Incredible India
7 Things to Do in Jibhi, the Himachal Village That Grew Up Around a Waterfall
A small village in Himachal's Banjar valley, once known mainly to trout anglers, has become a favourite low-key escape thanks to a three-tiered waterfall, a fort-topped ridge nearby and a growing cluster of riverside cafés.
Sep 28, 2026 · BigTravel.in
Jibhi sits in the Banjar valley of Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district, close enough to the better-known Tirthan Valley to share its mountains and trout streams, but developed enough on its own terms to have a small but genuine café culture and a name of its own. Here are seven ways to spend a few days there.
1. Walk to Jibhi Waterfall
A three-tiered waterfall dropping more than 100 feet is reached by a 15 to 20 minute walk from the village centre, along a trail through moss-covered stones and pine forest that stays busy with local visitors on weekends. It runs strongest during the monsoon but flows year-round, making it an easy first stop regardless of season.
2. Trek to Raghupur Fort
A roughly 3-kilometre trek from Jalori Pass, with the final stretch climbing steeply through oak forest, leads to the ruins of Raghupur Fort, set among open meadows with 360-degree views toward the Dhauladhar and Kinnaur ranges on a clear day. It's considered an easy trek suitable for beginners, and can be combined with a visit to Jalori Pass itself in a single day out from Jibhi.
3. Cross Jalori Pass to Serolsar Lake
From Jalori Pass, a short distance above Jibhi, a forest trail through oak and pine leads to Serolsar Lake, a small lake considered sacred locally and believed by villagers to have healing properties. The walk is gentle enough for most fitness levels and passes through some of the area's best-preserved forest.
4. Try trout fishing on the Tirthan River
The Tirthan River, a short drive from Jibhi, is one of Himachal's better-known trout fishing spots, though angling requires a permit from the state fisheries department, available in Banjar or through local operators. The main season runs from March to June, coinciding with the brown trout's spawning period.
5. Spend an afternoon in Shoja
A short drive or walk from Jibhi, the small settlement of Shoja sits higher up the valley at around 2,700 metres, surrounded by apple orchards and meadows with wide Himalayan views. It's quieter again than Jibhi itself, and a good spot to break a day trip toward Jalori Pass.
6. Settle into Jibhi's café culture
Over the past several years, Jibhi has developed a small cluster of wooden cafés along the river serving an unlikely mix of Israeli dishes, Tibetan thukpa and local Himachali dal-chawal with fresh churned butter, reflecting the mixed crowd of Indian and international backpackers the valley now attracts. It's a low-key scene rather than a nightlife one, mostly wrapping up by early evening.
7. Camp beside the river
Riverside, forest and small luxury tented camps have sprung up around Jibhi in recent years, offering an alternative to the village's guesthouses for travellers who want to fall asleep to the sound of the river. Most are family-run and best booked ahead during peak summer and autumn months.
Traveller tips
- Jibhi is around 5 to 6 hours by road from Chandigarh, and roughly 2 hours beyond Kullu-Manali via Banjar.
- Trout fishing permits must be arranged in advance through the Himachal Pradesh fisheries department or a local guide; carrying your own tackle isn't required as most operators supply it.
- Mobile network coverage is patchy beyond the village centre, particularly toward Shoja and Jalori Pass.
- Warm layers are worth packing even in summer, as evenings at this altitude turn cold quickly after sunset.
Where this is
Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh