To be explored
Located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Tirthan Valley derives its name from the Tirthan river, which winds its way through it. Tirthan is an adventure-centric getaway blessed with a wealth of nature’s treasures. The pristine river originates from the icy cold glacial springs of Hanskund, a snow-capped peak in the verdant Great Himalayan National Park.
One can do a Tirthan Valley homestay, a popular mode of accommodation in this region. Homestays here offer the experience of unwinding in a lovely setting as guests come home to warm, friendly people who have opened their homes to visitors. Scattered in various parts of the Valley, they are a great introduction to the culture of the region and a great option for an extended budget stay too.
Of course, one of the must-do things in Tirthan is a trek to the Great Himalayan National Park, which is home to the snow leopard and rare pheasants
like the Western Tragopan. However, the only way to see the core zone of the park is by foot. It takes four-five hours from Goshaini in Tirthan to reach the gates of the park at Kharongcha. There are several treks you can undertake - from Shilt Thatch to Rakhundi peak and Sainj Valley on the right, to Hanskund and Nada Thatch if you go straight and to Khorli Poi and Asur Baag on the left.
A visit to the waterfall is a must for all coming to this Valley. It’s a half-day walk. This beautiful waterfall is about a two-hour walk starting from Gaidhar village and ending up at Sai Ropa or at the upper Gaidhar village itself.
A visit to the Jalori Pass (Ragahvpur Garh / Seolsar Lake is a full day affair from Tirthan Valley) comprises of a drive and a trek by foot. Along the way, you cross the busy markets of Banjar, the quaint villages of Jibhi and Ghyagi and the magical views of Shojha. Though only 30 kilometres from Tirthan, the drive easily takes around two hours as there is a steep incline towards the Pass located at 3000 meters. From here, you can either venture into the depths of one of the biggest oak jungles towards Seolsar Lake or trek to the highs of Raghavpur Garh which has views to die for. If one has more time and you really want to experience the mountains, you can camp at Lambri Top or Sakiran Top and trek back to Tirthan from there. From Jalori, one can visit the Raghupur Fort which welcomes you with snow-capped peaks. This picturesque site, located at approximately 3540 metres, has an old fort built by the Kulu king. The fort is surrounded by wide trenches with a small pond inside. There is a good camping ground here as well as fantastic views of the Outer Seraj valley.
On the opposite side is the Sareulsar Lake, located at about 3050 metres. This lake is tranquil and known for being the seat of local goddess Budhi Nagin. Pilgrims walk around the lake, pouring an unbroken line of ghee. Additionally, there is an abundance of effective Ayurvedic/naturopathic plants growing in the area, including Kauri, Patish, Losar, Talshi, Chunkari, Tangul and Dhupnu as you continue the trek up to Sakiran Top.