Himachal Pradesh is as scenic because it will get. There’s a motive why so lots of our home holidays start and finish with Himachal Pradesh in thoughts! Whereas everyone seems to be privy to the fantastic thing about Manali and the old-world appeal of Shimla – we, at DoW delight ourselves in introducing you to the lesser identified wonderlands hidden in plain sight. One such magnificence lies within the unassuming village of Gushaini!
Tirthan, Banjar and Sainj Valleys are a few of the most unknown, unexplored areas which might be properly linked by a street community. The start of Nice Himalayan Nationwide park sees these valleys dotted round. Over the course of the approaching articles, I’ll introduce you to this charming area of the hills.

About Gushaini
The massive entrance to the Nice Himalayan Nationwide Park lies this quaint little city of Gushaini. Actually 10 KMs from the large mammoth Nationwide Park, Gushaini lies at an elevation of 4500 ft. With pure groves of the hills, the charming aura of the Tirthan river is simply catapulted additional by the plush inexperienced Himalayas throughout. If Parvati valley is gorgeous for its magnanamous and really alive Parvati River, then Tirthan Valley is calm, cool and picked up just like the river that flows by means of it too! So calm, so tranquil – you’ll quickly be in a trance like no different. The river can also be the house of the epic Himalayan Trouts, which is why this valley is commonly nicknamed because the Trout Nation!
Most individuals heading on treks in to the Nice Himalayan Nationwide Park are properly conscious of Gushaini. The city itself presents a bunch of actions from fishing and angling to river crossing, rappelling, , – you are able to do all of it right here. Or, in the event you prefer- you possibly can select to do aboslutely nothing, nada, zilch and nonetheless get probably the most of your journey! Such is the appeal of this tiny city.
Climate
Akin to the area, the climate is fairly synonymous with many of the Himalayas. Summer time months are nice, winter months are a magical wonderland and monsoon season is greatest averted! Should you’re searching for having fun with the plush inexperienced hills – head to Gushaini proper after the monsoon season. Finest months for sightseeing are April – September (minus the monsoon interval, in fact!)
Finest time to go to
Not like different locations within the area, Gushaini makes for an ideal go to within the winter season. With the hills coated in a white blanket and the gorgeous bushes simply poking by means of – there’s nothing extra calming than views right here. Additionally, you possibly can embark on many a trails for the winter and benefit from the area to its full glory.
How one can get there
The most typical means of attending to Gushaini is by street. I counsel taking the Delhi – Manali route. You can even select to journey by way of Shimla facet –although the route is longer. Nonetheless you might also take the consolation of Air or rail transport. Particulars as beneath –
By Air
Whereas Bhuntar airport is located solely 50 KMs from Gushaini, I counsel you are taking a flight to Chandigarh. I say this as a result of Chandigarh is fairly properly linked from the remainder of India and you’ll begin the street journey by means of a number of stunning surroundings!
By Rail
Chandigarh is the closest and most linked railway station, at about 250 Kms distance. From right here, you possibly can rent a cab, go for self drive and even take a bus to succeed in your vacation spot!

By Street
Delhi – Sonipat – Karnal – Chandigarh – Swarghat – Bilaspur – Sundernagar – Mandi – Larji – Banjar – Gushaini
The overall driving distance is about 500 KMs from Delhi and can take you about 12 hours to cowl. The route stays the identical as whenever you’re heading to Manali as much as Mandi. Put up Mandi, you’ll cowl a distance of 38 KMs and as a substitute of heading into the Aut Tunnel, you’ll take the street in direction of the tiny settlement of Larji. The drive in direction of Gushaini is nice, and alongside the river – main you to the small settlement of Gushaini.
Should you’re travelling from Shimla – it would turn out to be a 2 day lengthy journey taking you over 20 hours to cowl. That is solely as a result of a serious portion of your route shall be traverssing the slender and winding roads of hills for an extended period! You’ll be able to break your journey up and have a nice keep at Narkanda earlier than commencing once more within the morning on your vacation spot. From Narkanda, Gushaini is about 2.5 houts away and youi’ll cowl a distance of roughly 73 KMs.
It needs to be famous right here that within the winter months, you possibly can solely attain Gushaini by way of Mandi route because the Shimla route by means of Jalori Cross stays closed.
Native Commute
I counsel skipping the Shimla route and heading to Mandi as it’s a better journey. Take a bus from aut tunnel which is able to price you about INR 60. The bus willl be heading to Banjar and takes about anhour to succeed in.
By way of the village itself – I counsel utilizing your ft. Gushaini is gorgeous and greatest explored by strolling round and having fun with the slowness of time.
Issues to do in Gushaini
A small village, Gushaini doesn’t have a lot to supply for the mainstream vacationers. For the explorers, nevertheless, this place is pure magic. Gushaini is house to many stunning routes. From right here, you possibly can head on out to many small hamlets and villages a few of them are Nagini, Chalogi, Mungla and so forth.. Basically you’ll study the artwork of village hopping.
Choii Waerfall/ Nagini
Mendacity a couple of KMs from Gushaini, in direction of Sai Ropa comes this pure surprise, requiring solely a brief hike from the city of Nagini is that this gorgeous waterfall. Benefit from the trek, the view of the waterfall is superb. Although, be ready to run into a couple of “vacationers” right here as this place is sort of mainstream for the area.
Batahad ( Phalachan Valley)
Batahad is the entryway village to the Phalachan Valley, which in itself is a small sub-valley of Tirthan. Located at a distance of about 10 Kms from Gushaini. It is usually the start line to Bashleo Cross Trek. The village is scenic, the oldsters are good and also you’ll benefit from the soothing environment and hum-drum of the tempo of life right here.
Galingcha
Additional up alongside the street, about 4 KMs forward is one other quaint settlement of Galingcha. Once more, boasting of wonderful views (can the rest exist?) – you may get to the village by a motorable street, or, in the event you’re feeling adventurous, by means of a brief however steep hike.
Chehni Kothi
Fairly well-known, due to Ronni and Bartie exhibiting us the gorgeous wonders of their inspiring vlogs (not an advert, only a large fan!) Chehni Kothi is a medieval wood citadel in a village of the identical title. It’s a brief 30 minutes hike from the street, someplace between Jibhi and Banjar.

