This is a guest post written by Tapas Dey. The insights, perspectives, and experiences presented in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Indrosphere. While we are committed to maintaining high editorial standards, we cannot assume responsibility for the content contributed by our esteemed guest contributors.

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Travel has always been a passion for me, and upon the insistence of my dear friends Indrajit and Aranjit, I have finally decided to pen down my travel experiences to help fellow travellers. This post marks the beginning of my venture into writing a travelogue, narrating my family trips and offering insights to those seeking memorable journeys.

In July, during one of our routine family dinners, my daughter Tulika (Rakhi) and daughter-in-law Ila (Ruby) broached the subject, asking, “Baba, are we going somewhere this August 15th?” It had become a tradition for us to embark on a family trip during this time of the year, and they were keen to continue it.

In 2022, we had a fantastic trip to Kausani-Binsar in Uttarakhand with a group of 11, including my brother-in-law’s family and my old friend Amal da and his wife, Nupur. Last year, I couldn’t join due to work, but my family visited Udaipur and Chittorgarh. Now, with August 15th approaching, I was tasked with choosing a destination.

Initially, I thought of Chopta in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, but after some research and warnings of landslides, I decided it was too risky. Plan B led us to Jibhi, a picturesque village located in the serene Banjar Valley of Himachal Pradesh, known for its lush green hills and crystal-clear waters. We zeroed in on a homestay called “Majestic View WanderHouse” for three nights and made our bookings. However, just a few days before our departure, reports of cloudbursts and advisories from the Himachal government left us uncertain.

With everyone’s leaves approved, we were left in limbo. I then proposed a Plan C to visit Jaisalmer, but after getting reassurance from the homestay owner about Jibhi’s safety, we decided to stick to our original plan.

Day 1 (15th August 2024 – Thursday)

We set off for Jibhi at 6:00 AM sharp, with my son Soubhik behind the wheel of our Nexon. Our journey was smooth until a shocking revelation at our breakfast stop at Zhilmil Dhaba—our car wouldn’t start! Despite Soubhik’s valiant efforts, it was clear something was wrong. Luckily, a parking attendant called a mechanic, who arrived after an hour with the diagnosis: the car battery had died. The replacement took some time, costing us two precious hours, but we were grateful to have resolved the issue and resumed our journey.

The rest of the day unfolded with scenic drives and a pitstop at Sagar Ratna for a delicious South Indian lunch. We finally reached the challenging stretch of road near Jibhi, where potholes and narrow paths slowed us down to a crawl.

By 8:00 PM, we arrived at our homestay, navigating the last part of our journey in pitch darkness.

As we arrived at “The Majestic View X WanderHouse,” to our surprise, everything around us was shrouded in darkness. Not even the homestay’s lights were visible. We called the homestay, and they reassured us that someone would come to help with our luggage. Soon enough, a figure emerged from the shadows and took charge of our bags, instructing us to follow him.

Navigating the narrow, steep, hilly path was tricky—it was wide enough for only one person at a time, and the pitch-black surroundings made it feel even steeper. Yet, the person carrying our luggage ascended effortlessly, both hands full. After about 50 meters of this upward trek, we finally reached the gate of our homestay.

Following the usual check-in formalities at the reception, we were shown to our room. It was cosy but well-designed—a king-size bed dominated the space, along with a cupboard, two cushioned chairs, a centre table, and an attached bathroom. What intrigued us most was the staircase leading to an additional double bed placed just above the main one, creating a charming duplex feel.

The night remained pitch-dark, leaving us unable to take in any views from the balcony. However, the sound of flowing water, likely from a nearby rivulet or stream, was soothing. The person who had brought our luggage kindly invited us for dinner at 9:00 pm.

After freshening up from the long day’s journey, we gathered in the dining room, ready for a well-earned meal. The buffet was included in our room charges, offering a simple yet satisfying spread—roti, rice, yellow dal tadka, boondi raita, mixed vegetables, and chicken curry. The food tasted delicious, and we helped ourselves generously to match our hunger after the day’s travels.

