Cherrapunji is a mystical land acclaimed as the place with the highest rainfall on earth. Mist covering the green hills, thundering waterfalls and pristine landscape give this land the appeal of an impressionist painting in green. Known as the land of waterfalls and caves, it is one of the most thrilling places to visit in Northeast India. It is a stunning place with many amazing natural formations such as waterfalls, caves and living root bridges etc. You will instantly fall in love with the place. Our comprehensive guide will help you discover the top tourist attractions that you shouldn’t miss while visiting this charming town. These fantastic tourist places to visit in Sohra will keep calling you back for more.
Its enchanting natural beauty mesmerises everyone. Several of India’s highest waterfalls can be found in Cherrapunji. If you are fond of nature, Cherrapunji is a must-visit destination for you. This guide will definitely help you if you plan your visit to Cherrapunji.
A thrilling, windy road passing through the blanket of clouds leads to Cherrapunji, a small town in Meghalaya. I can assure you that you are greeted by the mystic sound of waterfalls and the striking landscape made by hilly gorges in every corner.
Map of Cherrapunji
Check the tourist map of Cherrapunji to know about the top places you must visit before planning your tour.
Tourist attractions in Cherrapunji
1. Double Decker living root bridge
The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Cherrapunji is the Double Decker living root bridge. It is one of the offbeat and best places to visit in Cherrapunj,i which is one of a kind. Though you may be hesitant to visit the place first because it involves walking down around 3500+ stairs, once you reach the place and catch the beauty of the giant bridge and spend some time there, all your discomfort and tiredness melt instantly.
The trek to the living root bridge starts from Tyrna village. The walking trail passes through a few villages and gorgeous landscapes. You can also contact local villagers to guide you on the road for a very minimal amount. It is a moderate trek that can be tried by anyone except those seeking or senior citizens. However, if you miss this bridge, you can try another root bridge located near Mawlynnong village. Check how to spend a day in Mawlynnong village.
Check Road trip in Meghalaya: how to plan your best vacation
2. Best waterfalls in Cherrapunji
Tucked away in the lap of nature, Cherrpunji is also famous for many tallest Waterfalls in India. Nohkalikai Falls (340 metres), the third tallest waterfall in India, is located here. Kynrem falls, another tallest waterfalls which is plunges from a height of 305 metres.
If you love thrill and adventure, then you will enjoy seeing Wei Sawdong Falls closely. 30 30-minute walk through bamboo ladders takes you to this place. It is a three tire fall that looks very exclusive.
Some other waterfalls which can be caught easily from the road are Seven Sisters Waterfalls or Mawsmai Falls and Dainthlen fall. If you are fascinated by waterfalls and love to explore waterfalls, then Meghalaya is the hub of many waterfalls. You can take a seven days tour in Meghalaya and explore these falls closely. You can cover some of these waterfalls in a day tour from Shillong.
Some of the top waterfalls in Cherrapunji are :
- Dainthlen fall
- Nohkalikai Falls
- Wei Sawdong falls
- Seven sisters fall/Mawsmai Falls/ Nohsngithiang Falls
- Kynrem falls
- Rainbow Falls
3. Most popular caves in Cherrapunji
- Arwah Lumshynna Cave
- Maswami cave
- Krem Mawmluh
4. Mawsmai cave
It is one of the easiest and most touristy caves in Cherrapunji. It is also known as Krem Phyllut. It is located near Nohsngithiang Falls(Seven Sisters Falls) and in the heart of Cherrapunji. The limestone caves of Mawsmai are quite spacious they can be easily covered by anyone. The cave is home to a variety of stalagmites and stalactites, as well as a number of bats. Small bridges are constructed inside the cave for easy access. A walk inside the cave is a fascinating experience. Only a small area of the cave is open to the public. It is one of the must-visited destinations on your sightseeing tour in Sohra.
5. Arwah Cave
It is another stunning cave that deserves to be on your travel itinerary. It takes around 10 10-minute walks to reach the entrance of the cave from the parking. The walkway before reaching the cave is the most exciting one. You can catch a glimpse of the picturesque surroundings and pleasant landscape from the steep path. Inside the cave are stalagmites & stalactites, which create various artistic formations. A small stem is also flowing through the side of the cave. You can hear the sound of water and see various formations closely. With its unique formation and calm and scenic alley that leads to the cave, Arwah is one of the best places to visit in Cherrapunji, which is hard to miss.
The most interesting part of this cave is the various fossils that you can spot along its walls. Mollusc shells and fish bones were some of the prominent fossils that can be seen inside the cave.
6. Krem Mawmluh
It is the 8th longest cave in India length of 7194 m. Around 4000 m of the cave is open for caving. It is a must-visit for an experienced caver. You can see different formations inside the cave from White Marble, stalagtites-mites, rivers, quartz, moon milk, a fishing pond, a crawling part, a vertical hole etc. Meghalaya Caving Association offers caving packages for this cave. You need to book a guided tour earlier to visit this cave.
7. Parks and other attractions you would like to visit
Apart from these Sohra (Cherrapunji) also hosts many beautiful parks to spend leisure amidst nature. It is not only a perfect place for adventure lovers, it is also loved by families and honeymooners. Eco Park, Thangkharang Park, and Saimika Park are stunning family and kids-friendly parks from where you can enjoy picture perfect landscape. From Eco Park, you can see the source of Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang Falls), and from Thangkharang Park, you can witness the Shiva Linga shaped Khoh Ramhah closely. The Garden of the Caves is a picturesque place worth visiting, where you can explore many small caves and waterfalls. Some worth visiting parks in Cherrapunji are
- Eco Park
- Thangkharang Park
- Khoh Ramhah
- Garden of Cave
8. Trekking and Camping in Cherrapunji
If you like trekking and camping, Cherrapunji have plenty of spots for trekking. Some of the best trekking routes you can embark on in Sohra are Double Decker root bridge trek (Nongriat Trek), David Scott Trail, trek to the top of Nohkalikai Falls etc. These are moderate to hard treks where you need the guidance of a local guide. Otherwise, it is not advisable to go for these treks alone.
Apart from numerous camping grounds scattered around Cherrapunji, Sohbar is one of the stunning locations to enjoy camping, boating and other adventure activities. 100 Waterfalls Camp, Camp Iaiwan are some best camping options in Sohra.
you can also enjoy some adventure sports like zip lining, caving, camping etc. in Cherrapunji.
How to reach Cherrapunji
Sohra or Cherrapunji is located around 54 km (2 hr) from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya and 150 km (4 -5 hrs)from Guwahati, the gateway of Northeast India. Guwahati city is well connected by both air and railway. Taxis are available all the time to reach Cherrapunji from Shillong and Guwahati.
Best time to visit Cherrapunji
It is a pristine location having moderate weather all year round. The temperature in summer ranges from 25 – 12 degrees Celsius and in winter is 5 – 20 degrees Celsius. Summer generally starts from June – August and winter starts from November to March. It can be visited all year round.
Winter is the best season to explore caves and the living root bridge, while summer is the best season to see the thundering waterfalls, which remain full during the rainy season.
If you want to explore off the beaten places in Meghalaya, check the top 10 unexplored places in Meghalaya. Please write your opinion in the comment section and tell us about the place you have visited recently in Meghalaya with your friends or family.
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If you are planning a trip to Meghalaya, consider consulting the travel experts at Nexplore for a hassle-free and memorable experience. You can also explore the Meghalaya tour packages page to discover exciting itineraries for your trip.
