Guidebook
Lonely Planet South India & Kerala
Lonely Planet · 2023
More depth on the Western Ghats states than the all-India guide, including transport to Jog, Dudhsagar and Athirappilly.
India · Karnataka
Kunchikal Falls
Often cited as India's tallest waterfall by total drop, this multi-tiered cascade in the Western Ghats is hemmed in by a hydroelectric reservoir that leaves it dry for much of the year, only roaring to life during peak monsoon releases. Its remoteness and dependence on dam operations keep visitor numbers far below famous falls of similar scale.
Often cited as India's tallest waterfall by total height Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Kunchikal Falls drops 455 metres (1,493 ft) on the Varahi. It is a tiered-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Masthikatte, with IXE the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard.
Kunchikal Falls is the tallest of the 77 waterfalls we cover in India; number 2 on our list of waterfalls between 100 and 500 metres. As a tiered waterfall, a series of distinct drops, one below the other.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Kunchikal Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Masthikatte are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Monsoon (Jul-Sep) is essential — a hydro dam upstream leaves it nearly dry the rest of the year.
Entry: Free; remote access via forest roads
Getting there
- Base town Masthikatte
- Airport IXE
- Country India
- Region Karnataka, South Asia, Asia
- Access Hard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide
How it compares
This waterfall
Kunchikal Falls
India
Height455 mWidth—
Most similar
Della Falls
Canada
Height440 mWidth—
Also a tiered waterfall and of similar height
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
108 m
330 m
440 m
455 m
979 m
Victoria FallsEiffel TowerDella FallsKunchikal FallsAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 2.2× taller than Kunchikal Falls. It drops 4.2× further than Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Kunchikal Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Kunchikal Falls
0:45
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
Guidebook
Lonely Planet India
Lonely Planet · 2024
The 20th edition covers every state with a fall on this site, from Goa and Karnataka to Meghalaya and Chhattisgarh.
On the map
13.7492, 75.0464
Quick answers
Where is Kunchikal Falls?
Kunchikal Falls is in India (Karnataka). The nearest base is Masthikatte and the closest airport is IXE. Its coordinates are 13.7492, 75.0464.
How tall is Kunchikal Falls?
Kunchikal Falls drops 455 metres (1,493 feet). It is a tiered-type waterfall on the Varahi.
When is the best time to visit Kunchikal Falls?
Peak flow is July to September. Monsoon (Jul-Sep) is essential — a hydro dam upstream leaves it nearly dry the rest of the year.
What can you do at Kunchikal Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide.
How do you get to Kunchikal Falls?
The usual base is Masthikatte, and the closest airport is IXE. A serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide from there. Free; remote access via forest roads.
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