road, so trekking is the only option to reach this amazing destination. Day 5: On the fifth day, we will explore Gushaini Village and will do some fun and adventure there. Gushaini Village is one of the famous villages of Tirthan Valley, as it is the starting point for a lot of treks. And there are some great cafes and cottages here, which makes it a perfect place to stay. This village is also famous for Trout Fishing, so do experience it. And we will also hike to Chhoie Waterfall which is located in Sharchi. The name of the waterfall is kept on the name of the Tirthan Valley’s local diety Chhoie. Day 6: On the last day of this travel trip, we will trek to Great Himalayan National Park. Because no one should miss this when travelling to Tirthan Valley. Exploring Flora and Fauna here and spending time in woods and nature will make your last day quite memorable. We can surely say that this will be one of your best and memorable experiences from Himachal Pradesh.



Tirthan valley map


Below, we have added the map of Tirthan Valley. It will help you in exploring Tirthan Valley in the best way. You can use the map to get an idea about nearby places and where exactly you are when visiting Tirthan Valley. You can also use google map of Tirthan Valley to see the trails or to reach your destination.

tirthan-valley-map

How to reach Tirthan valley?


How to reach Tirthan valley by train?


The nearest major railway station to Tirthan Valley is Chandigarh Railway Station. This railway station is well connected with other railway stations in the country. So, you will not face trouble in reaching Chandigarh. The distance from Chandigarh Railway Station to Tirthan Valley is around 250 km. If you are planning to come to Tirthan Valley by train, then you can reach Chandigarh by train. From Chandigarh, you need to take a bus to reach Tirthan Valley.


How to reach Tirthan valley by bus?


The best and the easiest way to reach Tirthan valley is by bus only. All you need to do is to take a bus for Manali Highway. Buses for Manali Highway are available from many places. You can take a bus from Kashmiri Gate ISBT, Delhi, or you can take a bus from Chandigarh as well. If you are coming from Shimla, buses for Aut or Manali Highway are available from there as well. When coming from the bus, dropdown at Aut. From Aut, book a taxi and reach Tirthan Valley in just 1.5 hours.



How to reach Tirthan valley by air?


To reach Tirthan Valley by air, just take a flight from Delhi Airport or Chandigarh Airport to Kullu Airport which is known as Bhuntar Airport. However, the flight will cost you a lot, as flight charges are around INR 6000 to INR 8000. Once you reach Bhuntar, you can take a bus to Aut. From Aut you can either take a taxi to reach Tirthan Valley or can take a local bus as well. To make your travel easier from Bhuntar to Tirthan Valley, you can hire a taxi at Bhuntar only, which will drop you at your destination.



How to reach Tirthan valley from Delhi or Gurgaon?


To reach Tirthan Valley from Delhi or Gurgaon, you can either take a bus from Delhi. Or you can book a cab or taxi till Tirthan Valley. Another option is to reach there by air. For that, you need to take a flight from Delhi, Indira Gandhi International Airport to Bhuntar Airport, which is in Kullu. From Bhuntar, you can book a taxi to reach your destination. There are many taxi services available in Bhuntar.


Delhi to Tirthan Valley by bus


You need to take an overnight bus from Delhi to Manali or Kullu to reach Tirthan Valley. Buses are easily available at Kashmiri Gate. You can either book Volvo buses or can take an ordinary bus. From Delhi, it takes around 14 hours to reach Manali, depending on the bus service. But you need not visit Manali, instead, you need to get down at Aut which comes before Manali. Let your bus driver know that you need to get down at Aut. Once you have reached Aut, you can take a bus from there to reach Jibhi or Gushaini. However, the number of buses from Aut to Jibhi is limited. You can also take a taxi from Aut to Jibhi, which will cost you around INR 1000 or INR 1200.



Tirthan Valley: Location & Distances


Where is Tirthan valley located


Tirthan Valley is located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh and it is at a height of 1600 meters above the sea level. The Tirthan River flows alongside the Tirthan Valley.