Treks close to Gushaini
There are various, many, many trails from this little hamlet. This involves nobody’s shock, given we’re proper on the base of the Nice Himalayan Nationwide Park. I can’t cowl all of them right here ( TRUST ME, there are MANY TREKS!), however, listed below are a few of the many you can take part in. Evidently, one of many main lures of Tirthan Valley generally and Gushaini specifically is the gorgeous treks across the area. Get pleasure from exploring!
Bashleo Cross Trek (identical day)
As talked about above, this specific trek begins at Bathad. I urge you to start out the trek early to be able to cowl the whole 10 KM journey in someday and return again to your lodging. Nonetheless, in the event you’re late – then you definately’d must cross over to Kully Sarahan and keep there for the night time.
GHNP Gate/ Rolla (identical day)
Attending to the entry gate From Gushaini it’s round 8 Kms to the official entry level of the GHNP. The views are actually magnanamous with the crystal clear bluish inexperienced Tirthan river kkeeping you firm. What’s extra – you don’t want permission for the day trek. Nonetheless, in the event you enter the park and plan on tenting there –then you definately’ll want to realize a allow from Sai Ropa.
Pekhri to Rangthar (2-3 days)
Requiring a complete of 2-3 days, this trek takes you to the small, but enchanting village of Pekhri proper as much as the Rangthar high. The trek is gorgeous, for on the high you’ll attain a excessive altitude meadow with a few of the most mind-blowing views of the encompassing ranges!
Sarchi to Lambhari Prime to Serolsar (2-4 days)
This trek could be accomplished in 2 days too, nevertheless – hold longer days to actually cowl the whole stretch. Begin from the Jalori move and cross the Serolsar lake. The primary day you’ll come throughout some “crystal caves” the place you possibly can search for some stunning stones to hold with you as souvenneirs. You’ll be able to even take a information with you to cowl the whole route. The flora, fauna and wildlife will hold you mesmerized all through the whole period.

The place to remain
There are a bunch of homestays, luxurious locations in addition to reasonably priced price range houses so that you can select from. Raju Homestay is as well-known because it will get – although bookings may be tough. Nonetheless, the meals is just scrumptious.
What to eat
Trout fish and native Himachali delicacies ought to undoubtedly be in your record of meals to style! Siddu with ghee is one thing that you just MUST have! Non-vegetarians can indulge within the genius preparation of Chha Gosht. Aside from this the ever-trustworthy Maggi with Chai, and your fundamental north indian affair are all legitimate choices.
FAQs
- You should have first rate connectivity and cellphones work pretty properly within the city itself
- Street situations are nice for probably the most half. Nonetheless, watch out because the width is much less and oncoming site visitors could be a ache to manouver.
- For something main by way of well being points, you’ll have to journey to Mandi, Aut. Nonetheless, Gushaini does have a hospital for fundamental wants, in case required.
- Get a tankful of gasoline at Mandi. Nonetheless, you’ll have entry to some petrol pumps within the route in direction of Gushaini.
- ATM is on the market in Gushaini
- You don’t want permits to go to Gushaini or different villages in Tirthan valley. However, in the event you’re planning to get into the core zone of Nice Himalayan Nationwide Park, then you’ll have to purchase a allow from Sai Ropa workplace, costing about INR 100 for Indian residents and INR 400 for overseas guests (per day).

Conclusion
Whenever you’re searching for unexplored locations which might be nonetheless accessible, look no additional than Gushaini! This little hamlet has all of it – flora, fauna, wildlife, seclusion, magnificence, snow, and a tranquil river as well. Benefit from the hum-drum of life and hop on from one village to the following. Work together with locals, eat nice meals, discover the woods and be comfortable throughout. Gushaini is not going to disappoint you ever. Glad travelling.