Picture yourself sipping chai on a wooden balcony, your toes snuggled into your wool socks, with the pine-scented air kissing your cheeks. A river gurgling in the distance, and in addition to the odd chirp from a Himalayan magpie, it’s eerily quiet.
This is not a dream – this is Jibhi. Jibhi is in the deep Banjar Valley in Himachal Pradesh and is the quieter, lesser-known cousin of Manali or Kasol.
Oftentimes referred to as Mini Thailand (and we will discuss why), it’s a spot for nature lovers, solo travelers, honeymooners, and anyone wanting to escape from city life.
Although Tirthan Valley may get more coverage, there’s something about Jibhi’s authentic, unspoiled nature that is perfect for travelers tired of overhyped tourist spots.
So, what are the best places to visit in Jibhi in 2025? Sit back and relax while we put together a list of our top 10 places to visit in Jibhi that will leave your mountain soul very very content.
Places to visit in Jibhi
Jibhi Waterfall
The waterfall is one of Jibhi’s most accessible attractions. The walk leading to the waterfall is dotted with numerous wooden bridges, which add to the beauty of the area.
The waterfall is located deep in the forest. A rainbow may be visible in the waterfall early in the morning.
It is one of the nicest spots to visit in Jibhi since you can walk on a short bridge near the waterfall and enjoy a breathtaking view of nature. Jibhi waterfall is known as a picnic destination for the residents.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning (for a chance to see a rainbow).
How to Visit: Easily accessible via a path with scenic wooden bridges.
Kulhi Katandi (mini Thailand)
Kulhi Katandi, locally known as Mini Thailand or Veer Ki Aar, is an off-beat destination located near Jibhi in Tirthan Valley.
It is a serene location with a clear stream flowing between two large rocks, providing stunning landscapes similar to those found in Thailand, making it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Jibhi.
This is also one of the best places to visit in Jibhi and can only be visited via a short trek through dense pine and deodar forests.
It offers peace, tranquility, and a laid-back experience for adventurous visitors who enjoy exploring offbeat destinations.
Best Time to Visit: Early mornings for best light.
How to Visit: Short trek through dense pine and deodar forests.
Jalori Pass
Jalori Pass sits at an elevation of 10,800 feet. Perfect for those looking for a balance of ease and thrill. It is one of the lowest mountain passes in Himachal.
Accessed year-round, the only time it is closed is during heavy snowfall between January and February. It is a short 45-minute drive from Jibhi which makes it easily accessible.
What sets Jalori apart is the two sides of it. One side has ‘The Serolsar Lake Trail’ that boasts beautiful views, while the other side takes you to the enchanting Raghupur Fort.
The pass offers breathtaking views with the stunning vantage point, which allows you to see clouds up close.
To make the your visit exceptional, stop by any Jibhi café and grab a thermos with hot chai and local siddu (steamed bread).
Best Time to Visit: Avoid January-February (due to heavy snowfall).
How to Visit: 45-minute drive from Jibhi.
Serolsar Lake
If fairy tales could come to life, Serolsar Lake would be its stage. With pristine water, this lake sits at an elevation of 10,000 feet. Serolsar Lake is accessed after a 5 km moderate trek from Jalori Pass.
The lake has some importance for locals who believe that Goddess Budhi Nagin of the lake guards their villages.
The real magic of Serolsar Lake is its pristine mirrored surface reflecting towering deodars and the constantly changing skyline of the Himalayas.
In contrast to Manali’s Bhrigu Lake or other popular hill stations, Serolsar Lake is relatively less crowded even during peak season.
If you enjoy traveling in the months of May or September, enjoy the plethora of wildflowers surrounding the lake.
Best Time to Visit: May (wildflowers) or September (autumn colors).
How to Visit: 5 km moderate trek from Jalori Pass.
Shringa Rishi Temple & Chehni Kothi
Located in the nearby Banjar Valley, 12 km from Jibhi, is the Shringa Rishi Temple; one of the oldest wooden temples in India. According to folk stories, this is the place where Sage Shringa meditated and used his spiritual power to stop droughts.
You can see beautiful woodcarving scenes of Hindu mythology in the temple. The temple’s main shrine contains a silver idol of the sage.
What makes this place truly memorable is that the temple complex is set among the tall deodars, in a quiet and reflective spot, and the ceremonies are still conducted in this place as they were many years ago.
Plan to visit during the annual Shringa Fair in May to see the local practices, traditional folk dance, and cultural offerings that are not in any tourist brochure. From here you can trek for an hour to Chehni Kothi.
