The home of clouds also spelled as Cherrapunjee or Cherrapunji is credited as being the wettest place on Earth. It is lately more used the historical name Sohraa town and is located in East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. High above misty valleys and foaming rivers, Cherrapunjee is the traditional capital of a hima (Khasi tribal chieftainship constituting a petty state) known as Sohra or Churra.
The region is home to extremely wet weather as the cliffs of Cherrapunji receive heavy rainfall due to monsoon winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal. It receives the northeast monsoon showers which travel down the Brahmaputra valley in winter months. The yearly rainfall average of this place stands at 11,777 millimeters (463.7 in). This region receives both the Southwest and Northeast monsoon showers which give it a single monsoon season.
Cherrapunji has no month without rain and the rainfall varies from heavy to medium to light. The most interesting fact about Cherrapunjee is it rains mostly at night so because of it Day-to-day activity is not really disrupted by the rain. It’s truly a paradise on earth with abundant of forests, natural caves, and a thriving flora and fauna.
The complete valley is covered with lush and very diverse vegetation, containing numerous endemic species of plants, including Meghalaya subtropical forests.
Best time to visit Cherrapunji: The best time to visit Cherrapunji is between the months of October and May
Places to visit in Cherrapunji:
There are many beautiful tourist attractions in Cherrapunji, of which, following are the top 14 tourist attraction in Cherapunjee that do not miss on your trip to Cherrapunji:
- 1. Double Decker Living Root Bridge
- 2. Nohkalikai Falls
- 3. Mawkdok Dympep Valley(Mawkdok Dympep Valley View Point)
- 4. Mawsmai Cave5. Nohsngithiang Falls(Seven Sisters Waterfalls or Mawsmai Falls)
- 6. Khoh Ramhah or Motrop (Giant conical rock)
- 7. Mawsmai Nongthymmai Eco Park
- 8. Thangkharang Park
- 9. Kynrem Falls
- 10. Khasi monoliths
- 11. Dainthlen Falls
- 12. Arwah cave
- 13. Wah Kaba Falls
- 14. Thangkharang Park
1. Double Decker Living Root Bridge:
The most popular tourist attraction of Cherrapunjee, these double-decker living root bridges grow from the ancient rubber trees and is created by the people of the Khasi tribe. These living root bridges are like astonishment and are absolutely unique and are an amazing alternative to wooden bridges that dwindle with so much rain falling on them. Because of the entanglement of roots, these double-decker living root bridges are 2 bridges that are stacked one on the other. Also, do you know? The total o 15 years is required for a new root to get strong enough so that it can bear the weight of people who would be crossing it.
| Entry Time: | 09:00 am – 03:00 pm |
| Entry Fees: | Adult: Rs 10 per person Children: Rs 5 per child Mobile phone: Rs 10 per mobile phone Camera: Rs 20 per camera Video camera: Rs 200 per video camera Film Shooting: Rs 1000 |
| Best Time to visit Double Decker Living Root Bridge: | November to March |
2. Nohkalikai Falls:
Nohkalikal falls which means ‘Ka Likai’s Leap’ in Khasi language is the fifth highest waterfall in India. It has been named so after a tragic Khasi legend and is situated about seven km away from Cherrapunji. Trekking, camping, bird watching, landscape photography, swimming, and angling are some of the things to do when visiting the falls. It is an outstanding place for adventure lovers. You can enjoy the lush surroundings as well as a panoramic view of the waterfalls too. In the monsoons, the falls are at its most spectacular so it’s the best time to visit this place.
| Entry Time: | 8 am to 6 pm |
| Entry Fees: | Rs 10 per head |
| Best Time to visit Nohkalikal falls: | September and October |
3. Mawkdok Dympep Valley (Mawkdok Dympep Valley View Point):
Mawkdok Dympep Valley(Mawkdok Dympep Valley View Point) is one of the most prominent attractions of the place which is situated at the very start of Sohra tourist circuit. It is at a distance of 24 km from Cherrapunji and 30 km from Shillong. It provides a splendid panoramic view of the Valley. It is also known as Duwan Sing Syiem Bridge Viewpoint and is a wonderful vantage point located on Shillong. It is a very nice place for nature lovers and photographers. You can even get pretty good stuff like wooden show pieces, sweaters, shawls, caps, etc and also can take photographs here by wearing the traditional Khasi Dresses.
| Entry Time: | 6 AM – 6 PM |
| Entry Fees: | Rs. 400 – Rs. 800 for Person |
| Best Time to visit Mawkdok Dympep Valley: | December to June |
4. Mawsmai cave
Mawsmai cave is one of the most popular and notable landmarks in Cherrapunji. It is situated at 57 km distance from Shillong and 6 km from Cherrapunjee. It is one of the best places for experience seeker.
