Maximum altitude: 10,800 feet (above sea level)
Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
Trekking distance: 8 kilometres (total)
Rail head: Jogindernagar is the closest railway station to Jalori pass trek, 95 kilometres from Kullu
Airport: Bhuntar Airport (Kullu)
Snow Season: December to January
Service from: February
Base camp: Jibhi
Best season: The best season to undertake Jalori pass trek is between Mid-June tomid-October
Region: Northern Himalayas between Shimla and Kullu
Who can participate: Children below the age of 7 years are not recommended for Jalori pass trek
Jalori Pass Trek
At around 8 AM in the morning, you will be arriving at the campsite in Jalori.
After relaxing for a while and enjoying a hearty breakfast, the actual Jalori pass trek will start at around 10 AM in the morning.
A friendly guide will assist you all the way on this trek and apart from helping with the stuff and guiding the trekkers, he will also share interesting facts and stories about the Jalori pass trek.
The whole trekking route is 8 kilometres back and forth, but the major highlight of this trek has to be beautiful views of the mountains and the valleys. Moreover, lush green forests will also elevate your experience even more.
There are two Jalori pass trek from Jibhi routes that you can choose from, after reaching a particular point.
You can either take the serolsar lake route or the Raghupur Garh fort route.
After reaching the location during afternoon, lunch will be served there itself.
Spend some quality time there and start your trek back to the base before the sunlight disappears.
The experience will come to an end at around 4 PM in the evening after completing the Jalori pass trek from Jibhi.
Warm clothes: The temperatures tend to suddenly change when you are in the mountains so the best bet is to go prepared. Carry enough warm clothes and layers to keep yourselves comfortable if it gets chilly up there.
Water bottle: Even though you won’t feel that thirsty in the mountains, it is crucial to carry a water bottle all the time. Staying hydrated is the key to unlocking these kinds of treks. Moreover, there are water filling stations along the way so make sure that your bottle is filled up all the time.
Dry fit clothes: Trekking is bound to make you sweat so it is advisable to pack in a pair of dry fit clothes so it doesn’t get uncomfortable inside once sweating starts.
Trekking shoes: Although the difficulty level of this trek is moderate, it is still advisable to wear proper trekking shoes because they provide more grip and protection as compared to regular sports shoes and sneakers.
Torch: Even though Jalori pass trek will start and get over during the daylight, it is still advisable to carry a torch, in case things go south
Rain gear: The weather in the mountains remains unpredictable to say the least so it is best advisable to carry waterproof gears like jacket, trousers and backpack cover in case it starts raining.
Medical kit: Carry your own personalised medical / first aid kit with prescription medicines, ointments and band-aids.
By Air: Although the Bhuntar airport in Manali is the closest airport to Jibhi / Jalori, it is advisable to book your flights to the Chandigarh airport because flights are more frequent. It is around 275 kilometres from the base camp but one can easily board a bus or a taxi to reach Jibhi.
By Rail: Jogindernagar is the nearest railway station to the base camp which is around 95 kilometres from the Jogindernagar railway station.
By Road: There are frequent cabs available from both Chandigarh as well as Mandi to reach for the Jalori pass. The distance from Chandigarh is around 275 kilometres which is bound to take roughly around 8 hours. On the other hand, distance from Mandi is around 80 kilometres which should ideally take around 3 hours. The best way to reach Jalori pass is considered to be by road.
Depending on your preference, you can choose between two routes: the Jalori pass to Serolsar lake trek (5-6 Km) or via Raghupur Garh Fort (4-5 Km).
For nature lovers out there, Jalori pass to Serolsar lake trek should be an ideal choice. This surreal lake is nestled amidst the lush green Himalayan valleys and is surrounded by a thick cover of alpine forests. It is considered to be one of the must-visit destinations if you’re in the Kullu region.
On the other hand, if history is your thing then the Raghupur garh fort route would make more sense. It was built by the rulers of Mandi at a cliff to protect themselves from foreign invaders. Apart from having historical significance, the Raghupur fort also provides majestic panoramic views of the Dhauladhar range.
The Jalori pass to Serolsar lake trek isn’t as difficult as some of the other treks in the same region but it is still advisable for trekkers to work on their endurance a little so the overall experience becomes even more enjoyable. Moreover, pay extra caution while packing your stuff and make sure to include all the essentials required for this trek. Here are some useful tips which might come in really handy while trekking on such rough surfaces.
The trek operators are bound to provide the trekkers with good food along the way but it is still advisable to carry some energy bars and munchies with you to keep the energy levels high at all times.
Sports shoes and sneakers are a big no on such treks because they tend to slip on rough surfaces. Get a good pair of trekking shoes along, which will provide you with ample grip and protection as well.
Carrying a walking stick isn’t a mandate but you can still do that as walking sticks provide more stability when you’re trekking on mountainous surfaces.
Use micro steps while climbing uphill as it eliminates the risk of you getting slipped. Remember this all the time that it’s a trek and not a race so you can carry your own pace while trekking.
Always keep a water bottle handy because dehydration can play spoilsport during such activities. Moreover, if you have purchased a plastic bottle, don’t dispose of it on the trek.
It is advisable to all the trekkers to dump their waste in proper dustbins as littering around in such scenic and natural locations can prove to be extremely harmful for the environment.
Carry power banks to charge your devices on the go as the trek is going to last the whole day and you don’t want to miss out on capturing all the surreal moments and vistas you will come across on this trek.
Apart from carrying rain gear, it is also advisable to carry sunglasses and a cap to save yourself from the direct sunlight.
Pack light: Since you will be carrying your backpack on this trek, the advice is to pack light but without skimping on any essentials.
How difficult is the Jalori pass trek?
The Jalori pass and serolsar lake trek is relatively the easier and moderate one as compared to the other treks offered in the same region. Since it lasts for just a day, it shouldn’t be that tedious even for an amateur trekker. However, you will still have to trek for a good 8-10 kilometres so the advice is to work on your endurance a little before embarking on this adventurous journey.
What are the best things to do during your trek to Jalori pass?
Walk around the Tirthan valley: The Jalori pass and serolsar lake are a part of the Tirthan valley, a heavenly abode nestled in the Great Himalayan national park. A brisk walk amidst the valley is one such experience which will remain with you for the rest of your lives.
Trek to Shringa Rishi temple: Situated just 4 kilometres away from the highway that leads to the Jalori pass, the Shringa Rishi temple is famous for its religious significance and brilliant architecture.
Visit Great Himalayan national park: It is one of the most offbeat destinations in the Himalayas where one can easily spot the Himalayan wildlife.
What is the best time to do Jalori pass trek?
The best months to undertake the Jalori pass and Serolsar lake trek is during mid-June to mid-October. However, it is advisable to not go for this trek during the peak monsoons and even in the winter season because the climate tends to become very harsh.
What is the highest altitude of the Jalori pass trek?
The highest altitude that you will be gaining on this trek is around 3223 metres above the sea level. This comparatively moderate elevation gain is what makes the Jalori trek one of the most accessible ones in the Himalayan region.
What is the starting point of the Jalori pass trek?
Jibhi is the ideal starting point of the Jalori pass trek. You can easily get a taxi till Jibhi from any major city of Himachal Pradesh or Chandigarh for that matter.
How do I get to Jalori pass trek?
By Air: it is advisable to book your flights to the Chandigarh airport because flights are more frequent. It is around 275 kilometres from the base camp.
By Rail: Jogindernagar is the nearest railway station to the base camp which is around 95 kilometres from the Jogindernagar railway station.
By Road: There are frequent cabs available from both Chandigarh as well as Mandi to reach for the Jalori pass trek.