If you are a fan of the unexplored, this tiny Himalayan hamlet of Jibhi is meant just for you. Nestled in the Banjar Valley, with ribbon-like Beas river flowing at its heart, Jibhi is a paradise for the travelers, who want to wind off and just relax. Just like me as you can see below:)
A Hidden Heaven Near Manali
Unlike its neighbor in close proximity – Manali, Jibhi still lies hidden, though a string of home-stays and cafes point out at the blooming tourism here. It was around the time of Dusshera when we reached Jibhi.
The Beauty of Jibhi
The green meadows and the high altitudes welcomed me and so did the meandering streams. So mesmerizing was the charm, that I even thought of settling down at this quiet little hamlet forever.
Of course, I was quite harshly jolted awake from my daydreaming, when the thought of paying my bills crossed my mind. What do, such is life! Anyway, before I tell you what to do in Jibhi. Let me tell you what not to do in Jibhi.
What not to do at Jibhi
- Jibhi is a quaint and clean hill station. Please maintain the cleanliness by not littering around.
- Do respect the local traditions.
- Do not take pictures of the locals without their permission. It equals to violating their privacy.
- Do not pluck fruits and veggies from the orchard without the permission of the owners
How to reach Jibhi
Jibhi is easily accessible from Delhi and Chandigarh. The road is the best way to reach Jibhi. While the nearest Railway station is Chandigarh and airports are Bhuntar and Chandigarh.
Bus ride to Jibhi
Most buses to Manali, stop at Aut. From Aut, Jibhi is directly accessible via taxi. The road journey from Aut is not just convenient but also scenic as it travels across the Beas river.
As I mentioned earlier we were eager to explore Tirthan valley first. So we headed to Gushiani first. After spending 4 days at a cozy homestay by the Tirthan River, we reached Jibhi.
Where to stay in Jibhi
Jibhi is an unexplored, non-commercial village. But you would find many homestays here. Many recommend Dolly Guest House, but we chose Rock Top Inn instead.
Situated in the heart of apple orchards, not only is it affordable, but it also has a stream flowing behind it. Being a fan of gurgling rivers, we instantly settled for it. The cozy structure is typical of the Himachali houses here. A wooden staircase leads you to the rooms.
Before the room, there’s a passage with windows where you can sit and admire the beauty for hours. They also have a dog called Google and the family is polite and friendly.
Things to do in Jibhi
- While Jibhi is a delight for nature lovers. It is the ideal place to relax, write or read a book.
- A string of cafes offers good food options and there’s also a waterfall nearby.
- Many go for the hike to Sarloskar lake which we had already covered on our way to Jibhi.
- The Jibhi waterfall is also a hot picnic spot here. It was the only place that was yet to be ticked in our bucket list, so we happily posed there.
Jibhi is an awesome place for those in search of quietude. But don’t expect anything touristy out here. I’ll say go sans expectations and come back with a bag full of memories.