Delhi to Tirthan valley


The distance of Tirthan Valley from Delhi is around 550 kilometres. One can reach Tirthan Valley from Delhi by different means that are bus, cab, and flight. It takes an overnight journey to reach Tirthan Valley from Delhi.

Chandigarh to Tirthan valley


The distance of Tirthan Valley from Chandigarh is around 246 kilometres. To reach Tirthan valley from Chandigarh, buses and cabs both are available. It takes around 6.5 to 7 hours to reach Tirthan Valley from Chandigarh.

Kullu to Tirthan valley


From Kullu, Tirthan Valley is just 50 to 52 kilometres away. One can book direct taxis to reach Tirthan Valley from Kullu. Or local buses to Aut or Gushaini Village can be taken. From there one can book a taxi to reach the destination. It will take around 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Tirthan valley from Kullu.

Manali to Tirthan valley


From Manali, Tirthan Valley is about 90 to 94 kilometres away. Travelling to Tirthan valley from Manali is quite easy, as it only takes around 2.5 hours to reach this place. Buses and taxis are available to travel to Tirthan Valley from Manali.

Shimla to Tirthan valley


Tirthan Valley is around 175 kilometres away from Shimla. Take buses from Shimla to reach Aut and then take a detour by taking a taxi, to reach Tirthan Valley. It takes around 6 hours from Shimla to reach Tirthan Valley.

Kasol to Tirthan valley


The distance between Kasol and Tirthan Valley is around 74 kilometres. To reach Tirthan Valley from Kasol, you need to reach Aut or Bhuntar first. And then take a detour to Tirthan Valley by taking local buses or reserved taxis. It takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to reach Tirthan Valley from Kasol.

Mandi to Tirthan valley


From Mandi, it will only take 2 to 2.5 hours to reach Tirthan Valley. The distance between Mandi and Tirthan Valley is approximately 60 kilometres. From Mandi take a bus to Aut or Bhuntar. From Aut and Bhuntar, take a reserved taxi to reach Tirthan Valley. Or take local buses from Aut to reach Tirthan Valley.



Is Tirthan valley safe?


If you ask us about the safety in Tirthan Valley, then our answer is a big ‘Yes’. Tirthan Valley is a quite safe and fun place to explore, be it in terms of roads or locals or stays. As long as you are driving safely and in your complete senses, there is no such danger on the road. If we talk about locals, they are extremely humble and helpful. Most of the stays are provided by locals only, be it the holiday cottages or resorts or campsites. They try their best to provide travellers with an amazing stay experience. For trekkers, we suggest taking help from local guides while trekking, so that you follow the safe trekking trail. At last, we would say that your safety is in your hands. Make wise decisions, think through, and then only take actions. If you are not inviting any unwanted trouble, you will love to explore this valley.



Tirthan Valley Weather / Temperature


During most time of the year, you will find pleasing and cool weather in Tirthan Valley. Even during summers also, you will experience the cool breeze and the temperature is usually low during night hours. On average the temperature is usually less than 24 Degrees Celsius in summers. One of the main reasons for this temperature is the flow of the Tirthan river along the valley and the lush green forest all around. During winters, the temperature is usually less than the freezing point. You will get to see snowfall in the winters and the whole valley turns white with snow. Be it summers or be it winters; the weather makes this place look more beautiful every time.



Tirthan valley height / altitude

Tirthan Valley, nature’s paradise, is one of the best getaway destinations for nature and adventure lovers. It is at an altitude of around 1600 meters above sea level. Exploring a destination like Tirthan Valley can give you one of the best experiences of your lifetime.


Places to stay in Tirthan Valley


Accommodation options


Tirthan Valley is unlike the other crowded and known destinations in Himachal Pradesh. This is one of the reasons that you will easily find many accommodations here. You will undoubtedly get the best experience staying in resorts, homestays, and cottages in Tirthan Valley. Several homestays will give you a feel of staying like a local. The resorts are located in the laps of nature and at secluded places so that one can completely enjoy their stay away from the hustle-bustle of city life. Below, we have listed some of the best cottages and resorts for a stay in Tirthan Valley.


