If you are a nature lover, Cherrapunji is a breathtaking option for your coming holiday trip. Here is an ultimate guide to visiting this awe-striking less crowded place in the north-eastern region of India. In this article you will get all the required info to plan your trip here.
What makes Cherrapunji famous
Cherrapunji (4,500 feet), locally named as Sohra, lies in the heart of the Meghalaya, the abode of the cloud. It is situated in the lap of the Khasi Hills in the north-eastern region of India. once you come here, the pristine beauty of misty valleys will welcome you. you will be amazed by the swirling clouds, foaming rivers, breath-taking waterfalls and year-round rainfalls of this place. The rainfall here is generally measured as feet instead of millimeters.
This small town once secured its place in the Guinness book of the world as the wettest places in the earth. Though now Mawsynram ( just nearby) is the wettest place on earth, it still holds the crown for the highest recorded rainfall in a calendar year.
Besides the stunning scenic beauty of Khasi hills, another attraction of this place is a double-decker living root bridge. It is a unique example of bioengineering. This unique attraction is situated in the village of Nongrighat, near Cherrapunji. Lots of other root bridges, tree houses, rainfalls, and caves make this place a must-visit.
There are lots of beautiful, breathtaking waterfalls which indeed increasing the serenity of this place. Besides other awesome waterfalls, Nohkalikai Falls is India’s highest and the world’s 4th highest plunging waterfall.
History and Geography
The word “Cherrapunji” literally means ‘land of oranges’. This magnificent place has a rich historical significance too, starting from the early part of the 16th century.
In the period of 16th to 18th centuries, the inhabitants of now Sohra, and the Khasi people were ruled by the ‘Syiems (rajas or chiefs) of Khyriem’ in the Khasi hills. Tirot Singh was the last of the important Syiems of Khasi hills. In 1883, after Tirot Singh, it goes under British authority. British used to wrongly pronounced the original name of this place Sohra as “Churra”. As a result, this evolved into the current name Cherrapunji in the following British era. You can also visit a monument to David Scott (British Administrator in NE India, 1802–31) in the city cemetery. Recently the Meghalaya state government has renamed this place back to its original name, “Sohra“.
Cherrapunji is located at 25.30°N 91.70°E. nearly 4,869 feet (1,484 meters) above the sea-level on the summit of the southern ranges of Khasi hills. The plateau of Cherrapunjee is 600 meters above the surrounding valleys, which increase the serenity of the place.
From Cherrapunjee you can view the vast plains of Sylhet (Bangladesh). It is located at a distance of 54 km from the capital of Meghalaya, Shillong. Valleys around are greatly covered with lush. you can find very diverse vegetation here, containing numerous endemic species of plants, including the subtropical forests of Meghalaya.
Weather and Rainfall in Cherrapunji
There are 2 Guinness world records crowned by Cherrapunji or Sohra, for receiving the maximum amount of rainfall in a single year. the value was 6,471 millimeters (1,042.2 in) of rainfall between August 1860 and July 1861.
Another one is, for receiving the maximum amount of rainfall in a single month: 9,300 millimeters (370 in) in July 1861.The weather here can be broadly categorized as a mild subtropical highland climate(Köppen Cwb), with monsoonal influences typical of India. The annual rainfall average of Sohra has been calculated broadly at 11,777 millimeters (463.7 in). This figure places it behind only nearby Mawsynram, Meghalaya, whose average rainfall is 11,873 millimeters (467.4 in).
You can look for a rainy season here, with a wooly cloud around, almost throughout the year. It is a place where one can leisurely wake up in the morning with a dreamy eye finding himself in the misty adore of nature. Here the sun also dares to open his scorching eyes fully in the day time. You may like to just sit on a couch, sipping the morning tea or coffee and drowned in the intoxication of nature, in this mesmerizing place.
You can also wander around the place just to enrich yourself with the mesmerizing wealth of nature. The bottom finding streams of the falls, spreading around all-over the place will make you blissful after a long stressful week.
This is such a dramatic location, because, it receives both the southwest and northeast monsoon winds. It bestowed this place with a noticeable single season, monsoon.
Summer season:
The summer starts in March and continues until May. The temperature at this time remains pleasant and varies between 14 C to 23 C. Summer receives moderate rainfall of around an average of 900 mm, which makes the atmosphere pleasing and misty.
