Pokali waterfall, the second largest waterfall in Nepal, is situated in Okhaldhunga district, Sagarmatha Zone. Famous for being one of the relaxing places, this waterfall is about 133-m long. For the visit year 2020 in Nepal, this place was listed in the top 100 destinations to attract tourists with its thundering sound.
The word Pokali has been derived from the Sunuwar language, where ‘Po’ means ‘Pig’ and ‘Kali’ means ‘Nettle’. It is believed that this waterfall carries a huge religious significance because of which Hindu pilgrims from all over the world visit here and perform puja. It is also popularly known as ‘Dughdeshow Mahadev’.
Many festivals have been organized in this waterfall by the local villagers to promote and prosper tourism.
Attractions of Pokali Waterfall
Being surrounded by the Gauri Forest, Pokali waterfall has been rapidly gaining the attention of trekkers. The rainbow formed by the sun’s ray around the waterfall, the sound of water falling high from the sky to the Likhu River, walking in nature by consuming the fresh air, etc., are the major highlights of this trip.
Some of the major attractions of this place are;
1. Likhu River
You can witness the flowing Likhu River with your naked eyes. Playing with the cold water of this river gives you a refreshing aura. This river is covered by cultivable farmlands, which provide greenery to the whole surrounding. Moreover, around five hydropower projects are being launched in this river, which proves its capacity to develop the nation’s economy.
2. Dudheshowr Temple
Besides this, a visit to the nearest Dudheshowr Mahadev temple has been another attraction of this place. It is considered a spiritual home, and many people believe that if one performs a puja and takes a bath in this Jharana, they will get rid of all the sins and pains.
3. Chulivan
Chulivan forest is another must-visit place nearby the Pokali waterfall. Travelers can find many essential herbs, varied species of plants, and blooming Rhododendron in this area. They can also enjoy bird watching and get a chance to witness the Danphe.
4. Cultural Diversity
The diverse culture and the pure blending between the inhabitants of this place make your trip more exciting. During your 3-day visit, you will pass through several villages inhabited by Sunuwar, Brahmin, Chettri, Sherpa, etc. The warm, welcoming, and homestay experience with the local people will help you learn about their culture, traditions, festival, and lifestyle.
Chandi dance of Sunuwar, Khaijadi Dance of Brahmin, Chettri, and Jhakri dance by the local people mark this place as a rich multi-religious and multi-cultural area.
5.Ethnic Food
Travelers can taste the exotic Nepalese food in this region. The local villagers served you their famous food such as mashed potatoes, meat curry, chilli, nettle leaves etc. with extra love and affection, which will make you feel heavenly.
6. Canyoning
Canyoning during spring (March, April, and May) is another must-do activity in this waterfall. Jumping in the fast-flowing water with the required materials will make your trip more adventurous.
Don’t try canyoning in monsoon (June, July, and August) as it may lead to dangerous threats.
Best Time to Visit Pokali Waterfall
Travelers can plan for this trip throughout the year. However, spring (June, July, and August) and Autumn (September, October, and November) are considered the best time to trek Pokali waterfall. Monsoon is also acceptable as, during this time, the surrounding area of the waterfall gets more vibrant. However, one needs to be safe while driving in the monsoon as most of the route gets slippery and muddy at this time.
How to get there?
One of the famous and shortest routes to Pokali waterfall is via Ramechhap. One can access a local bus that departs to Ramechhap from the old bus station, which takes around 6-7 hours. The jeep services are also readily available from Chabhiel. From Ramechhap, Manthali, you can catch another bus which will directly take you to Pokali within 3-4 hours.
However, the road condition from Manthali to Pokali gets rough and slippery during monsoon so avoid traveling in the local bus during this time. Instead, drive via private jeep or serviced bike in the monsoon.
Packing list for Pokali Waterfall Trip
Pokali waterfall trip can be completed within three days. So, you don’t need to pack access as it will only increase the load and make you suffer. If you are traveling in summer, three pairs of thin clothes and one pair of sports shoes are enough. However, in winter, this region becomes very cold. So, pack the thick jacket, full sleeve collared shirts, full trousers, beanie, etc.
Because of the remoteness, the electricity service is not fully developed. So, pack the power bank, extra batteries for the camera, etc.
Challenges
Even though this waterfall is magnificent, only fewer travelers visit this place. One of the main reasons behind the fewer travelers is because of remoteness and lack of infrastructure facilities. There are no proper hotels and tea houses around this area. Also, the road condition is demanding and unpaved.
To deal with the challenges, ministers of Province no. 1 and Likhu Municipality have budgeted a certain amount. They are planning to develop the road, build hotels, parks, gardens, swimming pools, etc., within the area of this waterfall.
In short, Pokali waterfall carries a huge capacity in attracting both internal and external tourists. Anyone can escape from the hustle and bustle of the crowded city by planning their visit to this waterfall. If you are looking for a destination that can be visited in a short period, then Pokali waterfall should be on your bucket list. Get to the waterfall and experience better showering than in your private bathroom!!
-Article written by: Kusum Kharel for Land Nepal