Once we finished dinner, we retreated to our room, unwinding from the day. We all immersed ourselves in catching up on messages and updates, marking the end of a quiet yet eventful arrival.

Day 2 (16th August 2024 – Friday)

Sudipta, my usual early riser, woke up before everyone else. I followed soon after, around 6:00 AM. The serene beauty of the surroundings beckoned me to the balcony. As I stepped out, I was greeted by the vibrant green landscape around our homestay. The sky was a deep shade of blue, towering trees stretched into the distance, and the cool morning air was accompanied by the sound of water flowing in the distance, mingled with the chirping of birds. It was a moment of absolute tranquillity.

Our day began with a hearty breakfast at 9:00 AM. The dining room buzzed with the energy of fellow travellers—five guests staying at the homestay along with two boys and three girls who had just arrived, making it quite a lively crowd. The cook, who also served as the booking clerk and caretaker, managed everything with a smile.

We left for our first destination, the Jibhi Waterfall, just 100 meters away. Since it was a short distance, we decided to walk. To our surprise, we had crossed the entry gate in the darkness the previous night without noticing it. Rakhi purchased the tickets, and though I questioned the necessity of an entry fee for such a hidden gem, I later appreciated the Forest Department’s efforts to maintain the natural beauty of the place.

Walking alongside a small stream, we reached the base of the 50-foot waterfall after a short trek. The lush greenery was mesmerising, and we couldn’t resist capturing the moment with plenty of photos. After spending some time enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, I went back to fetch the car while the others waited by the gate.

Our next stop was Kulhi Katandi, also known as “Mini Thailand.” The trail leading to the site was a bit challenging, with narrow paths that required careful balance, but the reward was worth the effort. Two massive rocks formed a striking triangle over a small rivulet, creating a natural sanctuary. We spent about half an hour there, soaking in the peaceful surroundings and taking more photos. Afterwards, we stopped at a Maggi-Momo point for a delicious snack before heading to a nearby dhaba for lunch. The simple yet flavorful meal—rice, roti, dal, subzi, and paneer—hit the spot.

Post-lunch, we set off for Jalori Pass, 20 kilometres away. The narrow, muddy road was a challenge, especially after the rains, but we reached the top motorable point safely. From there, we began our trek towards the zero point of Jalori Pass. However, as dark clouds gathered, we decided to turn back before the rain could trap us in the wilderness.

We returned to the homestay around 7:00 PM, and though we craved pakoras with our evening tea, the cook apologised for not having the time. We settled for tea and some snacks we had brought from Delhi. The rain soon started, and we felt grateful for the beautiful weather earlier in the day.

After a simple yet satisfying dinner of chilly chicken, we braved the downpour to get back to our room, where we spent the rest of the evening unwinding and catching up on WhatsApp messages before calling it a night.

Day 3 (17th August 2024 – Saturday)

The morning greeted us with bright sunshine, a welcome sight after the previous night’s rain. As I stood on the balcony, I marvelled at the clear sky and the calmness of the day ahead. We had planned to visit the Chhoyei Waterfall in Tirthan Valley, about 16 kilometres away, and enjoy lunch at the Khem Bharti homestay, a favourite from previous trips. However, our plans took a sharp turn during breakfast when the cook informed us of a landslide that had washed away the road just 20 meters from our homestay.

Panic set in as we realized that this was the only motorable road connecting us to the rest of the valley. The thought of being stranded was unnerving, especially since none of the children had their laptops, and missing work on Monday was not an option. After breakfast, we walked down to assess the damage. The rains had blocked a cemented pipe under the road, causing water to sweep away a 150-meter stretch of the road. It was a grim sight, but there was nothing we could do except wait for repairs.

With vehicles barely moving on the damaged roads, we decided to make the best of the day. We took a leisurely 2-kilometre walk along the Jibhi-Banjar state highway, exploring a nearby village shaded by tall trees. Around 1:00 PM, we found a small dhaba that promised multi-cuisine food. The cook warned us that it would take 15–20 minutes, but we didn’t mind. We sat by a balcony overlooking a stream, letting the sound of flowing water calm our nerves.

