Raghupur Fort,
Published on February 13, 2025
Raghupur Fort: The Forgotten Himalayan Citadel Above Jalori Pass
Perched at 3,600–3,640 metres (11,800–11,940 ft) on a vast alpine meadow with 360° snow-clad views, Raghupur Fort (locally called Raghupur Garh) is one of the most dramatic yet least-visited historical sites in Himachal Pradesh. All that remains today are the crumbling stone walls of an ancient fort, a tiny temple, and endless grasslands where horses graze under the shadows of the Great Himalayan range. Built possibly in the 17th–18th century by the rulers of Kullu or Mandi (exact records are lost), the fort once guarded the old trade route between Kullu and Shimla valleys. Today, it offers one of the easiest high-altitude meadow treks in the region and is perfect for sunrise, sunset, camping, or simply lying down to watch the Milky Way.
Here’s the complete 2026 guide—fresh, detailed, and straight from the mountains.
Location & Altitude
- Starting point: Jalori Pass (3,120 m)
- Fort altitude: 3,600–3,640 m (11,800–11,940 ft)
- Distance from Jibhi: 15 km by road to Jalori Pass + 3.5–4 km trek (one way)
- Coordinates: 31.522° N, 77.498° E
How to Reach Raghupur Fort (2026)
Route from Jibhi Jibhi → Jalori Pass (15 km, 45–60 min by car/taxi, ₹800–1,200 one way) → park at Jalori Mata Temple → start trek
Trek Details
- Distance: 3.5–4 km one way (7–8 km round trip)
- Time: 1.5–2 hrs uphill, 1 hr down
- Elevation gain: ~520 m
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate (well-defined grassy trail, gradual incline)
- Trail highlights: Rhododendron forest → open bugyals (meadows) → 360° panoramic ridge
Entry Fee & Timings (2026)
- Completely FREE
- No tickets, no gates, no restrictions
- Best start time: 5 AM for sunrise or 2 PM for sunset
- Open 24×7 (camping allowed)
History & Legends
Historians believe the fort was built by the Kullu or Mandi kings as a summer outpost and watchtower on the ancient salt-trade route. The stone walls (now 2–4 ft high) once enclosed barracks and a palace. Locals say a hidden tunnel connected it to Serolsar Lake 8 km away, used for secret escapes.
A popular folk tale: A princess from Mandi was married to the Kullu king but fell in love with a shepherd. When discovered, she was imprisoned in the fort. Heartbroken, she jumped from the ridge and turned into a bird—on windy days, shepherds claim to hear her cries.
Weather & Best Season
| Season | Temperature | Conditions | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| March–June | 5–22°C | Green meadows, rhododendrons | BEST time |
| July–August | 10–18°C | Lush grass, monsoon clouds | Good, but carry rain cover |
| September–November | –2 to 15°C | Golden grass, clearest views | Perfect for photography |
| December–February | –10 to 5°C | Heavy snow, frozen lake nearby | Only for experienced trekkers |
Infrastructure & Facilities (2026)
- No shops, toilets, or electricity on top
- Two small dhabas at Jalori Pass (maggi, tea, rajma-chawal)
- One shepherd hut near the fort (sometimes offers tea & biscuits)
- Mobile network: Zero on the meadow (pure detox)
- Camping: Unlimited flat ground, bring your own tent or rent in Jibhi (₹800–1,500)
Things to Do at Raghupur Fort
- Walk the entire fort perimeter (takes 15–20 min)
- Sunrise/sunset from the ridge – Dhauladhar, Kinnaur Kailash, and Pir Panjal ranges visible on clear days
- Camping under one of the clearest star skies in Himachal
- Photography – 360° panorama, wild horses, rolling meadows
- Meditation/yoga on the grassy carpet
- Fly a kite (wind is perfect!)
- Visit the tiny Hanuman temple inside the ruins
Accommodation Options
- Overnight camping in the meadow (most popular)
- Jalori Pass: Basic homestays & dhabas (₹800–1,500)
- Shoja (5 km): Mudhouse Hostel, Whoopers Resort
- Jibhi (15 km): Treehouses & cottages (best base)
Safety & Responsible Travel Tips
- No water source on top – carry a minimum of 2 litres per person
- Sudden weather changes are common – always carry a windproof jacket
- Do not light bonfires on grass (high fire risk) – use a shepherd’s stove if needed
- Take all waste back – locals are proud of the clean meadow
- Avoid trekking alone in winter – snow can hide the trail
- Leopards & bears are rarely seen but possible – make noise while walking
- Best with a local guide (₹600–800) if camping overnight
Perfect 2-Day Combo Itinerary from Jibhi
Day 1 Morning: Jibhi Waterfall + Mini Thailand Afternoon: Drive to Jalori Pass → trek to Raghupur Fort → camp overnight
Day 2 Sunrise at fort → trek down → visit Serolsar Lake (6 km) → back to Jibhi
Raghupur Fort: The Himalayan Meadow Fortress (2026 Deep Dive)
Everything you didn’t know you needed to know about one of the most breathtaking yet underrated high-altitude ruins in Himachal Pradesh.
Flora & Fauna: A UNESCO Buffer Zone Paradise
Raghupur Fort meadow sits right on the edge of the Great Himalayan National Park buffer zone, making it a biodiversity hotspot.
- Trees & Shrubs: Dense rhododendron (red bloom March–May), silver oak, kharshu oak, ban oak, and blue pine forests on the lower trail. Above the tree line, the meadow explodes with Himalayan herbs — brahmi, hathpanja, salam panja (used in ayurvedic medicine), and rare orchids.
