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Things to do in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh -a hidden gem in the Himalayas

11/15/2022

12 Comments

 

Things to do in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh -a hidden gem in the Himalayas

Tirthan Valley, a hidden gem in Himachal Pradesh is what I call my home in the Himalayas. I had planned to slow travel in this valley for 2-3 weeks when I had quit my job to take a break and give myself a chance to work towards my passions. The unparalleled beauty and simplicity of this place wooed me so much that I ended up living in Tirthan Valley for 8 months. I continue going back to the valley, as I find myself the most peaceful when I'm home. The pristine valley around Tirthan River has just enough basic facilities for travellers looking for local Himachali experience. The valley has impressed many and is now becoming a popular destination offering simple experiences to the travellers:
Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh


​1. Trek in the Great Himalayan National Park

Great Himalayan National Park is recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to various endangered species of wildlife like snow leopards and Jujuranas (western tragopan). As per your fitness and comfort level, you can choose any number of days to trek in the GHNP. Trekking by the Tirthan River to the source Tirath glacier through the treacherous jungles would be an experience of a kind. For birding and wildlife spotting, make sure you go only with experts. A short 1 day trek to Rolla with overnight camping in the GHNP can be a wonderful experience.
Trekking in Great Himalayan National Park
Trekking in Great Himalayan National Park


​2. Reconnect with yourself on the banks of Tirthan River

Tirthan river is one of the most pristine rivers in India. This is the only river in Himachal Pradesh whose flow remains unobstructed by any dam. I have spent 8 months here waking up to the sound of river and going back to bed with the sound of the river. Spending some silent moments near Tirthan river is a rejuvenating experience.
Tirthan River in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Tirthan River in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh


​3. Drive to Pekhri village / Sharchi village in Tirthan Valley

Pekhri and Sharchi are higher villages in the valley, approachable with dirt roads. Both the villages offer majestic views of the snow-capped Himalayas in the Great Himalayan National Park. Sharchi village is one of my personal favourites!
Sharchi Village in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Sharchi Village in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh


​4. Hike up to small hamlets in Tirthan Valley to learn the basic lifestyle of the locals

Tirthan valley is not commercialised and the locals are happy keeping it that way. They believe in self-sustainability. Apart from growing their own food and building their own houses, they indulge in collecting grass for their cattle, weaving their own clothes, weaving their own baskets, preserving food for winters, grazing cattle, weaving woollens. Take a morning walk to some of the hamlets in the valley to observe their lifestyle, and be ready to be invited for a cup of tea at their homes. People in Tirthan valley are very friendly and welcoming.


5. Birding in Tirthan Valley

Just walk around the valley and you would find exotic species of Himalayan birds either on the river side or on trees. You can get lucky with paradise flycatcher, red capped white start, Himalayan Griffon, verditer flycatcher, hundreds of red billed blue Magpies and Himalayan bulbuls, black bulbuls, drongo, tits, etc . Go to hamlets on the height like Chhamni and Pekhri and you can get lucky with Koklass pheasant, Cheer pheasant, Kaleej pheasant. Trek into the GHNP to find Western Tragopan (jujuranas), Monal Pheasant.


6. Relish fresh local food in Tirthan Valley

I bet you would over eat during every meal if you get lucky with homemade fresh food. You might end up giving the food excuse of food tasting very nice here. It is true, even the simple food cooked with minimal spices tastes really good here, mainly because the river water used for cooking adds to the taste. Also, the river water has lot of minerals and digestive enzymes that makes you hungry every 2 hours. Enjoy the luxury of eating without the worries of adding calories!
Must Try local dish in Tirthan Valley - Siddu (Local steamed croissants, filled with mashed potatoes, onions, walnuts and served with melted ghee and walnut chutney)


​7. Angling / Fishing for Rainbow Trouts in Tirthan River

Though I wouldn’t promote killing of fish for any purpose, but Tirthan river is the only river in India which breeds rainbow trouts. Catch your own fish and get it cooked at your homestay. These locals really know how to cook it tasty. For fishing, you would need daily permit from the forest department.
Angling in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Angling in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Rainbow Trouts in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Rainbow Trouts in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh


