Tirthan Valley

The Tirthan Valley is in Kullu district. It follows the Tirthan river from Banjar to Gushaini. It goes on to the edge of the Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. It is known for riverside homestays and camps, trout fishing, apple and plum orchards, and easy village walks, not big sights. Day trips and treks lead to the Chhoie waterfall, Serolsar Lake and Jalori Pass at about 3,100 m. They also lead to the Raghupur fort viewpoint near Jibhi and Shoja. The national park is home to Himalayan monal and western tragopan. With luck, you may see the Himalayan brown bear and musk deer. Gushaini is about 1,500 to 1,600 m high and has pleasantly cool summers. Banjar is roughly 50 km from Aut on the Kullu road. So it fits well on a Manali trip, or as a stopover between Shimla and Manali. Trekking in the national park needs a forest permit. Winters are cold, with snow on higher trails.