Manali is a tourist destination that needs no introduction! Its gorgeous valleys, snow-capped hills, and cobblestone streets serve as the perfect backdrop for your ‘friends trip’ that struggles to make it out of your group chat. However, there are plenty of places around Manali as well that deserve to be on your itinerary when you’re visiting Manali – Jana Waterfall being one of them.
This waterfall, tucked away in the forests around Manali, is a great destination to escape from the tourist crowd of Manali and surround yourself with the bounty of nature, that too for free!
Here’s a handy guide for you if you plan to visit this waterfall near Manali.
Jana Waterfall Manali: Location, Best Time To Visit, How To Reach, And More
Location And Information Of Jana Waterfall
Jana Waterfall is located quite close to Manali at a distance of about 32 kilometers (km). It is also in close proximity to other towns near Manali like Naggar (12 km) and Kullu (33 km).
The waterfall is situated in the quaint village of Jana where nature is at its finest and tourist crowd is at its lowest. However, the growing popularity of Jana Waterfall is attracting more and more tourists to this quiet village.
The waterfall stands at a towering height of about 30 feet. Surrounding the waterfall are tall, lush trees of deodar and pine as well as sprawling apple orchards with the backdrop of the snow-covered mountain peaks.
The sight of the cascading waterfall is enough to captivate you the moment you reach near the waterfall. Plus, it is quite easy to navigate – you don’t need to be an expert hiker or a seasoned traveler to make your way to the waterfall.
Best Time To Visit Jana Waterfall
We recommend you visit the waterfall between the months of September and June to get the best experience here. September is the month when the monsoon starts slowing down, making it possible for you to easily navigate here.
September to June is when the weather is clear, pleasant, and mostly cool in Manali and surrounding areas. This makes it the perfect time to visit the waterfall without the need to worry about landslides, heavy downpour, and other issues that are commonly seen in the monsoon months.
However, if you’re visiting the waterfall in the peak winter months of December and January, you must be cautious of the weather conditions as well as road conditions in and around Manali.
As the roads are more vulnerable to snow-caused landslides and road blockages, make sure to keep a tab on local updates.
How To Reach Jana Waterfall
Your best bet to reach Jana Waterfall is to first make a pit stop at either Manali or Naggar and then have a day trip to the waterfall. Most tourists prefer visiting Manali and then making their way to the waterfall for half a day or the entire day.
By Air
The Bhuntar Airport is the closest airport to Jana Falls, located about 54 km away. You can take a shared or private taxi directly from the airport or first halt at Manali or Kullu. However, note that flights to Bhuntar Airport from other major Indian cities are quite limited.
By Rail
Manali, Kullu, or Naggar do not have their dedicated railway stations, however, the Joginder Nagar Rail Head is the closest railway station to these towns.
While this station has limited connectivity to other railway stations across India, you can get down at Chandigarh Junction that is about 266 km away from the waterfall.
You can get buses, private taxis, or shared taxis from Chandigarh Railway Station to reach either of these towns and then make your way to the Jana Falls.
By Road
Jana Village, where the waterfall is located, enjoys decent road connectivity in its state as well as other parts of the country. From Manali, Kullu, or Naggar, you can either self-drive or use buses and shared cabs to reach the waterfall.
There are daily bus services between Jana Village and Naggar that start by 8:30 AM in the morning. From Manali and Kullu, you can take a bus to Naggar and then take another bus to Jana Village.
Things To Keep In Mind When Visiting Jana Falls Manali
- The trek to the waterfall from Jana Village (also called Jana Gaon) takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Worry not, it is an easy trek perfect even for beginners!
- There are a few local stalls near the waterfall where you can get refreshments. So, you need not worry about packing too much food in your bag when visiting the falls. You can get bottled water, a hot bowl of Maggi noodles, and some refreshing tea to enjoy the beautiful view of the Jana Waterfall!
- Wear comfortable, sturdy hiking shoes to navigate the rocky and uneven terrain here. Do not rely on clogs, sneakers, slippers, or sandals to walk on this uneven and sometimes muddy and slippery terrain (near the waterfall).
- Do not litter the waterfall premises and any other area! As basic as it may sound, it is the responsibility of each traveler to keep the surroundings clean and prevent anyone else from littering the space.
- Carry reusable metal water bottles instead of one-time use plastic bottles. This will only help in keeping the surroundings clean and save on plastic usage.
- Make sure to carry extra clothing, including innerwear, if you plan to take a dip in the waterfall. Carry towels and shower caps with you as well.
- Do not use soap, shampoo, or any other skincare products inside the waterfall as it will only end up polluting the water. Similarly, do not throw any litter in the water.
- If you’re taking electronic items like cameras, flashlights, and power banks, make sure you fully charge them before leaving for the waterfall.
- Make sure to leave the place by sunset as it can get pretty dark after sunset.
Summing Up
We hope you found this Jana Waterfall guide super useful! The natural beauty of the waterfall is best explored when you travel responsibly.
So, the next time you’re near Manali and have a few hours or a day to spare, make sure you visit this underexplored gem tucked amidst the deodar and pine forests of Manali.