​8. Hike to Chehni Kothi in Jibhi Valley

Jibhi valley is adjacent to Tirthan Valley. It is beautiful, but not more beautiful than Tirthan Valley (sorry, I’m biased). However, you can take a day trip to Jibhi Valley, spend some time taking a walk around the valley and spending sometime at one of the river-side cafes there. You can take a short hike to Chehni village which boasts of the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Himalayas. It is a 1500 year old towered castle built in traditional Himachali style.
Chehni Kothi in Jibhi Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Chehni Kothi in Jibhi Valley, Himachal Pradesh


​9. Drive to Jalori pass and Hike to Serolsar lake

Jalori pass is famous for magnificent views of the snow capped himalayas. Jalori pass connects Jibhi valley to Shimla with a very dangerous and treacherous, but quite short route. Driving or riding through Jalori pass is a thrill for many adventurers, but better done carefully or with locals. 
Jalori Pass, Himachal Pradesh
Jalori Pass, Himachal Pradesh
Once you are at Jalori pass, you can take a small easy hike to Serolsar Lake. The lake is of religious value to the locals. The lake remains frozen in winters and looks quite pretty. The hike to the lake and back to Jalori pass can take 3-4 hours.
Serolsar Lake, Himachal Pradesh
Serolsar Lake, Himachal Pradesh


​10. Trek to Bashleo Pass

Bashleo pass is connects Tirthan Valley to Kullu Sarahan. The bus takes around 12 hours to reach any of these locations from the other, but for locals it is more convenient to cover the distance on foot in 5-6 hours. The trek to Bashleo pass and back covers 20km and gets little strenuous to complete on the same day. You may consider camping for 1 night and returning back to either Tirthan or descend to Kullu Sarahan.
Trek to Bashleo Pass
Trek to Bashleo Pass


11. Hike to Chhoie waterfall in Tirthan Valley

This is the easiest and most common hike in the valley. A short 30-45 min hike leads to a beautiful waterfall and depending on the season, the water level of the fall changes. Almost everyone who comes to Tirthan Valley visits the waterfall.
Hike to Chhoie waterfall in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Hike to Chhoie waterfall in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh


12. Buy homemade products from locals in Tirthan Valley

The local ladies make handmade authentic products like woollen socks and caps, apricot jam, apricot oil, etc. Since there’s no shopping market in Tirthan Valley, you may consider buying local stuff from the ladies at the homestay (I wouldn't miss any opportunity to promote women empowerment).
Picture


How to reach Tirthan Valley

The best option is to take an overnight bus from Delhi / Chandigarh to Kullu or Manali and get down at Aut on the way. You can either hire a taxi from Aut to Tirthan Valley or take local bus from Aut to Banjar and another bus from Banjar to Gushaini.
You can take a flight to Kullu (Bhuntar Airport) and take a taxi to Tirthan Valley.

Drop by Bisht Niwas Homestay in Tirthan Valley and give my regards to Kavita & Mahendra.
Contact no: +91-9418093158.


​Related Posts:
Tirthan Valley - my home in the Himalayas
Living in a traditional Himachali house in Tirthan Valley
Pristine Palachan Valley
12 Comments
Kiriti Sen
5/17/2018 17:10:46

I have spent 15 days in Tandi (Jibhi) in a log cabin .
It's just awesome.
Isolsted yet with all basic infrastructure .
Great place for bird photo graphers and amateur treckers.
This was my second visit to that area.

