Sitting on a hammock in Jibhi, listening to the burbling sounds of the Pushpabhadra river, faintly interrupted by the chirping of the red star, I’m filled with gratitude while writing this blog.
I know it’s been eight months since I last published a travel article. But seeing the widespread havoc inflicted by the pandemic, the idea to travel during lockdown never hit me.
With the world battling newer mutant versions of coronavirus, and people lining up in queues for vaccines, I realised that this is going to be a long battle. Personally speaking, I was feeling claustrophobic in Mumbai. The constant strict lockdowns were starting to affect me mentally.
As a result, I was craving for an exotic mountain escape in India where I could breathe freely and for once, shut the negative noise around me. And Jibhi, a small scenic village in Himachal Pradesh came to my rescue and became my savior.
Jibhi is a secret treasure located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district. Situated in the middle of the Great Himalayan National Park, Jibhi is a gorgeous and highly underrated travel destination in India.
Since international travel from Indian borders isn’t looking possible in the near future, travelling locally is the way to go. And it can’t get any better than travelling in Himachal Pradesh – spending time at an offbeat, isolated, safe, and visually pleasing village.
In this blog, I’ll be discussing the 10 best things to do in Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh. Hope it helps you plan an ideal Jibhi itinerary.
Best Time To Visit Jibhi – Jibhi Temperatures
An ideal time to visit Jibhi is from March to early June. The temperatures in this period range from 20°C-25°C during the day and 9°C-15°C at night.
Another window when you can experience the best of Jibhi is from mid-September to November. Temperatures in this period touch a maximum of 23°C and a minimum of 5°C. So pack your winter wear accordingly.
How To Get To Jibhi
The best way to get to Jibhi is by a flight-taxi combo. Firstly, you take a flight to either Delhi or Chandigarh. Then you take a flight to Kullu. Finally, you hire a taxi from Bhuntar’s Kullu-Manali airport to Jibhi. It takes you around two hours to complete this 51 km-long journey.
If you’re in Delhi or Chandigarh, then you can take a direct flight to Kullu and subsequently hire a taxi to get to Jibhi.
But if you prefer travelling by car, then a 11-12 hour car ride from Delhi gets you to Jibhi. The distance you’ll cover in this journey is approximately 495 km. And if you’re leaving from Chandigarh, then a 7-8 hour car journey gets you to Jibhi. The distance you’ll cover in this case is approximately 265 km.
NOTE: Kullu- Manali Airport in Bhuntar (KUU) is the nearest airport to Jibhi.
Where To Stay In Jibhi – Jibhi Hotels
My Personal Recommendation
There are many homestays, lodges, resorts, and hotels in Jibhi where one can stay. But none, in my experience, come close to the magic of Maple Outhomes.
Maple Outhomes comprises three pahadi cottages, three luxury tents, and a dormitory room with 5-6 beds for backpackers on a budget.
It is situated right next to the Pushpabhadra river stream so you can enjoy your evening tea/coffee or beer sitting by the riverside.
The cottages are spacious, clean, rustic, and have a pleasant, welcoming vibe. Even the tents are luxurious and well designed. Both, the cottages and tents, are made using eco-friendly materials.
There’s a cozy cafe where you can enjoy some lip-smackingly good meals cooked by the in-house chef. The food menu is diverse and ranges across Indian, Italian, Chinese, and local Himachali cuisine.
The property also organizes bonfires and barbecue nights on request. Owners Kanupriya, Vikas, and Anubhav ensure every request of yours is met with a smile. Be it requests for particular food items, or basic medicine, the property takes care of all your demands (unless you demand to see a penguin from Antarctica).
There are hammocks for you to sit, chill and admire the flora & fauna around. A special mention to the huge rock inside the property that acts as a vantage point from where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the gushing river.
If you thought that was it, then hold your breath. There’s a natural pool that the owners have cordoned inside the river so you can enjoy a natural bath in the crystal clear, chilly waters. You can also indulge in trout fishing that’s organized by the property on request.
Be it families, friends, or solo travellers – this place is a haven for anybody who’s seeking some quiet time with nature. I give this property a big thumbs up and absolutely recommend you to stay here. And why wouldn’t I? After all, aren’t we all searching for peace of mind at the end of the day?
=> Book your stay at Maple Outhomes by clicking here.
Budget Homestay Accommodations in Jibhi
For backpackers and solo travellers on a budget:
1. Innayat Jibhi – Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
2. The Hosteller Jibhi – Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
3. Peppy Nomads Homestay – Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
4. The Hostalgic Jibhi – Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
Luxury Stay Accommodations in Jibhi
For families and groups of friends seeking a bit of luxury:
1. River View Cottages by Livingstone – Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
2. Jujurana Stays by Vista Rooms – Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
3. The Next World Cottage – Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
4. Whoopers Jibhi – Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
10 Best Things To Do In Jibhi
1. Jibhi Waterfall
Jibhi Waterfall is one of the best things to do in Jibhi with your family and friends. A 10-minute drive from any of the Jibhi homestays gets you to this spot. Entry to the waterfall is free of charge.
