Jibhi — The trek where I fell in Love 💓
One of the greatest lessons you’ll learn through travel is that we need very little to be happy. And it’s not cars, phones or clothes that make us happy — it’s our experiences. — Unknown Author
Getting there — Flight to IG Delhi (3 hrs from Pune), Bus to Bunter ( 8–10 hours) from Kashmiri Gate, Cab from Bunter to Jibhi ( 2 hours). Repeat to get back.
TL;DR
The last year 2021 in the last week of extremely cold November when the world got some respite from the 2nd wave I took off for my yearly Himalayan sojourn to this beautiful place called Jibhi which is nestled in the beautiful Tirthan Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
I always thought about writing about it & here are my Twitter style Top 10 takeaways from this trip. & did I also tell you that Yes I did fall in love 💖 💖
1/10
About the Place — Fall in Love 😍
Often referred to as a mesmerising “hamlet” situated amidst the lush green forests and surrounded by variegated mountains, Jibhi is located in the Tirthan Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The dense pine forests, tranquil freshwater lakes and pristine temples make this place worth visiting. You will be spellbound after visiting this place and would not want to leave it. The cosy Victorian-style cottages in which you can stay are an added bonus that makes you feel as if you are living in the Victorian Period.
2/10
The People — Heart 💖 of Gold
The folks here are as innocent & kind as the crystal clear flowing water. Carefree, yet responsible. No tantrums, yet proud. No arrogance, yet knowledgeable. No v.rich, yet rich by heart. No concrete plans, yet dreamers.
My guide & his 2 loyal followers taught me much more than my 10+2 education did in just 24 hours about courage, empathy, loyalty & simplicity.
3/10
The Trek — Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP)
More Detail — https://www.greathimalayannationalpark.org/
Coined from Sanskrit terms ‘Him’ and ‘Anchal’, Himachal truly is a snow-laden paradise. Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) was constituted in 1984 and was formally notified as a national park in 1999. It is located in Banjaar Sub-Division of Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India, in the far Western Himalayas.
GHNP is one of the most bewildering & untouched Jungle Trek you may have never heard of. Go live it. It’s like entering into Narnia.
4/10
Inside the Trek — Narnia with a twist
The trek has everything you can imagine. Roaring rivers, wild animals, huge courageous mountains, dense forest, occasional Maggi stalls, giant eucalyptus trees and beautiful winter leaves like a beautiful sheet of skin laid on the roads to the trek. GHNP was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2014, in recognition of its outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation. The park protects over 1,000 plant species, including many medicinal herbs, 31 mammal species and 209 bird species, as well as amphibians, reptiles and insects.
5/10
Logistics & Readiness — Get busy training & packing well
Needless to say you need to have the ability to walk in 2–5 degrees really cold for at least 5–6 hours/day. So a lot of strength in legs, good pair of awaken lungs & endurance is needed. Suggest start with a 5KM brisk run or walk for at least 2–3 months 3-times a week. Else, you may struggle and not relish the treat.
Go to Decathlon and pick up the stuff mentioned above. Get Busy.
6/10
Live in a MudHouse — Jibhi
The Mudhouse is run by an amazing couple & few other enthusiasts who love hosting you & love mountains. Staying here is one of rawest & natural ways of living in mudhouse with a giant river flowing all night by your side.
If you are in Jibhi you have to stay at the Mudhouse Hostel. Connect with Parag (94598 95806) or write at hello@elivingproject.com.
Directly book here — https://wa.me/c/919459895806
7/10
Come with an end objective in mind — Pen your thoughts
When you come to a place like Jibhi, you never want to leave. But, maybe you have to hence come up with an end in mind. I came in to go for a trek in GHNP with my dear friend, visit Teerthan Valley & relax with my thoughts. I did all three & did not get carried away by what other travellers were doing albeit awesome things.
Thrillophilia has amazing things glossary to do here :https://www.thrillophilia.com/tours/exotic-tirthan-valley-with-offbeat-stay-in-jibhi
8/10
The Minimalist Life is practised in the Himalayas
The architecture, needs, way of life & living with the nature is practised on a daily basis. Remember Tom Cruise in Japan in The Last Samurai, it actually feels like you are in a different country and it’s the way of the pahadi that mesmerises you. That to an extent that you too feel maybe for a second that you are one of them.
9/10
Come as you are & Come again & again
The park tourism is very well organized & sets you up with a trained guide & also teaches you how to feed off the land. Perhaps you will be able to learn how we can live a happy life with less & focus on the present.
Being Mindful is what the Himalayas teaches you any given day, most of the time we do not even know that this lesson has been imparted. So be ready to surpised.
Check all open treks here :
https://www.greathimalayannationalpark.org/activities/treks/
10/10
“Of the immovable things
I am the mighty Himalayas”.
The Bhagavad Gita
Tenth Discourse; Shloka 2.5
Go with Courage, Come back with Humility.
Helpful References :
- Me — https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhishek-ballabh-5a109b58/
- MudHouse Jibhi — https://www.instagram.com/mudhousehostels/?hl=en
- GHNP — https://www.greathimalayannationalpark.org
- GHNP Treks — https://www.greathimalayannationalpark.org/activities/treks/
- Teerthan Valley Treks — https://traveltriangle.com/blog/tirthan-valley-trek/
- Decathlon Jacket I am wearing — https://www.decathlon.in/p/8398575/winter-jackets-and-down-jackets/mens-snow-hiking-jacket-sh100-x-warm-10c-water-repellent
- Decathlon Inner I am wearing — https://www.decathlon.in/p/966430/fleeces-and-sweaters/mens-hiking-fleece-mh100?id=966430&type=p