Monsoon or Rainy season:
The months of June to August are broadly considered as monsoon season here. This season receives the maximum rainfall in this zone. June and July are the months that receive the highest rainfall (around 2708 mm). Therefore low temperature prevails around this time of the year.
In the monsoon time, Sohra receives rains from the side of the Bay of Bengal also. Without any hindrance, the monsoon clouds fly over the plains of Bangladesh, for about 400 km. After such a long journey in the air, these clouds hit the Khasi Hills which rise abruptly from the plains to a height of about 1,370 m above the sea level within 2 to 5 km. As a result, it starts raining in the hills. This place is also facing the windward south side of the Khasi Hills. Therefore, the resulting orographic lift enhances precipitation.
If you visit here in this season you will enjoy the beauty of all the falls around this place, as they are mainly rainfall water fed falls. For example, you can see all seven streams of the seven sister falls only if you visit this place in monsoon times.
Winter season:
As the winter season is the driest season of Sohra, you will find much less rainfall here at this time than in summer. It receives the northeast monsoon showers, in the months of winter. It usually goes down the Brahmaputra valley.
Cold temperature prevails in the winter season falling to a minimum of 7 °C. November, December, January, and February, are the months that get the lowest rain in this place, compared to other times of the year. These months are the driest months of the year. In December the rainfall in this place is around 14 mm. This is the least one compared to the other times of the year.
The best thing about this time is you can roam around this most scenic place without much attention to umbrella or raincoats. The kiss of the winter sunshine will fill your heart with utmost gratitude at this time especially.
What to wear here ?
Like other hill stations, you should carry light woolens in summer and heavy ones in winter, to visit here. With the woolens, you should always carry an umbrella or raincoat any time you visit this place, as there is no month without rain here.
Cherrapujni Weather and Clothing Guide
The place faces occasional cloudbursts in one part of the hill, while other parts of the region may be totally or relatively dry, which is the reflection of the high spatial variability of the rainfall. The atmosphere remains highly humid during the peak monsoon period.
Monsoon times, like July, faces an average of 2708 mm of rainfall, which is the most precipitation falls of the year. So you can easily see the vast variation in the precipitation. The precipitation variation is 2694 mm between the driest and wettest months during the year. The average temperatures also vary by around 9.0 °C.
So in a brief, we can say that this pristine land of Sohra, is the only place in India, where only one season monsoon dominates throughout the year.
The rainfall varies from heavy to medium to light, but you would hardly find a time in the year which remains without rain, in Cherrapunjee.
We can classify the weather as a bit warm and temperate. Though lots of precipitation (about 9963 mm annually) falls almost throughout the year, the average annual temperature does not cross 17.6 °C in Cherrapunji.In January the temperature in Sohra is at an average of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F).
It is not at all a freezing but a pleasant one. In August it remains around and that is 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) which is also considered as the highest temperature of this season. It also feels pleasant at monsoon times.
Best Time to Visit Cherrapunji
This place most visited tourist destination in the North-Eastern region of India. Instead of heavy rainfall throughout the year, this place remains crowded almost every time during the year. The pleasant environment and incomparable, pristine natural beauty of this place will make you free from all your anxieties.
October to May is the best time to visit here. This time the weather remains cool and pleasant, and rainfall is minimal in quantity. The serene beauty of the enchanting nature makes the place mistic in this season.
It remains cloudy in the morning, covering the sunshine with a smoky chilling atmosphere. In the day time, the sun opens its eyes with full glory, which creates a shiny reflection in the skin of the hills. You will feel refreshed seeing this mesmerizing beauty of the Khasi hills. it will be unforgettable for you throughout your life.
At night, the temperature goes down up to 5℃ but seldom reaches the freezing point. It makes your winter nights a chilling one.
It will be easier for you to roam around the place at this time as you can travel freely without the extra baggage of an umbrella or raincoats. Also, you would be thankful and fill good to see the falls and the rivers clearly from a distance too, due to fewer clouds in the day time.
How to Reach Cherrapunji
This is a small village or max a town, in the region of East Khasi Hills. It is at a distance of 58 km from the state capital Shillong. Reaching here was never a tough task. Being a popular hill station in eastern India it is well-connected to different parts of the country via road, rail, and air.
Here, let me provide you a brief detail on how to reach here by flight, Train and Road for your convenience.
