Route library · Outstation · Mountains
Delhi to Jalori Pass & Jibhi
Jibhi sits in the Banjar valley of Himachal — pine forest, waterfalls, old wooden houses, and a fraction of the crowd that Kasol and Manali pull. Above it, the road grinds up to Jalori Pass at about 3,120 m, from where short walks reach the Serolsar Lake and the ruined Raghupur Fort with its ridge-top views.
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At a glance
- Round trip
- About 960–1,040 km
- Riding time
- 9–10 hours to Aut, then 1–2 hours to Jibhi
- Nights
- Two is workable; three lets you slow down
- Start point
- Delhi (via Chandigarh, Bilaspur and Mandi)
- Highest point
- About 3,120 m at Jalori Pass
- Difficulty
- Challenging. Good roads to Jibhi, then a short, steep, rough climb to the pass.
- Surface
- Chandigarh–Mandi–Aut–Banjar is largely good NH; the Jalori Pass climb from either side is narrow, steep and part-broken
- Best season
- March to June and September to November. Jalori Pass is snow-closed roughly December to March; the monsoon brings slips on the river road.
The ride
Delhi → Chandigarh → Bilaspur → Mandi → the Aut tunnel, then off the main highway up the Tirthan / Banjar road to Jibhi. It is an easy ride to this point. Jibhi and nearby Shoja are the base.
The pass itself is the challenge: a short but steep and rough climb to Jalori Pass, with a small temple at the top. From there a level 5 km walk leads to Serolsar Lake in dense forest, and a steeper climb the other way reaches Raghupur Fort. The Jibhi waterfall and the Chhoie waterfall are short rides from the village.
Day by day
Delhi to Jibhi
The long day: Delhi → Chandigarh → Bilaspur → Mandi → Aut → Banjar → Jibhi (10–11 hours). Fuel at Mandi and Aut. Sleep at Jibhi or Shoja, around 1,600–2,700 m.
Jalori Pass, Serolsar and Raghupur
Ride up to the pass early. Walk to Serolsar Lake, or climb to Raghupur Fort. Afternoon at the Jibhi and Chhoie waterfalls.
A slow day (optional)
With a third night, ride into the Tirthan valley to Gushaini and the Great Himalayan National Park gate, or up to Shringa Rishi temple at Bagipul.
Jibhi to Delhi
Down to Aut and the long highway home. Leave early; the Kullu–Mandi–Chandigarh stretch is slow.
Fuel & services
- Fuel is easy to Mandi and at Aut and Banjar.
- Fill up at Aut or Banjar before the Jalori climb. There is no pump on the pass or on the far (Ani) side for a long way.
- Jibhi and Shoja have homestays, wooden cottages and cafes, mostly small and family-run. Book ahead on weekends. Signal is patchy in the side valleys.
Road & conditions
Chandigarh to Aut is fast NH with the usual Kullu-bound traffic. The Banjar–Jibhi road is a pleasant narrow hill road. The Jalori Pass climb — from Jibhi up, or down the far side towards Ani — is where care is needed: steep gradients, tight bends, loose gravel and broken tarmac, and it is single-lane in places with buses. Ride it in daylight and dry conditions.
Bike, fuel & getting help
- Suggested bike
- Easier with more torque and travel — a 250cc-plus or a small ADV. A confident rider can do it on a commuter.
- Fuel gap
- Longest dry stretch is short — a normal tank covers it with margin.
- Spare fuel
- None needed for this route.
- Emergency & logistics
- Hospitals at Aut and Kullu; the Jalori Pass is steep with no barriers — avoid it wet or iced; signal is patchy in the Tirthan/Jibhi valleys.
Best time to ride
March to June is green, with the valley waterfalls full. Mid-September to November is clear and quiet after the monsoon. Jalori Pass is usually snow-closed from December to March — you can still ride to Jibhi, but not over the top. Avoid July and August for the river-road slips.
What to add to your kit
Beyond the standard ride kit: a warm layer for the pass and the evenings, shoes for the Serolsar and Raghupur walks, a fuel top-up habit, and cash.
Ride this with a group
We run Jalori as a small-group offbeat Himachal trip — the long day paced, the pass climbed together in daylight, and a trail clean-up at Serolsar Lake.