- Flowers: May–June is peak wildflower season — purple iris, yellow potentilla, white anemones, pink bistort, and the rare Brahma Kamal (blooms only at night in July–August).
- Animals & Birds (2024–2025 sightings):
- Himalayan black bear (frequent in autumn, searching for berries)
- Barking deer & goral on the slopes
- Snow leopard (very rare, but pugmarks reported in winter 2024)
- Over 80 bird species: Himalayan monal, koklass pheasant, western tragopan (critically endangered), lammergeier vultures, griffons, and golden eagles soaring on thermals
- Butterflies: Common yellow swallowtail, Indian tortoiseshell in hundreds during June
In 2025, the forest department installed camera traps — one captured a snow leopard walking the same trail trekkers use at 3 AM!
Activities Beyond the Basic Trek
- 360° Sunrise/Sunset Photography. On a clear day, you can see five major ranges: Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal, Kinnaur Kailash, Hanuman Tibba, and peaks inside GHNP.
- Overnight Astro-Photography Bortle Scale 1–2 sky — one of the darkest in north India. The Milky Way core is visible from mid-April to October. Local photographers now run weekend astro-camps.
- Multi-Day Traverse Treks (2026 routes)
- Raghupur → Lambri Top → Bashleo Pass → Tirthan Valley (2–3 days)
- Raghupur → Sareulsar Lake → Marahur Valley (new shepherd route opened in 2024)
- Horse Riding Across the Meadow Local shepherds rent horses (₹1,200–1,800 full day) to ride across the entire bugyal.
- Paragliding Take-off Trials In 2026, Himachal Tourism is testing Raghupur as a summer paragliding site (tandem flights ₹3,500–4,500).
Best Camping Zones on the Meadow (2026 map)
- Zone A (near fort ruins) – wind-protected, flat, best for sunrise
- Zone B (eastern ridge) – strongest wind, but 360° view, perfect for astro
- Zone C (near small pond) – water source in May–June, wild horses visit at dawn
- Zone D (southern slope) – sheltered by rhododendron, least cold at night
Accommodation & Food Options (updated 2026)
- Jalori Pass (base):
- New 2026 openings: “Cloud9 Homestay” & “Jalori Meadows Café” (wood-fired pizza & fresh trout)
- Shoja Village (5 km):
- Whoopers Boutique Resort added luxury geodesic domes with glass roofs for stargazing (₹8,000–12,000/night)
- Camping Gear Rental in Jibhi (2026 rates):
- 2-person tent + sleeping bag + mat = ₹800–1,200/day
- Full package with cook & food = ₹2,500/person/day
Safety & Weather Realities (2026 data)
- Temperature extremes recorded in 2025: May night: +4°C January night: –18°C (with wind chill –25°C)
- Sudden white-outs: Common in the afternoon during the monsoon. GPS mandatory.
- Water sources: Only one seasonal pond (dries by October). Carry a minimum of 3 litres/person.
- Emergency: Nearest hospital — Banjar (35 km). In 2025, the forest department installed an emergency shelter hut halfway up the trek with blankets & first-aid.
Nearby Hidden Gems (within 4–10 km)
- Lambri Top (3,820 m) – 2 hr extension from Raghupur, even better views
- Bashleo Pass (3,600 m) – ancient shepherd route to Sainj Valley
- Sareulsar Lake (8 km) – lesser-known sister of Serolsar, no temple, wilder
- “Secret Lake” (unnamed) – 2024 discovery by shepherds, 1 hr off-trail from Raghupur
Quick FAQ – Raghupur Fort
Q: Can kids and senior citizens do the trek? A: Yes – gradual slope, no technical sections. Ponies available till halfway (₹800–1,000).
Q: Is camping safe? A: Very safe. Locals and shepherds patrol; many groups camp every weekend.
Q: Best month for snow views without snow on the trail? A: Late October – November. Snow on distant peaks, green/golden meadow.
Q: Any entry permission needed? A: No. Completely open and free.
Q: Can we see the Milky Way? A: One of the best spots in Himachal – zero light pollution.
Q: Is it crowded? A: Even in peak season, rarely more than 30–40 people on the entire meadow.
Q: Winter trek possible? A: Yes, December–March, but only with crampons, a guide, and proper gear. The trail disappears under the snow.
Q: Can we do Raghupur and Serolsar Lake in one day? A: Yes, if you start at 5 AM. Raghupur sunrise → descend → Serolsar → back by 4 PM (very long day).
Q: Is snow guaranteed in winter? A: 3–6 feet from December to March. The trail completely disappears — only with a local guide.
Q: Best month for wildflowers + Milky Way? A: June 15 – July 15 (flowers peak + monsoon not started yet).
Q: Are there leopards/bears? A: Yes. Never trek alone after 4 PM. Groups of 4+ are completely safe.
Q: Can we fly drones? A: Yes (no restriction), but keep below 100 m near the fort out of respect for birds.
Q: Is there any mobile network on top? A: Only one spot on the eastern ridge catches 1 bar of BSNL 2G (2025).
Q: Can we see the Kinnaur Kailash peak? A: Yes — on crystal-clear October–November mornings, the 6,050 m holy peak is visible 120 km away.
Raghupur Fort is where history dissolves into grass and sky. No ticket counters, no selfie sticks, just wind, ruins, and the quiet grandeur of the Himalayas. Come for a few hours, stay for a lifetime memory.