Simba Waterfall is a chain of five cascades at about 2,000 m in Mahankal Rural Municipality, in the forested hills south of Lalitpur. It is roughly 45 to 50 km from Kathmandu. Expect 3 to 5 hours on the road, most of it on the rough stretch after Lele, then a 30 to 60 minute walk from Manikhel. Going by public bus, budget about NPR 2,250 to 2,950 (USD 15 to 19) a person for the day with food. Late September to November is the best window, when the falls still run full and the trail has dried out.
- LocationManikhel, Mahankal Rural Municipality, Lalitpur
- AltitudeAbout 2,000 m (6,562 ft)
- CascadesFive, about 300 m of drop in total
- From Kathmandu45 to 50 km, 3 to 5 hours by road
- Walk to the falls30 to 60 minutes from Manikhel
- Best timeLate September to November
Simba waterfall is named after its water’s coldness. In the Tamang (one of the ethnic groups of Nepal) language Simba means “cold”. As the water of Simba waterfall is in fact cold it is named “Simba”. It is located in Lalitpur’s Mahankal rural municipality. Simba waterfalls lie in the middle of Rigin Dada and Manikhel Khawa.
Simba Waterfall has five small waterfalls in total, with about 300 m of drop between the top and the bottom one. It lies at an altitude of 2,000 m / 6,562 ft above sea level in dense green forests of hilly regions. It is one of the hidden gems of Nepal that is yet to get the exposure it deserves. Simba waterfall is one of the closest big waterfalls to Kathmandu. Smaller falls such as Sundarijal lie inside the valley itself. By road, this magical waterfall is about 45 to 50 km / 28 to 31 miles from the capital city, though the rough rural roads make the drive feel longer. It is in part of Lalitpur that is far away from the city’s buzz. So, it is a perfect short hike for a peaceful breakthrough from your busy life.
How to Get to Simba Waterfall
There are three known routes to reach Simba waterfalls. The first one is through Chobar, the second one is through Godavari. The classic and last way to reach the majestic Simba falls is through Chapagaun via Satdobato. The detailed guide to the classic route is: Get to Satdobato then to Chapagaun. Ride to Lele from Chapagaun. Lele to Bhardeu, Bhardeu to Chaughare, Chaughare to Gotikhel, and then finally Gotikhel to Manikhel.
The Classic Route at a Glance
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Kathmandu or Patan to Satdobato | City traffic, the usual start for buses and private cars |
| Satdobato to Chapagaun | Main road to the edge of the valley, where you change buses |
| Chapagaun to Lele | Tileshwor Mahadev and Saraswoti Kunda are on this stretch |
| Lele to Bhardeu, Chaughare and Gotikhel | The road turns rough and climbs into forest, the slowest part of the drive |
| Gotikhel to Manikhel | End of the drive for most cars, then 30 to 60 minutes on foot to the falls |
Now that we know our designated route let’s see the options of transportation we can take to complete it.
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Book a private car (taxi)
For international tourists after landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport, take a taxi and ask them to drive you all the way to Manikhel. Booking a taxi for a day costs around NPR 6000 to NPR 8000 ($39 to $53). It takes around 3 to 5 hours to reach Manikhel from Kathmandu, and most of that time goes on the rough road after Lele. After reaching Manikhel you have to hike for about 45 minutes to 50 minutes to get to Simba waterfalls.
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Book a motorcycle
If you are traveling solo (for both domestic tourists and international tourists) booking a motorcycle is cheaper than booking a taxi. It also adds an adventurous rush to the journey. From Kathmandu, Manikhel is about 3 to 4 hours away by bike. A rented motorcycle costs around NPR 1,000 to NPR 1,500 ($7 to $10) a day, plus fuel. Another advantage of taking a motorcycle is that you can ride up above the hills and reach even closer to the Simba waterfall. From this point, the waterfall is just 25 minutes of walk away.
