Viewpoints · Uttarey
Mainebas waterfall after the rains
A short outing from Uttarey village to the Mainebas waterfall, best from September to November when the monsoon has filled the streams and the paths have dried. Pair it with a walk through the farms and a picnic lunch from your homestay.
Mainebas is one of the waterfalls around Uttarey, fed by streams coming off the Singalila ridge. Like most hill falls it changes with the seasons: full and loud after the monsoon, from September into November, thinner but still pretty in spring, and reduced to a trickle in the driest weeks before the rains. We think autumn is the best time, when the water is strong but the paths have had a few weeks to dry and the leeches have mostly gone.
Your host will tell you the current route, which may be partly by road and partly by footpath, depending on landslide repairs and how the tracks have shifted. The outing usually takes 1.5–2 hours including time at the falls. On the way you pass farmhouses and fields of potato, maize and vegetables, and in spring you may see rhododendron and magnolia flowering in the forest above. Ask before crossing private land.
Wear shoes with good grip, as rocks near falling water are slippery even in dry weather. Do not climb on wet rocks or stand at the edge for photos; every year people get hurt at hill waterfalls. Take a small picnic and your rubbish home with you. If you are in Uttarey from June to August, look from a safe distance rather than trying to reach the base, since paths can be washed out.
Cost: Free
Questions people ask
Good to know
When is the best time to see Mainebas waterfall?
September to November, after the monsoon, when the water is high and the paths have dried. Spring, from March to May, is also pleasant, with less water but flowering forests. From June to August the falls are at their fullest but paths can be slippery, leech-heavy or washed out, so view from a distance.
How far is Mainebas waterfall from Uttarey village?
It is close enough for a short outing, usually 1.5–2 hours including time at the falls, partly by road and partly on foot. The exact route depends on current path and road conditions, so ask your homestay host for directions or a guide on the day rather than relying on old online maps.
Is the waterfall walk safe for children?
Yes, with care. The approach is not long, but rocks near the falls are slippery. Keep children away from the edges, do not let them climb on wet rocks, and turn back if the path looks damaged. Shoes with good grip are essential. In the monsoon, look from a safe distance only.
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