Delhi to Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh | Travel Guide

 

Destination Point:

Tirthan Valley

Situated besides the Tirthan River in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 1600 meters, Tirthan Valley is a gateway to the Great Himalayan National Park. A place where you can easily forget the world to relax and have loads of nature walks following one trail or the other, into the woods or  besides the river. You can amazingly feel the nature in pure bliss here. If nature walks are the thing you like or even Trout Fishing then just head Tirthan. There are a lot of treks ranging from 4-15 days even which an avid trekker can explore and reach as high as 4000 meters approximately. In all it’s an ideal place for camping, bonfires, playing music, getting together to know each other (helpful in team or relation building ;) ), eating out, lazing etc. etc. and the list goes on to make it complete holiday destination.

Location:

Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh besides Tirthan River.

Altitude:

1600 Meters or 5300 Feet (approximately)

Climate:

Climate is nice and pleasant with temperature in summers being less than 24 degree Celsius and in winters the minimum temperature may fall below freezing point. Due to the flowing river adjacent to valley you will always feel the moist of it and lots of greenery add to that nice feeling.

Season to visit:

Although it’s a very nice, quite, relaxed and pleasant place through out the year but of course during "Spring Season" it’s just amazingly beautiful. Fully loaded with apple orchards the beauty of Tirthan Valley gets ready to mesmerize any soul on earth. Do note that in winters the place gets very cold and vulnerable towards wildlife interference especially by the presence of Leopards and Bears in this area because snow at heights forces them to descend towards valley.

In snow due to less amount of food on the mountains these leopards and bears are bound to attack, so be careful while having a walk in the woods.

As per the past experiences of many people this valley will not disappoint you a bit from March to November and is considered the best time to visit if somehow you don’t get a chance in Spring season

Trout fishing season is from March to October and for that you need to take a daily license at Rs. 100 per person per fishing rod which is non-transferable.

Itinerary:

Tirthan Valley is very much possible as a 3 day long weekend trip. To get the feel of it in entirety you can always add one more day to make it 4 and relax in the lap of nature to refresh yourself inside out or add a drive to Kasol – Manikaran as well.

Night – 1: Leave from Delhi in the evening and reach Tirthan early morning

Day – 1: Early morning arrival means sound sleep and rest for 5-6 Hours. Rest around the serene and calm Tirthan River and relax for the whole day. In the evening, may be enjoy a bonfire.

Day – 2: Walk in to the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) to see nearby waterfalls. I think there are two of them at little distance to each other and enjoy the dinner alongside river before having a sound sleep.

Day – 3: Relax till noon and leave for Delhi around 12 PM to reach around 11 PM. This will give you a sound sleep and you can join the office easily next day.

Optional Day 1: Drive to Jalori Pass from where you can trek to Serloskar Lake. On the way back have a meal at Sringi Vatika and as the food preparations takes time you can always walk down the river side to have some fun. You can add this day to make it 4 day trip.

Optional Day 2: Drive to Kasol and Manikaran and either come back to Tirthan same day for night stay or stay at Kasol only if going on the penultimate day of the trip so that you can leave towards home from Kasol only. You can add this day to make it 4 day trip.

Well to be on adventurous side on Day 3 you can leave early morning to follow this route and can cover the Option Day 1 with Jalori Pass. However, Serloskar Lake will not be possible. I will always prefer this route :) either while coming or while leaving.

Tirthan – Banjar (6 KM) – Shoja (20 KM) – Jalori Pass (24 KM) – Khanag – Ani -  Narkanda (114 KM) – Shimla (174 KM) – Kalka – Ambala (356 KM) – Delhi (544 KM)

Route to Jalori Pass is quite steep from Shoja side as compared to the other side i.e. Ani and Khanag which adds more pleasure to this adventure drive ;)

How to reach:

By Air: Nearest Airport is Bhunter near Kullu from Manali side.

By Train: Chandigarh is the closest major Railway Station.

By Road: Possible route(s) to Tirthan Valley from Delhi by road are

Delhi – Ambala (188 KM) – Chandigarh – Roopnagar (282 KM) – Kiratpur – Bilaspur (371 KM) – Mandi (440 KM) – Pandoh – Aut (481 KM) – Larji – Gushaini – Tirthan (511 KM)

After reaching Aut just before the Jawahar Tunnel, take the right exit. (Caution::- Route is extremely scenic from here on ;) ) You will reach Larji T-Point from where you need to take a right to reach Sai Ropa. At Sai-Ropa, if you head straight you will reach Banjar – Shoja but for Tirthan just follow the U-Turn from there towards Gushaini-Nagni (Tirthan). It takes about 1.25 Hr to reach Tirthan from Aut.

