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    • Nov 9, 2023
    • 8 min read

The Hidden Gem of the Himalayas: Tirthan Valley!


We did not choose Tirthan Valley, rather it chose us. One day we came across a beautiful cottage in the middle of splendid Nature. We knew this cottage was calling us. Upon further inquiry, we discovered that it was nestled in the little piece of heaven known as Tirthan Valley.


Tirthan valley at the backdrop of snow capped mountains
A tiny slice of Tirthan Valley

The best way to reach Tirthan Valley is by road from Chandigarh, in your own or rented vehicle. We first flew to Chandigarh from Bangalore, then reached Tirthan Valley by road via Sundernagar, in a hired Mahindra Thar 4x4 SUV. It’s a super cool jeep. We drove from Chandigarh and reached Tirthan Valley almost around afternoon.


Tirthan Valley falls in the protected Great Himalayan National Park. Hence it is still very less commercialized. As soon as we enter Tirthan Valley, the quality of the environment and the roads change.


The road to Tirthan Valley was a visual delight, surely. The beauty of the Himalayan range makes the long journey totally worth it. The journey was long and road conditions made it feel longer, but the views compensated for it, totally. We crossed many important rivers like Beas, Sutlej and finally Tirthan river before reaching our destination.


Best time to visit Tirthan Valley is between March to June, and then during autumn, especially if you're looking for a trekking expedition. The monsoon season should be avoided when visiting the Himalayan range.


Places to Stay

Tirthan Valley is not overly crowded and hence places to stay are moderately available. From home stays to B&Bs to hotels, there are limited but ample options based on your budget. You may get some cost-effective home stays too. We like to stay in unique boutique places hence we chose GONE FISHING COTTAGES for a unique and memorable stay. Now going back to my first sentence, we had chosen Gone Fishing Cottages first, hence Tirthan Valley happened. :)


Gone Fishing Cottages (not a paid promotion)

We loved our stay at the Gone Fishing Cottages. The place has been crafted with lot of love and that love is evident from every corner. It is spread across a big area with three cottages, one café cum common room, a big dining hall and a big garden, and a lovely stream just just across the street. The whole place is filled with interesting curios, colourful flowers and lots of green. Not to forget the furry friends that you will make, just remember that the couch belongs to them.


Colours of GFC


Everything about this place was perfect and beautiful. The most amazing staff took care of us, and delicious food was cooked for us with lots of love by the local chef. Every dish we ordered tasted heavenly. We got to taste authentic Himachal’s cuisine along with some unique and lip-smacking dishes. Desserts were equally heavenly! Remember to try Siddu, a local dish, when in Himachal Pradesh.


Some of the furry friends at GFC


Evenings were the most awaited time of the day when all the guests of GFC would gather at the cafeteria and end up bonding over conversations, food, beverages and lots of laughter. It was February and quite cold. And well, it rained heavily during the days of our stay. So I guess we can never miss this one important thing, that mountains are unpredictable. Be prepared always.


Gone Fishing Cottages during spring



What to do in Tirthan Valley?



Enjoy slow living

Whether you are a hiking lover or just a nature lover who wants to experience slow life, Tirthan has something for everyone. We spent every day differently.


We made sure to spend a couple of days exploring the surroundings, spending some peaceful moments with Nature. But we were careful not to litter and disturb the natural surroundings.


A stream and a hut in Tirthan Valley

There are mountains all around and we took a short hike up one of them. It was just our way of connecting with Nature. We also walked around the village where we were staying, to acquaint ourselves with the place.


Remember to carry some trash bags along with you if you plan to have a picnic amidst nature. Do not litter, let’s all respect the sanctity of Mother Earth.


Drive up to remote villages

We thought to drive up to a beautiful remote village, Sharchi, a 45 minutes’ drive from our place of stay. In doing so first we lost our way and ended up driving on a different route altogether. The places are a bit remote and GPS does not support much. But eventually it was a beautiful drive because at every corner and every step lies beauty in its most pristine form.


We reached Sharchi village, finally. The final road that led us to the village was narrow and not in the best of conditions. With the deep gorge visible on one side it almost became an adventure drive.


Sharchi is a small village surrounded by imposing peaks of the great Himalayas. As we started approaching the village, the cluster of houses looked very gorgeous from afar. We stopped at a corner café for some coffee and lunch in the cold weather. We parked the car there itself and strolled through the main road for a while to get a feel of the place, stopping by chatting with some friendly villagers. Walking on the village road with snow-capped mountains all around was an experience of a kind.


Sharchi village with a backdrop of snow capped mountains

The air had never felt so fresh and pure. It was February and still quite cold. We walked up till the end of the road, which was almost the last walkable point of the mountain. We decided to sit there on the edge of the road for a while admiring the beauty around us. Before knowing it, we had already spent almost an hour there, spending some cozy ‘we time’ with a majestic view in front of us.


The day was spent well having a romantic tryst with Nature.