By Air (Flight)
You can reach here by air, for which you have to book a flight from your place and get down to the Guwahati airport. This is the nearest airport to Cherrapunjee.
The airport is situated at a distance of 181 km from this place. There are regular flights, which operate every day from major cities of the country like New Delhi and Kolkata to Guwahati.
Once you reach the airport there will be vehicles like pre-paid taxis, buses, etc. to welcome you to the town.
By Train
You can also reach Sohra by train. The nearest railhead is the Guwahati railway station. You have to book your ticket from your nearest railway station to reach Guwahati. It is well connected to the other parts of India via trains. Trains operate between major cities of the country and Guwahati regularly.
From the railway station, you can board a bus or taxi or any other vehicle to reach Cherrapunjee which is at a distance of 180 km from here.
By Road
You can also travel to Cherrapunjee via the roads. It is well-connected to different regions of the country. Apart from the car, rented cab or taxis, you can also board into a state bus from the bus terminus. These buses run between Shillong and other regions of Assam and Meghalaya very frequently to reach Cherrapunji. Besides, there are private buses, which also run from different cities of the country to reach Shillong, 58 km from Cherrapunjee.
Best Hotels and Resorts in Cherrapunji
There are lots of hotels, lodges, homestay, and resorts of all budget range in this place. People have a soft heart for the beauty of this place since the time of the British era or long before that. All kinds of people come to stay here from all over India and abroad.
Here are some good hotels facing the hills of Sohra, in your pocket-friendly budget.
The Crescent Hotel
The Crescent Hotel is established in an idyllic ambiance, on a hilltop, with a breathtaking view of the Wahkaba falls. this hotel is situated only a drive away from the famous Nohkalikai falls, just nearby town. The Arwah caves are also very near to this hotel.
This small luxurious hotel provides great food and lodging facilities with a free car parking area. The Crescent Hotel is the perfect way to experience this place.
People, stayed here, have good thoughts about the services and management of this hotel.
Jms lodge
It is situated in the Sohra-Laitkynsew Road, Sohra 793108 India. This hotel has great food and lodging facilities with a free car parking area. View from this lodge is also very nice. People have a great overview of the staying and cleanliness of this hotel too.
Polo Orchid Resort
you can find this resort on the edge of the cliff of the breathtaking Cherrapunji Valley, overlooking the splendid Nongsithiang Waterfalls. People say this rustic-style star resort is the best hotel in the town. It has a way of slowing downtime to a tranquil tempo.
Set amidst acres of lush gardens, Hotel Polo Orchid, is a showcase for relaxation with tropical-inspired design touches, grand architecture, a sun-drenched balcony, wide shady corridors, and flower-lined patios for a memorable stay. This is subtly divided into the main hotel building with deluxe Orchid Rooms and villa cottages featuring Polo Cottage units.
The resort is a short distance away from the oldest Presbyterian Church in India. It is seemed to be overlooking the Nongsithiang Falls.
Labana Hotel
Labana is a newly opened hotel here. This hotel is located at khliehshnong, on the main road of Sohra to Shillong highways.
The main attraction of the hotel is its awesome scenic view of misty Arwah fall, the mesmerizing view of the valley and mountain. You will also be within walking distance from the town market, R.K.M. museum, Arwah cave, Nohkalikai waterfall, etc. The hotel is situated in a short distance away from the old police station in this place.
They have an attached restaurant too with their hotel. People shared a great overview of this hotel as they find it worth to stay in this hotel.
San Nael la Resort
It is a sunny place here and is located in the following address. Pynshadkhurai – Shella Road Junction road from Opposite to Fire brigade. It is approximately 500 meters from this junction.
This is a great place to enjoy the pristine beauty of Sohra. Fooding and lodging facility is satisfying in this hotel. You can also rent a bicycle from here to have a wanderlust of this serene beauty.
What to see around in Cherrapunji
There are obviously lots to see around. However, we are just mentioning the ones that you must see without fail.
Nohkalikai Falls
This is one of the most scenic roarings falls in Cherapunji and crowned as 3rd highest waterfalls of India. This falls is situated around 5 km away from the town and falling from the pristine forests of a hill which has a height of around 1120 ft. As it is flowing down from such a great height, the soaring melody of this falls is audible from far off.
