OKHALDHUNGA: Tinchhange Waterfall in Kakani, Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-9 of Okhaldhunga, is waiting to be discovered by tourists.
Despite having three spectacular waterfalls within a stretch of around 500 metres along the Kakani River, the site has remained relatively unknown due to a lack of publicity and promotion.
The Kakani River, which flows through Kakani village, plunges over Kapalti cliff and forms three separate waterfalls within a distance of about 500 metres.
The first waterfall is located close to the village and can be reached in around 10 minutes on foot, thanks to the construction of basic tourism infrastructure. Although the second waterfall is located near the first, its difficult terrain requires visitors to take a longer route. It takes around 20 minutes to walk downhill to reach it.
According to local resident Dil Bahadur Tamang, the second waterfall is the highest of the three.
The third waterfall lies deep inside a gorge and is difficult to access due to the lack of a proper trail. Tamang said the third waterfall is arguably the most beautiful and attractive, but its difficult terrain makes it inaccessible to visitors.
“All three waterfalls of the Kakani River are attractive, but the difficult geography has prevented a large number of tourists from visiting the area,” Tamang said.
The famous Kakani Champa Devi Temple of Okhaldhunga is located at the source of the Kakani River. The waterfall area is also associated with local religious beliefs.
Basic tourism infrastructure, including footpaths, railings, resting places and wooden bridges, has been constructed to facilitate access to the first and second waterfalls. However, local resident Dhak Bahadur Sunuwar said the infrastructure developed by the provincial and local governments remains incomplete.
“There is considerable potential to attract tourists if the infrastructure connecting the road, village and waterfall is further improved,” Sunuwar said.
Kakani village, located close to the waterfalls, is predominantly inhabited by Tamang and Sunuwar communities. Local residents have also started offering homestay services to visitors coming to explore the waterfalls.
“We have arranged comfortable homestay facilities near the waterfall and are therefore focusing on attracting more tourists,” said homestay operator Nar Bahadur Sunuwar.
How to reach the waterfall
The waterfall area can be reached in around three hours from the district headquarters of Okhaldhunga. Visitors can travel by motorcycle or jeep from Okhaldhunga via Koshahat in Katunje to Kakani village.
Homestay operator Sunuwar said an increase in tourist arrivals would also contribute to improving the economic condition of local residents.
Despite its remote location, Tinchhange Waterfall offers an attractive destination for visitors seeking natural beauty and a peaceful environment.
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