A quiet river valley in Kullu that is the walking gateway to the Great Himalayan National Park.
Lesser-knownRiverTrekWildlifeVillage
Tirthan is a small river valley with homestays, forest walks and trout fishing, and far fewer visitors than Manali or Kasol. It is the main entry side for the Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. It suits walkers, bird watchers, families and anyone who wants a slow few days by a river.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
The Tirthan riverGreat Himalayan National Park, KulluTirthan river in the valleySerolsar Lake near Jalori PassJalori Pass
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
March to June
Spring and summer. About 20 to 30 C by day, with April a little cool and May and June sunny and pleasant. Orchards flower from March to May.
July to mid September
Monsoon. Heavy rain, leeches on trails and a real risk of landslides on the roads. Most guides advise avoiding these weeks.
Late September to November
Autumn. About 12 to 25 C, clear skies and fewer visitors. October is often called the best month.
December to February
Winter. Around 0 to 5 C during snowfall and below freezing at night. The Jalori Pass road usually closes because of snow.
Sights and activities
1
Great Himalayan National Park (Tirthan side)
A 754 sq km park with over 375 animal species and more than 181 bird species, listed by UNESCO in 2014. There are no roads inside, so every visit is on foot; the day walk goes along the river to the park gate and multi-day treks continue to Rolla and Shilt.
Distance
The trail starts at Gushaini. Sources put the park gate between 3 km and 10 km from Gushaini; plan for a full-day return walk.
Entry
No fee reported for the day walk to the gate. Core-zone permit about Rs 100 per day for Indians and Rs 400 for foreigners; sources differ (Rs 50 to Rs 200 for Indians).
A road pass at about 3,120 m with wide mountain views and the starting point for the Serolsar Lake and Raghupur Fort walks. A short steep climb of 20 to 30 minutes leads to a viewpoint called 360 Point.
Distance
About 13 km by road above Jibhi (45 to 60 minutes) and about 7 km above Shoja. Gushaini is a further 14 km from Banjar on the other branch of the valley.
Entry
Free
Timings
Open all day; road usually open April to November, depending on snow
A small forest lake reached by an easy to moderate walk through oak forest from Jalori Pass. The Budhi Nagin temple, dedicated to a snake goddess, stands beside it.
A tall tower built of stone and timber in the traditional local style, with no cement or steel. It was damaged in the 1905 earthquake but still stands, with five storeys remaining.
Distance
About 3 km from Banjar towards Jibhi, then an uphill walk as no road reaches the tower.
Take a Delhi or Chandigarh bus bound for Kullu or Manali and get off at Aut, just before the tunnel. From Aut the road runs through Larji and Banjar to Gushaini, about 30 to 35 km. Tour operators also run organised trips with transport included from Delhi; see Guided trips and packages below.
By train
There is no railway station nearby. Chandigarh is the usual railhead, about 279 km and 7 hours by road; Kiratpur and Ambala are also used.
By air
Bhuntar (Kullu-Manali) airport, about 50 km and 2 hours away; domestic flights only.
Where to base yourself
Stay in or near Gushaini or Nagini on the Tirthan river, about 14 km beyond Banjar town; Jibhi is the alternative base for Jalori Pass.
Getting around
Local buses run Aut to Banjar for about Rs 30 to 50 and Banjar to Gushaini for about Rs 20 to 30; the first bus from Banjar to Gushaini leaves about 7 AM and the last about 5 PM.
A taxi between Banjar and Jibhi or Gushaini costs about Rs 300, and Aut to Gushaini about Rs 800 to 1,200.
Most sights are reached on foot from the road, and there is no vehicle access inside the national park.
On the way
Worth a stop on the drive from Chandigarh, the last stretch whether you arrive by train, bus or air. Stopping needs a taxi or your own vehicle; buses do not wait. Distances are by road.
1
Bilaspur and Gobind Sagar
The highway runs beside Gobind Sagar, the Bhakra Dam reservoir on the Sutlej. Old Bilaspur town lies under the water; the new town was built above it.
Distance
About 110 km from Chandigarh, 120 km before Tirthan Valley
Private operators run small-group trips to Tirthan Valley and nearby Jibhi from Delhi, usually leaving in the evening by overnight Volvo bus or tempo traveller, with two nights' stay and a short guided walk such as Serolsar Lake or Raghupur Fort. Departures found were mostly weekly, listed for spring and for October onwards. Prices on the operators' sites started at about Rs 6,500 to Rs 7,000 per person. No government-run tour (HPTDC or IRCTC) to Tirthan Valley was found.
Group trip with transport, homestay and a guided trek
Delhi
5 days / 4 nights (2 nights in the valley, 2 on the road)
₹6,999 per person Delhi to Delhi, per person on double sharing, as listed on the operator's site on 2026-10-04
AC vehicle from Delhi, 2 nights in a homestay, 5 meals, guided trek and local sightseeing (as stated on the page). Page listed Friday departures on 9, 16, 23, 30 October and 6 November 2026.
