Skip to main content

Shoja (Sojha)

In the Seraj Valley of Himachal Pradesh, the quiet, unusual village of Shoja provides a peaceful haven in the middle of the Himalayas. Known for its snow-capped peaks, deodar forests, and verdant valleys, Shoja offers a tranquil getaway with chances for birdwatching, nature hikes, and touring neighbouring sites like Serolsar Lake and Jalori Pass.

An overview

Shoja is located close to Jibhi at an elevation of around 2,692 meters (8,832 feet) above sea level. It connects the districts of Kullu and Shimla. 

Natural Environment: The settlement exudes a profound sense of tranquilly, surrounded by verdant deodar and pine forests and offering expansive vistas of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar hills.

🌿 Why Go to Shoja?

Offbeat Charm: Shoja provides peace, calm, and a genuine Himalayan experience in contrast to the tourist-heavy Manali.

Architectural Beauty: Local heritage is showcased by traditional Kath-Kuni wooden homes with stone and wood craftsmanship.

Cultural immersion is provided by welcoming locals, homestays, celebrations like Faguli and Dussehra, and handicrafts like woodworking and weaving.

🚗 How to Get to Shoja 

🚉 Option 1: Drive from Delhi to Aut to Shoja
The most popular route for visitors from Chandigarh or Delhi is this one.

➤ Detailed: Get to the Aut Tunnel (close to Mandi, Himachal)

Distance: around 490 km from Delhi

From Delhi to Aut, take an overnight Volvo bus (reserve via HRTC or private operators).

Time spent travelling: 10–12 hours

From Shoja to Aut

About 70 km away (via Banjar and Jibhi)

From Aut to Shoja, take a shared taxi or hire a local one.

About 2.5 to 3 hours of driving time on picturesque mountain routes.

Option 2: Flying (via Bhuntar Airport)

The closest airport is Bhuntar (Kullu–Manali Airport), which is around 80 km from Shoja.

There are limited flights available from Delhi to Bhuntar.

To go to Shoja from Bhuntar, take a taxi (3–4 hours).

Option 3: By Train (via Shimla or Chandigarh) 

There isn't a train that goes directly to Shoja.

By train, you can go to:

The most connected railway station is Chandigarh.

Or, for a picturesque toy train ride, Shimla

From either, proceed to Shoja via road (bus or car):

Road time from Chandigarh to Shoja: about 8 to 9 hours

Jalori Pass (in summer only) takes about 6 hours to get from Shimla to Shoja.

Options for Local Transportation:

Buses: HRTC buses travel as far as Jibhi or Banjar, while few stop in Shoja.

Cabs and shared taxis are offered by Jibhi, Banjar, and Aut.

Hiking: If you're feeling adventurous, you can hike the 5 km between Jibhi and Shoja.

A Guide to Visiting Shoja by Season 🌤 

March to April is spring

Ideal for: Those who enjoy the outdoors, light hiking, and blossoming woodlands

The temperature is cool and pleasant (10°C to 18°C).

Highlights:

Blooming rhododendrons and wildflowers
Unobstructed vistas of the mountains
Perfect for photography and quick treks
Suggested for first-time guests.

🌿 May through June is summer

Ideal for: Family vacations, forest treks, and escaping the heat of the city
Weather: chilly nights and mild days (15°C to 25°C).

Highlights:
Opening of Jalori Pass (excellent for hikes to Raghupur Fort and Serolsar Lake)
Camping, stargazing, and starry evenings
The busiest time of year, yet not as congested as Manali.

Monsoon season (July–August)

Ideal for: Unusual tourists, verdant surroundings
Rainy and chilly (12°C to 20°C)
Highlights:
Dramatic skies and misty forests
Complete tranquilly when there are fewer tourists
Travel Risk: Slick roads and landslides

❌ Not suitable for hiking

Fall (September through November)

Ideal for: Photographers, festivals, and clear sky
Temperature range: 8°C to 20°C
Highlights:
Freshness following the monsoon
Village celebrations such as Fagli (the local harvest)
Excellent visibility for views of the Himalayas
Underappreciated and incredible

Winter, from December to February

Ideal for: Peace seekers and snow lovers
Temperature range: -5 to 10°C
Highlights:
Shoja is turned into a snowy wonderland by snowfall.
Fewer guests, perfect for privacy
Snow frequently causes Jalori Pass to close.

