Barot Valley, Himachal Pradesh | Trek, Hotels & Things To Do

Barot, Mandi Overview

Barot is a mesmerizingly beautiful village located in the serene valleys of Mandi District (67km away) in Himachal Pradesh. It is a newfound tourist destination and remains quite secluded. It is popular for trekking, camping and trout fishing. The scenic landscapes and pollution-free environment along with the Uhl river flowing by are what beckons tourists to Barot. It is ideal for solo travel as well as a family vacation.

Barot valley is the gateway to Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary which is home black bear, ghoral and monal. The valley came into the limelight when the Shanan Hydroelectric Project was proposed around 1920 in India. It was mainly to utilize the hydroelectric potential of River Uhl that gushes between Barot and Jogindernagar. It is since then that the village has also been considered as a tourist destination, but not many know about this place. The forests around the village are mostly Deodar and Oak that grow in abundance in the region and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. One can choose to walk through the woods nearby and experience the charm of the village.

1. Trout Fishing

Angling in the Uhl River is popular in Barot. A trout breeding centre is located at a 15min walk from Uhl Barrage. Prior permission is required from the Trout farm office.

2. Nagru Wildlife Sanctuary

The Nagru Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Mandi district. It is home to goral, Himalayan black bear and a variety of pheasants. There are multiple trekking routes from Barot to the sanctuary (Read More). The best time to visit is from April-May and August-September.

3. Walk through Shanan Hydel Project

The Shanan Hydel Project is located in the heart of the valley and is a fun edutainment spot. The Shanan powerhouse located here has colonial architecture. A walk through the area is a great way (Read More)of understanding how the power system works.

4. Trekking

There are numerous trekking trails in and around Barot. The Barot Himri Trek along the Mule Trail is quite famous. During winters, many visit Barot especially for Snow Trekking.

Read More on Barot

Best Time to Visit Barot

The best time to visit Barot is between April and June, during the summers and between November and February, during winters as the weather is suitable for sightseeing and exploring the valley. Due to its high altitude, Barot receives heavy rainfall making it difficult to visit during the monsoon.

How to Reach Barot

Road: The beautiful valley of Uhl, where Barot is located lies at a distance of 40 kilometers from the town of Jogindernagar and 66 kilometers from Mandi. One can avail public buses from Mandi, Jogindernagar, and Palampur to reach Barot. There also are frequent buses plying to Kothikodh, Bada Gran, and Luhardi that pass through Barot.
Rail: The nearest Railway Station is the Jogindernagar Railways Station. One can take public transport from the junction and reach the lush green valleys of Barot via NH154 in about 2 hours.
Air: The nearest airport is the Bhuntar Airport in Kullu, about 3.5 hours away from Barot. There are daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai. Tourists can take public transport or rent cabs to reach the stunning valley via the scenic NH154 and NH3.

Where to Stay in Barot

There are some small hotels and homestays in Barot. To experience the local culture, stay at homestays. There are also some campsites in Barot

Food in Barot

Since Barot is famous for trout fishing, fish is one of the most popular staple food here. Trout Pakoras and Tawa Fried fish are easily available.
For the vegetarians, must try local food include Rajma and mushrooms