As you drive around Sikkim not only do you realize that the scenery is some of the most diverse there is, but that they have literally everything – with Nimbi Waterfall being case in point here.
The crazy thing though is that while stunning it is not even the best waterfall in the country (yeah I said country). It is though well worth a visit, particularly if you spend anytime in Pelling.
What the Nimbi Waterfall?
Nimbi Waterfall, known locally as Nimbi Chhu (གནིམ་བི་ཆུ་) in Sikkimese and Nimbi Jharna (निम्बी झरना) in Nepali, is a double layered roadside waterfall that changes massively through the year. In winter it’s kinda thin and tame and the steps to it are mostly dry.
During monsoon though it turns into a mini typhoon and can cover the road, drown your socks and completely soak your car. Locals use it to wash their vehicles and some even believe the water has healing properties (which it doesn’t). There’s thick forest around, lots of moss and mist and more stray dogs than you expect at a waterfall. Yeah, its pretty damned cool!
What’s it actually like to visit in monsoon season?
Neysayers might say to avoid places like this in monsoon season, but to them I say humbug! Not only is the drive and the view here great, but water cascading down even gave our vehicle a proper wash.
With it not being season too you will likely be here alone, as the post-apocalyptic looking shops attest to. Basically there are kinda two waterfalls here with one being the slightly less impressive (but still good) one on the road, with the big drawer being the one you climb up the steps to get to. This is great, cute and offers good social photos.
Aside from that there is also hiking, a zip-line (closed) and a ropey bridge that you should not walk on.
There is also a very small village with a restaurant, which we took a detour to.
Odium Heem Restaurant – Nimbi Waterfall
Right next to Nimbi Restaurant is a cool cute village with old style Sikkimese houses and one restaurant. We stopped here merely for a tea lunch for the drivers, but this turned into us gatecrashing a 26th birthday party!
And in Sikkim this meant everyone up dancing to Nepalese tunes. A truly great little stop with stunning views and a spicy Wai-Wai (राह्मेन) that my anus is still recovering from. I will probably cover this restaurant later, as I will Wai-Wai which is pretty much the local take on ramen noodles.
Overall a cool little stop when are traveling through Sikkim and for me at least just further proof that this is probably the best kept secret in India.
Click to check our last itinerary – landing page coming soon…
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