Jalori Pass and Shoja: Road Status, Serolsar Lake, Raghupur Fort and Best Time (2026)

Updated: November 2026

Short answer: Jalori Pass is a 3,120 m road pass on NH-305 in Kullu district, linking the Banjar valley (Jibhi, Shoja) with Ani and the Shimla side. It is about 12 km above Jibhi, and Shoja, a village at about 2,700 m, sits on the road below it. From the pass, an easy 5 km forest walk leads to Serolsar Lake and a steeper 3 km trail to Raghupur Fort. Go from March to mid-December; after heavy snow, usually from late December to March or April, the road over Jalori shuts or opens to 4×4 vehicles only, and Shoja becomes the snow point.

Where is Jalori Pass?

Jalori Pass sits on the ridge between the Banjar valley of Kullu district and the Ani–Luhri side of the Sutlej, on the Aut–Luhri highway, NH-305. From the north you climb from Aut on the Chandigarh–Manali highway through Banjar, Jibhi, Ghiyagi and Shoja. From the south you come up from Shimla via Narkanda, Luhri and Ani. At the top there is a small temple to Mata Jalori, a handful of dhabas serving maggi, tea and rajma-chawal, and wide views of the forested ridges of Seraj.

The pass is the reason most people drive up from Jibhi. It is also a useful shortcut: when it is open, you can travel Shimla → Jalori → Jibhi → Manali instead of the longer Mandi route, with a night in the Banjar valley on the way.

How do you reach Jalori Pass and Shoja?

Drive slowly on the Shoja–Jalori stretch: it is single-lane, with few barriers, and black ice forms from late November. In snow months, take a local driver and a 4×4 rather than driving yourself. Taxis from outside Himachal pay the state entry fee; see Himachal entry tax and permits 2026.

What can you do at Jalori Pass?

Our Serolsar Lake trek page has the step-by-step day and what we check before booking a guide.

What is Shoja, and is it worth a stay?

Shoja is a small village at about 2,700 m on the Jibhi–Jalori road, roughly 1,000 m above Jibhi. It has a handful of homestays and guest houses, apple orchards, a sunset point looking across the ridges, and a short walk to a waterfall. Because it is higher, it holds snow for weeks in winter when Jibhi has little or none.

Shoja suits a one-night stop rather than a base: wake up close to Jalori for an early start on the Serolsar walk, or come up from Jibhi for snow in January and February when the pass itself is shut. Shoja can be cut off for a day or two after heavy snow, so don’t book it for your last night before a flight.

Is Jalori Pass open in winter?

Not reliably. Jalori closes after heavy snow most winters, and clearing it takes days.

A recent example: snowfall on 5 February 2025 left about 25 cm on Jalori and closed NH-305 to all vehicles; the NHAI reopened it on 9 February 2025, initially for 4×4 vehicles only (The Tribune, 9 February 2025). Closures like this cut off the Ani and Nirmand side from Kullu, so in winter always check the road status the evening before and keep a Jibhi or Tirthan day as a backup.

How do you plan a Jibhi–Shoja–Jalori trip?

For the full Jibhi and Tirthan plan, see our Jibhi and Tirthan valley itinerary, and for the villages themselves our Jibhi guide and Tirthan valley guide.

Where should you stay near Jalori Pass?

• Jibhi: wooden cottages, treehouses and homestays by the stream; the most choice, about 12 km below the pass. Homestays typically ₹800–2,000 a night outside peak dates.
• Shoja: a few homestays and guest houses with views; closest base for an early start, colder and snowier in winter.
• Ghiyagi: quiet stays where the Jalori road starts climbing.
• Tirthan (Gushaini): riverside stays about 25 km from Jibhi, good for a second base.

There are no hotels at the pass itself, and camping at Serolsar Lake is not allowed.

What this means for your trip

Plan Jalori between March and mid-December, base in Jibhi or Shoja, and give the pass a full day so you can walk to Serolsar Lake and, if you’re fit, Raghupur Fort. In winter, aim for snow at Shoja and treat the pass as a bonus if the road is cleared. Jalori fits neatly into a Manali trip or into a Shimla–Manali route via Ani; our Shimla Manali itinerary and Manali itinerary show where a Jibhi night slots in, and our offbeat Himachal guide compares Jalori with other quiet places.

Jalori Pass and Shoja: frequently asked questions

What is the height of Jalori Pass?

About 3,120 m (around 10,240 ft). It is on NH-305 between the Banjar valley of Kullu district and Ani on the Shimla side, about 12 km above Jibhi.

Is Jalori Pass open in December and January?

Usually not after the first heavy snow, which most years comes in late December. The road typically stays closed or opens only to 4×4 vehicles until about March or April. Shoja, below the pass, is the usual winter snow point.

How far is Jalori Pass from Jibhi?

About 12 km by a steep, single-lane hill road via Ghiyagi and Shoja, roughly 45 minutes to an hour in good conditions. In ice or snow, use a local driver and a 4×4.

How long is the Serolsar Lake trek from Jalori?

About 5 km one way, or 10 km return, on an easy forest trail with one short steep climb. Most people take about 3 hours each way. No permit is needed, but camping at the lake is not allowed.

Is Shoja worth visiting?

Yes, for a quiet night with a sunset view, orchards and easy access to Jalori. At about 2,700 m it gets more snow than Jibhi, which makes it the snow stop in winter. It has only a few homestays, so book ahead.

Can I drive from Shimla to Manali via Jalori Pass?

Yes, when the pass is open, roughly April to mid-December. The route runs Shimla, Narkanda, Luhri, Ani, Jalori, Jibhi and Aut to Manali. Break it with a night in Jibhi or Shoja; in winter use the Mandi route instead.

Do I need a permit for Jalori Pass?

No. No permit is needed for Jalori Pass, Shoja, Serolsar Lake or Raghupur Fort. Vehicles registered outside Himachal pay the normal state entry fee.