Hotels in Tirthan valley


Travelling Tirthan Valley for the first time and worried about which hotel to stay in there? Well, you need not worry about your stay at Tirthan. There are a few hotels and guest houses in Tirthan Valley which are quite comfortable to stay. Hotel stays are perfect for budget travelling.

Homestay options in Tirthan valley


For experiential travelling and to stay like a local, homestays are best. Some of these homestays also include treehouses, which is another amazing experience one can have. Most of these homestays are made of wood and they give a perfect feel of mountain life. These homestays are hosted by locals only. This gives you a chance to get connected with locals and know their stories and culture. Budget is something which you need not think of when staying in homestays, as some of them will cost you even less than 1k per night.


Raju's cottage


If you have been to Tirthan Valley before, you would have heard about this cottage. It is one of the famous cottages in Tirthan Valley because of the stay and the tempting dishes it offers. The Raju’s Cottage is located in the Gushaini Village which is a starting point for several treks in Tirthan Valley. Raju Bharti is the owner of this cottage. You can easily locate this cottage on the map when travelling to Tirthan Valley. You can enjoy nature in the best possible way when staying at this cottage. As it provides options for some mesmerizing nature walks along with the serenity. Do book this resort if you want to spend some quality time in the lap of nature.


Luxmi homestay


Located in Banjar, this homestay offers a lot of scenic beauties that you can see around. One of the main attractions is the Great Himalayan National Park. No matter at what time you are reaching this place, you can visit this homestay anytime, as its 24 hours open. All the basic facilities are provided in this homestay, be it the hot running water, room heater, and the fresh piping hot food. All this is available at affordable cost, which makes it the best option to stay in Tirthan Valley.


Sunshine Himalayan cottage


Another beautiful cottage located at the banks of Tirthan River. Would you like to spend some time sitting at the bank of a river? Whether you spend some time there or not, but you would love to capture the amazing views. This is a must stay cottage, if you have dreamt of staying at a place in mountains around a river stream and enjoying the splendid mountain view. The travellers who are looking for a budget stay option, they can consider this homestay. An amazing thing about Sunshine Himalayan Cottage is that they are providing tourists with different cuisine options, including Himachali cuisine.



Tirthan valley Resorts


If you are looking for a luxurious stay, then staying in resorts is the best option. Most of these resorts are at popular places in Tirthan valley and are surrounded by nature. Some of the resorts are around the riverside, whereas some of them are in the woods.


Riverside resort


The Riverside Resort in Tirthan Valley is located at the banks of the Tirthan River. Being so close to the Tirthan River, this resort is almost occupied most time of the year. It provides one of the most attractive stays in Tirthan. Waking up next to the river stream and enjoying the music of river flow makes it a perfect place to stay. Do not worry about the prices, as the stay at the Riverside Resort is available at a decent price.


Trishla resort


Being close to the Great Himalayan National Park, this resort is quite famous. It is located at the bank of Tirthan River which is hardly a few 100 meters away from the resort. The resort is perfect for family stays. If you are coming hereby your vehicle, so free parking facility is also available here. The resort gives a beautiful view and that is why many travellers prefer to stay here. It is located in Gahidhar, Banjar.


Sharda resort


This resort provides perfect luxurious facilities which most of the tourists look for. It has a big garden area where tourists can spend time enjoying the nearby views. It also offers a restaurant, so tourists can enjoy their meals at the restaurant. This resort is also located in Banjar only. You can enjoy a lot of activities around Banjar and can easily go for some treks too. Some of the activities which you can enjoy around this resort apart from trekking are Fishing, Off-Site Cycling, Bike tours, and water slide. Stop worrying about the charges, as they are not that high in comparison to the resorts in metro cities.