A well-paved stone path and small gushing water streams guide you to the site of the actual waterfall. The small wooden bridges that you cross along the way make for some Instagram-worthy pictures.
As for the actual waterfall, it is a sight for sore eyes and a natural delight. There is a small pool area formed around the waterfall which you can easily walk to.
The water is clean and from my shower experience, mind-numbingly cold. So remember to carry towels with you. There is ample space for you to sit, thanks to the stone railings and cemented area around the falls.
2. Bahu Village and Balu Nag Temple
A 30-minute drive from the Jibhi Waterfall gets you to the Bahu village. It is located in the Banjar tehsil of the Kullu district. The road to get to the village is in a bad condition but the snow peak views en route more than make up for it.
The Balu Nag temple is one of the offbeat things to do around Jibhi. It takes a 45-minute hike from the Bahu pond to reach the Balu Nag temple. Bahu pond is the site of the Shesh Nag temple and the starting point of the hike.
Deodar trees on both sides of the walking path guard you against the sun. Thus, the hike doesn’t feel tiring at all. Infact, the deodar trees give a lovely ‘forest hike’ feel to the journey. The hike is approximately 2.5 km long.
The Balu Nag temple is perched on a beautiful green mountain surrounded by the deodar forest. The ambience around the temple is delectable and serene.
You’ll find a cordoned pond on one side and the temple building on the other. Mountain goats can be seen grazing near the temple.
Set upon a stone base, the temple is almost entirely made of wood. If you walk to the top of the hill, then you’ll see another wooden shrine as well. You may spot a local or two around the temple but otherwise, the place is pretty much isolated.
You can easily spend 2-3 hours here, soaking in the sights and sounds of the place. It’ll take you 30 minutes to walk back to the Bahu pond starting point. Proper hiking shoes are a must for the hike. Also, remember to carry a bottle of water.
3. Mini Thailand
A half an hour drive from the Bahu village will get you to “Mini Thailand”. The name of the spot makes you curious, doesn’t it? It was precisely because of this curiosity that I had included the spot in my Jibhi itinerary.
It takes a short 10-minute walk from the ‘Mini-Thailand” signboard to reach the spot. You’ll need to tread carefully as the initial part of the hiking trail is slippery and a steep downhill path.
The place is basically a cove between two massive rocks, forming a shallow turquoise pool where you can dip your feet and chill. The water is clean, cold, and crystal clear so you can opt to swim as well.
It’s beachy, relaxed vibes do give you a Thailand-like feel. Hence, the fancy name of the spot. Entry to Mini-Thailand is free of charge.
NOTE: You can do the Jibhi Waterfall, Bahu village and Balu Nag temple, and Mini Thailand in a single day trip. Hiring a private car with a driver cum guide will cost you around Rs.1200-Rs.1500 for the entire trip.
4. Shringa Rishi Temple
A 25-30 minute drive from Jibhi gets you to Shringa Rishi temple. It’s situated at Baggi village, in the Banjar valley of Himachal Pradesh. This temple is named after a chief deity of Kullu valley named Shringi Rishi.
Shringi Rishi was a saint from the Ramayana (Hindu epic) who had performed the yagna (ritual) for Ayodhya’s King Dashrath, after which Lord Rama and his three brothers were born.
Therefore, this temple is a sacred place for all the Hindu devotees in the region. Once you climb a flight of stairs, you reach the chamber of the main deity.
Outside the chamber, you’ll get an unobstructed view of the mountains. You can sit here and easily spend half an hour admiring the natural landscape in front of you. Entry to the temple is free.
5. Chehni Kothi
A 45-minute hike from the Shringa Rishi temple will have you reach Chehni Kothi. The path beside the temple’s parking spot also acts as the starting point for the hike.
Since the hiking trail is steep and tiring, you better carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated. On your way up the mountain, the hiking path will have you cross a picturesque forest. In the later stages of the hike, you’ll see homes of locals and their farms where they grow their food organically.
When you finally reach Chehni Kothi, a fortified building made entirely out of wood and stone, greets you at the right of the entrance point.
This building houses a temple dedicated to Goddess Jogini. As a mark of respect, you’ll have to remove your footwear before entering the temple. You can keep them under the benches at the temple entrance.
To enter the temple, you’ll have to wear a sarong/lungi. You can borrow it from the locals present there. And now the adventurous part starts. You’ll have to climb a flight of “thick wooden block” steps (without a railing) to reach an elevated point in the temple.
