Barot Valley Himachal Pradesh — A Travel Guide from Delhi

Last updated on May 12th, 2026 at 06:41 am

Reading Time: 7 minutes

The first time I had ever heard about Barot Valley in Himachal Pradesh was in Bir Billing.

I still remember that it was the end of November month. I wondered why I had spent so many days at Bir Billing that I needed to head out nearby.

Upon researching & asking the locals, I found that Barot Valley sounds like a unique place as I had never heard about it before.

I also remained a bit worried about, in reality, what would be the place look like.

I know it must have happened to you that you begin daydreaming of a place that you have never heard of before. Instantly you started making the image in mind & building the expectations around it.

In my last post, I have mentioned the out of box things to do in Bir Billing, where I have also summarized a little bit on the Barot Valley.

This post will talk about making a Short yet Memorable trip to Barot Valley in Himachal.

You must be eagerly waiting to explore this side of the mountains as well ?.

Where is Barot Valley in Himachal?

If you wanted to get an outside idea, where is Barot Valley located in Himachal Pradesh?

Then the closest known place is Bir Billing. If you don’t have enough idea about Bir Billing, you should read the Bir Billing travel guide.

Apart from there being so many places close to Barot Valley, Bir Billing attracts a lot of tourist gatherings.

To further give an overview of the known places from farthest to the closest –

1. Delhi to Barot Valley distance is 500 km approx.
2. Dharamshala to Barot Valley is 108 km approx.
3. Palampur to Barot Valley distance is 75 km approx.
4. Mandi to Barot Valley distance is 64 km approx.
5. Bir Billing to Barot Valley distance is 50 km approx.

Suppose you must have been nearer to any of these places before. I know that you were close ?.

You’ll get an idea of how far you were from exploring the jaw-dropping landscape of the Barot Valley in Himachal Pradesh.

But no worries, let’s do it this time.

How to Reach Barot Valley in Himachal from Delhi?

There’s no direct Delhi to Barot Valley bus.

You’ll need to board an overnight bus from Delhi to either Bir or Mandi district. Upon reaching either Bir or Mandi, frequent HRTC direct buses run towards Barot Valley.

The buses from Bir or Mandi will directly take you to Barot Valley.

How to Reach Barot from Mandi Bus Stand

Here’s the mandi local route timetable if you’re traveling from Mandi to Barot Valley.

How to Reach Barot from Palampur

Here’s the local bus route if you’re traveling from Palampur to Barot. If you haven’t been able to get a direct bus to Barot Valley, you can take a bus to Joginder Nagar & afterward the bus to Barot Valley.

I Case

When getting the direct bus from Palampur to Barot;

Palampur ➡️ Barot Valley

II Case

When you do not get the direct bus, you can get from Palampur to Jogindernagar. Afterward, Jogindernagar to Barot.

Palampur ➡️ Jogindernagar ➡️ Barot Valley

III Case

When you are looking to divide your journey, you can consider the below route:

Palampur ➡️ Bir ➡️ Jogindernagar ➡️ Barot Valley

How to Reach Barot from Jogindernagar in Himachal

If you’re not getting a direct bus to Barot Valley from any of the abovementioned places, head to Jogindernagar.

The regular buses to Jogindernagar are available on the Barot route. It will take around 1:30hrs -2hrs from Jogindernagar to reach Barot Valley.

How to Reach Barot from Bir Billing in Himachal

You will get a bus from the Chowgan Chowk to Barot Valley directly. If not directly then, till Jogindernagar for sure.

Then, rest you can interchange & you’ll reach the location.

Note – Taxis are also available to make you reach Barot. The taxi fare to Barot Valley will be around Rs. 1000 – Rs.2000 for around visit.

A Quick Guide to Barot Valley

Traveling by bus might be challenging for people who often travel by bus & especially in the mountains.

Here’s a straight tip – Head out as early as possible to catch an early morning bus.

You will be getting more time to explore Barot Valley. I will also explain why leaving early to Barot in the forthcoming lines.

OKAY, OKAY, let me disclose.

You’ll not be finding any local buses departing from the Barot Valley after 4 p.m & especially during the winter.

Let’s look at some of the points below that will help in making a memorable trip to Barot.

