Sightseeing · Dolpo
Suligad Waterfall
A towering fall below Phoksundo Lake near Ringmo — one of the highest waterfalls in Nepal, fed by the lake's outflow.
The Suligad waterfall — also called the Phoksundo waterfall — is a thundering cascade just below Phoksundo Lake near Ringmo in Dolpo, widely cited as one of the highest waterfalls in Nepal. Fed by the lake's turquoise outflow, it drops in a single dramatic plunge of roughly 150 to 170 m beside the steep trail up to the lakeshore.
What to expect
The fall sits at the head of the Suligad valley, the river corridor that the Lower Dolpo trail follows up from Dunai. The final climb to Ringmo village switchbacks steeply past a viewpoint where the whole cascade is visible at once, spray drifting against the dark cliffs and catching the light. It is the natural curtain-raiser before the lake itself reveals its colour at the top of the climb — a dramatic reward for the day's hardest ascent.
Because the fall is fed directly by the outflow of Phoksundo Lake, its flow is remarkably steady year-round rather than relying on a seasonal stream. The water carries the same glacial clarity as the lake above, turning to white thunder as it drops over the lip. Stand near the base on the trail and you feel the cold drift of spray; from the upper viewpoint you grasp the full vertical scale against the cliff.
How it compares
Nepal is short on truly tall single-drop waterfalls, which is part of what makes the Suligad so notable. Where lowland falls like those near Pokhara are famous but modest in height, the Phoksundo fall plunges in one continuous ribbon, putting it firmly among the highest waterfalls in Nepal. Sources differ on the exact figure because the cascade is hard to measure in such steep terrain, but its sheer drop is unmistakable. Combined with its setting inside Shey Phoksundo National Park and its position on the only trail to the lake, it is one of the region's signature sights — seen by virtually every trekker who reaches Phoksundo.
Good to know
- On the trail: You pass the falls on the standard route to Phoksundo Lake — no detour needed, just a steep ascent.
- Photography: Morning light favours the falls; bring a wide lens to capture the full drop. See our Nepal photography guide.
- Context: The fall ranks among the country's tallest in our round-up of the waterfalls of Nepal, and is a fixture of the best things to do in Dolpo. It lies inside Shey Phoksundo National Park.
Featured in
More sights & attractions in Dolpo
Frequently asked questions
Where is Suligad waterfall?+
Suligad waterfall lies just below Phoksundo Lake near Ringmo village in Dolpa district, Karnali Province, inside Shey Phoksundo National Park. The steep ascent trail from the Suligad valley to Ringmo passes close to the falls.
How high is the Suligad waterfall?+
Often cited as one of the highest waterfalls in Nepal, the fall below Phoksundo Lake drops on the order of 150 to 170 m in a single dramatic plunge. Exact figures vary by source, but it is unmistakably one of the tallest in the country.
Is Suligad and Phoksundo waterfall the same thing?+
Effectively yes. The big fall below the lake is fed by Phoksundo's outflow and is reached via the Suligad valley, so it is referred to both as the Suligad waterfall and the Phoksundo waterfall. The Suligad is the river draining the lake.
When can you see the Suligad waterfall?+
The fall runs year-round but is fullest in and just after the monsoon and during snowmelt. Autumn and spring offer the best mix of strong flow and stable trekking weather; in deep winter the surroundings are snowbound and harder to reach.
