Ghorle Waterfall in Panchkhapan Municipality-1 of Sankhuwasabha is rapidly emerging as a promising tourism destination, attracting an increasing number of domestic and international visitors with its spectacular natural scenery, cascading waters, and relatively easy accessibility.
A Hidden Natural Attraction Gaining Popularity
Located amid the scenic landscapes of the Arun Valley, Ghorle Waterfall offers visitors a combination of dramatic waterfalls, dense forests, wildlife and mountain views. The destination can be reached while travelling through areas known for their natural diversity, including the Arun Valley and habitats where the rare spiny babbler is found. The surrounding landscape also provides views of Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest mountain, adding another major attraction for visitors travelling to the waterfall. The growing popularity of Ghorle Waterfall has been driven largely by its natural beauty and increasing exposure on social media. Photographs and videos shared online have encouraged more travellers to discover the relatively new destination.
A 191-Metre Waterfall in Three Tiers
Formed by the Kusuwā River, Ghorle Waterfall has a total height of approximately 191 metres and falls in three distinct sections. The upper cascade is around 9 metres high, followed by a 65-metre middle section and a spectacular 117-metre final cascade. The longest section is particularly attractive during sunny weather, when visitors can often see a rainbow forming in the spray of the falling water. The combination of the towering cascade, surrounding greenery and natural light creates an impressive landscape that has increasingly become a favourite location for photography and video production.
Visitors Increasing from Dozens to Around 100 a Day
Panchkhapan Municipality Mayor Bipin Rai said the number of visitors has increased significantly in recent years as awareness of the waterfall has grown. According to him, the waterfall previously received around 20 to 30 visitors a day, while the number has recently risen to approximately 100 visitors daily. Visitors come for a variety of activities, including picnics, photography, video production, TikTok content creation and simply enjoying the peaceful natural environment. The sound of the waterfall, chirping birds, dense greenery and clean surroundings provide visitors with an opportunity to experience nature away from busy urban areas.
Social Media Boosting the Destination
The growing influence of social media has played a significant role in introducing Ghorle Waterfall to a wider audience. Elina Basnet, who travelled from Biratnagar, said she became interested in visiting the waterfall after seeing photographs and videos of the destination on social media. She said the actual scenery was even more impressive than what she had seen online, particularly the combination of the waterfall, greenery, fresh surroundings and soothing sound of flowing water. Her experience reflects a broader trend in Nepal’s tourism sector, where lesser-known natural destinations are gaining popularity through photographs, short videos and social media recommendations.
Municipality Prioritizing Tourism Infrastructure
Panchkhapan Municipality has identified Ghorle Waterfall as one of its important tourism destinations and is working to improve facilities for visitors. Mayor Rai said the municipality has been prioritizing infrastructure development, promotion and budget allocation to transform the waterfall into a more organized tourism site. In coordination with the provincial government, work is being advanced on facilities such as walking trails, resting areas, visitor safety measures and other basic infrastructure. The municipality believes that the waterfall can become an important component of Sankhuwasabha’s tourism development and help connect the area with other attractions across the district.
Local Community Sees Economic Opportunities
Ward No. 1 Chairperson Tek Bahadur Budhathoki said the local community has been actively involved in protecting and developing the waterfall. He emphasized the need for additional infrastructure to ensure that visitors can reach and enjoy the destination safely and comfortably. He also said stronger promotion could help connect Ghorle Waterfall with other tourism attractions in Sankhuwasabha and create a broader tourism circuit. The increasing flow of visitors is already generating positive economic effects for local communities. According to Budhathoki, tourism has begun supporting local shops, hotels, and other businesses while creating employment opportunities and increasing demand for locally produced goods.
Around Three Hours from Khandbari
Ghorle Waterfall can be reached after approximately three hours of travel from Khandbari, the district headquarters of Sankhuwasabha. Its comparatively convenient road access has made it easier for families, groups of friends, and other domestic travellers to visit the site. The accessibility, combined with the waterfall’s natural scenery, is helping the destination attract visitors who may not be prepared for longer and more demanding trekking routes.
Potential to Become a Major Tourism Hub in Koshi Province
Stakeholders believe Ghorle Waterfall has considerable potential to become one of the leading tourism destinations not only in Sankhuwasabha but also in Koshi Province. However, they stress that tourism development should be balanced with environmental protection. Proper waste management, visitor safety, controlled infrastructure development, and conservation of the surrounding forest and natural ecosystem will be essential as visitor numbers increase.
If its natural character is preserved while necessary infrastructure and promotional activities are developed in a sustainable manner, Ghorle Waterfall could become a strong new attraction within Sankhuwasabha’s tourism circuit. With its 191-metre multi-tiered waterfall, rainbow views, lush forests, mountain scenery and growing social-media popularity, Ghorle offers an opportunity to diversify tourism in eastern Nepal and bring greater economic benefits to surrounding communities.
