Town or village
Okhaldhunga
The hillside headquarters of Okhaldhunga district, an old bazaar town in the middle hills south of the Solu region.
पोकली झरना
Pokali Waterfall
A tall waterfall in the forested hills of Okhaldhunga district, a popular local excursion after the monsoon.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Mar-Apr, Sep-Nov
- Type
- Viewpoint
- District
- Okhaldhunga, Koshi
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Pokali Waterfall, known locally as Pokali Jharana, is a high waterfall in the hills of Okhaldhunga district, in the area of Champadevi Rural Municipality. A stream drops over a steep rock face in a long, narrow fall into a forested gorge, and the sound of the water carries a long way through the surrounding woods. It is often described in Nepal as one of the country's tallest waterfalls, though published figures for its height differ and should be treated with caution.
The fall has become a popular day trip for domestic tourists, students and families from the district and beyond, particularly since road access in the area improved. The approach involves a walk on footpaths through farmland and forest, and the most impressive time to see the fall is just after the monsoon, when the flow is heavy and the hills are green. In the dry months the volume drops considerably, but the setting remains attractive and the paths are easier underfoot.
Facilities at the site are very limited, so it is best visited as an excursion from Okhaldhunga bazaar or nearby villages, with water, snacks and a local guide or companion who knows the trail.
History and culture
For the communities living around it, the waterfall was long simply part of the landscape, a landmark on the footpaths between villages. Its wider fame is recent, spreading through Nepali media and social media as domestic tourism grew and as local governments began promoting natural sights to attract visitors. Local efforts to improve trails and viewpoints have followed.
The surrounding villages are home to Rai, Magar, Tamang, Chhetri, Brahmin and other communities who farm terraced fields of maize, millet and rice. Visitors walking to the fall pass through this farming landscape, and a respectful approach, keeping to paths, not leaving litter and asking before photographing people, helps keep a welcome for future travellers.
Things to do in Pokali Waterfall
Waterfall walk
Walk the footpath to the viewing area below the fall; allow time and go with someone who knows the route.
Photography
Visit in the morning light in September or October for the best combination of water flow and clearer skies.
Combine with Okhaldhunga
Pair the trip with a night in Okhaldhunga bazaar and walks on the surrounding ridges.
Weather and the best time to visit Pokali Waterfall
Weather in Pokali Waterfall
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 to November is the best time, with strong flow after the rains and drier trails.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and dry; the flow is much lower but paths are firm.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is warm; flow is at its lowest before the rains begin.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August brings the strongest flow but slippery, leech-prone trails and landslide risk on approach roads.
Where to stay
GuesthousesHomestays
Stay in Okhaldhunga bazaar or in homestays in nearby villages where available; there is little or no lodging at the fall.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Travel to Okhaldhunga bazaar or to Champadevi area by road, then continue by local transport and on foot to the fall.
Nearest hub: Okhaldhunga
- roadReach Okhaldhunga district by bus or jeep from Kathmandu, a long day of hill driving.
- jeepLocal jeeps run from Okhaldhunga towards the villages nearest the fall; ask locally for the current road head.
- walkA footpath leads from the nearest road to the fall; ask locally for the current route and time.
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 Okhaldhunga District, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Pokali Waterfall
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
Monsoon rain triggers landslides on approach roads and makes the steep, muddy trails to the fall hazardous.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Aug
Streams rise quickly after heavy rain; do not cross swollen streams or go close to the base of the fall in high flow.
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
- Take a local guide or companion; trails are not always signed.
- Wear shoes with good grip, as rocks near the fall are slippery.
- Carry water, snacks and a rain layer; facilities at the site are minimal.
- Do not swim or climb near the fall, especially in high flow.
Questions about Pokali Waterfall
Where is Pokali Waterfall?
In the hills of Okhaldhunga district in Koshi Province, eastern Nepal, in the Champadevi area.
Is Pokali the tallest waterfall in Nepal?
It is often described as one of the tallest, but published heights vary and have not been confirmed here.
When is the best time to see Pokali Waterfall?
September to November, when the flow is strong after the monsoon and trails are drier.
Do I need a permit?
No permit is required.
Nearby
Town or village
Rumjatar
A broad, flat plateau in Okhaldhunga district with a domestic airstrip, the air gateway to Okhaldhunga and the Solu hills.
Viewpoint · 4,065 m
Pikey Peak
A grassy 4,065 m summit in lower Solukhumbu with a long view of the eastern Himalaya, reached on a short trek through Sherpa villages.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Okhaldhunga District, Wikipedia, Champadevi Rural Municipality, Wikipedia, Nepal Tourism Board