my next stop

Meghalaya

Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Wettest place on earth: waterfalls, canyons, caves

WaterfallsTrekOffbeat

Best time to visit Cherrapunji (Sohra)

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: October to November
  • Shoulder: December to May, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: June to September

Planning a specific month? OctoberNovember

Cherrapunji (Sohra) season by season

Winter December to February Shoulder

Dry and clear, good canyon and Nohkalikai Falls views, though the water flow itself is thin.

Summer March to May Shoulder

Warming up, waterfalls still decent, dry trails good for root-bridge treks before the rains.

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Holds the world rainfall record here. Dramatic falls but near-zero visibility and landslide-shut roads.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Sweet spot: monsoon just broke, falls are at their fullest, skies finally clearing.

What Cherrapunji (Sohra) is actually like

Small Khasi villages, guesthouse guides, same trekkers doing the falls circuit.

Things to do in Cherrapunji

The local places worth your time in and around Cherrapunji, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Nohkalikai Falls

    Waterfall · 5 km out

    India's tallest plunge falls seen from a paid terrace; cloud swallows it after 10 am, so come early or in October.

  • Wei Sawdong Falls

    Waterfall · 6 km out

    Three turquoise tiers down steep bamboo ladders below the road; small village fee, and not worth it in heavy rain.

  • Mawsmai Cave

    Cave · 6 km out

    Lit limestone passage of about 150 m with two tight squeezes; ticket at the gate, long queues on a Sunday.

  • Arwah Lumshynna Cave

    Cave · 5 km out

    Fossil-studded cave at the end of a short forest walk, quieter than Mawsmai; a guide is compulsory and gates shut early.

  • Nohsngithiang (Seven Sisters) Falls

    Waterfall · 7 km out

    Seven ribbons over the Mawsmai cliff into the Bangladesh plains; they only run in rain, and the light is best late.

  • Thangkharang Park

    Park · 12 km out

    Cliff garden facing Khoh Ramhah, the giant cone rock, and the plains beyond; small fee, gates close about 4 pm.

Getting to Cherrapunji (Sohra)

1.5h shared taxi from Shillong (3h from Guwahati). No ILP.

Practical ways in: flightroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
3 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
1484 m
State
Meghalaya
Coordinates
25.2702, 91.7323

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Cherrapunji (Sohra)?

October to November is peak season in Cherrapunji (Sohra). December to May is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to September. Sweet spot: monsoon just broke, falls are at their fullest, skies finally clearing.

How many days do you need in Cherrapunji (Sohra)?

3 days is the usual stay. Small Khasi villages, guesthouse guides, same trekkers doing the falls circuit.

How do you get to Cherrapunji (Sohra)?

1.5h shared taxi from Shillong (3h from Guwahati). No ILP. Practical ways in: flight and road.

Is Cherrapunji (Sohra) expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

What are the best things to do in Cherrapunji?

Nohkalikai Falls, Wei Sawdong Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Arwah Lumshynna Cave, Nohsngithiang (Seven Sisters) Falls and Thangkharang Park. India's tallest plunge falls seen from a paid terrace; cloud swallows it after 10 am, so come early or in October.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Meghalaya

All 17 destinations in Meghalaya