Republic Day Long Weekend Getaway from Delhi & Chandigarh
Swap January fog for mountain air. How to turn Republic Day 2027 into a four-day winter trip to Jibhi, with routes, costs, snow advice and packing tips.
By The Rustic Team · Published · Updated
Republic Day 2027 dates and why this weekend matters
Republic Day 2027 falls on Tuesday 26 January. Take Monday 25 January off and you have a four-day break from Saturday 23 to Tuesday 26 January 2027, enough time for Jibhi and a day trip up to Shoja and, weather permitting, Jalori. January is the depth of winter in Himachal, with crisp cold days and a fair chance of snow on the higher roads. In Jibhi, winter is cold but the road in usually stays open.
January in Delhi and Chandigarh often means dense fog, smog and grey skies. Jibhi usually gives you clear mountain air, starry nights and a chance of snow if you're lucky. This is the valley at its quietest, with fewer visitors outside the long weekend and the waterfall sometimes partly frozen.
Route from Delhi: overnight bus or self-drive
January is fog season on the plains, and that shapes the whole journey. The overnight Volvo to Aut is still the standard route, with HRTC and private operators such as Zingbus and Laxmi Holidays running overnight buses most days from Kashmiri Gate and Majnu Ka Tilla for roughly ₹1,100–₹1,500. The bus usually takes 10–12 hours to Aut, about 12–14 hours door to door, and that can stretch when dense fog slows traffic through Haryana and Punjab, so don't plan anything for your arrival morning. Aut is very cold at dawn. A taxi from there to Jibhi costs around ₹1,500–₹1,800 for the vehicle (split it if you're sharing) and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Keep gloves and a cap in your day bag. Prices and timings last checked in October 2026; they change with season and fuel prices, so confirm with the operator (or HRTC) before you travel.
Self-driving is roughly 500 km and 10–12 hours via NH44 to Chandigarh, NH205/NH154 to Mandi, NH3 to Aut, and the Banjar road. The plains are the slow part in January, when early-morning fog can cut visibility badly, so if you start around 4 am, drive slowly until it lifts and still aim to reach Jibhi before dark. The road up to Jibhi usually doesn't need snow chains, but the stretch above it towards Shoja and Jalori Pass can carry snow and ice after a fresh fall, and that's where chains are needed. Shaded bends can hold black ice in the early morning even when the day looks clear. Fuel runs roughly ₹2,500–₹3,500 for the round trip.
Route from Chandigarh: winter drive
From Chandigarh it's roughly 260 km and 7–8 hours by car, though winter can add time. Follow NH205 and NH154 towards Mandi, then NH3 to Aut, and take the right turn towards Banjar and Jibhi after the Aut tunnel. In January, morning fog often sits over the plains around Ropar and Kiratpur while the hills beyond are bright and clear. The days are short, so start early, take the foggy stretch slowly, and aim to be past Aut by early afternoon.
Private taxis cost roughly ₹5,000–₹7,000 one way, and in winter it helps to ask for a driver who knows the valley road. By bus, HRTC and private Volvos run from ISBT Sector 43 towards Kullu and Manali; get off at Aut and take a local bus or taxi up to Jibhi. Allow about 9–10 hours in total, plus extra if fog holds things up on the first stretch. If an overnight bus drops you at Aut before sunrise, wait for the taxi in a warm layer rather than standing out by the road.
What to expect at The Rustic during winter
Outside the holiday itself, January is one of the quieter months in Jibhi, but the Republic Day weekend draws a crowd from Delhi and Chandigarh. Dorms are ₹600 in the 6-bed mixed room and ₹750 in the 4-bed mixed and female-only rooms, and private suites are ₹3,000 a night. Book on WhatsApp (+91 83685 59027) a week or two ahead for the long weekend, which also gets you a flat 5% off the online rates. Expect nights around 0–5°C and crisp, sunny days of around 10–15°C.
A winter stay revolves around the café upstairs: hot chai, comfort food and proper coffee, and a warm place to sit while the sun is on the slopes outside. Dinner isn't included in the room rate, but the café serves food into the evening. Winter power supply in the hills can be patchy, and there's power backup to keep the fibre Wi-Fi and lights on. Most evenings there's live music or a movie, depending on the season and who's staying, and a bonfire whenever the weather allows.
Things to do during a winter weekend
In January, snow is most likely on the road above Jibhi, towards Shoja and Jalori Pass. Shoja is a 30–40 minute taxi ride up from Jibhi when the road is clear, and The Rustic Café Shoja is a warm place to stop for coffee and a meal with the snowline in view. Jalori, about 5 km further up at around 3,100 metres, can close for days at a time after a heavy fall, so ask the team about it the morning you plan to go. When it's open, the roughly 5 km walk to Serolsar Lake through snowy oak forest is a highlight of a winter trip, as long as you have shoes that grip. If the road above Jibhi is shut, village walks and a visit to the Jibhi waterfall, which can be partly frozen at this time of year, make for a good slow day.
Winter suits slow café days, reading and short daylight walks. Pack serious layers: thermal inners, a fleece, a windproof jacket, a warm hat, gloves and shoes with real grip. Evenings get cold fast this time of year, so the fire pit sees more use than usual, alongside whatever music or film is on that night. Republic Day itself passes quietly in Jibhi, with no parades, just mountain air and, if you're lucky, snow. Our winter guide has more on the cold months.
Questions people ask
Is there snow in Jibhi in January?
Jibhi itself may see light snow, but heavier snow is more likely higher up, around Shoja and Jalori Pass. Snowfall is unpredictable: you might get a white weekend or just crisp, clear cold days.
Is it too cold in January?
January nights in Jibhi usually sit around 0–5°C, and days are crisp at around 10–15°C when the sun is out. Beds come with thick blankets, but the cold is what you'll notice most after sunset, so pack thermal inners, a heavy jacket, gloves and a warm cap. Shoja is higher and colder than Jibhi, so add an extra layer for a day trip up there or to Jalori.
Are roads accessible in January?
The road from Aut to Jibhi usually stays open through January, and you rarely need chains for it. The road beyond Jibhi towards Shoja and Jalori Pass is a different story: after snowfall it can be icy, chains are often needed, and Jalori may close for a while. If you're driving yourself, ask the team on WhatsApp about conditions the day before you head up, and avoid the early morning, when shaded bends can hold black ice.
How can I turn Republic Day 2027 into a four-day trip?
Republic Day 2027 is a Tuesday, so taking Monday 25 January off gives you Saturday to Tuesday. One way to use it: take the overnight bus from Delhi on Friday 22 January, stay in Jibhi on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights, and spend one of the days on a trip up to Shoja (and Jalori if the road is open) for snow, before catching the overnight bus back on Tuesday evening and reaching Delhi on Wednesday morning. Check-in is 1 pm, so if you arrive early you can wait in the café. Message the team on WhatsApp to book and to check on snow along the Shoja road before you fix your dates.
Written by The Rustic Team
The people who run The Rustic Jibhi and The Rustic Café Shoja. Between us we’ve lived in Tirthan Valley for years: we sort out taxis from Aut, plan treks to Jalori and Serolsar most weeks, and check these guides against what we see on the ground. Read our story.