Buses (Volvo) also run from Delhi at 6 P.M. everyday from HPTDC Office, Janapath and reaches Aut next morning around 6 AM. From Aut you can get a taxi for around Rs. 400-600 with seating capacity of 5. Aut to Tirthan is about 30 KMs. While going back you can catch the bus around 7 PM at Aut and reach Delhi next morning by 7 A.M.

An alternate but long route is,

Delhi – Ambala (188 KM) – Kalka – Shimla (370 KM) – Narkanda (430 KM) – Ani – Khanag – Jalori Pass (520 KM) – Shoja (524 KM) – Banjar (538 KM) – Tirthan (544 KM)

Road Conditions:

On the way from Delhi till Aut roads are pretty much in great shape being a highway and from Aut roads are narrow in but in good conditions. In the entire route there are one or two rough patches so that you never loose your concentration ;)

Preferred Vehicles:

Best way is to take your car bike and hit the road as there is no such speciality required in the vehicle be it 2X2 or 4X4. You can take it as long as its engine runs :D .

Accommodations:

1. Sai Ropa FRH could be the good option to stay, if possible.

2. Raju Bharti’s Guest House (Phone Number: 09418149808 (01903-225008 not sure of this one if it is working or not)) which is extremely famous with tempting food as per majority of people who stay there. It is surely the best place of stay in Tirthan Valley

3. Himalayan Trout House which is expensive but a nice place to stay.

4. Riverside Resort right at the banks of the river is getting some attention now a days. Check my review at River Side Resort, Tirthan Valley | Hotel Review

5. Shringi Vatika at Ghiyagi a little away from Tirthan: It is a homestay kind budget accommodation but with great service and reputation. River is a little hike down and it is a bit away from Tirthan (about 10 odd KMs, if I am not wrong). Contact Person: Pammi +919218201598

Things to Carry:

The place is all famous for Trout Fishing. If you are a read freak you can carry books, if you like to play take a volleyball, if you play music take the instruments with you, if you like to chat just go there and open your chatterbox around a bonfire with your mates, if you like to fish take your fishing kit with you or you can get there as well etc etc… The destination is ideal for anything that makes you feel relax from the day to day life, so go and enjoy to the fullest.

Around Tirthan Valley

Great Himalayan National Park: Get the feel of a nature park by walking till the inner entrance and I feel permissions are required for the entrance on daily basis.

Waterfalls: There are two lonely waterfalls around an hour walking distance with higher one being more than 50 feet high. Both of them are very shortly separated from each other and are on the same walking trail.

Jalori Pass : Jalori Pass, at an altitude of 3120 meters, is one of the steepest passes to drive in Himachal separating Kullu valley and Shimla Valley. You need to cover almost 2500 meters in less than 25 KMs to reach the top . You can have a meal at Shringi Vatika on the way back. Well this place is covered with snow from December end till March end.

Serloskar Lake: 5 KM from Jalori pass there is one lake which you can easily prefer to visit for a small trek.

Bachelo Pass: 15 KM en-rotue Bathaad, you can also visit this lonely pass that remains well covered with snow from December to February.

Map:

Map, courtesy – http://tirthan.blogspot.com/

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39 Comments

  1. Neisha says:

    hi,
    Any good clean and economical hotels in manali and kasol that u can suugest?How far in manali from tirthan in hours approx.

    • Hi Neisha,

      You can try to contact Alpine Guest House (01902273710,09418400328,09816271067) or Hotel Sandhya Kasol (1902-265662,265762,09218525595, 09218525695) or Sun and Wind (1902265651,09816499561) at Kasol. Evergreen restaurant, Moon dance cafe,The German bakery adjoining the Moon dance cafe, Little Italy restaurant, lucky dhabha etc are some good food joints. At Manikaran you can also check Sharma Guest Houses (01902273742, 09816973742, 09418422343) in case you do not find bookings at Kasol.

      At Manali, try Johnson’s Hotel, Jimmy Johnson’s Hotel in Manali or Manali Heights, if that suits your budget. If you want to stay away from the hustle-bustle then stay at Hotel Iceland at Solang Valley, about 16 KMs from Manali.

      Tirthan – Manali is about 3 Hrs I guess and further to Rohtang Pass/Marhi will take another 2.5-4/5 Hrs depending upon the traffic jam you might get.

      I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.

      Regards
      Dheeraj Sharma

  2. Neisha says:

    HI,
    what places can be visited near and around tirthan?? Our base is riverside resort and we will be there for a week.can places like marhi, rani nala (want to catch some snow),GHNP, rohtang pass be covered in a day journey.Leavin in the morning and returning back to hotel in evening.