Getting inside the cave you can see the limestone constructions of the cave, dripping of water from the roofs of the cave along with the formation of stalactites and stalagmites. Furthermore, they form the iconic pillars as the roof and the floor of the cave are joined together. This place has an extensive network of underground caves. It has a wide and amazing entrance. It is a great fun to be there at Cherapunjee.
| Entry Time: | 9:30AM—5:30 PM |
| Entry Fees: | Adult: Rs. 20 per headChild below 10 years: Rs 5Still camera: Rs. 20Video camera: Rs. 50Ticket charges for a group less than three members: Rs. 60 |
| Best Time to visit Mawsmai cave: | August to September |
5. Nohsngithiang Falls (Seven Sisters Waterfalls or Mawsmai Falls)
Nohsngithiang Falls (Seven Sisters Waterfalls or Mawsmai Falls) is known as one of the tallest waterfalls in India and is situated at 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) south of Mawsmai village. It is named as seven sister’s waterfall as here, seven streams combine to create this enormous force.
Waters seems to glow and a prismatic effect happens when the sunlight strikes the 1035 feet fall water, making it an even more attractive place to visit once. It is one of the major tourist attractions as is the fourth highest waterfall in India. You can reach here easily by train or flights. The nearest airport is at Guwahati and so is the train station.
| Entry Time: | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Entry Fees: | No entry fee |
| Best Time to visit Nohsngithiang Falls: | October to May |
6. Khoh Ramhah or Motrop (Giant conical rock):
Khoh Ramhah, also known as Pillar Rock or Mothorp looks like a giant cone as it is an impressive rock formation. It takes the shape of a rapid waterfall when seen from behind and the place is enhanced by the flow of the stream through the rocks.
This rock is also known as “Thapa Rock” and rock offers a spectacular view of the Sylhet plains of Bangladesh. It is an attractive place for tourists and an ideal spot for a picnic. Khoh Ramhah means ‘basket of the giant’ and according to the legends, this rock is a fossilized basket, which belonged to an evil spirit.
| Entry Time: | 06:00 am to 05:00 pm |
| Entry Fees: | Free |
| Best Time to visit Khoh Ramhah: | Just After Monsoons |
7. Mawsmai Nongthymmai Eco Park:
The Mawsmai-Nongthymmai Eco-Tourism Cooperative Society, Ltd, Mawsmai, is situated in Sohra which is famous for Local sightseeing, picnicking, etc. It is one of the popular Tourist destinations for the National and International Tourist coming to the State and is situated about 56 km from Shillong City. It is a place to discover the Indian summer monsoons with a backdrop of the breath-taking landscape.
It has a lovely view of the ‘Green Canyons’ of Cherapunji designed and maintained by the Government of Meghalaya. It has a vast variety of indigenous orchids given by the Shillong Agri-Horticultural society offering the amazing views of the plains of Bangladesh.
| Entry Time: | 8.00 am to 5.00 pm |
| Entry Fees: | Rs 20 per headBoating: Rs 100 per head Swimming: Rs 130 per headRappelling: Rs 50 per head Wall climbing: Rs 50 per head Zipline: Rs 100 per head Paintball: 1. Rs 350 per head (Head Gears+ 100 Bullets) 2. Rs 55 per head (Head Gears+ 50 Bullets) |
| Best Time to visit Mawsmai-Nongthymmai Eco Park: | June to October |
8. Cherrapunji Eco Park
Eco Park is one of the main attractions of Cherrapunji with 2 footbridges offering wonderful views of the expansive lush valleys and the plains. Lying next to the Khoh Ramhah rock, it is located at a distance of just 12 km from the main city. It gives a panoramic view of the plains of Bangladesh along with the view of the massive Kynrem falls, cascading down in three steps.
This park has two nice viewpoints that impart a good view of Khoh Ramhah or the pillar rocks and the valley below built on two of the three rocks.
| Entry Time: | None |
| Entry Fees: | None |
| Best Time to visit: | Not a prior season, but mainly Winter season preferred (September to May) |
9. Kynrem Falls:
Kynrem Falls is a three-tiered waterfall located at a distance of 12 km from Cherrapunjee in the East Khasi Hills district covering a distance of 305 m vertically. The source of this fall originates from Thangkharang Park and the base of the falls passes through the motorable road that goes all the way to Bangladesh and a small bridge provides movement for vehicles and people across this waterfall.
