Koraput has two waterfalls a family can plan a day around. Duduma drops 175 m on the Machkund river, 68 km, about 1 h 40 min from Koraput town. Rani Duduma is a smaller fall on Nandapur Hill, 48 km, about 1 h 20 min from town. Come in the monsoon, June to September, to see Duduma loud and large; Rani Duduma's stream stays full from August to December.
- Duduma height
- 175 m (574 ft)
- Duduma from Koraput
- 68 km, about 1 h 40 min
- Rani Duduma from Koraput
- 48 km, about 1 h 20 min
- Steps at Duduma
- About 900, down from the parking
Duduma or Rani Duduma? The two falls side by side
| Duduma | Rani Duduma | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | On the Machkund river, near Badigada village, on the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh border | On Nandapur Hill, near Nandapur |
| From Koraput town | 68 km, about 1 h 40 min | 48 km, about 1 h 20 min |
| From Semiliguda | 79 km, about 1 h 55 min | 26 km, about 45 min |
| The fall | 175 m (574 ft), in two drops | A smaller, quieter fall |
| Best months | June to September, the monsoon | August to December, when the stream is full |
| On the same day | Onukadelli market on Thursdays, or the Machkund valley | Deomali and Nandapur, on the same road |
Distances are Google Maps driving directions. Every other drive is on the Koraput distance chart.
Duduma: 175 m, about 900 steps, and water to respect
The Machkund river drops 175 m (574 ft) into a forested gorge here, in two falls: one on the Odisha side and one on the Andhra Pradesh side. The same water runs the Machkund hydroelectric project, built in the British era.
- The steps: about 900 steps lead down from the parking to the falls. The climb back up is hard, so carry enough water, and some chocolate for energy. Grandparents and small children can watch from the viewpoints at the top.
- Wet rocks: the rocks near the falls are slippery. Keep away from the edge, and hold small children's hands.
- Sudden water releases: the Machkund dam upstream can release water without warning. Stay out of the water.
- The locomotive ride down to the base is not open to tourists.
- Food: there are few shops near the falls. Carry water and snacks.
- People: Bonda, Gadaba and Paraja communities live around the falls. Ask before you photograph anyone, and accept a no.
Our Duduma guide has the full-day plan from Koraput.
Rani Duduma: the closer fall
Rani Duduma is a smaller, quieter fall on Nandapur Hill, 48 km, about 1 h 20 min from Koraput town and 26 km, about 45 min from Semiliguda, reached by a country road through paddy and forest. It is full from August to December and a trickle by late winter.
Stay on the paths and out of the water, especially after heavy rain: the edges are slippery and the current can be strong.
When to go
- June to September, the monsoon: Duduma is loud and large, with green hills all around. August and September suit both falls on one trip.
- October to December: Rani Duduma is still full, and the days are cool and clear. Pair it with Deomali.
- January to May: outside the waterfall months. Spend these days at Deomali, Gupteswar and the other places around Koraput.
- Heavy rain: in the monsoon, keep a spare day in the plan.
- Warm clothes: winter nights drop to 3 °C, so bring them for early starts.
Fitting the falls into your trip
- Duduma is a full day: leave Koraput by 7 am with breakfast packed, spend an hour or two at the falls, and on a Thursday add the Onukadelli market.
- Rani Duduma fits into a Deomali day, with Nandapur on the way back, as in the 3-day plan.
- Car-sick on ghat roads? We offer the front rows and window seats to anyone who gets car-sick.
- Adding a stop on the day? We tell you the price before we drive there, never after.
Booking your waterfall trip
We drive both falls in our own 17-seater AC Force Traveller, with a local driver; our support staff are on call by phone and WhatsApp for the whole trip. All 17 passenger seats are for your group, and big luggage goes on the roof carrier. We pick up in Koraput, Jeypore and Semiliguda, at the railway stations and Jeypore Airport, and in Visakhapatnam, about five hours away by road via Araku.
Send your dates, group size and where you arrive, and we send one written price for the whole vehicle. A booking advance of ₹3,000 per day of the trip holds your dates, and cancelling before the trip starts is free. We answer from 7 am to 9 pm, daily: message +91 79787 07736 on WhatsApp.