Reply
Sarjita
5/17/2018 18:52:30

Very well return post! Hope to trek the valley some day:)

Reply
B R Negi
5/17/2018 19:55:20

Hi Medhavi, I am so happy that a traveller,conservationist and nature lover like you have dileneated the majestic Tirthan valley for everyone to have a detailed insight into the various attractions in it.A vivid, real and detailed narration indeed for the nature lovers and those who want to live in sylvan environs.I have spent four wonderful years in Tirthan and GHNP in the company of great wild lifers from India and abroad.Trekked right upto Tirthan head waters thrice.Memorable time spent in Tirthan valley.Ideal for nature lovers,wild lifers and those who like adventure with some degree of toughness.
BR Negi
Kullu HP

Reply
Paras Ram Bharti link
5/18/2018 09:20:43

Thanks Medhavi G.. You promote our Tirthan Valley on the right way... hope the best for Tirthan Valley...Jai Tirthan

Reply
Amit
6/13/2018 16:30:54

Thx for sharing about Tirthan valley.I am going to stay at Jibhi valley for few days.
Thx

Reply
sushmita kapoor link
7/6/2018 11:45:17

himachal is heart of india..it is one of the most beautiful place in india.... i visit there every year... cheers

Reply
sushmita kapoor link
7/20/2018 10:25:31

i never been to himachal...but after reading your article, i am so happy to book my first trip to tirthan valley...

Reply
Shubham Varshney link
2/20/2019 10:44:52

Wow, what a place. I just wanted to do all these things and I am planning to visit this place soon. Thanks for sharing such a nice stuff with us.

Reply
Kathy@DavesTravelCorner link
3/26/2019 15:40:10

The Himalayas are on the top of my bucket list. I love love trekking in mountains!

Reply
Bhavya Vatrapu link
10/13/2019 17:08:11

Himalayas are truly beautiful and I specially admire the way you push for Eco friendly travelling and the right manner of utilizing home stay options. Great work!!

Reply
Urmi Shah
11/6/2019 14:43:50

Very beautifully narrated Medhavi. I am thankful to you giving me an idea on the Tirthan Valley.

We are very eager to visit Thithan Velly in this December month. Can you please suggest whether it would be a wise decision to visit Tirthan Valley end of the December month.

Also, we are not trekkers and yes surely nature lovers. So would it be difficult for us to visit places in Jibhi, Jalori Pass and Tirthan Valley?

Thanks Medhavi in advance ! :)

Reply
Shrinidhi Hande link
11/15/2019 10:58:04

Very informative post for visitors of Tirthan valley

Reply

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    Author

    Picture
    Namaste! I'm Medhavi Davda.
    I travel to Evolve..
    In Nature, I confide..
    I find my calling in the Himalayas..
    In the Oceans, I meditate..

    ​
    A High-Altitude Trekker & PADI certified SCUBA Diver, I love exploring the heights and depths of the planet with my regular doses of mountains and oceans.
    ​
    Discovering myself & life through nature, adventures, travels, sports and dance has been an addiction since my existence!

    Quite fond of the  natural & cultural diversity of India, I've travelled extensively in my own country before exploring international destinations.
    ​
    I had left my 9+ yrs of career in Software Industry in a quest to make a living out of my passions. I packed my basics in my car (gave away the rest) and lived in different parts of Himachal Pradesh for 16 months. This invaluable time taught me to experience life from a broader perspective.
    ​
    I'm currently living in Mumbai to work with an Adventure Travel company as a product manager for Scuba Diving. I continue living a minimalistic life.

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  • Home
  • DESTINATIONS
    • INDIA >
      • ANDAMAN ISLANDS
      • GOA
      • GUJARAT
      • HIMACHAL PRADESH
      • KARNATAKA
      • KASHMIR
      • KERALA
      • LADAKH
      • LAKSHADWEEP
      • MADHYA PRADESH
      • MAHARASHTRA
      • PONDICHERRY
      • UTTARAKHAND
    • INDONESIA
    • MALDIVES
    • NEPAL
    • PERU
    • SRI LANKA
    • THAILAND
    • UAE
    • VIETNAM
  • EXPERIENCES
    • TREKKING
    • SCUBA DIVING
    • SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
    • BOUTIQUE
    • BACKPACKING
    • BEACHES
    • HIMALAYAS
    • WILDERNESS
    • HERITAGE
    • FESTIVALS
  • UnRaven
  • Reviews
    • BRANDS
    • APPS
    • PROPERTIES
    • PRODUCTS
    • GUEST POSTS
  • Contact
  • About Me