Sainj valley is known for its hidden beauty, nestling in seclusion. However, over the years, the area has started to get famous and the name has become common. I was lucky enough to visit Sainj Valley (Shangarh) in 2019 when the place was not explored much. I visited a village of Sainj Valley, famous for its waterfall, known as Rupi Raila Waterfall (also Raila Waterfall).
Waterfalls are perhaps nature’s some of the most beautiful creations. They almost look like fairyland imaginations. That’s what Raila’s waterfall looked like to me. I kept staring at it for a long time to realize that I was not dreaming and that the Rupi Raila waterfall exists in reality. The waterfall lowered the temperature of the surrounding area, which I could feel when I was sitting there, staring at this beautiful, natural phenomenon.
The Majestic Rupi Raila Waterfall – How to Reach and Things to Remember
Rupi Raila waterfall is located on the way to Shangarh from Sainj. You will notice a board that reads Rupi Raila Waterfall. And that’s it. You need to take a short hike. A trail of ten minutes or so will lead you to the waterfall. You will hear the water roaring from a distance. If you go in the peak monsoon, be careful. The area is going to be thickly covered with vegetation. It’s better to carry a first aid kit in such places. I always carry bandages and a balm (Vicks or any other, as it works best on local insect stings).
Read Here – Barshangarh Waterfall Shangarh
I stayed at this property, The Yellow Chalet, and visited Rupi Raila Waterfall from there. I got a local cab which dropped me at the entrance to the waterfall and then picked me up to drop me at the homestay. Easy peasy! This waterfall is probably the best I have seen in Sainj Valley. I have only visited two waterfalls in Sainj Valley, including this one. Sainj Valley boasts some of the most iconic villages in this part of Himachal Pradesh.
If you are heading to Shangarh from Sainj, you can ask the cab driver to stop at the waterfall for an hour or so. Since you will have to book a cab from Sainj to Shangarh (as there are no public transport options; the only bus is at 4 PM), you should consider this option. Or if you are planning to stay in Raila, then you can come here anytime during your stay.
A couple of Maggi stalls are around (they may or may not remain open when you visit). But I found one open. You can get quick bites here, like tea, Maggi, chips, etc. But make sure you don’t litter around. Save nature, keep it green, and dispose of plastic responsibly. Just a couple of minutes’ walk away from Rupi Raila waterfall, there is an accommodation option. A chalet home was under construction when I visited the waterfall (in Oct 2022). I am sure it must be open by now, or there may be more such properties around. So, you can either stay in that (the chalet is a big property and may not be suitable for couples or solo travelers), or you may plan to stay in the village. However, I found that chalet romantic. Imagine waking up in that chalet, embracing the first rays of the sun, and walking to the waterfall for a shower…
If you are in Raila, make sure that you visit this waterfall. Else your visit to Raila remains incomplete. Along with this, you should also visit the Twin Towers of Raila, another famous attraction of the village that should remain on your list. Raila is known mainly for these two things, though there is a meadow that takes a great effort to reach there.