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Taking public transportation to Manikhel
The first way is to take a public vehicle that goes to Lagankhel. After reaching Lagankhel take another public vehicle to Chapagaun. Then take the last bus from Chapagaun that goes to Manikhel. Then walk for 45 minutes to 50 minutes to see the beautiful Simba waterfall. The second way is to take a bus from Ratnapark. Ratnapark is a bus station for vehicles that move all around Kathmandu. It is exactly opposite the oldest hospital in Nepal: Bir Hospital. From Ratnapark take a bus to Chapagaun then change the vehicle, take a bus that goes up to Manikhel, and start hiking. The total cost of either of the option mentioned is around NPR 250 to NPR 300 ($1.60 to $2) each way. Few buses climb to Manikhel each day, so ask for the departure time in Chapagaun and set off early.
Taxi, Motorcycle or Bus: Side by Side
| Option | Cost | Time from Kathmandu | Walk to the falls | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private car (taxi) for the day | NPR 6,000 to 8,000 (USD 39 to 53) per car | 3 to 5 hours | 45 to 50 minutes | Families and groups of three or four |
| Rented motorcycle | NPR 1,000 to 1,500 (USD 7 to 10) a day, plus fuel | 3 to 4 hours | About 25 minutes | Solo riders and couples with off-road experience |
| Public bus | NPR 250 to 300 (USD 1.60 to 2) each way | The longest, with two changes | 45 to 50 minutes | Tight budgets and overnight stays |
What to Pack for Simba Waterfall
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Warm clothes: Yes, the waterfall is very close to Kathmandu but do not forget it is situated amidst forests. The trail leading to the Simba is very chilly, foggy, and damp. Wearing light cotton clothes is sure to get you sick! So, make sure to carry warm clothes to keep you warm.
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Extra pair of clothes: Since the hike to Simba waterfall is completed in one day you might not want to carry a load of extra clothes along. But remember the path goes through the hilly forest that is damp so the trails are slippery and not blacktopped. So, in case you fall or your clothes get wet and dirty having a pair of clothes to change into is good.
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Snacks and water: Once you cross the city area it is not easy to find a place to get any sort of meal or snack. Be well prepared and carry a light snack to keep you full and water to keep you hydrated until arriving at a place to have a meal.
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Some extra cash: Carry some extra cash with you always. As you are traveling through the villages of Lalitpur there are no ATMs. Some shops take QR payments such as Fonepay, but the mobile signal is patchy, so do not count on it. Always carry extra cash with you.
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Map: Yes! Have a map with you. Be it offline maps on your cell phone or physical map. The route to the Simba waterfall can be quite confusing for first-timers. So, have a map to navigate without any difficulties. Do not hesitate to ask for directions from the locals they are always more than happy to help.
Other Attractions Near Simba Waterfall
There are many places near and on the way to the Simba waterfall for you to explore. Some of them are:
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Tileshwor Mahadev: This is a Hindu temple of lord Shiva. You will find it on your way to Lele.
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Saraswoti Kunda: It is located near the Lele bus station. It is one of the best-known Saraswati shrines around the valley and fills with students on Shree Panchami (Basanta Panchami). People believe that anyone with speech issues and stammering problems starts speaking fluently after drinking water from the Kunda.
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Rainbow trout farming: On the way to the Simba waterfall there are a few rainbow trout farms. Rainbow trout are freshwater fish that have vivid colors and patterns in their bodies. If you have some extra time to visit these farms, have them cook fresh rainbow trout, and enjoy. Trout is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and the US FDA lists it among the best fish choices for pregnant women and young children.
How Much Does a Simba Waterfall Trip Cost?
The total cost to both go and return varies on what form of transportation you take. As mentioned earlier taking a public vehicle saves a lot of money. Putting the expenses for transportation aside from the meal in average hotels that you find on the trail costs around NPR 250 to NPR 450 ($1.60 to $3) per simple meal in 2026. To buy some extra snacks to munch on spare around NPR 1000 / $7 max. Since the hike is just 1 day long there is no need to buy new supplies. Take the toiletries and clothes that you already have.
If you do a rough calculation for three meals the total is NPR 750 to NPR 1,350. So, the total expenditure is NPR 1,750 / $11.50 to NPR 2,350 / $15.50 (without transportation fare included). See the cost for your preferred mode of travel and estimate your total.
