Tirthan Valley-The Best Kept Secret of Himachal Pradesh

Tirthan Valley

Tirthan Valley is counted among the most scenic places and Best Kept Secret of Himachal Pradesh. The valley is known for its beautiful lakes, rivers, and lush greenery. The valley is situated at an altitude of approximately 1600 m above sea level and lies right next to the Tirthan River. Tirthan river is a tributary of the Beas River and flows from the glacial lake of Hanskund Peak, which lies in the interior of the Great Himalayan National Park. Valley is a fantastic destination for adventure lovers with verdant green deciduous forest and alpine grooves, stretches along the villages of Nagini, Sai Ropa, Shoja, and Gushaini. Tirthan is situated about 8 km before the entrance of the Great Himalayan National Park.

Great Himalayan National Park

The most prominent sightseeing attraction of this valley is the Great Himalayan National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set up in 1984. The park boasts different kinds of flora, fauna, and wild animals that can be spotted in this national park. Leopards, musk deer, snow leopards, and brown bears are often seen in the park. It is a paradise for birdwatchers, with it being home to a large number of bird species. Camping, hiking, and trekking are the best adventure activities in this area. Visitors can also explore other nearby places like Nagini, Shoja, and Banjar.

Geography Tirthan valley

The village of Nagini lies on the banks of the Tirthan River while Banjar is situated on the alternate route to Kullu from Shimla. Banjar is situated at a height of 1356 meters from sea level. The Banjar Valley is in the middle Himalayan range and going towards the east, the peaks progressively get taller, finally giving way to the great Himalayan range, where peaks have heights of 4500 meters and above. Banjar is one of the tehsils of the Kullu district. The valley is also a gateway to The Great Himalayan National Park on the northeastern side. Tirthan and Jibhi valley are the 2 main attractions in Banjar.

Attraction near the Tirthan valley

Gushaini

Gushaini is a charming village situated on the banks of the Tirthan river, 10 km away from the Great Himalayan National Park. Gushaini trek gives you the complete mountain experience, especially when traveling on narrow roads. A trip to Gushaini will show you the breathtaking shades of the sparkling Tirthan river. Homestay is a good option stay during the expedition

Prashar Lake 

Prashar Lake is nestled at an altitude of 2730m, it’s one of the most offbeat places to visit in the Tirthan Valley. The most mysterious about the lake is that the lake depth remains unknown to date. A three-storeyed pagoda-like temple enhances the beauty of the lake. The serenity and tranquillity of Prashar lake remained unparalleled that is adorned by vibrant flowers during the monsoon season.

Jalori Pass

Jalori Pass or Jalori Jot is a high-altitude pass at an elevation of around 3220 meters. If you have plans to visit Tirthan Valley, make sure you don’t miss out on this short-day trip. The pass is quite narrow and in generally poor conditions during the monsoon season. It’s accessible by both car or trek.

Also read- Sandakphu Darjeeling- A Dreamland and Paradise for Trekkers

Thanedar 

Tirthan valley Himachal Pradesh houses the ancient and highly revered Nag Devta Temple and a church in Thanedar. Thanedar is surrounded by cherry and apple orchards. It’s known for exporting fresh rosy apples across India and abroad. Stay in a lovely resort here and make your trip great amidst the divinity of nature.

Serolskar Lake

Serolskar Lake is a favorite lake in Tirthan valley Himachal Pradesh. The lake is Perched just 5 km from Jalori Pass, with crystal clear water. The lake is surrounded by a dense forest and is known to have medicinal properties. Visitors need to go on a steep trek to reach the lake. There is an ancient temple called ‘Budhi Nagin’ devoted to the Goddess who had 100 sons and is believed to be the guardian of the place.

Things to do in Tirthan Valley

Besides sightseeing, there are a number of activities to do in the Tirthan Valley such as riverside camping, rafting, rock climbing, trekking, river crossing, and rappelling. These adventure sports are offered by homestays as well as the Himalayan Ecotourism Association. Visitors can trek within the Great Himalayan National Park and specifically to Tirath, a source of the Tirthan River. For this one can get permits from the forest office at Sai Ropa or Jiwa Nal Wildlife Range Office in Larji. Tirthan valley treks are a must-do activity in the place.

Trek in the Great Himalayan National Park

Great Himalayan National Park is recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site and trekking in this very national park is the best to experience. It is home to various endangered species of wildlife like snow leopards and Jujuranas. Visitors can choose any number of days to trek in the park. Trekking by the Tirthan River to the source of Tirath glacier through the treacherous jungles would be a mind-blowing experience.

Explore Pekhri village and Sharchi village

Pekhri and Sharchi are two villages situated in the Tirthan valley. they are accessible via dirt roads. Both villages offer majestic views of the snow-capped Himalayas in the Great Himalayan National Park.

Birding in Tirthan Valley

Visitors can find exotic species of Himalayan birds either on the riverside or on trees around the river. Various species of bird-like paradise flycatchers, red-capped white start, Himalayan Griffon, verditer flycatcher, hundreds of red-billed blue Magpies and Himalayan bulbuls, black bulbuls, drongo, can be seen here. some heightened hamlets like Chhamni and Pekhri, you can get lucky with Koklass pheasant, Cheer pheasant, and Khaleej pheasant.

Tirthan Valley Weather

The climate of Tirthan Valley is of Western Himalayan temperate and alpine type. It has four distinctive seasons year-round- April to June (spring/summer), July to September (monsoon), October to November (autumn), and December to March (winter). Rainfall is moderate in most parts of the year. In winter, precipitation is in the form of snow, with higher elevation areas experiencing snowfall up to 2 m depth. Tirthan Valley temperature- The average temperature in Tirthan Valley in summer is around 20-30 degrees Celsius which makes it the best time to visit this destination. The temperature drops to 0 degrees Celsius in Tirthan Valley in winter and it can become freezing cold.

Best time to visit The Valley

The best time to visit this picturesque valley is from March-June and then from October to November. The Tirthan Valley in Himachal Pradesh is in full bloom in the spring season. At this time place is filled with lush greenery all around, and its orchards are laden with luscious apples, peaches, plums, and apricots.  In the monsoon season, the valley receives heavy rainfall, and it is best to avoid coming here to avoid flash floods and landslides casualties. The winter months are freezing cold, with heavy snowfall in the months of January and February. It is during this time, that one can indulge in winter sports here, especially snowboarding at Jalori Pass. Tirthan valley resorts are available in the valley area for the best accommodation option.