This waterfall is best enjoyed during the monsoons because of its seasonal nature and it is the 7th highest waterfall in India. It cascades in three levels from the top of a hill and offers a spectacular sight especially when viewed from below with the water gushing down at full speed on to the rocks forming a mist and spray on the onlookers/tourists.
| Entry Time: | Any time |
| Entry Fees: | Rs 10 per person |
| Best Time to visit Kynrem Falls: | October- May |
10. Khasi monoliths:
The Khasi monoliths are amazing underground mazes and passages of age-old caves and is situated in close proximity to the Mawsmai Falls. It is one of the most famous sightseeing places in India. They are pretty popular among tourists because of its fascinating structures related to the Khasi tribe. Monolith is a symbol of remembrance in the Jaintia Hills.
There are a number of ancient monoliths and table stones, which represents commemorating memorable events. They were created in the memory of the Khasi ancestors who are much respected and revered. These are one of the most famous sightseeing places.
| Entry Time: | Any time |
| Entry Fees: | None |
| Best Time to visit Khasi monoliths: | September to May |
11. Dainthlen Falls:
It is much bigger in size and dimension than the regular ones on the metallic roads and is located about 2 km away from Cherrapunjee. The story behind this place goes like this. There was a huge demon python named then who was somewhat greedy and drenched in power.
Some brave men caught the animal and near the fall they destroyed its hood with a huge stone. That snake struggled violently, say the naysayers and hence some of the marks present on the stones are still reminiscent. As a result, this fall got this name. it is one of the mesmerizing views for the tourists.
| Entry Time: | None |
| Entry Fees: | None |
| Best Time to visit Dainthlen Falls: | August, July, may |
12. Arwah cave:
It is one of the “must-see” attractions in the Cherrapunjee of Meghalaya. The sound of the flowing water gives a soothing feeling to the ears and mind. Millions of years old fossils of birds and fish and a quicksand area covered with clear blue water (not to approach) are added bonus to the adventure of Arwah caves.
It has some awesome viewpoints but the Cave’s half part (around 4 KM, Yes not joking) is not open to visitors as there is no light while other arm/branch of the cave is fully accessible. Most of the fossils are towards the fag end of the cave and there are even 30 million-year-old sea fossils present there.
| Entry Time: | 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Entry Fees: | 20 INR per Adult and 10 INR per Child Photography: Allowed, 20 INR for Camera/Mobile |
| Best Time to visit Arwah cave: | August, July, May |
13. Wah Kaba Falls:
Wah Kaba Falls is situated near the wettest place on earth, Sohra. This elegant waterfall has a jaw-dropping story. Located at Umstew opposite the Umstew Beach, one black and one white fairy lived in this waterfall in past. One will see these fairies at Sohra Market shopping like ordinary people carrying the basket to keep their belongings on market days.
Most of the people could not recognize them and because of this, these fairies used to hypnotize the people coming in contact with them. The young men disappeared from home and returned after two to three month and it was believed that they were married to a fairy. It is an excellent untouched part of the beauty that traveler lover must need to see.
| Entry Time: | Any time |
| Entry Fees: | INR 10 |
| Best Time to visit Wah Kaba Falls: | During Monsoons |
14. Thangkharang Park:
It is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city located 12 km away from Cherrapunji. It offers you a panoramic view of Bangladesh and is close to the Khoh Ramhah rock. This park is maintained by the State Forest Department Control and offers you a beautiful view of Kynrem falls cascading down at a distance in three levels.
The park contains various species of plants and trees in the greenhouse, a beautiful fountain and a garden for little children. You can reach the other section of the park through a small bridge and offers a stunning view of the plains and the valley.
| Entry Time: | 1 Apr- 30 Sep: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
1 Oct- 31 Mar: 7:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Entry Fees: | Adult: Rs 10 per person Child (Under 12 years): Rs 5 per person Students (Under 12 years): Rs 5 per person Disabled person and attendant: Rs 5 per person Digital camera or Still camera: Rs 20 per day Video camera Amateur (Handy Cam): Rs 20 per day Video Camera (Non- Commercial): Rs 200 per day Advertisement shooting: Rs 2000 per day Film Shooting Camera: Rs 2000 per day |
| Best Time to visit Thangkharang Park: | During Monsoons |