Arbi Falls Manipal (Udupi): Timings, Entry Fee, How to Reach & Best Time to Visit

Arbi Falls spills over a series of large boulders inside a patch of forest, so it is more a cascading stream than a single tall drop. You can walk along the water, sit on the rocks and dip your feet, and keen walkers can hike further into the forest. There are no ticket counters, restrooms or shops, which keeps the place quiet but means you should carry what you need.

Access to several other waterfalls in Udupi district is restricted or changes with the season, so Arbi Falls is a handy option because it is close to town and usually open to visitors. If you want a second monsoon stop, see our Koodlutheertha Falls guide.

Use this table to plan your Arbi Falls visit:

There is no entry fee at Arbi Falls and no official opening hours are published. Treat it as a daylight visit: plan for roughly 7 am to 6 pm, and ideally go in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is softer and fewer people are around. Weekdays are quieter than weekends and holidays. Avoid going after dark or during very heavy rain.

By road from Manipal

• Drive along Alevoor Road for about 3 km until you reach Dasharath Nagar.
• From Dasharath Nagar, continue about 1 km east along the Vaishnavi Durga Temple Road.
• Look for the small footpath beside the temple that leads into the forest and down to the falls.

From Udupi town

Arbi Falls is about 7 km from Udupi. Head towards Manipal and then follow the Alevoor Road directions above. A taxi or auto is the simplest option if you do not have your own vehicle.

By bus and auto

City buses stop on the main roads in Manipal, but the last 2–3 km needs an auto-rickshaw or your own vehicle. You can hire an auto in Manipal town; agree a return fare and ask the driver to wait.

Parking

Cars and two-wheelers can get close to the walking path. There is no formal parking lot, so park on the roadside without blocking local traffic.

Arbi Falls is rain-fed, so the season decides what you will see. The monsoon peaks on this coast in July and August, which is usually when the flow looks best.

• Swimming and bathing: not possible. The water is too shallow, so you can only dip your feet.
• Slippery rocks: wear shoes with good grip and avoid climbing wet boulders.
• Leeches: they can turn up in damp foliage during the monsoon, so check your ankles and use repellent.
• Medical help: the nearest help is a few kilometres away, so do not take risks while scrambling.
• No facilities: there are no restrooms or changing rooms, and at most one small vendor selling snacks. Carry drinking water.
• Keep it clean: litter is a problem here. Carry out everything you bring.

• Watch the monsoon cascade: the main draw is water pouring over the boulders against a dense green backdrop.
• Take the short forest walk: the 100–150 metre path is easy for most ages and photogenic in the rain.
• Dip your feet: sit on the rocks at the edge of the stream and cool off.
• Photograph the falls: soft morning or late-afternoon light works best, and spray can reach your lens, so carry a cloth.
• Respect the temple: a small temple stands near the falls, so keep noise down around it.

Searching for Arbi Falls can also bring up Bandaje Arbi Falls, which is a different waterfall. Arbi Falls at Manipal is a small, easy cascade in Udupi district. Bandaje Arbi Falls is a much taller waterfall in the Western Ghats foothills of Dakshina Kannada, near Mundaje and Dharmasthala, and it needs a long forest trek. This page covers the Arbi Falls at Manipal.

• Shoes or sandals with a strong grip
• Rain jacket or umbrella, plus a spare set of clothes
• Drinking water and a bag for your litter
• Insect or leech repellent
• A waterproof pouch for your phone or camera

Arbi Falls usually needs under an hour, so it pairs well with other stops. Explore more of the area in our places to visit in Manipal guide, including Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village. In the monsoon you can add Koodlutheertha Falls, or walk across the Heroor Hanging Bridge or the Kemthoor Hanging Bridge. More ideas are in our guide to Udupi attractions.

Before planning your trip, check the Karnataka Tourism portal for seasonal updates.