About Jibhi Cafe & Cottages in Village Jibhi, Tehsil Banjar, District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, Banjar

Ritesh had been planning an escape from our busy schedules of ‘Delhi living’. And my birthday seemed a perfect excuse to find some peace amidst nature of the mountains. We started a week after my birthday as our house caretaker decided to go on leave for the period (now we all know we can Not upset housekeepers!). So we started on the evening of 26th July 2009 as soon as he returned.

I still remember the dust smoked sun of Delhi sky that evening. We managed to capture some good shots of the evening life in Delhi though (pictures of that trip are available in the album). It was already dark when we crossed the Delhi Haryana Border on NH1. We drove through the night(taking turns on the wheel) to reach Narkanda(76 Km ahead of Shimla on N.H.22 towards Rampur) at day break.

Narkanda was Beautiful! Lush green with monsoon rains. Everything smelled fresh and crisp! The sight and feel of huge Deodar trees, the mountains and the apple orchards was overwhelming. We spent a couple of days at the HPTDC hotel to what we laughingly called DDT… Delhites Detox Time. Drive to ‘Hatu peak’ (standing high at 11000ft) was also pretty awesome.

Feeling refreshed we decided to travel further to Jalori pass (at 10,280ft, this mountain pass connects Shimla range to Kullu). From Narkanda we drove further towards Sainj, where we left the National highway 22 for Luhri and Jalori. The 10 km drive up and then 10km further down towards and after Jalori pass was one of the most adventurous and exciting drive that I had experienced. We reached Ghiyagi (10kms beyond jalori) that same afternoon and were so enchanted with the monsoons of the ‘Seraj’ valley that we ended up staying there for several days.

It seems from that holiday on.. we had wheels on our feet! We traveled through Himachal extensively and now 3 year, marriage and a lovely daughter later we are finally doing it! Opening a cozy water front café with 3 exclusive pet friendly cottages from April 2014 here in Jibhi. Details of reaching us are available under 'Public Transit'.



General information & Facilities

Three stand alone duplex cottages with kitchenette, bathroom, attic bedroom and balcony

One stand-alone Duplex Cafe/kitchen

One common powder-room

Outdoor seating

WiFi with internet

Solar water heating

Organic Kitchen Garden

Bhunter (kullu) Airport/ Aut pickup – drop facility (upon request).


Cottages

Each cottage follows traditional style of construction and can house up to 04 people comfortably. It also houses a small kitchenette, a fully functional bathroom with a bedroom on the ground level and a cozy attic bedroom on the first. Each of these cottages have a spacious balcony with a khaat and a mesmerizing view.


Facilities

Comfortable beds with Spring Mattress

Carpeted flooring for the attic bedroom.

Heater (for winters)

In-house Bukhari (wood burning heater)

Hot and cold running water

Functional Kitchenette along with electric kettle and a set of cutlery & crockery

Wifi with Internet


Cafe

Everything is cooked fresh and we welcome any guest who wishes to do their own cooking! The atmosphere is relaxed and stress free and though there are lovely places to see around the area, guests are welcome to spend all day just relaxing in the sun sipping on lovely masala chai or hot cinnamon coffee!


Facilities

Tandoor/ Bukhari

Music and WiFi internet

lounge sitting on the first floor with great views
Casual dining area on the ground floor with cozy atmosphere


Kitchen

Well equipped for both cooking and baking


Food

A fusion of global delicacies cooked to your taste using veggies from our organic kitchen garden and locally available produce.


Entertainment

Music and conversation

Board games

Card games

Books

Community cooking

Badminton

Walk along the riverlet

Trout fishing



Things to do around Jibhi:

Great Himalayan National Park:

An area comprising the watersheds of Jiwa, Sainj, and Tirthan rivers became the Great Himalayan National Park in 1984. Starting from an altitude of 1,700 meters above mean sea level, the highest peak within the Park approaches almost 5,800 meters. The area of the National Park at the moment is 754.4 sq kms and it is naturally protected on the northern, eastern and southern boundaries by permanent snow or steep ridges. To facilitate conservation a 5 km wide buffer area, extending from the western periphery of the Park, has been classified as the Eco development Project Area (EPA) or Ecozone. Permissions are required for the entrance on daily basis to enter the Park.


Waterfalls:

There are lovely waterfalls around the area at walking distance.


Jalori Pass:

Just 12 kms from Jibhi, Jalori Pass is at an altitude of 3120 meters, is one of the steepest passes to drive in Himachal separating Kullu valley and Shimla Valley. This place is covered with snow from December end till March end.


Sereolesar Lake:

Sereolesar Lake which is near Jalori Pass (6km walk). This is a natural lake and in winters it's not noticeable as water freezes. The path to Sereolesar Lake goes through a thick forest. One can have an occasional view of the meadows beyond the thick curtain of the forests. The onward trek is smooth and downhill. A little before the lake, the alpine meadows dotted with the sheep of Gaddis give ample opportunities to a photographers. 2 hrs of wonderful trek through dense forests, hills and colorful places with various flowers in the valley will take you to the lake which also houses a lovely temple, the Sereolesar Lake is worshipped and there is a temple of a deity called “Burinagin”, who according to the legend had 100 Snake sons



Raghupur Fort:

3 Km trek from Jalori Pass, the Raghupur Fort trek offers breathtaking views of the area as one crosses over the ridge. They unfold many legends of the past welcoming you with surrounding snow-capped peaks. This picturesque fort, located at approximately 3,540 meters, was built by the Kulu king. The fort is surrounded by wide trenches with a small pond inside. The walls of the fort are marked by bullet holes from sieges. There is a good camping ground here along the meadows.



Bachelo Pass:

15 KM en-rotue Bathaad, you can also visit this lonely pass that remains well covered with snow from December to February.



Chaihni Fort Trek/Sharingi Bagi Temple trek

Chaihni Village is popular for its ancient structures inspired from Chinese art and archeology. Chaihni Village can be reached as a 3-4 hour trek from Jibhi. Out of 4-5 ancient structures, the five storeys Chaihni fort is the most impressive building.