    • Hi Neisha,

      You can keep about 2 days for the nature walks in Tirthan Valley and then go over to Shoja and Jalori Pass. You can also make a day trip towards Rohtang Pass but better leave early if you want to come back or stay in Manali for a day or two in the last leg of your trip.

      You have Naggar – Kasol and Manikaran as well which can be covered as one day or two days trip. Better stay at Tirthan for about 4 days and spend other three in Manali (2) and Naggar/Kasol (1). All this can be done from Tirthan as well but will increase the drive time for sure.

      I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.

      Regards
      Dheeraj Sharma

  3. Neisha says:

    HI,Planned a trip from 12-18th june to river side resort tirthan. .Hope the weather is good. Any chance or seeing apple orchards?.How is the night bus journey from Delhi to Aut? Do they have decent stopovers for meals?? also Are taxis easily available at Aut or we need to get one from the hotel? Loved the website !!.very useful
    Thanks, Neisha

    • Hi Neisha,

      Weather shall be fine at that time. Bus journey is OK but largely depends upon the driver driving the Volvo. There will be just one stop for dinner and then one or two on demand basis. Better get down at Kullu, nothing much of a difference or else ask River Side Resort guys to send the taxi to pick you guys.

      I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.

      Regards
      Dheeraj Sharma

  4. Neisha says:

    Thanks !!

  5. Jaideep says:

    Hi Dheeraj,

    Thank you for informative blog and planning my third trip :-D
    I am planning for to trip to trithan valley, do you have any idea about rent of the hotel?
    which hotel is best and have nest view?
    Is there any facility of river side camps and is it safe to stay at night on river side?

    Regards,
    Jaideep

    • Hi Jaideep,

      That seems great. Check the Accommodation section in the article above. Mine favorite is Raju Bharti but it remains mmostly booked for the season. River Side Resort is also a good option, check its review on my blog and it is just on river side. So, totally safe too :)

      I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.

      Regards
      Dheeraj Sharma

      • Jaideep says:

        HI Dheeraj,

        Thank you for your reply.

        We have changed our plan :-( as my friends wanna go to MCLEODGANJ. So we are planning in 2nd or 4th week of June, is it advisable to go at this time. Can monsoon play spoil sport? does it ran very heavily because we were planning to go to triund valley for trekking..

        • Hi Jaideep,

          June is good time to visit Mcleod ganj buddy. You will love the triund trek.

          Regards
          Dheeraj Sharma

        • Jaideep says:

          Hey Dheeraj,

          Thank a lot.

          Do you have any idea about good hotel in Mcloedganj??

          If given a choice which would be best place to stay Bhagsu,Naddi or Mcloedganj!!

          I dont prefer staying near city!! so which would be best area to stay among these 3??

          Well I just now finished reading about your Kinnaur and Trithan valley Trip.. Its really Awesome.. Keep Writing :-)

          Thanks again for your help :-D

  6. Neisha says:

    how do you book a vovlo bus from delhi to aut from mumbai?

    • Hi Neisha,

      You can check the link here to book the HPTDC bus services to Manali and get down at Aut.

      I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.

      Regards
      Dheeraj Sharma

  7. Samir says:

    Thanks for some great info, Dheeraj. You mention the Spring Season as the best time for visiting Tirthan. Can you clarify what period would that be? Asking, since Spring varies across the country. Apart from apples, would cherries be available in that season? Thanks!

    • Hi Samir,

      By Spring I refer to April-May season as by this time lots of flowers are blowing over the valley. Also, there will be no apples rather flowers of them :) ..If you wanna see apples then head to Kinnaur in month of September :)

      I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you have any queries or doubts.

      Regards
      Dheeraj Sharma

  8. pritish Agarwal says:

    Hi,i am planning for the adventure camp by Youreka to Tirthan or to Sitlakhet, but some of my friends told me about some peculiar mosquitoes in Tirthan.So can u tell me exactly how problematic it is. Thankyou,

    • Hi Pritish,

      Sorry, I am unaware of this mosquito problem, so may not be able to provide you any valuable suggestion on this behalf :(

      Regards,
      Dheeraj Sharma

      PS -> Sorry for the delayed reply. I was traveling Ladakh for past two weeks :)

  9. Priyanka says:

    Hey Dheeraj!

