Garud Chatti Waterfall
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand · nature walk
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Garud Chatti Waterfall is one of the quieter cascades in the forested hills above Rishikesh, tucked a short walk off the road that climbs from Laxman Jhula toward the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. Its defining feature is the way the stream arrives not as a single sheet of water but in roughly seven distinct tiers, sliding and dropping over stepped rock ledges before gathering into a clear natural pool at the base. That layered descent — which gives rise to the popular "seven-tier" nickname — is most dramatic in the weeks after the monsoon, when the flow is full and the surrounding sal and pine forest is at its greenest. The name Garud Chatti comes from the nearby Garud Temple dedicated to Garuda, the divine eagle-mount of Vishnu in Hindu tradition; "chatti" is a hill-country word for a wayside halt on the old pilgrim paths that once threaded these slopes.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦A pure-veg cafe near Laxman Jhula – a long-running riverside cafe-bakery above the bridge, good for coffee, eggless bakes and a light meal before the trek. Ask for eggless bakes and confirm the day's menu on arrival.
- ✦Chotiwala (Ram Jhula / Swarg Ashram) – an iconic pure-vegetarian thali institution of Rishikesh; dependable satvik meals. A short drive from the Garud Chatti roadhead; hours vary seasonally.
- ✦Madras Cafe (Ram Jhula) – a well-known pure-vegetarian South Indian and satvik spot serving dosa, thalis and herbal drinks; a Rishikesh favourite. Verify timings locally before you go.
- ✦Small vegetarian tea-and-Maggi stalls around the Garud Chatti / Neelkanth road – simple chai, snacks and bottled water; all vegetarian, as is the norm across Rishikesh. Availability is seasonal, so carry your own water for the walk.
About
Garud Chatti Waterfall is one of the quieter cascades in the forested hills above Rishikesh, tucked a short walk off the road that climbs from Laxman Jhula toward the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
- Its defining feature is the way the stream arrives not as a single sheet of water but in roughly seven distinct tiers, sliding and dropping over stepped rock ledges before gathering into a clear natural pool at the base.
- That layered descent — which gives rise to the popular "seven-tier" nickname — is most dramatic in the weeks after the monsoon, when the flow is full and the surrounding sal and pine forest is at its greenest.
- The name Garud Chatti comes from the nearby Garud Temple dedicated to Garuda, the divine eagle-mount of Vishnu in Hindu tradition; "chatti" is a hill-country word for a wayside halt on the old pilgrim paths that once threaded these slopes.
- Reaching the falls is part of the appeal.
- From the roadhead near Garud Chatti a marked forest trail runs a few hundred metres to just under a kilometre — a gentle-to-moderate walk over rock and root, with a couple of stream crossings that can be slippery when wet.
- The reward is a secluded amphitheatre of moss-streaked rock, birdsong, and cool spray, far removed from the crowds and cafe hum around the Rishikesh bridges.
- Many visitors pair it with the drive up to Neelkanth, treating the waterfall as a refreshing pause on the ascent.
- Garud Chatti is best treated as a nature walk and a photo stop rather than a swimming hole.
- The lower pool is shallow and inviting, but rocks are slick, the current strengthens sharply in and after rain, and there are no lifeguards or railings — flash rises are a genuine hazard in the monsoon, so keep well back when the water is high and never wade during or just after a downpour.
- Sturdy shoes with grip, drinking water, and an early start make the trek far more pleasant, and carrying your litter back out keeps this forest corner clean.
- Because Garud Chatti sits inside greater Rishikesh — a holy town that is vegetarian and alcohol-free by law — every eatery you pass on the way here or back is pure-vegetarian by default, which makes the trip especially easy for vegetarian and Jain travellers.
- There is no food or reliable drinking water at the falls themselves, so the practical plan is to eat and stock up near Laxman Jhula before setting out.
- The riverside cafes and long-standing satvik thali houses around the bridge serve everything from South Indian tiffin to simple Himalayan-cafe fare, all meat-free and alcohol-free, so you can fuel up for the walk and return to a hot meal by the Ganga afterwards.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Garud Chatti, off the Rishikesh–Neelkanth Mahadev road, about 4 km southeast of Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249302
How to Reach: Garud Chatti lies on the Rishikesh–Neelkanth Mahadev road, about 4 km southeast (uphill) of Laxman Jhula. From Laxman Jhula or Tapovan, a shared jeep or auto/taxi toward Neelkanth drops you at the Garud Chatti roadhead in 15–20 minutes; from the roadhead a marked forest trail of a few hundred metres to under 1 km leads to the falls. Two-wheelers and cars can be parked near the roadhead. There is no railway or metro nearby — the nearest station is Rishikesh (Yog Nagari Rishikesh), and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (about 35 km).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Garud Chatti Waterfall and how far is it from Laxman Jhula?
Garud Chatti Waterfall is in the forested hills southeast of Rishikesh, on the road that climbs from Laxman Jhula toward the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. It sits about 4 km (roughly 15–20 minutes by road) from Laxman Jhula, followed by a short forest walk of a few hundred metres to under a kilometre from the roadhead to the falls.
Why is it called a seven-tier waterfall?
The stream does not fall in one drop but slides and cascades over a series of stepped rock ledges — commonly described as about seven distinct tiers — before gathering into a natural pool at the base. This layered descent is what gives it the popular "seven-tier" nickname, and it is most striking just after the monsoon when the flow is full.
Is there an entry fee for Garud Chatti Waterfall?
There is no formal ticketed entry; it is an offbeat forest cascade rather than a managed park, so a visit is generally free. A small parking or local maintenance charge may occasionally be collected at the roadhead — carry a little cash and confirm locally. Please note there are no gates, guards or fixed hours.
When is the best time to visit Garud Chatti Waterfall?
September to November — just after the monsoon — is ideal, when all the tiers run full and the surrounding forest is lush and green. Avoid the peak monsoon days themselves, when the trail floods and the flow can turn dangerous. In winter the mornings are crisp and pleasant but the water thins to a gentler trickle.
Is it safe to swim at Garud Chatti Waterfall?
Treat it as a nature walk and photo stop rather than a swimming spot. The base pool looks inviting and is shallow, but the rocks are slippery, there are no lifeguards or railings, and the current strengthens sharply during and after rain. Keep well back when the water is high, never wade during or just after a downpour, and wear sturdy shoes with good grip on the trail.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Garud Chatti Waterfall?
All of Rishikesh is a vegetarian and alcohol-free town by law, so every eatery here is meat-free — very convenient for vegetarian and Jain travellers. There is no food at the falls, so eat and stock water near Laxman Jhula or Ram Jhula first. Reliable pure-veg choices include a long-running riverside cafe above Laxman Jhula (ask for eggless bakes), and the iconic Chotiwala and Madras Cafe near Ram Jhula for satvik thalis and South Indian tiffin; confirm the day's timings on arrival.
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