Netarhat — the 'Queen of Chotanagpur' — is the kind of place where one day isn't enough. The drive alone is 4.5 hours. Here's how we plan a 2-day, 1-night itinerary that catches both the legendary Magnolia sunset and the famously misty sunrise.
Day 1 — Ranchi to Netarhat
A leisurely morning departure puts you at Magnolia Point in time for the famous sunset. Don't try to squeeze in Lodh Falls today — it's a 60 km detour from Netarhat town and best saved for tomorrow.
- ✓07:00 — Pickup from your Ranchi hotel; breakfast in the cab
- ✓10:00 — Stop for tea at Lohardaga
- ✓11:30 — Arrive Netarhat, check-in to your guesthouse
- ✓13:00 — Late lunch + walk through the Naspati (pear) garden
- ✓15:30 — Drive to Magnolia Point (10 km from town)
- ✓17:30 — Sunset at Magnolia Point
- ✓19:30 — Dinner at the guesthouse; early bed (sunrise tomorrow!)
Day 2 — Sunrise Point + Lodh Falls + return
Set an alarm for 4:30 AM. The sunrise at Netarhat is consistently rated among Jharkhand's best, and the climb is gentle.
- ✓05:00 — Sunrise Point (near Hotel Prabhat Vihar)
- ✓07:30 — Breakfast at the guesthouse
- ✓08:30 — Drive to Lodh Falls (60 km, 1.5 hr each way)
- ✓11:00 — Lodh Falls — highest waterfall in Jharkhand (143 m)
- ✓13:30 — Lunch back in Netarhat town
- ✓14:30 — Drive back to Ranchi
- ✓19:00 — Reach Ranchi
What to pack
Netarhat sits at 3,700 ft and gets significantly colder than Ranchi — especially in winter (Nov–Feb).
- ✓Heavy jacket Nov–Feb (nights can drop to 4–8°C)
- ✓Light fleece or shawl Mar–Oct
- ✓Comfortable walking shoes (the sunset and sunrise points involve short walks)
- ✓Power bank and chargers — Wi-Fi is patchy
- ✓Cash — most guesthouses don't take cards/UPI reliably
- ✓A torch or headlamp for early-morning sunrise hikes
Where to stay
Netarhat has a small set of guesthouses, mostly run by JTDC (Jharkhand Tourism). Book early on weekends.
- ✓JTDC Hotel Prabhat Vihar — government-run, near Sunrise Point
- ✓Magnolia Guest House — heritage stay near Magnolia Point
- ✓Forest Rest House — for the truly old-school experience
- ✓Privately-run homestays in Netarhat town
What it costs
Our standard 2D/1N Netarhat package starts from ₹6,499 (sedan, all-inclusive of fuel/tolls/parking/driver). Add ₹2,500–₹4,500 for a guesthouse double room. SUV upgrades from ₹8,499.
People also ask
Is one day enough for Netarhat?
No — you'd spend 9 hours of the 12-hour day driving. We strongly recommend an overnight stay. Otherwise, pick a closer destination like Patratu Valley.
What is the temperature in Netarhat in December?
December nights can drop to 4–8°C and days are 14–22°C. Carry a heavy jacket. Summer months are 22–28°C — much cooler than Ranchi.
Should we add Betla National Park to the trip?
If you have 3 days, yes — Betla is 95 km from Netarhat. We run a 3D/2N Netarhat + Betla package from ₹12,999.