    We’ve been planning to visit the Tirthan Valley since last year and finally we may do it in May first week. I had a couple of questions for you because you seem to know lots :)

    1. Is this a good time to go? We are thinking May 2-6.

    2. We are going to be travelling from Mumbai. Don’t want to fly in to Kullu because the fares are too much. We’ll mostly hire a taxi from Chandigarh. Do you have any idea of how much it might cost? And how long it’d take?

    3. After a 3-4 day halt in Tirthan, where can we proceed? Is Manali a good option? How far is it? And what would be the best way to travel?

    Any help would really be appreciated. Thanks!

    • hi Priyanka,

      Great, Tirthan Valley is an extremely nice place to spend a relaxing vacation. I will try to answer you queries in the respective order below:

      1. Yes, it is good time to go and you will surely enjoy playing the river sides.
      2. Well, I will suggest better take overnight Volvo going to Manali from Delhi or Chandigarh whatever suits you and then get down near Kullu or Bhunter. From there you will get a taxi to Tirthan Valley for around Rs 500-600 only. It will be economic as well as more relaxing than traveling by car all the way.
      3. Yes, head to Manali and go over and check Snow point near Rohtang Pass to have fun with snow. Manali is not that far and will take only about 3 Hrs to reach. Spend couple of days there and return back. You can again arrange a taxi from the hotel/guest house you are staying at Tirthan Valley. It may cost about Rs 1200 – 1500 types and will be with you for whole day I believe.

      I hope this helps. Please let me know for any further queries or doubts.

      Regards
      Dheeraj sharma

      • Priyanka says:

        Thank you for the quick response! Very helpful :)

        Well, we are thinking of hiring a taxi because we will be travelling with a baby. Are the buses good? And usually, how many halts do they make?

        Thanks again for the help!

        • Hi Priyanka,

          These Volvo buses are comfortable but they run AC all the time and sometimes it gets nippier and frustrating. Plus since there is no option to turn them off and you are at some wrong seat, it call really make you feel odd. I guess being adults or decent age kids, it is OK to travel but not sure about baby. With a baby you might have to halt many a times while bus will have a single halt and at times if required by any passenger, so I will suggest if budget is not that constraint than you can go with taxi as it provides more flexibility all the time since you are carrying a baby.

          Regards
          Dheeraj Sharma

        • Priyanka says:

          Thanks Dheeraj!

          Do you by any chance know a good and reliable taxi operator around the area?

          Thanks!

        • Hi Priyanka,

          Sorry, but do not know any cab or taxi guys there since I self drive mostly. But, the hotel you are staying in at Tirthan Valley will surely arrange the taxi for your pickup from Kullu.

          Regards
          Dheeraj Sharma

  10. [...] Delhi to Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh | Travel Guide [...]

  11. [...] If you haven;t been to Tirthan Valley then I am sure that you have not experienced nature in its purest form. Surrounded by Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), this beautiful valley situated besides Tirthan River is an awesome place to relax in the lap of mother nature. It tops my list of some off – beat places in Himachal Pradesh and I love this valley most in the whole Himachal region. If you haven’t got a chance to visit it, then the best time to do so will be in coming Spring season next year. Though the Tirthan Valley is open all round the year but its beauty magnifies to greater magnitude with blooming flowers all round the valley in Spring season. If interested, for more details you can always check the complete Travel Guide for Tirthan Valley [...]

  12. Himadri says:

    Hey guys, I am planning to go to Riverside on this weekend(13th Aug’11). I heard that there were major clogged on the road(CHG to Mandi) last weekend (6th Aug’11) due to cloud burst. I was planning to follow Delhi->CHG->Mandi->Aut->Larji-Tirthan.

    Can anyone suggest mee alternate route to avoid massive congestion?

    • Hello Himadri,

      As its mentioned above in the article, you have the option of following the Delhi – Zirakpur – Kalka – Shimla – Narkanda – Jalori Pass – Shoja – Banjar – Tirthan Valley route while going to Tirthan Valley and while coming back you can confirm the road conditions and traverse the Tirthan Valley – Larji – Aut – Mandi – Chandigarh – Delhi route. The Jalori Pass route is much more scenic and adventurous than Mandi – Aut route but you need to drive in first gear at both ascend and descend from Jalori Pass due to steep climb on both sides. DO take care of that part else you may end up with BRAKE FAILURE and drive with caution.

      Also, the flash flood and landslides were cleared from the Chandigarh – Manali highway on Saturday itself and now the road is operational. Secondly, you stiill have good 4-5 days to go and I guess by that time the Manali – Mandi – Delhi route will be in more much more better shape.

      I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have more queries.