As we waited for our meal, I suggested to Soubhik that he and Ruby book a cab to Mandi or Chandigarh for the next day and catch a Volvo bus to Delhi. It was clear the road wouldn’t be repaired soon, and they needed to return for work. Ruby made arrangements for a cab to pick them up the next morning, and Rakhi insisted on accompanying them, leaving Sudipta and me to wait until the road reopened.

The evening was spent quietly, sitting on the balcony and watching the occasional vehicle pass on the other side of the rivulet. Dinner was served a bit late, and we shared stories with the other guests, all of us stranded but in good spirits. After dinner, we returned to our room, ready for whatever the next day would bring.

Day 4 (18th August 2024 – Sunday)

The day began with the soothing sounds of chirping birds and the distant rumble of flowing water. The peaceful atmosphere marked the beginning of Ruby, Rakhi, and Soubhik’s departure from the homestay, though it was with heavy hearts. Around 8 AM, Ruby received a call from the cab driver who had come to pick them up. After sharing their location, we packed their bags and walked down the damaged road where their cab awaited. The driver, dressed in crisp white and carrying a soft-spoken demeanour, greeted us warmly. By 9:30 AM, the trio departed for Chandigarh, leaving us behind in the stillness of the valley.

Soon after they left, a JCB arrived to repair the road damaged by the landslide, bringing us immense relief. Finally, there was a way out. We wasted no time packing our bags, settling the dues, and preparing to leave. At noon, the driver from the other homestay informed us that the road had been cleared. Not wanting to wait for other vehicles to clog the repaired path, Sudipta and I quickly moved to our car. We were among the first few cars to leave, grateful for the newly accessible road.

Sudipta called Soubhik to update them on our departure. They had already reached Mandi, and we made plans to meet them at the bus stop for a brief reunion. When we reached Mandi earlier than expected, we continued our journey without wasting time, knowing that a long drive to Delhi awaited us. I remained at the wheel, and within two hours, we covered 120 kilometres, stopping at a restaurant called “Manjeet’s” in Gharauli, Punjab, for a quick lunch. The restaurant had a pleasant ambience, and after stretching our legs, we resumed our journey, eager to reach home before midnight.

Soubhik took over driving after lunch, and we followed Google Maps, which suggested the fastest route through Rajpura. However, at Shambhu Border, we discovered the road was closed due to a Kisan Morcha protest. After rerouting multiple times and losing significant time, we finally made our way to Ambala through Zirakpur. The detour added nearly 30 kilometres to our trip, but once we reached the Chandigarh-Delhi highway, traffic was surprisingly light.

As night fell, we decided to stop for dinner near Karnal. We pulled into Karnal Haveli, where I secured a ticket for entry into the restaurant, only to find there was a long wait. With the current number on the digital display far from ours, we explored other options and found a relatively uncrowded outlet of Delhi’s famous Karim’s. The food was delicious, and we were able to dine without much delay. By the time we finished, it was 10:20 PM.

Soubhik, exhausted from the drive, handed over the wheel to me for the remainder of the journey. According to Google Maps, we would reach home by 1:30 AM. Fortunately, I managed to shave off some time, and we arrived home by 1:00 AM.

But the journey didn’t end there. The next morning, Soubhik discovered that the rear right tyre of his car was completely flat. We recalled hearing a loud bang near Bhalaswa Dairy in Delhi, but after stopping and checking, we didn’t notice anything amiss. Apparently, we had driven the final 30 kilometres with a deflated tyre, unknowingly adding another twist to our eventful trip.

And with that, our adventure to Jibhi came to an unexpected, yet memorable, close.

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Author Bio:
Tapas Dey is a retired Central Government officer, currently engaged in providing consultancy. With a keen eye for life’s intricacies and a passion for travel, he infuses his work with rich anecdotes and insights.