Standing 45 meters tall, Chehni Kothi is a 1500-year-old tower constructed from stone and wood that has survived several earthquakes and extreme weather over the years.
Located in Chehni village, about 8 km from Jibhi, this marvelous piece of architecture was built without a single nail, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient Himalayan engineering.
The Chehni Kothi functioned as both a defensive structure and a temple for the village community.
What makes this experience unique is that, unlike ticketed heritage sites, you will likely have village elders showing you around, sharing oral histories passed on for generations.
The views from the base of the tower of the valley are no less than any popular viewpoint in the more commercialized hill stations.
Best Time to Visit: May (Shringa Fair) for cultural festivities.
How to Visit: 12 km drive from Jibhi to temple; 1-hour trek to Chehni Kothi.
Chaini Village
For travelers interested in experiencing authentic culture, Chaini village is just the perfect place to visit. It provides an opportunity to observe Himachali culture unspoiled by tourism and excessive modernization.
Located at an elevation of 2,700 meters above sea level, the village consists of just 25 families and has a rich history of art, culture, and architecture.
Examples of Kathkuni architecture (buildings constructed with alternating layers of stone and wood) are spread throughout the village.
The prominent site of the village is the Chaini Fort Temple complex, which consists of some of the best wood carvings in the region that date back to the 16th century.
Unlike other heritage villages, Chaini offers the unique opportunity to engage in everyday mountain life, such as apple harvesting (September-October) and traditional cooking classes, facilitated through homestays in the village.
The lack of commercial accommodations allows Chaini to stay uniquely traditional.
Best Time to Visit: September-October (apple harvest season).
How to Visit: Trek or drive from Jibhi (altitude: 2,700 meters).
Raghupur Fort
A moderate 3 km hike from Jalori Pass leads to the ruins of Raghupur Fort, which is situated at around 11,000 feet.
Unlike heavily restored historical sites, these atmospheric ruins from the Kullu kingdom let the visitor engage with history through the crumbling defensive walls and structures still scattered around the hilltop.
What is special about Raghupur is the location – it has unobstructed 360-degree views of snow-capped peaks on clear days.
It also has a mysterious abandoned temple in the complex featuring unusual stone carvings that blend Hindu and Buddhist architecture.
The best time to see Raghupur is on these occasional clear October days when the vegetation is low, revealing more of the ruins, and crisp fall mountain air gives better visibility to ranges in the distance.
Best Time to Visit: October (clear skies, great visibility).
How to Visit: 3 km moderate trek from Jalori Pass.
The Lambhri Crystal Cave
Lambhri cave is another beautiful hidden spot and one of the best places to visit in Jibhi Himachal that every adventurous soul should visit.
The track to the cave starts at Serolsar Lake. At the cave, you can marvel at the stunning panoramic views of the whole majestic Himalayan range surrounded by pine forests.
The cave is referred to as Crystal Cave, as it has a crystal mine. The visitors are free to collect any personal choices of crystals as a memory.
The place does not have many fun descendants because of its remote location, but that only adds to the splendor of its charm.
The trek to the cave starts where the route ends at Serolsar Lake. Enjoy camping at Sarthi Thatch on the gorgeous meadows.
People also love to enjoy watching the birds in the mountain ranges of the Jibhi Valley.
Best Time to Visit: Ideal during summer and autumn trekking seasons.
How to Visit: Trek from Serolsar Lake to the cave.
Bahu
Just 7 km away from Jibhi is a small village called Bahu. With its unique blend of nature and culture, it has started to gain popularity as one of the best offbeat locations in Jibhi.
The village has a multi-tiered waterfall, as well as a historic temple to Goddess Durga in the local vernacular tower style.
Bahu stands out from other similar attractions in the way its sacred and natural elements coalesce.
The temple uses the flow of the waterfall as part of its ritual purification processes. You may see local women performing traditional washing in defined areas.
The best time to visit Bahu is in the morning when the sun filters in through the mist created by the falls. For those few minutes, the entire temple structure is illuminated.
Best Time to Visit: Mornings (best lighting with misty waterfalls).
How to Visit: 7 km drive from Jibhi.
Sojha (Shoja)
Let’s wrap up our adventure in Jibhi with Sojha village! This little place is at a height of about 2,692 meters. It’s only 5 kilometers away from Jalori Pass.
Sojha is like a secret door to amazing grassy fields and thick forests. The best part? When you wake up early on a clear morning, you can see faraway mountains covered in snow glowing in the sunlight.
