Nature · Kanchenjunga Falls
Climb the steps to the falls
Stop at the car park on the Pelling–Yuksom road and climb about 100 steps to the viewing area beneath Kanchenjunga Falls, where the water drops in tiers and two main streams, close enough to feel the spray.
Photo: Sujay25 · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Gyalshing district administration lists Kanchenjunga Waterfalls as a primary attraction, open 8 am to 5 pm, with a short climb of about 100 steps from the car park. The climb is easy for most people and takes five to ten minutes, with railings and resting spots.
At the top you stand below a long, tiered drop down a forested cliff. In the monsoon and just after, the water splits into two thundering streams and the spray soaks anyone close to the front. In the dry months, November to May, the flow is gentler and you can see the rock layers behind the water.
Stay on the platform. The rocks at the base are wet, mossy and slippery, and climbing them for photographs is not safe. Carry a rain jacket for spray, and a cloth for your camera lens.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
How many steps are there at Kanchenjunga Falls?
The district administration describes a short climb of about 100 steps from the car park to the viewing area. Most people manage it in five to ten minutes. The steps are wet and slippery in the rainy months, so wear shoes with grip and use the railings. Older travellers can rest partway.
Is there an entry fee at Kanchenjunga Falls?
The district's 2023 survey lists the falls as non-ticketed. A parking charge or small fee may be collected at times by the local committee. Check current status before you travel. There are cafes and a public toilet near the car park.
What are the opening hours of Kanchenjunga Falls?
The district administration lists 8 am to 5 pm, every day of the week. In practice the falls are beside a public road, but the stalls, toilet and parking work to these hours. Visit in daylight only; the steps and road are not safe after dark.
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