Day Cost per Person, Food Included
These figures add the meal and snack budget above (NPR 1,750 to 2,350) to the return fare for each option. Fuel for a rented motorcycle is extra. A taxi gets cheap fast once four people share it.
| Option | Range | Scale (up to NPR 10,350) |
|---|---|---|
| Public bus, return (NPR 2,250 to 2,950) | Up to NPR 2,950 | |
| Motorcycle, one rider (NPR 2,750 to 3,850 + fuel) | Up to NPR 3,850 | |
| Taxi shared by four (NPR 3,250 to 4,350) | Up to NPR 4,350 | |
| Taxi for one person (NPR 7,750 to 10,350) | Up to NPR 10,350 |
At about NPR 152 to the US dollar, the bus day comes to USD 15 to 19 and a solo taxi day to USD 51 to 68.
Best Time to Visit Simba Waterfall
The best time to visit the Simba waterfall is from late September to November, as the monsoon withdraws (in Nepal it normally ends around 2 October). Although you can visit the waterfall all time around the year without any notable issues these weeks have the best weather and scenery. The waterfall is at its fullest just after the monsoon, and by late September the skies clear up. The forest is as green as it can get right before it starts to fall from the trees. The combination of the greenery with the clear waterfall makes it no lesser than paradise. The temperature is also apt for hiking. In Kathmandu, September averages 19 to 29 degrees Celsius / 66 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit and October 14 to 27 degrees Celsius / 57 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit (1991 to 2020 airport normals). Manikhel sits about 650 m higher, so expect it to be roughly 4 degrees Celsius cooler at the falls.
Some advice :
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It is suggested to take the local’s advice for weather, directions, and what precautions you should take.
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We advise sparing two days to enjoy the Simba waterfall trek without any rush. With 3 to 5 hours of driving each way, a day trip that starts at 5 am can still end after dark. Therefore, take 2 days instead and spend the night in Manikhel and relax.
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Traveling during the monsoon / rainy season means leeches. Do not panic about seeing leeches on your body just take them off of your body and continue walking ahead.
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The trail to Simba waterfalls has a high risk of landslide, so check with locals or the rural municipality office before leaving. If you encounter a landslide in the middle of the journey there is no other option than stopping the trek right then and there.
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The road is bumpy and rocky once you enter the village side of Lalitpur district. So, make sure the vehicle is in good condition beforehand. If you are traveling in your own car or motorbike have enough fuel. Carry some extra stock of fuel just in case because it is hard to find a petrol pump for a short distance.
Note: Climbing up the hill that lies opposite the Simba waterfall gives a clear panoramic view of all 5 waterfalls. For active people, it takes around 20 minutes to get to the top of the hill.
If a one-day escape like this whets your appetite, see our guides to the 7 best short treks from Kathmandu and romantic things to do in Kathmandu for more ideas within easy reach of the capital.
Prefer a Guided Hike Near Kathmandu?
Swotah does not run a fixed Simba Waterfall departure. If you want the forest walks and village trails around the valley with a guide and transport sorted, these short packages start and end in Kathmandu:
| Trip | Length | From (group departure) |
|---|---|---|
| Shivapuri Day Hike in Kathmandu | 4 days, 1 hiking day | USD 446 per person |
| Dhulikhel Balthali Hike | 5 days, 2 hiking days | USD 659 per person |
| Chitlang Kulekhani Hiking | 7 days, 4 hiking days | USD 825 per person |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Simba Waterfall?
In Manikhel, Mahankal Rural Municipality, in the southern hills of Lalitpur district. The falls drop between Rigin Danda and Manikhel Khawa at about 2,000 m.
How long does it take to reach Simba Waterfall from Kathmandu?
Three to five hours by road for the 45 to 50 km, then 30 to 60 minutes on foot. By bus, with changes at Lagankhel or Ratnapark and Chapagaun, plan on the longer end.
Can you visit Simba Waterfall as a day trip?
Yes, with a private car or motorcycle and an early start. Bus travellers usually spend a night in Manikhel, because the last bus down can leave before you are back from the falls.
When is the waterfall at its fullest?
From July to September, during and just after the monsoon. The trail is slippery and full of leeches then, so late September to November is the better balance of water and walking.
How much does a trip to Simba Waterfall cost?
About NPR 2,250 to 2,950 (USD 15 to 19) a person by bus with food. A taxi for the day costs NPR 6,000 to 8,000 per car before meals.