I strongly suggest to respect privacy of local residents while visiting Sharchi and avoid photographing people and their homes without their permission.



Chhoie Waterfall

Chhoie Waterfall demands a small trek of a 3 km walk, which begins from Village Nagini and takes about 1 hour. The waterfall is named after local deity Chhoi Mata and locals come to worship the goddess at one of the trees before the waterfall. Bathing in Chhoie waterfall is not allowed because of its religious significance. The waterfall falls in an absolutely sparkling clear pond.


It is quite a mesmerizing waterfall with a calm and peaceful atmosphere. As of now, it is not crowded, hence, it can be enjoyed for nature and serenity. But avoid a hike like this if it gets dark, without a local guide.


Chehni Kothi

Named after the village Chehni, Chehni Kothi is an old Himachali style building made of only stones and wood without using cement. It is a seven-storey-17th century fortress built of wood and stone, accessible by a short hike. It was the fortified residence of King Raja Rana Dhadhia. The fort was partially damaged during an earthquake in 1905. At present the fort is 60 feet high.

 

There are two ways to get to Chehni Kothi. One, you could go by a 4x4 vehicle up to Chehni village, the other is a 45 minutes to 1 hour hike from the Shringa Rishi temple gate, which I will be talking about next.


Shringa Rishi temple

 

Shringa Rishi temple can be paid a visit along with Chehni Kothi as they are quite close by. This temple is built in the pagoda and Pahari style of architecture. Wooden work in the temple is exclusive, it’s worth a visit. The idol in the sanctum is composed of brass and stone. The Shringa Rishi temple however remains closed during the winters. The site is frequented by tourist and devotees alike due to the scenic sights and the divinity the region offers. This place needs a short walk of 10 minutes from the last point of the motorable main road.


Mahindra Thar in Tirthan valley


Jalori Pass

Jalori Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Jalori Pass’ height is around 3200 m and this allows you to experience high-altitude scenery and ecosystems. Because of its remote location and high-altitude atmosphere, a visit to the pass promises adventure. Jalori Pass’ 360 view of the Himalayan mountain range is one of the best views you will get this side of the western Himalayas.

 

You can drive to Jalori pass, and enjoy the Nature in its most gorgeous form! Jalori pass is accessible only around the months between April to November. The winters can get a little too harsh and even the motorable roads are pretty uneven and receive as much as 20 ft of snow during winters. It is a heaven for trekkers and bikers during the season. The place has unimaginable scenic beauty.

 

There are many short treks that originate from Jalori pass. The next activity talks of on of them.


Serolsar Lake

Serolsar Lake demands some trekking but can be a paradise for trek lovers. It’s a 5 kms trek from Jalori Pass, the highest altitude point that connects Kullu Valley and Shimla Valley.


Serolsar Lake trek is a must do activity for people who love forest trails. The entire trail is through the dense pine and deodar forests. The lake is guarded by thick tall pine trees on all sides. Next to the lake is Budhi Nagin temple and hence the Serolsar lake has religious significance as well. It is a pilgrimage place for the locals.

 

Best season to do the Serolsar Lake Trek is from March to November. 


The Great Himalayan National Park

An amazing experience while staying in Tirthan Valley can be a trek to the Great Himalayan National Park, maybe a short one involving a day. But if you are a hiking enthusiast then you can also plan a longer trek inside GHNP. People can either trek back the same day or will need to obtain a permit to camp inside (with a guide/porters/camping equipment). Entrance to the Great Himalayan National Park is strictly by permit. The same needs to be acquired from head office at Shamshi and zonal offices at Shairopa and Ropa. The permit charge for Indian visitors INR 100/day and for foreign nationals is INR 400/day.

 

The nearest trek to GHNP from our place of stay was by starting at Gushaini to GHNP Gate and Rolla. From Gushaini it is around 8 Kms to the official entry point of the GHNP. The day can be spent by light trekking and experiencing the beauty in its most pristine form.

 

The park was established in 1984 and is a habitat to numerous flora. In June 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, under the criterion of "outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation". The best time to visit the Great Himalayan National Park is between March till June and Mid-September to November.


Experience Village Life

One may also choose to simply walk to the small villages nearby and get a glimpse of the authentic village life. Those will be leisurely walks with a picturesque view all around. And a very satisfying one at the end.


Pristine beauty of Tirthan Valley


To conclude

We spent a few wonderful days in the lap of the great Himalayas, memories to be cherished forever. We made it a point to spend a few relaxing days too. As if we wanted to absorb the beauty around us, all at once, to carry back to our mundane city lives.

 

Tirthan valley is a hidden and protected gem of Himachal Pradesh. Tucked into the folds of the great Himalayan range with unique biodiversity, Tirthan Valley is the perfect destination for nature and hiking lovers. There is something for everyone. This is a perfect choice of place and stay even for those who just want to spend a few relaxing days and not run around ticking the checklists. 


Remember, traveling is more about experiencing and connecting with the place at a soul level rather than the crazy rush to tick some checklist.


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