How to reach the Tirthan valley — from Delhi, Chandigarh, Manali and the airport at Bhuntar, by bus, car and taxi

One turn, at Aut

Every road into the Tirthan valley goes through Aut, the town on the Beas where the Kullu highway enters its long tunnel. The valley road leaves the highway just before the tunnel mouth, passes the confluence at Larji, and climbs 24 km and 40 minutes to Banjar, the bazaar town. From Banjar the road splits: 10 km along the river to Gushaini and the park, or 7 km up the pass road to Jibhi and on to Jalori. Whichever way you come — bus, car, flight — Aut is the change.

By bus from Delhi

The overnight buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate towards Kullu and Manali pass through Aut before the tunnel, around dawn, and most will drop you at the turn if you say so when booking. Ask for an Aut drop, not Kullu: the tunnel puts Kullu on the far side of the mountain. From the turn, the valley bus runs to Banjar for typically ₹50–100 as of September 2026, and a second bus or a shared taxi covers the last stretch. A taxi from the turn is typically ₹1,200–2,000 one way to Gushaini or Jibhi. The weekend plan is built on this bus.

By car from Delhi or Chandigarh

From Delhi, 466 km; from Chandigarh, 216 km — the routing model gives about four hours from Chandigarh, and the road through Mandi and the Pandoh gorge gives more. The highway is slow and beautiful along the Beas from Mandi; in the monsoon it closes at Mandi and Pandoh after heavy rain, so travel by day. Cash at Banjar: the ATMs stop there.

By air

Kullu–Manali Airport at Bhuntar is 42 km and about 63 minutes from Banjar: up the highway through the tunnel from Aut. Flights are few and the weather cancels them, most of all in the monsoon and the winter; the airport is the way out when it works, and the bus is the way in when it does not.

By rail

The nearest railhead is Joginder Nagar, 114 km and about 204 minutes by road; most people take the train to Chandigarh and the bus from there.

From Manali, Kasol and Shimla

Manali is 90 km and about two hours — down the Beas past Kullu and Bhuntar to Aut, then up the valley; the five-day plan does the transfer by the left-bank road through Naggar. Kasol is 72 km and a little over two hours the same way. Shimla is 150 km and the routing model gives nearly five hours, over Jalori Pass when it is open and round by Mandi when it is not.

Inside the valley

The valley bus runs from Banjar to Gushaini and to Jibhi, and on some days to the pass; a taxi from Banjar to Jalori Pass is typically ₹1,500–2,500 one way and waits at the top. Sai Ropa, on the river road, is where the park's permit is issued. The hub guide has the measured minutes for every stop.

Plans that include this

All Banjar itineraries →

Day plan · First visitTemples & heritage

Chehni Kothi in a day — Shringa Rishi's temple, the wooden tower above Banjar, Bahu lake and the bazaar

A day on the valley's heritage from Banjar: Shringa Rishi's temple, the climb to the kath-kuni tower of Chehni Kothi, Bahu's temple pond and the bazaar.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec

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1 night · 2 days · First visitClassic

Two days in the Tirthan valley — the river at Gushaini, then Jibhi and its waterfall on the way out

Two days in the Tirthan valley for a first visit: the park centre at Sai Ropa, a night on the river at Gushaini, Jibhi and its waterfall on the way out.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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1 night · 2 days · First visitWalks & treks

Jibhi and Jalori Pass in two days — the stream, the gorge and the waterfall, then the climb to Raghupur Fort

Two days at Jibhi: the gorge at Mini Thailand and the waterfall on the first afternoon, Jalori Pass and the climb to Raghupur Fort on the second, with times.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · Slow travelCafés & food

Trout and the river — three days on the Tirthan: the licence at Sai Ropa, the pools below Nagini and Gushaini, lunch at Sharchi, the confluence at Larji

Three days beside the Tirthan for anglers and their families: the licence at Sai Ropa, the pools at Nagini and Gushaini, a trout lunch at Sharchi, Larji last.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Oct

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2 nights · 3 days · First visitClassic

Three days in the Tirthan valley — the river, Jalori Pass and Serolsar lake, then Chehni Kothi and Jibhi

The classic three days in the Tirthan valley: the river at Gushaini, Jalori Pass and the ridge walk to Serolsar lake, Chehni Kothi and Jibhi on the way out.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · Slow travelMonsoon

The Tirthan valley in the monsoon — what still works: the river from the bank, Chehni Kothi, the park's museum and a wet Jibhi

The Tirthan valley from July to September, honestly: the river from a terrace, Chehni Kothi between showers, the park's museum, an empty Jibhi, what is closed.

Best Jul–Sep

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