Shoja

What it is

The last village below Jalori Pass on the Banjar side: a cluster of wooden houses and guesthouses on a bend of the pass road above Jibhi, a lane through deodars to the forest rest house, and the ridge above going pink at dusk. Cold, quiet, and half an hour nearer the walks than anywhere else with a bed — the base for a Serolsar or Raghupur morning.

Getting there

From Banjar, 15 km and 28 minutes up the pass road through Jibhi, by taxi or the valley bus when it runs on to the pass. Rooms are typically ₹1,000–3,000 a night in season as of September 2026, walk-in outside the long weekends. The taxi for the pass is arranged at the guesthouse the evening before, typically ₹1,500–2,500 one way from Banjar and less from here.

The day

The pass in the morning — Serolsar lake east along the ridge or Raghupur Fort an hour up to the west — and the terrace in the afternoon. There is nothing to do in the village itself, and that is what it is for. The deodar lane to the rest house is the evening's walk.

When to go

April to June and September to November; October for the clearest air and the oaks turning on the ridge. Snow shuts the pass road above the village in spells from late December to March, and the village itself holds snow — the winter plan uses it as the nearest bed to the snow.

Around it

Jibhi below, 7 km above Banjar, with the cafés and the waterfall. The pass above with its two walks. The river and the park half an hour the other side of Banjar at Gushaini.

Plans that include this

All 6 plans that stop here →

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 · BudgetClassic

The Tirthan valley from Delhi in a weekend — overnight bus to Aut, the river at Gushaini, Jibhi, and the bus back

A weekend in the Tirthan valley from Delhi by bus: the night bus to Aut, the valley bus to Gushaini and Jibhi, homestays, the waterfall and the river.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · Couplesslow

The Tirthan valley for couples, three days — a homestay above the river at Sharchi, the Jibhi waterfall, sunset at Shoja

Three slow days in the Tirthan valley for two: a homestay above the river at Sharchi, the Jibhi waterfall and gorge, sunset at Shoja, the forest at Sai Ropa.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · CouplesSnow

Jibhi in winter — snow on the pass road, a frozen-edged waterfall, Shoja by the fire, and Chehni Kothi in the cold

Jibhi and Shoja in December to February: the waterfall with ice on its edges, the pass road as far as the plough has been, Chehni Kothi in the cold, what shuts.

Best Jan–Feb · Dec

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2 nights · 3 days · PhotographersAutumn

Jalori Pass in October and November — Shoja as the base, Serolsar at dawn, Raghupur at sunrise, and Bahu lake on the way down

The Jalori ridge in its clearest months: Shoja as the base, the ridge walk to Serolsar lake at sunrise, Raghupur Fort at first light, Bahu lake on the road.

Best Oct–Nov

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3 nights · 4 days · FriendsClassic

Jibhi with friends — four days: the waterfall, both Jalori walks with a night at Shoja, then the river and the Chhoie fall

Four days in the Tirthan valley for a group: Jibhi's waterfall, Raghupur Fort and Serolsar lake from Jalori Pass with a night at Shoja, then the river.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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