Bike or scooty in Jibhi: rentals, riding in and the roads

Searches for a bike or a scooty in Jibhi usually mean one of two things: you want to rent one once you are here, or you want to ride all the way in on your own. This guide covers both honestly, along with the rules that matter on a rental and the stretches of road worth knowing about. One thing first: we run three cottages in Chhet, a few minutes past Jibhi. We do not rent bikes or scooties, and we have no rental partner.

Jibhi is a small village, not a rental town. In season you may come across someone renting a bike or scooty locally, but we cannot confirm any by name or vouch for them, so this page names none. The bigger choice of rentals is usually on the Kullu–Manali side; from there you ride down via Kullu, Bhuntar and the Aut tunnel, then take the Banjar road.

Wherever you rent, the checks in the next section apply. A bike from a proper rental business is safer for you, because it is the operator who has to keep the insurance, fitness and tax in order.

Renting out motorcycles in India is covered by the Rent a Motor Cycle Scheme, 1997, a central scheme under the Motor Vehicles Act. A rental business needs a licence from the State Transport Authority, must keep at least five motorcycles with permits, comprehensive insurance, fitness certificates and road tax up to date, has to display its licence at a prominent place and keep a complaint book. It also records every hire against the rider's driving licence.

Plate colours are from Central Motor Vehicles Rules, rule 50; licence classes from Motor Vehicles Act, section 10; the rider's papers from the MoRTH advisory, June 2020 (PIB) and the MoRTH DigiLocker / mParivahan advisory, 2018 (PIB).

• Ask before you pay: what the deposit covers, what happens after a breakdown or a puncture far from town, and whether the bike is allowed to leave the district or the state.
• Photograph the bike from all sides before you ride off, including the fuel level, tyres and any scratches.
• Test the brakes and the horn in the parking area. You will use both a lot on hill roads.

Delhi to Jibhi is roughly 480–530 km by road via Chandigarh, Mandi, Aut and Banjar, and the drive alone is often quoted at 11–14 hours by car. On a bike we would split it over two days with a night halt on the way. Chandigarh to Jibhi is roughly 235–280 km by the same road through Mandi; see our Chandigarh to Jibhi guide and Delhi to Jibhi by car for the route, stops and parking.

Renting in Delhi or Chandigarh and riding up? The ministry's MoRTH advisory, June 2020 (PIB) says two-wheelers licensed under the rent-a-motorcycle scheme should be allowed to go across states on payment of the relevant taxes, so ask the operator whether the bike is cleared for Himachal before you leave.

• At Aut, do not enter the long tunnel towards Kullu: take the road towards Banjar and Jibhi.
• After Aut the road is narrower and slower, with bends and some steep pitches; ride it in daylight.
• Fuel: fill up at Aut or Banjar before the last stretch.

From Manali you come south through Kullu and Bhuntar to the Aut tunnel, then turn off for Banjar; from Kasol you come down the Parvati valley to Bhuntar and join the same road. Our Manali to Jibhi guide and Kasol to Jibhi guide have the route step by step. If your dates fall in Kullu Dussehra week (21–27 October 2026), read Kullu Dussehra from Jibhi before you plan the ride through Kullu town.

• Jibhi to Jalori Pass: about 12–14 km up via Shoja to roughly 3,120 m, on a narrow road with tight hairpins; the last few kilometres are the roughest. There is no fuel above Khanag or at the pass, so fill up at Banjar.
• Jalori in winter: the pass usually closes after the first heavy snow, most often in mid to late November. Read is Jalori Pass open? before you plan the ride, and turn back if there is fresh snow or ice.
• Banjar to Jibhi in winter: the road stays open, but the stretch above Banjar can be icy after snow. Ice on a hill road is far harder on two wheels than in a car.
• Monsoon (July–August): landslides can block the road for hours. Read Jibhi in monsoon before a rainy-season ride.
• Light: from October to February it gets dark early. Plan to be off the hill roads before sunset.

Everyone above four years of age on a motorcycle, rider and pillion, must wear a helmet that is securely strapped on, and you can carry only one pillion, on a proper seat behind you (Motor Vehicles Act, sections 128 and 129).

For a child between nine months and four years, the rules ask for a safety harness that attaches the child to the rider, a crash helmet that fits the child (or a bicycle helmet of the specified standard), and a speed of no more than 40 km/h (MoRTH child-pillion rules, February 2022 (PIB)). On these hill roads, with parents or small kids, a car is simply the easier and safer way in, and you can drive right up to the cottage door.

If you are a cyclist, plan to bring your own bike: we cannot confirm any cycle rental in the valley. Jibhi sits at roughly 1,800 m, so the ride up to Jalori Pass climbs about 1,300 m in 12–14 km. The valley road down towards Banjar is gentler, but share it carefully with buses and taxis on the bends.

For a couple riding in, the glass house in Jibhi is for up to 2 guests: the bed sits right beside the glass and the cottage has a glass roof, and it has its own private hot tub facing the mountains. Room decoration, a cake and a candlelight dinner are available on request with 1 day's advance notice. After a long day in the saddle, it is a good place to do nothing at all.

For a family, the mud house cottages in Chhet take up to 3 guests each or 6 with both, side by side with a shared patio and garden, a fire pit and a loft in each. For a group of friends on a ride, the whole property sleeps 10 comfortably, and when you book all three cottages there are no other guests on site.

All three have a room heater, hot water runs 24x7 and there is power backup. You can ride or drive right up to the door, our local chefs cook home-style meals from a menu, pets are welcome, and if you come by bus we can help you arrange a taxi from Aut. Send your dates on WhatsApp and we will tell you what is free.

Sources: Rent a Motor Cycle Scheme, 1997; MoRTH advisory, June 2020 (PIB); Central Motor Vehicles Rules, rule 50; Motor Vehicles Act, section 10; Motor Vehicles Act, sections 128 and 129; MoRTH child-pillion rules, February 2022 (PIB); MoRTH DigiLocker / mParivahan advisory, 2018 (PIB). Road notes are from our route guides linked above. Checked on 18 October 2026; rules, roads and seasons change, so confirm with the operator and locally before you ride.

Riding into Jibhi and want a warm cottage at the end of it? Peaks N Valley Stays is in Chhet (PIN 175123), a few minutes past Jibhi. Every cottage has a room heater, hot water runs 24x7 and there is power backup if the valley supply drops. You can drive right up to the door and park free, our local chefs cook home-style meals, and pets are welcome.

Couples usually pick the glass house in Jibhi: the bed sits right beside the glass and the cottage has a glass roof, with a private hot tub and the valley beside you, for up to 2 guests. Families and friends take the mud house cottages in Chhet, up to 3 guests each or 6 with both, side by side with a shared patio. Room decoration, a cake and a candlelight dinner are available on request with 1 day's advance notice. A bonfire can be arranged on request at an extra charge.

Check dates on WhatsApp