This fall is too rainwater fed falls, which brings it into full bloom at the monsoon months. But any time you travel this place, you will find the misty green envelop of this area. The silver steaked water of the falls, hitting the rocks below from such great height is really thrilling to watch here.
If you want to explore more of this place, you have to roam through the stairs, which will take you to different vantage points.
Besides the breathtaking view of this mesmerizing place, there is also a tragic but interesting history behind the name of the falls “Nohkalikai”
Seven Sisters Falls
This fall is a must-visit beauty of east Khasi hills in Cherrapunji, located near the Mawsmai village. This is the 4th highest waterfall in India. It is a cluster of 7 different streams, adjacent to each other, cascading down from a height of approx. 315 meters.
Both the rising and setting sun bathes the surrounding lush greenery with a golden hue which increases the serenity of this place. It is a picture-perfect place in this region. This is a paradise for you if you belong to those who have a great passion for photography.
Mawsynram Village
Mawsynram sits in the lap of East Khasi Hills, amidst the lush greenery and wooly clouds, throughout the year. It has got the credit of most wetted place on Earth and eventually receives more than 11,000 mm of rainfall every year.
If you visit this less crowded, peaceful place in the peak monsoon, you would blissfully enjoy the bathing of nature. It eventually brings out the natural vibrancy of the color of mother earth in a different way.
Dwellers have covered the little huts and other village homes in this area are with thick layers of grass. It is indeed a unique attraction of this tourist spot. It is used to lessen the thunderous sounds of rainfall in the area.
If you are really a nature lover and looking for a calm place, away from the hustle and bustle of maddening city life, then Mawsynram would be the best place for you, where you would feel the respite and solitude in the lap of the whispering mother nature and between the warm-hearted and welcoming village dwellers, who are also keeping the place extremely safe for you anytime you visit there.
Mawsmai Cave
This is one of the most beautiful cave adventures you will find near the town. This cave is located around 6 km away from the main town.
It is an easy cave which you can easily navigate without any guide, as the government has provided lights there within the cave. If my words are disappointing the call of wild within you, don’t be upset please, as you would find a lot of tricky curves, narrow ups and downs inside the cave which would quench the crave for cave adventure within you.
There are very small passages within the cave, which sometimes become so narrow that 2 people can’t navigate together. You should avoid large groups once you enter into this cave. This place will welcome you with a yawning small entrance shaded under a natural thick canopy of trees.
If you are a cave explorer you can start with this easier cave in this offbeat region of East Khasi hills.
Mawkdok Dympep Valley
On the way to Cherrapunji from Shillong, there is a viewpoint in the downstairs from the highway. Here you can spend some worthy time to have a look into the breathtaking view of Mawkdok Dympep Valley.
It is one of the well known but less crowded tourist places here. Here you can feel the cool breeze, hitting you directly. The awesome view of ziplining across the valley.
So when you are on the Shillong-Sohra highway and near this place, just tie your shoos belt up. Be ready to descend to reach the viewpoint. You enjoy the hide and seek of the clouds in the vast greenery of this valley.
Thangkharang Park
Once you visit Cherrapunjee, a one day trip to this park is a must for you. It is a refreshing option for you to explore the mesmerizing beauty of the Khasi hills.
Besides other waterfalls in this park, this place is a residence of the great Kynrem Falls. It is one of the most beautiful, 3 tired cascading falls in Cherrapunjee.
You can also get glimpses of the vast land of Shillet, Bangladesh from here.
You can also get a great view of the famous rock Khoh Ramhah, which is in the shape of a Shiva lingam, just opposite this park. There is a variety of floral species in this vast region of 100 acres in the park. In the springtime, these beautiful flowers bathe the place with a vibrant, astonishing hue of eye-soothing colors.
Dawki is also nearby this place.
Dainthlen Waterfall
This waterfall is comparatively less renowned, 2 tired falls, cascading from a height of 90 meters in the dense forest area in the hills here. You can find this fall in the East Khasi Hills district near Sohra.
According to a renowned legend, this falls is named after a heroic event of putting an end to the terror of a massive snake. This snake used to reside in this area. Lots of marks can be found in the nearby stones which remains as a proof of that violent legendary event.
This place comes to a thundering life at the time of monsoon, but people enjoy the place throughout the year.
Khasi Monoliths
You should visit this place at least once when you visit this Cherrapunjee as there is a great historic significance of this place.