♠️ Keep warm! Partially obstructed roads are possible.

Read More: Spiti Valley 👈

🚶‍♀️ Activities & Attractions

1. The Jalori Pass

At an elevation of roughly 3,120 meters, only 5 kilometres from Shoja, this location provides access to numerous trekking trails and expansive views of the mountains.


2. The Budhi Nagin Temple and Serolsar Lake

Situated amidst oak and rhododendron forests, this immaculate high-altitude lake can be reached after a 5-kilometer hike from Jalori Pass. Budhi Nagin, the serpent goddess, is worshipped in the neighbouring temple.

3. Fort Raghupur

After a picturesque hike through meadows and woodlands, this old fort, which is about 3 km from Jalori Pass, provides 360° views of the Himalayas.

4. The Waterfall Point

About 1 km from Shoja, a quick woodland trek leads to a picturesque waterfall surrounded by rich vegetation, ideal for peaceful picnics or early morning hikes.
Manali Hilton Resort

5. Miniature Thailand Cove & Shringa Rishi Temple

At about 2,850 meters, the Shringa Rishi Temple is a place of worship surrounded by pine forests.
The Mini Thailand Cove is a naturally occurring pool surrounded by enormous rocks that is perfect for a leisurely soak and sunset relaxation.

🎣 Activities & Excursions Nearby

Great Himalayan National Park and Tirthan Valley: Just a short drive from Shoja, you may hike through a UNESCO-designated national park with a variety of plants and animals, discover river valleys or go trout fishing.

Stargazing and Bird Watching: Shoja's forest pathways and beautiful sky provide excellent chances to see Himalayan monals, thrushes, and night skies free from light pollution.

🍲 Stay & Eat: Savour local hospitality, tea by the stream, bonfires, and traditional wooden cabins at homestays and guesthouses.
Everything Jibhi

Cuisine: Visit neighbourhood dhabas and cafés to sample traditional Himachali cuisine, including Siddu, Madra, Thukpa, trout dishes, and seasonal specialities.

🍲 Shoja Local Foods You Must Try

1. Siddu

What it is: Steamed wheat flour buns filled with walnuts, lentils, or spiced mashed potatoes
Why it's so good: Soft, warm, and satisfying, traditionally served with ghee or chutney.
Where to locate it: Roadside dhabas and local residences

2. Madra

What it is: A thick curry prepared with kidney beans or chickpeas and flavourful spices that is based on yoghurt.
Why it's so good: A deep and earthy signature dish from the Chamba/Kullu region
Ideal with: Roti or rice

3. Kidney Bean Curry, Chana Madra & Rajma

The creamier Himachali variations are flavoured with cinnamon and cloves.
frequently included in traditional thalis served at homestays

4. Bhath Tudkiya

A rice dish prepared with potatoes, lentils, and curd in the spiced pulao style
Healthy, regional comfort cuisine that is exclusive to Himachal

5. Trout Fish (if travelling to the adjacent Tirthan Valley)

Himalayan trout from freshwater, either grilled or lightly fried
Frequently served with regional vegetables and spices

Note: About 20 to 30 minutes from Shoja, in the neighbouring Jibhi or Gushaini.

6. The Tibetan influence of Thukpa and Momos, particularly during the winter

Steamed dumplings and simple, comforting noodle soup are common in eateries and backpacker accommodations.

🍵 Snacks and Drinks

Tea with mountain plants (such as local wild mint or tulsi)
In winter, Makki ki Roti and Sarson ka Saag
Local rajma chawal with bhutte (roasted maize).

🍰 Sweets & Desserts

Mittha is a rice dish with dry fruits and sweet saffron.
Red rice from the area is occasionally used to make kheer, or rice pudding.

