One can easily find hotels and resorts here and there are plenty of things to do for visitors. Boating in the reservoir and hiking to Bheda Farm, a scenic pastureland, are two of the most popular activities. But many of them miss out Markhu’s hidden gem: Mohini Waterfall.
This week, I visited the famed waterfall with a friend of mine. It was a journey fraught with misadventures—bad weather, lost ways and jungle-walk after dark. But then we came across the majestic waterfall, which made our trip more than worthwhile.
We set out from Kathmandu on a scooter fairly late at around 12:30 pm, as it had been raining since early morning on the day of our journey. We reached Markhu at around 3pm via the Chandragiri route. (One can also take the alternative route from Pharping.)
Weather was not the only thing that turned on us that afternoon. Our old two-wheeler betrayed us in several segments of the Kathmandu-Markhu ride. It could not pull our weight on inclines.
In ideal conditions, Mohini Waterfall is about two-hour hike from Markhu. There is also the option for a 45-minute short hiking route. For this, one must take a motorboat across the reservoir and ascend a steep stone stairway.
This was the route I and my friend took.
There is also a route for motorcycles, all the way up to the waterfall. One must cross the headwaters of the reservoir, usually impassable during the monsoon, to catch this route. But the two hiking trails are accessible around the year.
We reached Mohini Waterfall late in the afternoon. The place was fairly packed despite not-so-promising weather. Visitors were soaking in the view, taking photos, swimming in the plunge pool and pitching tents for an overnight stay.
On our return trip, it began to rain heavily and we decided to take shelter at a nearby tea shop. It was already dark and the rain would not stop. We also missed the boat ride back to Markhu because it was already gloomy. So we took a long hiking trail through the forest with light from our mobile phone showing us the way. Soaking wet, we reached Markhu at 9:30 pm and rode our scooter back to Kathmandu.
