Nature · Aritar
Rorathang road falls and Rhenock market drive
A half-day drive on the hill road to Rhenock, stopping at roadside waterfalls named in Wikipedia and wandering the Rhenock bazaar. It is useful if you have a rest day without a permit.
Photo: Arpan Mahajan · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Aritar's neighbours are within a short drive: Rhenock about 10 km away and Rorathang about 9 km beyond that. Wikipedia lists Kali Khola falls, about 100 m high, on the Rorathang to Rongli road, and Changey falls, about 50 m high, near Lampokhari. Both are seasonal, and best seen from a safe roadside spot.
In Rhenock, walk the bazaar for tea, momos and shopping, and visit the small nursery and museum mentioned in Wikipedia's article, which is privately owned, so check whether it is open. The market also has banks and ATMs, which Aritar may not.
Roads on this loop can be wet or slippery after rain. Do not walk close to falls after heavy rain, because flows rise fast and slopes can slide. Check current status before you travel, and ask your driver where it is safe to stop.
Good for
Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Are the waterfalls always flowing?
No. Flow is strongest in and just after the monsoon, from June to October, and thinner in winter. That is also when slides and slippery edges are more likely. Ask your host about the current state before heading out, and keep to roadside viewpoints.
Is there an ATM near Aritar?
Rhenock and Rongli have ATMs and banks, and Rhenock is the nearer. Aritar itself may not have a reliable one, so withdraw cash before you arrive. Many homestays take cash only. Check current status before you travel.
Can we do this drive without a permit?
Yes. Rhenock, Aritar and Rorathang lie outside the Silk Route protected area, so no permit is needed. The permit is for the road beyond Rongli, towards Padamchen and Zuluk. Check current status before you travel in case rules change.
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