☕ Cafes in and around Shoja You Might Enjoy

The Forester Café (Jibhi) offers coffee, food, and nice views.
Homemade Himachali food is served at the welcoming Shoja Cafe & Stay.
On request, Raghupur Homestays provide traditional dishes.

Read More:Poonch-The Crown of Pir Panjal 👈

Final Thoughts:Himachal Pradesh's Shoja

Away from the bustle of commercial hill resorts, Shoja is a quiet, unusual mountain settlement that provides a getaway into the unadulterated splendour of the Himalayas. Shoja encourages you to enjoy tranquilly, simplicity, and unhurried life with its thick forests, snow-capped summits, traditional wooden cottages, and hospitable residents.

If you're:

The Jalori Pass Trek
observing the Seraj Valley's sunsets
In a local guesthouse, enjoying a cup of chai together
Or simply taking in the sound of the wind blowing through the trees
— Shoja provides time for introspection, breathing, and reconnection.
👉 It's a sensation rather than merely a place.
If you're looking for inspiration, calm, nature, and genuineness, go to Shoja.



Comments

  1. Good information on the topic, I would love to visit with my loved ones 😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you found it helpful! 😊 Visiting Shoja with your loved ones sounds like a wonderful idea,it's the perfect place for peaceful moments and nature-filled memories. Let me know if you need help planning the trip.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Landour Hill Station

The Indian state of Uttarakhand is home to the quaint hill station of Landour. Located immediately above the more well-known hill station of Mussoorie, at an elevation of roughly 2,100 meters (6,890 feet) above sea level, is this little, peaceful village. Landour is frequently referred to as Mussoorie's "sister town" since it provides a tranquil haven from the busy streets. Important Landour Features: Calm Ambience : Compared to Mussoorie, Landour exudes a calmer, more laid-back atmosphere, which makes it the perfect place for people looking for solitude and serenity in the outdoors. British Colonial Influence: With historic homes, churches, and schools from the British era, the town still has a lot of its colonial charm. The slower, more relaxed pace of colonial life is reflected in the architecture and way of life. Beautiful hills , verdant forests, and expansive views of the Himalayan peaks envelop Landour. Hikes, nature walks, and photography are all made pos...

The Himalayan Gateway: Rishikesh 🏔️🌿

In the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, India, sits the picturesque hill station and religious centre of Rishikesh. It is renowned for its tranquil scenery, adventure sports, yoga retreats, and revered temples and is tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas. Known as the "Yoga Capital of the World," the town draws tourists, adventurers, and spiritual seekers from all over the world. The spiritual village of Rishikesh , sometimes referred to as the " Place of Sagas ," is located at the meeting point of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga , 24 kilometres upstream from Haridwar. It is thought that the location got its name because God, known as " Hrishikesh ," arrived in response to Rabhiya Rishi's severe penances. 📍 Rishikesh's Location and Geography 🏔️🌿 The Dehradun district in Uttarakhand, India, is home to the picturesque hill station and holy town of Rishikesh. It is located alongside the banks of the sacred Ganges River in the foothills of...

Jibhi (Mini Thailand)

The picturesque village of Jibhi is situated in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is tucked away in the Banjar Valley in the Kullu district, amid the foothills of the Himalayas. Renowned for its unspoiled natural splendour, this undiscovered treasure provides a tranquil haven between the towering mountains, thick forests, and cascading rivers. Jibhi , referred to as the undiscovered gem of the Himalayas, is immune to the negative effects of commercialisation and industrialisation. The majority of visitors are captivated by Jibhi's historic Victorian-style villas, which highlight the town's natural beauty. Being the most environmentally friendly tourist destination is one of the most remarkable things about this little hamlet tucked away in the mountains. Jibhi's Banjar Valley is a picturesque area with many wooden homes and towers. A few of the historic ecolodges and homestays are nearly 27 years old. Mini Thailand, a pond encircled by rocks, is an unusual l...