This can seem scary to people who are afraid of heights. So avoid looking down and use both your hands and legs to slowly climb up the wooden steps.
After this, you reach the chamber where you have to remove your jeans and just wear the lungi/sarong provided to you. On climbing a series of wooden steps, you’ll reach the main chamber of the deity.
Just beside the chamber is a small door from where you get to see a breathtaking 180-degree panorama view of the mountains and the valley. The feeling of calm and silence that you experience sitting at this spot is beyond explanation.
After you get down, you can visit the “Nature Cafe” to grab a bite or have a cold drink. The signboard near the temple complex makes it easy for you to locate the cafe. The cafe has a cute seating arrangement from where you can enjoy a picturesque view of the mountains.
6. Chhoie Waterfall
Chhoie Waterfall is about 30 minutes away from the Shringa Rishi temple by car. A moderately easy hike of about 45 minutes to one hour gets you to the waterfall. There’s a separate parking lot near the starting point of the hike for you to park your vehicle.
A well-paved cement staircase path next to a shop is where you start your hike. Soon the path turns muddy and steep at places, though it’s mostly flat. A couple of signboards along the way ensure you don’t get lost in the woods.
You’ll enjoy views of mountains and a river stream during your hike. On reaching the Chhoie waterfall, you’ll notice that it is almost three times the size of the Jibhi waterfall.
The waterfall is a gorgeous water stream that glides through the rocky outcrops like a white silk curtain. The water flow is such that misty sprays can be felt even standing at a distance. The water at the base of the waterfall is cold, clean, and safe for drinking.
You can sit, chill, and admire the natural display of beauty around you for atleast an hour or two. The sheer magic of the destination makes the hiking effort worth it.
NOTE: You can do the Shringa Rishi temple, Chehni Kothi, and Chhoie waterfall in a single day trip. Hiring a private car with a driver cum guide will cost you around Rs.1200-Rs.1500 for the entire trip.
7. Shangchul Mahadev Meadow, Shangarh
This place is one of my favourite things to do in the Jibhi itinerary. Period. The fact that I visited it twice during my stay in Jibhi speaks volumes about it. Located in the surreal Sainj Valley, the Shangchul Mahadev Meadow of Shangarh (or Shangarh Meadow) is basically “Europe served to you on a plate without a visa”.
A 2-hour drive from Jibhi (53 km approx.) gets you to the Shangarh Meadow. During your drive, you’ll come across alluring views of the Sainj Valley. However, the last 20-30 minute stretch of the drive can be a bit exhausting as the road leading to the meadow is in a pathetic state.
Once you get to the entry point, it’s a short 100 metre walk to the meadow. Upon reaching the meadow, you’ll see the most phantasmagorically magical visual in front of you.
The Shangchul Mahadev temple (after which the meadow is named) is perched on one end of the meadow. It’s lined by deodar trees against a one-of-a-kind mountain backdrop.
A series of mountains, one behind the other, almost as if each one is the shadow of the other, with the snow-clad mountains right at the back, make for a mesmerizing view. You won’t be able to help but gawk at the overwhelming natural scenery in front of you.
Next to that, is a lush green mountain that surrounds the meadow like a protective green blanket. You’ll see cattle rearing, a small village set up on a hill, and even a few locals sitting and chilling by themselves.
The air here is absolutely pure and fresh. I’d suggest you walk around the entire meadow and explore every inch of it. If peace of mind was a product, then Shangarh Meadow would be the brand ambassador of it. It’s literally like an Austrian or Swiss village. Every frame is a Windows desktop wallpaper.
The place is a perfect picnic spot and the best thing to do around Jibhi. You can read a book, drink wine, play your favorite songs, or even take a nap. Carry an umbrella with you because the weather in this region can change quite quickly and drastically.
8. Secret Siund Waterfall
On your way back from Shangarh Meadow, do not miss out on visiting a secret waterfall in Siund village. This waterfall is one of the lesser-known things to do in Jibhi that most travellers don’t have a clue about.
It takes a 40-minute drive from Shangarh Meadow to get to the Siund waterfall. Because it falls en route to Jibhi, you can easily visit it without worrying about the extra time it might take to get there.
The inclined road to get to the waterfall is made of pebbles and stone, and therefore, is a challenging one to drive on. It takes a short 250 metre downhill hike to reach the Siund waterfall.
The waterfall is pleasing to the eye. It is placed right between two cliffs, with the surrounding wild forest greens acting as the perfect natural garnishing. It’ll take you an hour and a half to reach Jibhi from here.
