Cherrapunji, India: travel guide
Cliff-edge waterfalls and living root bridges in Meghalaya
The wettest place on Earth — a cliff-top village of breathtaking canyon views, thundering waterfalls, and ancient Khasi root bridges in the clouds.
About Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji, also called Sohra, is a plateau village in Meghalaya's Khasi Hills, known for its extraordinary rainfall. Clouds drift through the valleys, and waterfalls pour off the sandstone cliffs that fall away to the plains of Bangladesh.
Things to do in Cherrapunji include viewing Nohkalikai Falls, exploring Mawsmai Cave and Seven Sisters Falls, and trekking down to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge, a bridge shaped from living tree roots by Khasi communities over generations. Day trips reach Mawlynnong village and the clear waters of the Umngot River at Dawki.
The area suits trekkers, photographers and nature lovers. The monsoon is spectacular but wet and slippery, so many people prefer October to April for clear views and easier walking.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Last updated
Top places to visit in Cherrapunji
Nohkalikai Falls
Waterfall · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
India's tallest plunge waterfall, dropping ~340 m into a turquoise pool below dramatic cliffs — Cherrapunji's most iconic, especially thunderous in the monsoon.
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
The famous two-tiered living root bridge at Nongriat, hand-grown over generations from rubber-tree roots, reached by a steep ~3,500-step descent.
Mawlynnong Village
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Famed as "Asia's cleanest village", a charming Khasi hamlet of flower-lined lanes, bamboo dustbins, a sky-walk viewpoint and a nearby root bridge.
Dawki (Umngot River)
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The crystal-clear Umngot River at Dawki near the Bangladesh border, so transparent that boats appear to float on air — a top boating and photo spot.
Mawsmai Cave
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
An accessible, well-lit limestone cave near Sohra with stalactite formations and squeeze-through passages, a fun short underground walk.
Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang)
Waterfall · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A seven-segmented cliff waterfall plunging over the Sohra plateau, spectacular and full during the rains, viewed from a roadside vantage.
Mawkdok Dympep Valley Viewpoint
Viewpoint · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A breathtaking valley viewpoint on the Shillong-Sohra road, with a zip-line over the gorge and panoramic views into the deep green canyon.
Cherrapunji Eco Park
Nature · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · entry ₹20, Rs 20 per person (same for all).
A landscaped clifftop park with manicured gardens and viewpoints over deep gorges and the plains of Bangladesh, near the Green Canyon.
Arwah Cave
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A scenic limestone cave with marine fossils embedded in its walls, set amid a forested trail, quieter than the nearby Mawsmai cave.
Thangkharang Park & Kynrem Falls
Viewpoint · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · entry ₹20, About Rs 20 per person.
A clifftop garden park with a viewpoint over the Kynrem Falls and the Bangladesh plains, with the curious Khoh Ramhah rock pillars nearby.
Things to do
- Double Decker Root Bridge Trek Activity · 6 h · from INR 1,000 per person
- Dawki River Boating & Mawlynnong Nature · 6 h · from INR 1,500 per person
- Mawkdok Valley Zipline Activity · 0.5 h · from INR 500 per person
- Mawsmai & Arwah Caves Tour Nature · 2.5 h · from INR 700 per person
Day trips and tours
- Cherrapunji Waterfalls & Caves Tour 8 h · from INR 1,500
- Living Root Bridge Trek Expedition 10 h · from INR 2,500
- Dawki & Mawlynnong Day Trip 10 h · from INR 2,200
Where to stay in Cherrapunji
- Main Area about INR 2,000 per night
Highest rainfall area with budget stays and nature views
Hotels
- Polo Orchid Resort Cherrapunjee 4-star · INR 6,000 to INR 11,000 per night
- Serene Homestay Nongriat 2-star · INR 1,000 to INR 2,200 per night
- Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 6,000 per night
- Saimika Resort 3-star · INR 3,500 to INR 6,500 per night
- Mawlynnong Guest House 2-star · INR 1,500 to INR 3,000 per night
- Jiva Resort 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 5,500 per night
Where to eat
- Orange Roots (Sohra) North Indian, South Indian · about INR 300 per person
- Sohra Plaza Restaurant Khasi, North Indian, Chinese · about INR 280 per person
- Mawlynnong Bamboo Restaurant Khasi · about INR 250 per person
- Nohkalikai View Cafe Cafe, Snacks, Tibetan · about INR 150 per person
- Serene Homestay Kitchen (Nongriat) Khasi · about INR 200 per person
- Cafe Cherrapunjee Cafe, Tibetan, Continental · about INR 180 per person
- Dawki Riverside Shacks Khasi, Seafood · about INR 250 per person
- Saimika Resort Restaurant North Indian, Chinese, Khasi · about INR 400 per person
Getting to Cherrapunji
Nearest airport: Shillong (SHL), about 56 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Shared Taxi
- Taxi
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Cherrapunji
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Cherrapunji?
- The highest-rated places in our Cherrapunji guide are Nohkalikai Falls, Double Decker Living Root Bridge, Mawlynnong Village, Dawki (Umngot River), Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang).
- Where should I stay in Cherrapunji?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Cherrapunji: Main Area.
- How do I get around Cherrapunji?
- Ways to get around Cherrapunji covered in our guide: Shared taxi, Taxi, Walking.