Jibhi, the Himachal village that you must not skip

We are all for a mountain vacation, always. And there is no denying our undying love for the Himalayas, including Shimla, Manali, Kasauli, Chamba and more. Yet, there is a magic that is only found in hideouts that are all yours, sans any crowd, or tourists chugging along with heavy DSLRs slung across their shoulders. Yes, we are talking about one such place, about Jibhi. This place is the stuff that all the good Enid Blyton dreams are made of, complete with secret waterfalls, dense pine and deodar forests, cosy homestays, warm people, and the freshest food that you can imagine.

Jibhi lies at just an hour’s drive away from the Great Himalayan National Park, so you can very well imagine the wilderness that is spread here. While I would suggest you to not hanker after a to-do list here, and bask in the glory of some lazy days, there are quite some attractions in and around Jibhi. If you want something more than a happy, picnic day under the Himalayan Sun, hit the trail towards the village of Chehni Kothi.
Chehni is home to a five-storey tower temple that is made of rocks and wood; it is a feat to look at, for it has some excellent craftsmanship at display. So much so that it withstood the devastating Kangra earthquake, which demolished much newer construction. Look around and you will be delighted with a slew of tiny houses, modelled in the typical Himachali architecture, ancient yet as sturdy as ever.

When in Jibhi, you can also head over to the more famous Jalori Pass; it lies at just some 14 km away and makes for the drive of a lifetime. A hired cab costs around INR 1800 for a round trip. Alternatively, you can also trek to the pass; the beautiful, winding trail will take you through lush deodar forests that see little human interference. Jibhi has quite some walking trails around and most of these need not be guided, as they are well-marked and have villagers carrying on with their daily tasks.
Trout angling is another experience to indulge in Jibhi, especially because the streams in Banjar Valley have some of the best catch around. But yes, you need a fishing permit before this indulgence, so request your guide or hotel staff to procure one for you. And while I have neither the inclination nor the patience to go fishing, foodies here swear by the delights here. Sitting by a mountain stream is a charm of course.

If I have you reading and hooked to the idea of a vacation in Jibhi, know that you can reach Jibhi by air; Bhuntar Airport being the nearest. Or else, you can drive down and take the diversion route after Aut tunnel on the Delhi-Manali road. Taxis for around INR 2000 for Jibhi from Aut can also be hailed at most times of a day. As for a good stay in Jibhi, know that there is nothing more fun than staying with the locals in a homestay; and Jibhi has quite some good, cosy ones to take care of you.