Things to Do in Barot Valley

Trout Fishing at Barot

Barot is one of the few places in Himachal where you can fish for trout legally with a permit. The Uhl River runs through the valley and the water is cold and clear. A fishing permit costs approximately ₹200–300 per day and can be obtained from the fisheries department office in Barot.

Even if you don’t fish, walking along the river bank in the morning is worth the trip by itself.

Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary

The forest surrounding Barot is part of Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary. You can walk the sanctuary trails with a guide — snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, and barking deer have been spotted here. Entry is managed by the forest department.

Barot Dam and Reservoir

The Shanan Power Project dam sits right at the edge of the village. The reservoir behind it reflects the surrounding pine hills — one of the quieter photography spots in the area. Early morning visits are best before the light gets harsh.

Uhl River Walk

The simplest thing to do in Barot — walk along the Uhl River. The trail from the village toward the dam follows the river for about 3–4 km. No crowd. Just the river and the trees.

Drive to Billing from Barot

If you came from Bir Billing, you know the paragliding. The road from Barot to Billing winds through thick pine forests — worth doing just for the drive, not necessarily for the paragliding.

Where to Stay in Barot Valley

Barot has limited but genuine accommodation — mostly government rest houses and basic guesthouses.

• HPTDC Rest House: The most reliable option in Barot. Run by the Himachal Pradesh government, clean and well-maintained. Book through the HPTDC website in advance — it fills up on weekends.

• Private Guesthouses: A handful of family-run guesthouses have come up in recent years. Rates range from ₹600–1,500/night. Most include basic meals. Ask your guesthouse owner for fishing permits and trail guidance — they usually know the area well.

• Camping: Possible along the river with prior permission. Some operators from Bir Billing offer camping packages to Barot — worth exploring if you want a more immersive stay.

Important: Barot has almost no restaurants beyond basic dhabas. If you’re staying overnight, confirm that meals are included with your accommodation. Carry snacks from Mandi or Bir before you arrive.

Best Time to Visit Barot Valley

• April to June — Pleasant weather. Best for fishing and walking.

• September to November — Post-monsoon clarity, cool air. My favourite window for photography.

• December to February — Cold, occasionally snow, most guesthouses operational but basic. Roads are generally accessible unlike higher Himachal destinations.

• July to August — Monsoon. The valley gets heavy rainfall, roads can be slippery, and the river swells. Not ideal for a first visit.

Noteworthy Points

1. Explore the Barot Village on your foot. The footsteps will allow you to discover something more than otherwise, the four-wheeler would have missed. Walking on narrow roads has its fun in exploration. The houses, locals, and the valley would make a perfect memorable shot.
2. You will be finding a Barot dam, a hydroelectric project. I am sure that it will remind you if you’re in a foreign land because the surroundings of the dam are so eye-catching and magical. The crystal clear water would make you say, “WOW.”
3. The place is more inclined towards serenity, what I call complete peace in the mountains.
4. You can enjoy trout fishing in the UHL river, but it depends on the season. For example, April to October is considered the months for trout fishing in the Barot Valley. Also, other places in Himachal, like Tirthan Valley, are ideal destinations for trout fishing.
5. The landscape of Barot is untouched, perfect for landscape photography. You can spend hours admiring the beauty of your surroundings.

But don’t forget that you’ll need to head back before the last bus leaves out. After that, you’ll be getting a bus to Jogindernagar, and then you can interchange to reach your destination.

If somehow you’re planning to stay in Barot Valley, there’s no need to catch a bus. Plenty of options would be available to you.

Weather in the Valley

Since Barot exists at the height of 1835 m, there’s no doubt that winters are probably much colder than nearby places.

Bir exists at the height of 1525 m, which depicts the vastness of the scene. Even I am feeling a bit colder after imagining this scene.

The Freezing Winters v/s Pleasing Summers,

Which season would you pick to go to Barot Valley?

Conclusion

Life has its way of showing you the beauty around you. We should be more responsible enough to leave a place like it was before our arrival. So the future generations can describe more enormously about their experiences & stories.

If you’re already going to Bir Billing, add a night in Barot. Take the bus, stay at the rest house, walk the river in the morning.

I hope this will help you to plan your trip accordingly.

Please don’t forget to share & follow the blog.

Until then, see you on the roads.