Travel is not only about reaching a destination; it is about noticing what happens along the way.
Some journeys begin with a destination in mind. Others begin much earlier—with the anticipation of leaving the familiar behind and discovering what lies beyond the next mountain bend.
Our journey to Jibhi was one of those experiences.
In the last week of September, when the monsoon was slowly giving way to autumn, we found ourselves in the quiet mountains of Himachal Pradesh. Jibhi seemed to have its own rhythm. The river flowed unhurriedly, pine and deodar trees stood tall against the hills, and the mornings arrived softly, without the noise and hurry of city life.
And perhaps that is what I liked most about Jibhi: nothing seemed to be in a hurry.
A Morning Beside the River
One morning, while sitting on the riverside balcony of our stay, listening to the continuous sound of the flowing water created the vibe for the day. The sun was beginning to rise through the trees. Its rays slipped between the branches of the pine forest, creating moving patterns of light and shadow. The cool mountain air carried the freshness of the morning, while the river provided a gentle background melody.
I wanted to hold on to that moment.
There are certain experiences in travel that photographs cannot completely capture. You can photograph the river, the trees, and the mountains, but you cannot photograph the feeling of sitting quietly among them.
You simply have to experience it.
Some moments are not meant to be photographed; they are meant to be remembered.
It was time for our morning walk.
We stepped out without any particular plan. One of the pleasures of traveling in the mountains is that you do not always need an itinerary. Sometimes the best way to explore is simply to walk. The roads were quiet. The morning was fresh. And, as often happens in the mountains, our walk soon led us to a small roadside tea shop.
Tea, Mountains and the Simple Joy of Wandering
There is something wonderfully comforting about a cup of tea in the mountains. Perhaps it is the cool weather. Perhaps it is the warmth of the cup between your hands. Or perhaps it is the surroundings—the hills, trees, quiet roads, and the feeling that, for a little while, there is nowhere else you need to be.
We stopped for tea.
It was an ordinary cup of tea in an extraordinary setting. The steam rose gently into the cool mountain air, and for a few unhurried moments, there was nowhere else we needed to be. Perhaps that is what I love most about traveling. It turns simple moments into memories—a cup of tea, a mountain breeze, a quiet road, a morning spent without hurry.
After our tea, we walked back to our stay to get ready. Jibhi was waiting, and the day of exploring was about to begin.
The Zoland — A Riverside Stay in Jibhi
We were staying at The Zoland, a cozy riverside property in Jibhi.
The sound of flowing water was perhaps the best part of the stay. Instead of alarms, traffic, and city noises, we woke up to the natural music of the river. As I wrote at the start, sitting on the balcony and watching sunlight pass through the pine trees made me realize that luxury doesn’t always mean expensive rooms or grand facilities.
Sometimes, luxury is simply silence, nature, and time.
The mountains teach us that happiness can be found in very simple things.
Mini Thailand — A Little Paradise Near Jibhi
After breakfast, we planned our day’s exploration. Our first destination was Mini Thailand, a picturesque natural pool surrounded by dense forest and towering deodar and pine trees. The place, locally known as Kulhi Katandi, was very close to where we stayed. Within about half an hour, we reached the beautiful surroundings.
When we reached, there were a few young couples enjoying the place, some visitors taking photographs, and a few small Maggi shops and cafés nearby. The natural rock formations, flowing water, and forest surroundings gave the place a unique charm.
We clicked photographs, explored the area, and simply sat there enjoying the view. We spent nearly two hours at Mini Thailand.
There is no proper car parking right at the spot, so it is better to leave your vehicle at your hotel or a suitable parking area and walk to the location. And honestly, walking through the mountain surroundings is part of the experience.
Don’t rush through a beautiful place. Let the place become a part of you.
Jibhi Waterfall — Walking Towards the Sound of Water
Jibhi has several places where nature does most of the decorating. Jibhi Waterfall is one of them. The walk from the entrance towards the waterfall is beautiful, with a well-maintained tiled pathway leading through the greenery.
As we approached the waterfall, the sound of falling water gradually became louder.
There was something deeply refreshing about simply standing there and watching the water make its way down through the rocks. It wasn’t just another tourist attraction. It was one of those places where you stop for a while, take a deep breath, and allow nature to do the talking.
Tandi Village — When Google Maps Gets It Wrong
Our next plan was to visit Tandi, one of the higher villages around Jibhi. We had also planned to visit a treehouse called Cloud Walk Tree House, which we found on Google Maps. But traveling also teaches you that not everything you find online is necessarily still there.
Following the map, we reached the location—but the treehouse was no longer there as shown online.
It was a useful reminder that information about remote mountain destinations can change, and it is always better to confirm before making a special trip. The road to Tandi was also quite rough, perhaps due to the recent rains.
After exploring the area, we decided to return to Jibhi.
Ember Wood — A Cozy Mountain Evening
Back in Jibhi, we discovered another beautiful tree-house-style stay—Ember Wood. The wooden interiors immediately caught our attention. It had a beautiful private balcony where we could sit, enjoy tea, and look across the peaceful surroundings of Jibhi.
The stay had a warm, natural feel that perfectly matched the mountains.
And then came another simple but memorable moment. We cooked Maggi on the balcony. There are meals you remember because they were expensive or elaborate. And then there are meals you remember because of where you ate them.
That Maggi, sitting on a mountain balcony with the surrounding greenery and fresh air, was definitely the second kind.
There was also a café nearby where vegetarian and non-vegetarian food could be ordered.
Jalori Pass — Maybe Next Time
We had originally planned to visit Jalori Pass during our trip. But by this point, we had already experienced enough beautiful moments to realize that traveling isn’t about completing a checklist.
Sometimes, it is perfectly fine to leave one destination for another journey. So, Jalori Pass remained on our list.
Perhaps that is how mountains keep calling you back.
Leave something unexplored; it gives you a reason to return.
Taking Memories Back Home
Eventually, it was time to leave Jibhi. We returned with photographs on our phones, tired bodies, and minds filled with memories.
But more than anything, we returned with a promise—to come back again. Because that is what the mountains do. They may make your legs tired after long walks and winding roads, but somehow they make your soul feel lighter.
The body may return tired from the mountains, but the soul comes back refreshed.
Jibhi wasn’t just another destination for us.
It was a collection of small moments—the sound of the river from our balcony, the first morning tea, sunlight filtering through pine trees, the walk to Mini Thailand, the sound of Jibhi Waterfall, the disappointment of a missing tree house, the discovery of Ember Wood, and a simple plate of Maggi enjoyed on a mountain balcony.
Perhaps that is what travel really means.
Not merely seeing places, but collecting moments that stay with you long after you have returned home.
And as we left Jibhi behind, one thought stayed with us:
Every journey ends, but the stories we collect along the way become a part of who we are.
Jibhi, we will be back.
Not because we haven’t seen enough—but because some places deserve to be experienced more than once.
Until next time, Jibhi.
Master’s in Tourism and Recreation (M.A.) at EIIET Berlin
Master’s in Tourism and Recreation program, offered by the esteemed Institute of Berlin (EIIET) in partnership with the University of Tourism and Hotel Management (WSTiH). This intensive two-year postgraduate course meticulously equips ambitious students with the advanced skills and knowledge to position themselves as financial and strategic leaders in the ever-evolving tourism industry.
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