Ride To Khoupum

Ride To Khoupum

(Dam - Cave - Waterfall - Mountains - Roads)

Written by Lukhendro Keisham

Khoupum Dam

          Khoupum Valley comes under Noney District. To visit from Imphal you need to take the Tiddim Road and towards Old Cachar Road also call Tongjei Maril from Bishnupur. The road twists and turns with both uphill and downhill including some hairpin turns untill it reaches the valley. It took us around three and a half hours on moderate speed from Imphal with few relaxing stops.

Khoupum Dam from the highway.

          You know you reach Khoupum when you come accross the clear and overwhelming water of Khoupum Dam beside the highway. Standing over the dam it gives you a brief view of the valley. Both the cave and waterfall are on the same route and almost same distance from the main town. We went for the cave first.

Khoupum Cave, view from the entry point.

          Off the highway we drove accross surrounded by paddy fields. It was like driving on the bottom of a huge bowl as the mountains circle the valley. After 4 to 5 kilometers and a steep descend of around 100 metres on foot we step inside the den. 

Inside Khoupum Cave

It was a carved in space on the slope of a hill with stone wall in the inside and a steep opening on the other. Not sure if its really a cave but as the larger audiance calls it, we were at Khoupum Cave. We had our lunch under the stone roof.

Khoupum Waterfall

          Standing tall and massive the Khoupum Waterfall is a proper full size natural fall unlike many others in Manipur. One can drive all the way till its entry point. The endless trail of water slamming inside the plunge pool simply captivates the whole surrounding. One of the best place for picnic with ample space to lay down and enjoy an outdoor meal.

As we take shelter to a safer spot from the storm.

          First timers should look for assistance especially navigation as road signs and landmarks were not definite. Whomever we met or talk to they were humbly nice and welcoming. It was when we met with a storm a passer by stopped his car and adviced us to take shelter at a different spot as the stretch of highway we were standing was pron to frequent landslides both from above and below into the cliff. Mr. P. Babu, a teacher by profession who happen to have an old friend in my home town asured us of any help too.

Parking spot for visitors before they descend on foot for the cave.

          One should not ignore the undeviating stretch of road that runs through Khoupum Bazar, the scenic mountains and winding highway all the way from Bishnupur. We came to know about the self-contained Riverfall Woods; a resort for home stay, river rafting, trekking, sightseeing, etc. few days after the trip.

At Khoupum Watetfall

          Manipur is where my heart is but this doesn't mean I will know all the best of it. We should step out, visit and intereact with the land. People changes with time and so does places. As a team we will remember the bike ride, food we packed from home, three of the bikes caught smoke, one broke down at Khoupum Bazar and took lift till Bishnupur. Also the panalty some of our riders paid for breaking the night curfew imposed by government due to Covid - 19 pandemic for we drove back late due to the break down.

A stretch of the highway that runs through Khoupum Town

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