Tirthan valley camping


Do you love camping? Would you like to experience camping along the riverside or on the hilltops? If yes, then get ready for campsite experiences in Tirthan Valley. Camping is provided at many places in Tirthan valley including Jibhi, Jalori Pass, Kothi Chaini, Lambri Top, and at many other places as well. If you want to enjoy a full nomad life, you should try staying in camps. Not just because they are affordable, but also because, they make you learn a lot of things. Camping offers some of the best activities also like a bonfire, cooking in an open kitchen, music and jamming sessions, storytelling, and lots more. To experience the camping adventure in Tirthan Valley, do travel with Nomadic Feet.


Tirthan valley cafes


We all have seen a lot of Himalayan and mountain cafes in movies. They look amazing giving the bohemian vibes. What if we tell you that you can go to such cafes in Tirthan valley also? Yes, Tirthan Valley also homes such cafes at different places. Most of them are located in Gushaini, Banjar, and Jibhi. These cafes are known for different reasons. Like some are known for the kind of environment and vibes they have, whereas the others are known for the cuisines they offer. Some cafes also arrange musical evening and jamming sessions, which makes them perfect to spend an evening there. Doesn’t matter whether you are travelling solo or you are travelling with your friends, you will love chilling at these cafes. Some of the famous cafes are:


  • Moon Light Café (Located at Gushaini)
  • No Society Café and Homestay (Located at Shoja)
  • Reverberate Café (Located at Banjar)
  • Waterfall Café (Located at Sharchi)
  • Great Himalayan Café (Located at Tirthan Valley)
  • Café Jungle Valley (Located at Jibhi)

Do check out these cafes, when travelling to Tirthan Valley.


Recommendations for Accommodation for travellers


Confused about which accommodation you should book during your travel to Tirthan Valley? Stop worrying, as we are here to help you know what suits you the best.

  • If you are a group of students travelling to Tirthan on a limited budget, we suggest you book cottages or guest houses in Tirthan Valley. You will find several guest houses and cottages in Gushaini and Jibhi.
  • If you are an adventure lover and want to enjoy a nomad life, there is nothing better than camping. And not only the adventure lovers, but it is also suitable for budget travellers, as camping in Tirthan Valley is affordable.
  • Those who want to spend some quality time in nature, or want to have a relaxing holiday, they should stay in resort.
  • For solo travellers and group travellers, homestays and camping are quite suitable. Both options have a lot of activities that one can enjoy at Tirthan Valley.
  • If you are travelling with your family, we would recommend you all to stay in hotels and resorts for a better stay.
  • Travellers who are visiting Tirthan Valley to explore local culture, languages, and cuisines, they should stay in homestays. It gives them a great experience, as they can learn new things from locals who are hosting them.

Tirthan valley image gallery


Tirthan Valley Experiences

Are you willing to go on an adventure trip to explore Tirthan Valley? You have read enough about Tirthan Valley above, but its now time to explore it and witness all this what you have been reading about. We at Nomadic Feet provide experiential travelling to make travel better and memorable. We believe in providing experiences in the forms of different adventures and activities. From trekking to trout fishing, religious and cultural experiences, exploring waterfalls and mountain ranges, and lots more along with the human stories. So, hop on, if you want to experience and explore an undiscovered yet magnificent valley.

Summary


There you have it! Your complete go-to guide to Tirthan Valley. We believe in making travel trips easier for everyone. We hope you find this information useful and it answers all your queries. If you have some more doubts related to Tirthan Valley, please do let us know. If you want us to add something that we may have missed, feel free to share the same with us. And if you want to experience the magic of Tirthan Valley, ping Nomadic Feet for best travel experiences.


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Akshay Wadhwa
Author

With the spirit of nomad in heart, he is drunk on life and (un)hooked to freedom. After graduating as an IT engineer, out of love for technology, he worked as network security engineer with an MNC and to pursue his passion to teach, he left his full time corporate job to work with Teach For India as a fellow.Currently working with Nomadic Feet, he wears many, many hats (and cargos too!). When he’s not travelling and wearing those hats, he loves to write poetry and read books as well as humans. Madly in love with mountains and countryside, he believes art and travel can revolutionize our society.