Group trip to Tirthan Valley and Jibhi with transport
Delhi
5 days / 4 nights (2 nights in Gushaini, 2 on the road)
₹6,999 per person Delhi to Delhi, per person on triple or quad sharing, as listed on the operator's site on 2026-10-04
Delhi to Delhi travel by car, Volvo or tempo traveller depending on group size, 2 nights in a hotel or resort at Gushaini, 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners, trip guide, guided trek to Serolsar Lake (as stated on the page). Evening pick-up from Majnu ka Tila or Vidhan Sabha metro station.
Group trip to Jibhi and Tirthan Valley with transport
Delhi
3 days / 2 nights
₹6,999 per person Delhi to Delhi, per person on quad sharing, as listed on the operator's site on 2026-10-04
AC semi-sleeper Volvo bus or tempo traveller from Delhi and back, 2 nights in a hotel or homestay in Jibhi or Banjar, 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts, trip captain, tolls and driver charges (as stated on the page). Page showed weekly departures from October 2026 to March 2027.
Group trip to Tirthan Valley and Jibhi with transport
Delhi
3 days / 2 nights
₹6,499 per person Delhi to Delhi, per person on quad sharing, as listed on the operator's site on 2026-10-04
Travel by Volvo bus, tourist traveller or taxi, 2 nights' riverside stay, 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners, trek guide for the Raghupur Fort walk (as stated on the page).
Checked online on 2026-10-04. A listing here is not a recommendation; we have no tie-up with these operators. Before you pay, check that the operator and its website are genuine, and confirm dates, price and what is included.
Where to stay
Budget level
Type
Price per night
Budget
Village homestay or forest rest house
₹800 to ₹1,500
Mid-range
Riverside cottage or guest house
₹2,000 to ₹4,000
Luxury
Eco-lodge or premium riverside cottage, often with meals
₹5,000 to ₹10,000
Food
Most people eat at their homestay, where simple home-cooked North Indian and Himachali meals cost about Rs 150 to 300 each and are often included in the room rate. A plate of trout costs about Rs 300 to 500. There are a few dhabas in Banjar, Gushaini and at Jalori Pass.
Try these
River trout (fresh fish from the Tirthan, usually fried or grilled)
Siddu (a local Himachali bread)
Chha Gosht (a Himachali mutton dish)
Homestay meals are mostly vegetarian North Indian food, so vegetarians manage easily.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹1,000
₹500
₹100 per person
Mid-range
₹3,000
₹900
₹2,000 per vehicle
Luxury
₹7,000
₹1,500
₹3,000 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permit is needed to visit the valley or its villages. Going into the national park needs a permit from the park office at Sai Ropa (or the head office at Shamshi); one 2026 guide says the day walk from Gushaini to the gate needs none. Trout fishing needs a daily licence of about Rs 100 to 300 per rod. Carry a photo ID.
Safety
By day
Travel guides describe the valley as very safe with little crime. The main risks are natural: slippery trails, a fast cold river and landslides in the monsoon.
At night
Local buses stop running at about 5 PM, so finish walks and return to your stay before dark. Villages are small and quiet at night.
Solo women
The valley is described as very safe in general and most stays are family-run homestays.
Roads
Roads up to Banjar and Gushaini range from average to good. The climb to Jalori Pass is steep and narrow, with a rough stretch of about 10 km reported, and it closes with snow in winter. Landslides are a risk in July and August.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies)
Practical
Mobile network
Jio, Airtel and BSNL work in the main villages such as Gushaini; the signal drops beyond Gushaini towards the park.
ATMs and cash
Banjar (14 km from Gushaini) has the dependable ATMs; one at Gushaini is reported as unreliable. Carry cash.
Fuel
Fill up at Mandi before entering the valley.
Medical
There is a community health centre at Banjar for basic problems. The nearest proper hospital is at Kullu, about 60 km or 2 to 3 hours away; Mandi is about 65 km.
Riverside stays by the road and the short flat walk to Jibhi Waterfall are manageable. The Chehni Kothi climb and the long park trails are not advised for senior citizens.
Children
Good for children who can walk: riverside stays, the Jibhi Waterfall path and the Chhoie Waterfall trail. Keep them away from the river edge; one source advises against the Chehni Kothi climb for small children.
Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.
Culture and responsible travel
The Budhi Nagin temple at Serolsar Lake is dedicated to a snake goddess; treat the lake and temple as a sacred place.
Trout fishing is licensed, with a reported daily limit of six fish of at least 25 cm; the season runs from 1 March to 31 October.
No vehicles are allowed inside the national park and multi-day treks need a registered guide; carry all rubbish back out.
Chehni Kothi and village houses are living local heritage built in traditional stone and timber; ask before entering or taking photographs.
What to pack
Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
Proper winter wear: a heavy jacket, thermals, gloves and a cap
Walking shoes with a good grip, a small daypack and a refillable water bottle
Clothes in earthy colours, a cap and binoculars for safaris
Enough cash for the whole stay, a power bank and offline maps
Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts
