Davis Falls in Pokhara: The Waterfall That Disappears Underground and the Cave Beside It

Last updated 12 October 2026.

Davis Falls is a waterfall on the south side of Pokhara, at about 820 m, where a stream drops into a narrow pit and vanishes underground. Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave is opposite. On our Pokhara city day tour you see both, together with the old bazaar and the International Mountain Museum, and the same stop appears in three of our longer tours.

Short answer: Davis Falls (Nepali name Patale Chhango, "the underworld's waterfall") is in Pokhara, Kaski District. The water plunges into a pit and runs through an underground tunnel about 150 m long and 30 m below ground level. Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, a long Hindu cave shrine, is opposite. It is an easy visit with some steps that can be wet, it needs no permit, and it is at its most dramatic after heavy rain. It is a short stop on a city day, and our Pokhara City Day Tour includes the entrance fees.

Davis Falls at a glance

Where does Davis Falls sit on our trips?

• Pokhara City Day Tour: the old bazaar, the Bindhyabasini temple, Davis Falls, one of two caves and the International Mountain Museum, with a private vehicle and a licensed guide.
• Bandipur and Pokhara Tour, 5 days: day 3 covers the old bazaar, Davis Falls, a cave, the museum and a boat on Phewa Lake.
• Kathmandu and Pokhara City Tour, 4 days: the same Pokhara day on day 3.
• Family Nepal Tour, 10 days: on day 8, with the cave and the museum.

The day tour costs USD 95 (Budget), USD 125 (Standard) or USD 145 (Luxury) per person for 2 to 4 travellers, and USD 140, USD 165 or USD 215 for one traveller. It is a good rest day between treks, and it suits families.

What is it like to visit?

The water drops into a narrow channel and a pit, and then goes under the rock. After heavy rain it is spectacular, and in the monsoon the falls are at their fullest even though the mountains are often hidden. The water continues through an underground tunnel of about 150 m, about 30 m below ground level, and passes through Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, which is opposite the falls. My notes on Pokhara in the rain are in the things to do in Pokhara guide.

The steps and the falls area can be wet, so wear shoes with grip. Stay on the paths and behind the barriers, because the pit is a real hazard.

Why is it called Davis Falls?

The English name comes from a sad accident. On 31 July 1961 a Swiss couple went swimming at the falls, and the woman drowned in the pit. Her body was recovered three days later in the river downstream. The falls are written Davis Falls, David's Falls and Devi's Falls, and "devi" is the Nepali word for goddess. Accounts differ on how the name was formed, so I would not argue with any of them. The Nepali name, Patale Chhango, describes what it does: the water goes down into the underworld.

What is Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave?

Gupteshwor Mahadev is a Hindu cave shrine opposite the falls, about 2,057 m long according to the published surveys. One cavern holds a temple, with a large stalagmite venerated as a form of Shiva, and another leads towards the point where the water from Davis Falls passes through. The river that drains Phewa Lake flows through the cave. On our day tour you choose between Gupteshwor Mahadev and Mahendra Cave on the day, and your guide will tell you which suits your group. Bring a phone torch, and keep your guide close in the cave.

How does it fit into a Pokhara day?

If you want the lake as part of a full day out, read my Fewa Lake guide. For the temples, read my notes on Pokhara culture and temples, and for everything else things to do in Pokhara.

When is the best time to visit Davis Falls?

If you plan for 2027, the day fits in any season. The clearest months for the rest of Pokhara are October to April, and my Sarangkot sunrise guide pairs well with a morning start.

Questions people ask

Where is Davis Falls? In south Pokhara, in Kaski District, near the Damside area.

Why is it called Davis Falls? It is named after a Swiss woman who drowned there in 1961. You will also see Devi's Falls and David's Falls. The Nepali name is Patale Chhango.

Is Davis Falls worth visiting? Yes, as a short stop. It is best after rain, and it is better combined with Gupteshwor Cave and the mountain museum than visited alone.

Do I need a permit or a guide? No permit. A guide is useful for the story and for the cave, and our day tour includes one.

What is the difference between Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave? The falls drop into a pit and go underground. The cave is a long Hindu shrine opposite, and the same water flows through it.

How long does it take? It is a short stop. Our city day adds the bazaar, a temple, the cave and the museum, and fills the day.

Can I swim there? No. A Swiss woman drowned in the pit in 1961. Please stay out of the water.

What should I wear? Shoes with grip, because the steps and the falls area can be wet, and a light layer. Carry a torch for the cave.

How are the terms for these trips?

Group size is 1 to 20, and you can travel alone. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients.

How do you plan this with us?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, how many of you there are and whether you want only the Pokhara day or a longer tour. I will tell you which tier and which route I would choose, and send you the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.