From Jibhi to Bir, Barot, Kasol or Manali: where to go next

If you want to add a second stop to a Jibhi trip, whether that is paragliding at Bir Billing, the trout river at Barot, the Parvati valley around Kasol or Manali, it helps to know that they are not all in the same direction. This guide shows how each one connects from Jibhi, roughly how far it is on the road, and which trip suits a family, a couple or a group of friends.

All of these leave the Tirthan side the same way: down through Banjar and Larji to Aut, where NH-305 meets the Mandi–Kullu highway (NH-3). At Aut you choose a direction.

• North, through the Aut tunnel: Bhuntar, Kullu, the Parvati valley (Kasol, Manikaran) and Manali.
• South, along the Beas via Pandoh: Mandi, then Prashar Lake, Barot, Bir Billing and Dharamshala.
• Up and over Jalori Pass: in the open season only, towards Ani, Narkanda and Shimla.

Distances are approximate: our route check on OpenStreetMap data from Jibhi village, rounded; road work and diversions change them. Shimla is from our Shimla to Jibhi via Jalori guide. For Kasol and Manali, follow the route guides linked in the table, in reverse.

Bir is a village to the west of the Joginder Nagar valley in Kangra district, often called the paragliding capital of India. Pilots take off from Billing, higher up the hill, and land at Bir, which is why the two names go together (District Kangra: Bir Billing). Bir is also home to a Tibetan settlement with several Buddhist monasteries and a large stupa, and the district describes it as a centre for meditation and spiritual studies.

From Jibhi it is about 135 km to Bir, south at Aut to Mandi and then up the Mandi–Pathankot highway past Joginder Nagar. The Billing take-off is roughly 13–14 km further up the hill from Bir. Treat Bir as at least one night, not a day trip.

• Season: Kangra's Tourism Department suspends paragliding every year from 15 July to 15 September for the monsoon (The Tribune, 16 July 2026, news). In 2026 flying restarted on 19 September after a short weather delay, and even in season flying is halted whenever the weather is not suitable (Hindustan Times, 22 September 2026, news).
• Who to fly with: the district points visitors to the paragliding associations and the District Tourism Development Office in Dharamsala for details. Fly only with a registered operator.
• By bus: there is no through bus from Jibhi to Bir that we can confirm. Take a local bus or taxi to Aut, a bus south towards Mandi, and onward towards Baijnath and Bir. The district says Bir is connected by HRTC and private buses; check current times at the bus stand or on HRTC's booking site.
• Nearest airport: Gaggal (Kangra), which the district puts at 68 km from Bir.

Barot sits at about 1,835 m on the Uhl river in Mandi district. The district page lists a trout farm run by the Fisheries Department (with an angling meet every year), the reservoir of the Shanan power project built by the British, and the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary next door, about 278 sq km and home to the monal and the black bear. Barot is also a base for treks towards the Kullu and Kangra valleys (District Mandi: Barot).

The Barot road leaves the Mandi–Pathankot highway at Ghatasani, so from Jibhi you go via Aut and Mandi, about 135 km in all. Bir is on the same highway a little further on, so Barot and Bir pair well in one two- or three-night loop. If you plan to fish, trout fishing in Himachal needs a Fisheries Department licence and is closed from November to February; see our trout fishing guide.

Prashar is at about 2,730 m in Mandi district: a small lake, roughly 300 m around, with a floating island, meadows and views of the Dhauladhar. Beside it stands a pagoda-style temple to Rishi Prashar, the patron deity of the Mandi region, which the district dates to King Ban Sen in the 13th–14th century. The Saranahuli fair is held here in June (District Mandi: Prashar).

From Jibhi it is about 95 km, south at Aut and then a narrower hill road for the last stretch. As a day trip that is a long day, so leave early and plan to be back before dark. For a night, the district lists a Forest Rest House, a PWD rest house and the temple committee's sarai. In winter the lake freezes (Municipal Corporation Mandi), so check the road before you go.

For the Parvati valley you go the other way at Aut: north through the Aut tunnel to Bhuntar, then up the valley road via Jari to Kasol. Manikaran, a little further up the valley, is known for its hot springs and is a pilgrimage place for both Hindus and Sikhs, with the Raghunath temple and the gurdwara (District Kullu: Manikaran). Kasol itself is known for its riverside cafés and the trek to Kheerganga (see our Jibhi, Manali or Kasol comparison).

There is usually no direct bus between Jibhi and Kasol. Take a local bus or taxi to Aut, a bus north to Bhuntar, and a local bus or shared taxi up the Parvati valley. Our Kasol to Jibhi guide has the same route step by step; just read it in reverse.

Manali is at the head of the Kullu valley: north through the Aut tunnel, past Bhuntar and Kullu. Our Manali to Jibhi guide covers the route, buses and cabs; the trip back is the same road in reverse. If your dates fall in Kullu Dussehra week (21–27 October 2026), read Kullu Dussehra from Jibhi before you plan the drive.

McLeodganj is a suburb of Dharamsala in Kangra district, known as "Little Lhasa": the Tibetan government-in-exile is headquartered there, at an average elevation of about 2,082 m, with the Dhauladhar range rising behind it (District Kangra: McLeodganj). From Jibhi it is about 195–200 km via Mandi, Joginder Nagar, Baijnath and Palampur, a full travel day. Bir is just off the same road, which makes it a natural night halt on the way.

In the open season you can leave Jibhi the scenic way, up over Jalori Pass and down via Ani and Narkanda to Shimla, about 150–160 km and 5–6 hours by car. Jalori usually closes after the first heavy snow, so check whether Jalori Pass is open first; the route is in our Shimla to Jibhi via Jalori guide.

• Families with parents or kids: Prashar Lake for a lake-and-temple day, or Manikaran for the hot springs and the gurdwara. Keep it to one big drive a day.
• Couples: Bir for paragliding (or just watching the gliders come in), then Barot for a quiet night by the river.
• Friends: the Parvati valley around Kasol, or Bir and Dharamshala as a longer loop.
• With a dog: ask your next stay whether pets are welcome before you book; read our pet-friendly stay guide for the drive.

• Start early. From October to February it gets dark early, and the hill stretches are best driven in daylight.
• One big destination per day. Bir, Barot and Dharamshala are each a long drive from Jibhi; do not stack two of them into one day.
• After heavy rain or snow, check that NH-305 and the road ahead are open before you set off; in July and August read Jibhi in monsoon first.
• Download offline maps and carry some cash for small places on the way.
• Coming the other way? See Manali to Jibhi, Kasol to Jibhi and places near Jibhi within 50 km for shorter day trips.

For a couple, 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 day on the road, 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 longer Himachal loop, 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 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: District Kangra: Bir Billing; District Kangra: McLeodganj; District Mandi: Barot; District Mandi: Prashar; Municipal Corporation Mandi; District Kullu: Manikaran; HRTC; The Tribune, 16 July 2026; Hindustan Times, 22 September 2026. Road distances: our check on OpenStreetMap data, 18 October 2026. Checked on 18 October 2026; seasons, roads and bus times change, so confirm locally before you go.

Spending a few nights in Jibhi before you move on? 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