It’s so pretty, it’s like a picture from a fairy tale! Unlike busy tourist spots, Sojha is quiet, so you can enjoy the peace and feel close to nature.
The forests around Sojha are full of birds! If you love watching birds, you can bring simple binoculars and spot all kinds of colorful Himalayan birds flying around!
Best Time to Visit: Clear mornings (for mountain views).
How to Visit: 5 km before Jalori Pass from Jibhi.
Best Time to Visit Jibhi
Jibhi experiences visitors all year round, and each season brings new colors and ideas for things to do. The most pleasant weather, favorable for outdoor activities, is from May to June.
These months offer warm days with temperatures between 15-25°C and the blooming rhododendron brightens the landscapes of steep hillsides.
From September to November, Jibhi is at its most photogenic – clear skies, all-day good weather averaging about 10-20 degrees Celsius, and autumn leaves spread like gold and orange throughout the forests.
The winter visits of December to February will please snow lovers with winter scenes of snow-covered mountains and valleys and postcard-style picture-perfect images everywhere.
However, it can be bitterly cold with temperatures as low as -5 degrees Celsius, and some of the higher peaks and attractions are closed for visiting due to excessive snow.
Unlike Manali, which experiences heavier tourist traffic year-round, Jibhi remains relatively peaceful even during peak seasons. While Manali generally maintains slightly warmer temperatures due to its lower elevation, Jibhi’s extra chill is compensated by its uncrowded trails and authentic experiences.
How to Reach Jibhi
From Delhi
The 500 km trip from Delhi to Jibhi will take you around 12-13 hours by the road. You should drive through Chandigarh and Mandi, but the road from Aut (where you finally get out of the hills) will show you one of the most beautiful views of the valley. You could also take an overnight bus to Aut or Bhuntar, and get a taxi from there to Jibhi (takes approx 2 hours and will be around ₹1,200-1,500).
From Chandigarh
Chandigarh has great connections to Jibhi. It is a 180 km trip (about 7-8 hours) from Chandigarh to Jibhi. There are good state buses which run directly to Aut from Chandigarh. Then get a local taxi to Jibhi. For a slightly more comfortable experience, you can hire a private taxi for the trip (approx ₹4,000-5,000).
From Mumbai
For travelers from Mumbai, connecting flights to Bhuntar Airport (Kullu) will be available, but may involve checking from Mumbai to Delhi. You will have to take a taxi from Bhuntar to Jibhi (its 60 km, about 2.5 hours). You may also take a train from Mumbai to Delhi or Chandigarh, then follow the road connection above.
From Manali
If you are coming from Manali, then you are very fortunate: to have Jibhi so close (60 km, about 2.5 hours)! You will be able to find local buses on this route; however, taking a taxi (₹2,000-2,500) will allow you to stop at any viewpoints along the way.
FAQs
Is Jibhi safe for solo female travelers?
For sure! Jibhi is one of the safest places in Himachal Pradesh for women traveling alone. The local community is respectful and protective of tourists, with minimal crime rates. However, you should always take necessary and basic precautions.
Is Jibhi a good honeymoon destination?
Yes, of course, Jibhi is the perfect honeymoon getaway for couples with lakeside cabins, obscure forest walks, and mesmerizing star-lit skies. Jibhi has fewer urban distractions, so it inspires a real connection, which usually appeals to couples looking for something meaningful to fulfill their experience.
Why is Jibhi called “Mini Thailand”?
This nickname has come about from Jibhi’s architectural similarities to the north of Thailand— wooden houses on stilts, surrounded by tropical vegetation, terraces of agricultural land, and flowing waters.
Is Jibhi in Tirthan Valley?
Jibhi and Tirthan Valley are considered to be separate places in Banjar Valley, Himachal Pradesh, but are commonly referred to collectively as they are connected locations. Jibhi is a small village en route to Jalori Pass, while Tirthan Valley is named for the river that runs through the valley (the Tirthan River)..
Final Thoughts
Jibhi is a place that perfectly welcomes nature lovers along with explorers want to find nirvana in the mountains. The whole area has enchanting places like secret waterfalls, lakes and ancient forts along with amazing trekking places.
All the famous places to visit in Jibhi have the ability to create magical moments. From resting by the river to exploring temples and hiking through forests, you can find numerous things to do in Jibhi.
A travel opportunity in this area provides enjoyment and relaxation while also delivering exciting adventures along with everlasting memories.
So pack your stuff, embrace all the beautiful views of the Himalayas, and get out and find all the best this town has to offer!
Also read: How To Plan A Family Trip To Shimla In May
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