Far Westपचालझरना

Pachal Jharana

A tall waterfall in the hills of Kalikot that gives its name to the surrounding rural municipality.

Altitude: -*
Best months: Mar-Apr, Sep-Nov
Type: Viewpoint
District: Kalikot, Karnali
Permit: None needed

Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep).

Why go

Pachal Jharana is a waterfall in Kalikot district, Karnali Province, best known as the feature that gives its name to Pachaljharana Rural Municipality. Jharana means waterfall in Nepali. The fall drops over a steep rock face in a forested hillside setting, and it is at its fullest during and just after the monsoon, when the volume of water is greatest.

The waterfall is a local landmark rather than an established tourist site, and it is visited mainly by people from the district and travellers on the Karnali Highway who stop to see it. Paths lead towards the base of the fall, where spray and the sound of the water make a cool contrast to the dusty highway. The surrounding hillsides are terraced and dotted with villages.

Visiting the waterfall is a short excursion for travellers breaking the long journey through Kalikot, and it adds variety to a trip that otherwise focuses on the road to Jumla, Rara and Mugu.

History and culture

Waterfalls and springs are often associated with local deities in the Karnali hills, and small shrines and offerings are common near them. The communities around Pachal Jharana are mainly Khas Hindu farming families, growing grain on terraces on the steep slopes and keeping livestock.

When local government was restructured in 2017, the new rural municipality was named after the waterfall, which shows its importance as a local symbol. Improved roads in Kalikot have made it easier to reach, and it is increasingly mentioned by domestic travellers on the Karnali Highway. Visitors should remember that the land around the fall is farmed and grazed, and should keep to paths and ask permission before crossing fields.

Things to do in Pachal Jharana

Walk to the fall
Follow the path towards the base of the waterfall for the best view and the spray.
Post-monsoon visit
Come in September or October, when the flow is still strong and the roads are drier.

Weather and the best time to visit Pachal Jharana

Weather in Pachal Jharana

Conditions change fast in the mountains.

Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.

Best time to visit

Mar-Apr, Sep-Nov

Jan
Feb
Good month: Mar
Good month: Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Good month: Sep
Good month: Oct
Good month: Nov
Dec

Autumn (Sep-Nov): September and October combine a good flow of water with drier roads; November is clearer but the fall is smaller.
Winter (Dec-Feb): December to February is cool and dry and the flow is much reduced.
Spring (Mar-May): March and April are pleasant for travel, though the waterfall is at its lowest before the monsoon.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug): June to August gives the strongest flow, but landslides make the roads unreliable and paths slippery.

Where to stay

LodgesGuesthouses

No accommodation at the waterfall; stay in Manma or other highway towns in Kalikot.

No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.

Getting there

Travel up the Karnali Highway from Birendranagar into Kalikot and ask locally for the road or path to the waterfall.

Nearest hub: Birendranagar (Surkhet)

roadBus or jeep from Birendranagar along the Karnali Highway into Kalikot, then local transport or a walk to the waterfall.
walkA short walk from the nearest road leads to the base of the fall; ask locally for the path.

Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

None needed

No permit is needed to visit the waterfall.

Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.

Risks and conditions

Seasonal risks around Pachal Jharana

What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.

Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Karnali Highway through Kalikot suffers landslides and rockfall in the monsoon.
Karnali Highway, Wikipedia
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
The waterfall and its stream run high in the monsoon; keep away from the base and wet rocks.
Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Nepal

Check current conditions before you travel

Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.

Practical tips

Rocks near the fall are slippery; do not climb on them.
Ask locals for the current path and road conditions before going.

Questions about Pachal Jharana

Where is Pachal Jharana?

In Kalikot district, Karnali Province, in the rural municipality named after the waterfall.

When is the waterfall at its best?

During and just after the monsoon, though September and October balance good flow with easier travel.

Is Pachal Jharana on the Karnali Highway?

It is reached from the highway area in Kalikot; ask locally for the exact route.

Nearby

Town or village