      Regards,
      Dheeraj Sharma

  13. Prashant Bansal says:

    1 more thing Dheeraj…

    After reaching tirthan valley, do we need to get some passes for the GHNP trekking?? because I have heard about trekking packages for the park and some sort of permit is required for the same.

    Also, any known accomodation in Narkanda?

    Thanks
    Prashant

    • Hey Prashant,

      I guess for walking to the interiors on GHNP you need the permits. Secondly, for Angling / Fishing in Tirthan Valley the permits are also issued. For Great Himalayan National Park you need to pay about Rs 10 per day. Best bet for you will be to stay at Sai Ropa FRH and from there I guess even these permits/permissions can be arranged as well. There is a fee of about Rs 50 fro still camera as well. But, this may be needed only when you plan to utilize one buffer day in Tirthan Valley else it is all about enjoying the ride.

      I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have any doubts or queries.

      Regards,
      Dheeraj Sharma

  14. Prashant Bansal says:

    That was of great help Dheeraj!!

    Thanks a lot!!!

  15. Prashant Bansal says:

    Thanks for the prompt reply Dheeraj.

    I do not have much touring experience. I have craze bout biking but got my bike recently so want to live up those and dreams and just selected this destination randomly because of adventure and scenic locations.

    If you have any other suggestions regarding destination then please tell me.

    Also, if this tour is possible with some take care pointers.. that would be great since we have made up our mind for it.

    P.S. we have 3 days & nights and can add 1 more night at max, if required.

    Thanks

    • Hello Prashant,

      Well that is perfectly OK buddy its just the passion that counts and great to know people with alike passion although I don’t ride but I love to drive and Travel :) … Tirthan Valley is one of the favorite destinations of mine and really a great fun to ride up there. I will advise that you take Shimla route to Tirthan Valley so as to enjoy the ride and come back via Pandoh – Mandi side as you might have read in the travel guide. This will give you a great adventure ride via Jalori Pass. The descend as well as ascend is very steep on Jalori Pass so do not use more than first gear at least when you descend else you might fail your brakes. I will suggest something below -

      Day 1 | Delhi – Shimla – Narkanda or Delhi – Chail – Narkanda (more scenic)
      Day 2 | Narkanda – Jalori Pass – Shoja or Narkanda – Jalori Pass – Shoja – Banjar – Tirthan Valley (Do not stay river side in Tirthan Valley)
      Day 3 | Shoja – Banjar – Pandoh – Mandi – Delhi or Tirthan Valley – Pandoh – Mandi – Delhi
      Day 4 | Buffer Day

      This will be great monsoon ride for you and you will enjoy it to the core I am sure. You can use Buffer Day as per your comfort with riding time on a particular day. You will be OK with just the ride but DO carry the rain gear with you like rain coat and waterproof lower etc. Please let me know incase you have more queries or doubts.

      Regards,
      Dheeraj Sharma

  16. Prashant Bansal says:

    Hi Dheeraj,
    Any suggestion for us as we are planning a bike trip to Tirthan valley in Mid-august?
    Also, how will be the weather there then? Do we need to carry heavy woolens with us or are they available on rent there, as we want to minimize the luggage.
    Thanks

    • Hello Prashant,

      Well the roads are nice upto Tirthan Valley so nothing much in terms of bike trip or ride apart from driving carefully since its rainy season. If I were you I won;t go to Tirthan Valley in mid-August because its rainy season and you while in Tirthan you may live very near to the river which is NOT at all recommended in rainy season as you may end up in the hotel room only. It may be flowing hefty by now so going near to river will also be not recommended and even the guy at River Side Resorts told us not to come at the time of rains. Having said that some people do it but I will say plan it wisely buddy. So, if you are going for it then plan to stay away from river at least in some hotel which is away or up from Tirthan River not aside it.

      I guess heavy woolens will not be required though you will need light woolens (at least one light jacket) as nights can go cooler and with change in weather as well you may need those light woolens.

      I hope this helps. Let me know incase you have more queries.

      Regards,
      Dheeraj Sharma

  17. Hello Sachin,

    Well, I have the following Raju’s Bharti Homestay Phone Number: 09418149808 (01903-225008 not sure of this one if it is working or not). The charges were 1250 (veg.) / 1500 (non veg.) which includes all meals and stay but that was season time. Hence, you may get some discount.

    Let me know if you need more details.

    Regards,

    Dheeraj Sharma

     

  18. Sachin Singh says:

    Hi,
    any number for Raju’s home stay at Ghushaini?
    Thanks

  19. [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dheeraj Sharma . Dheeraj Sharma said: Travel Guide | Delhi to Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh http://goo.gl/fb/9O8Z [...]

 
 

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