These ancient structures stand as a tribute to the dead members of the Khasi tribe. Their ashes are also buried in cenotaphs here. This place is not far from the nearby Mawsmai Falls. You can also find such monoliths lining several parts of Cherrapunji.
They make an unwritten lesson of history and you would also get a taste of the Khasi culture and tradition by visiting them.
Mawnynnong Village
This small village near Cherrapunji is crowned as the cleanest village of Asia and at a distance of 80 km from Sohra.
You can find some serene beauty of flora and fauna in this area, well managed by the big-hearted villagers. You can find some tree houses also on the way to this village from Sohra.
We have written a detailed article on Mawnynnong Here.
Root bridges and waterfalls Near Cherrapunji
You can find living root bridges in the East of this region. These bridges are better found in and around several villages including Nongpriang, Sohkynduh, Rymmai, Mawshuit, and Kongthong. Also, In the East Khasi Hills district, you can find these bridges in and around the villages of Tynrong, Nongriat, Nongthymmai, Mynteng, Laitkynsew, and others.
The most famous double-decker Living Root bridge of Meghalaya is situated in the Nongrighat village.
This root bridge is one of the greatest examples of bioengineering in the world. You should find how people have used there innovative ways to use the abundance of nature for the ease of their connectivity problem in the hilly region.
There is another single decker living root bridge named Jinkieng RiTymmen, here, near the rainbow falls in this village. This is the Longest single-decker root bridge in India. It is about 120 years old and 2 rubber trees on either side of the below stream support the bridge.
local people have made the bridges by weaving the living roots of aerial roots of rubber trees around a betel tree truck. This is making a way across the unnamed streams of a water body.
It has taken 10-15 years to complete the bridges by elongating the growing roots of the rubber plant.
As time passes the bridges become more strong with the thickening strength of the growing root. People put stones, sticks, bamboos, leaves and other things to make the bridge stronger. Thus the bridges are serving hundreds of years to the local people as well as the tourists.
Root bridges are an unmissable part of traveling Cherrapunji.
Amongst the lots of unnamed waterfalls all-over around this place, the most scenic and popular ones are the following. You would never want to miss any of them in your itinerary.
Nohkalikai Falls
This is the tallest plunge waterfall in India and 4th highest one in the world. The free leap of this fall, onto the rocks, is happening from a height of 1,120 ft.
Nohsngithiang (seven sisters)Falls
This waterfall is situated in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. This waterfall is near the Mawsmai village, having a height of 1,033 ft.
Kynrem Falls
This is 3 tired falls cascading down from a height of 1,001 ft. Thangkharang Park near Cherrapunjee is the home of this breathtaking waterfall. It is offering a spectacular sight of the colorful floral beauty and lush green region.
Dainthlen Falls
This fall is a mesmerizing 90 meters high, 2 tiered cascading waterfall in the East Khasi Hills district. It is not a much-renowned place near Cherrapunjee. As a result, you can feel the calmness of this beauty, full of your heart.
Wah Kaba Falls
This is not a very popular waterfall in the area. Therefore, you can feel the virginity of this unexplored beauty here. To reach the viewpoint of this falls you have to walk a little bit through the lush green surroundings.
Rainbow Falls
It is situated in Nongrighat village. You can reach the place by having a 90-100 minute trekking through the double-decker root bridge. You can also spot a rainbow here near the falls if you are a bit lucky traveler.
It is one of the non-missable most beautiful waterfalls near Cherrapunjee.
Mawsmai falls
It is one of the oldest popular falls in this region which you should not miss in your itinerary.
Rainwater is the main source of all the falls. These falls come into full bloom life only at the monsoon time. You will fill the meditativeness within you once you come near the falls. The soaring melody of the pouring water will make your mind out of thoughts. You will be quite and feel the unexplainable joy looking at those rippling cascades of waters.
Concluding Thoughts; Cherrapunji the rain dance of Nature
Though monsoon is the best time to see the roaring beauty of the waterfalls, Cherrapunji falls welcome you throughout the year with their enchanting beauty. This serenity is incomparable. You should be amazed by the pleasing environment, misty atmosphere, foaming clouds, lush green hilly forest, and snaking rivers when you visit this place.
So plan to pack your bag in the upcoming vacation to feel this serene and mesmerizing beauty of Mother Nature, far from the hustle of maddening and rush full city life.