NOTE: You can cover Shangarh Meadow and Siund waterfall in a single day trip. Hiring a private car with a driver cum guide will cost you around Rs.2500-Rs.2800 for the entire trip.
9. Serolsar Lake
A 35-minute drive from Jibhi (14 km approx.) gets you to a place called Jalori Pass. The road to Jalori Pass diverges into two paths. The path to the left leads to Serolsar Lake. You’ll have to hike along this path for about 1.5-2 hours to reach the lake.
The total distance covered during the hike is 10 km (5km to and fro). The hike is moderately easy and can be done by people of all age groups. Because the path is at a high altitude, you may find yourself gasping for breath during the occasional steep climb. Feel free to take a breather wherever necessary.
You’ll find resting places with benches en route to the lake. Throughout the hiking path, you’ll be escorted by pine trees on either side, shielding you from both – the sun and rain. I’d still suggest you carry an umbrella with you as rains here can get heavy and hailstorms are a possibility too.
There are a couple of eating stalls just 5 minutes away from the lake. They offer you tea, coffee, snacks, cold drinks, and even a delicious hot plate of vegetable maggi. You have to walk down a flight of stairs to get to the lake.
At the site, you’ll see an oval-shaped emerald green lake surrounded by dense forest. The lake is cordoned off with a green railing to prevent people from swimming in it. You may find some ducks and geese swimming in the lake though.
The water is so clear that you can see an incredible mirror reflection of the surrounding cliff and it’s trees.
You’ll also find a temple dedicated to Goddess ‘Buddhi Nagin’. It is perched on a hill that’s located left of the lake.
There is a pathway to the top of a small cliff that’s right next to the lake. You can get to this vantage point and enjoy the soothing view of the lake. The tranquility of the ambience is only interrupted by the enthusiastic chirping from the birds or honking from the geese.
All in all, the beauty of this ethereal lake makes it one of the best things to do in Jibhi. If you’re hiking during the monsoon, then carry a raincoat with you too.
NOTE: You’ll take an entire day to explore Serolsar Lake. Hiring a private car with a driver cum guide for the trip will cost you around Rs.1600-Rs.1800.
10. Raghupur Fort
Just like every other beautiful place in Jibhi, you need to hike to get to the Raghupur Fort as well. The starting point of the hike is again Jalori Pass (35 minutes from Jibhi). As you remember, the road to Jalori diverges into two paths. One to the left and one that goes straight.
For Raghupur Fort, you select the path that diverges straight. A 3 km walk (1 hour approx.) through oak and rhododendron forests will have you reach the top of the mountain.
Here, you’ll find the site where Raghupur fort once existed.
At the top, you’ll see a 360-degree panorama view of all the valleys and mountain ranges around you.
The fantastical magnificence of nature that you experience here leaves you spellbound.
Time literally comes to a standstill as the cold breeze hits your face and you find yourself amidst absolute silence.
You can spend hours sitting and soaking in the incredible sights in front of you. After Shangarh Meadows, this place is my second favourite thing to do around Jibhi, and deservedly so.
If you climb further up the mountain, you’ll also find a small stone temple.
On your way, you’ll find a cafe called “Raghupur Vanvaas Cafe”. It’s on the green hill near the Raghupur Fort site and is a resting point where you can sit, relax, and enjoy a hot snack or two. The cafe menu includes noodles, coffee, tea, snacks, and cold drinks. There’s also a washroom near the cafe.
You might feel tempted to stay the night and see the sunrise from the peak. And the cafe actually provides you with the overnight tent stay service as well. So feel free to avail it if you like.
Remember to carry an extra pair of woollen clothes and an umbrella with you in case you’re hiking during the monsoon, as the area can experience violent hailstorms. Good hiking shoes are recommended.
NOTE: You’ll take an entire day to explore Raghupur Fort. Hiring a private car with a driver cum guide for the trip will cost you around Rs.1800.
Conclusion
Jibhi is the dark horse of Himachal Pradesh that will stun you with it’s brilliance. It may not be a big-ticket destination like a Kullu or Manali but don’t go by mere reputation.
There are umpteen things to do in Jibhi that’ll keep you occupied. In terms of beauty, it leaves several places far behind. You can easily spend 7-10 days in Jibhi and still feel the need to explore more.
In times like these, you not only crave exclusivity but also safety. And Jibhi, thanks to the awareness of the locals, is one such traveller-friendly destination. So pack your bags and set off for that perfect mountain vacation to Jibhi. This Himachali adventure is worth your time and money!
SHARE the blog “10 Best Things To Do In Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh – Unexplored Paradise” on your social media and help others plan the perfect trip to Himachal Pradesh.
PIN the image below to save the post for future travel planning. Also, SUBSCRIBE to The Wandering Vegetable for more such travel inspiration!
