Phutphute Waterfall (Futfute Jharna): The Blue Waterfall on the North ABC Trek

Some waterfalls you look at. Phutphute Waterfall you feel. The roar hits you before you see it. Then the trail turns a corner and a white column of water crashes into a pool so blue it looks painted.

It was the first stop on my North ABC Trek, about two hours after we left Humkhola. Locals call it Futfute Jharna or Phutphute Jharana. Whatever you call it, it is one of the best rewards on the whole trail. Here is how to get there and how to make the most of it.

Phutphute Waterfall Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Other names	Futfute Jharna, Phutphute Jharana, Futfute Waterfall
Location	Maurice Herzog Trail above Humkhola, Narchyang, Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi
Nearest landmark	Guransedanda signboard (3,140 m)
Starting point	Humkhola (about 2,840 m)
Walking time	About 2 hours from Humkhola
River	The glacier-fed Mistri Khola
Next stop	Sandhikharka, 30 to 45 minutes uphill
Permit	Inside the Annapurna Conservation Area
Best time	September to November, and March to May

Where Is Phutphute Waterfall?

Phutphute Waterfall sits in the Mistri Khola valley in Myagdi district, western Nepal. It is on the Maurice Herzog Trail, the route to North Annapurna Base Camp, close to a place called Guransedanda (also written Gurase Danda).

There is no road to the waterfall. You have to walk. The good news is that it is only about two hours from Humkhola, where the jeep track ends.

How to Get to Phutphute Waterfall

Step 1: Reach Humkhola

From Pokhara, take a Jomsom-bound bus to Tatopani in Myagdi. We paid NPR 800 per person and left at 6 AM. From Tatopani, hire a Bolero jeep to Humkhola. The jeep costs about NPR 8,000 for the whole vehicle, so share it with other trekkers.

The full step-by-step is in my guide on how to reach Humkhola.

Step 2: Walk from Humkhola

Right above Humkhola, a signboard says Sandhikharka is 2 hours 30 minutes away. Phutphute Waterfall is on the way.

The trail follows the river through forest and bamboo. You cross wooden suspension bridges over water that is glacier blue. A new suspension bridge has also been built over the Hum Khola in recent years. It is a steady climb, but nothing technical.

We started walking from Humkhola at about 3:30 PM and still had plenty of daylight to enjoy the waterfall before moving on.

What Makes Phutphute Waterfall Special

The water does not just fall. It explodes out of a narrow cut in the rock and pours into a deep turquoise pool. Smooth grey cliffs curve around it like the walls of a bowl.

The color comes from the glacier. The Mistri Khola carries meltwater from the Annapurna range, and the fine rock dust in it turns the water an unreal shade of blue.

Close by there is a wooden suspension bridge, and another tall waterfall drops from the cliffs nearby. It is the kind of place where you plan to stop for five minutes and stay for thirty.

Best Time to Visit Phutphute Waterfall

• September to November: clear skies, strong water flow after the monsoon and the best light for photos. This is my top pick.
• March to May: stable weather and green forest. The flow is a little lower.
• June to August: the waterfall is at its biggest, but trails are slippery, leeches are out and landslides can close the road from Tatopani.
• December to February: less water, cold mornings and quiet trails.

Photo Tips for Phutphute Waterfall

• Go in the morning or late afternoon for softer light on the cliffs.
• Put a person in the frame. Without one, it is hard to show how big the fall is.
• Try your phone’s long exposure or night mode for that silky water look.
• Keep a cloth handy. The spray reaches further than you think.
• Stay off wet rocks near the edge. One slip is all it takes.

Safety at the Waterfall

The pool looks inviting, but do not swim. The water is ice cold and the current is strong. Rocks near the fall are always wet and slippery. During the monsoon, water levels can rise fast after rain higher up. Keep children close and stay on the main trail.

Can You Visit Phutphute Waterfall as a Day Hike?

Yes. If you are staying at Humkhola or nearby, you can walk up to the waterfall in about 2 hours and come back down in about 1.5 hours. It makes a great short hike for anyone who wants a taste of the trail without going all the way to the base camp.

Most people, though, visit it on the first day of the North ABC Trek and carry on to Sandhikharka or Gufaphant for the night. See my guide on where to stay on the North ABC Trek.

Do Not Confuse It with Narchyang Waterfall

There is another famous waterfall in the same area. Narchyang Waterfall is near Tatopani, on the Kali Gandaki side, and is a short hike from Tatopani village. It is a tall, thin fall on the cliffs above the Annapurna Circuit road.

Phutphute Waterfall is a different place. It is deeper in the Mistri Khola valley, on the trail to North Annapurna Base Camp, and you can only reach it from Humkhola on foot.

What Comes After Phutphute Waterfall?

From the waterfall, the trail climbs for 30 to 45 minutes to Sandhikharka, the first homestay on the route. Above that comes Gufaphant at 3,319 m, where we spent the night. The next morning we walked on to Panchakunda Lake and the base camp.

If you have time, do not stop at the waterfall. The best is still ahead.

FAQs About Phutphute Waterfall