Dipta Bhog
Outlooktraveller; 2nd June 2003

A vacation in the tiny mountain village at 8,000 ft in the Kullu valley is just the cure for the heat wave and dust storms the plains are inflicted with now. The mere drive to Shoja via Aut, Larji and Banjar from Mandi can take your breath away, with purple iris growing wild all over the mountains, dappled sunlight and old, massive fir trees lining the hill road. The drive up is picturesque with dense forests, small waterfalls and innumerable little chai shops that make you want to stop and soak it all in, just that little bit longer.

For those who want nothing to do except relax, Shoja offers little for company but the occasional bird that flies out of the Great Himalayan National Park next door. Settle down into a lazy chair and enjoy those special Himalayan Views. Just beyond Shoja's Forest Rest House is a lovely meadow with a quaint deodar wood temple. From here you can get a near 360-degree view of the stunning vistas around. There are more spellbinding views at waterfall point. For the active, a number of treks are on offer. About 5 km from Shoja is Jalori Pass at 10,282 ft. Not a particularly special place with its dusty dhabas, Jalori is nevertheless famed for the hike from Shoja across the Pass. The trail, winding through thick deodar forest, offers view of sunlit peaks above wooded slopes. And don't bother to pluck the purple iris they wilt the moment you do so from their long succulent stems. Forty minutes to the right of Jalori Pass brings you to the ancient Raghupur Fort. This is a great place to set up a picnic.