Many travelers visiting India flock to popular destinations like the iconic Taj Mahal, the majestic forts of Rajasthan, and the beautiful beaches of Goa. And rightly so because they are some of the best places to visit in India.
However, tucked away in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, close to the Bangladesh border, lies a hidden gem of India – Cherrapunji. Surprisingly, it’s a place that many Indians haven’t even explored, let alone foreign visitors. But make no mistake, the Cherrapunji tourist attractions are guaranteed to astonish you with their unique natural wonders and breathtaking beauty.
Is Cherrapunji Worth Visiting?
Cherrapunji is an old colonial town in North East India in the state of Meghalaya, that will make you think you are in Ireland or the United Kingdom when you see the houses, cottages, and Victorian architecture. Known as one of the wettest places on Earth, Cherrapunji is a paradise for outdoor and nature lovers.
Among the numerous amazing attractions in Cherrapunji to visit, is the tallest waterfall in India (which is just one of the many spectacular Cherrapunji waterfalls in the area), majestic valleys, ancient caves, and of course the best tourist attraction in Meghalaya – the famous Living Root Bridges.
We initially planned to stay for just four days. However, we ended up extending our adventure to a full week, we loved it there that much. To help you experience this incredible destination, we’ve put together a 3-day itinerary to guide you through the top Cherrapunji tourist attractions. From India’s scariest trek, unique natural wonders, and India’s tallest waterfall, this travel guide offers all the essentials you need for an unforgettable visit.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a thrill-seeker, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat amidst the clouds, there is something for everyone, and this travel guide will explain how to visit all of the best tourist attractions in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya.
So pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and let’s explore the best places to see in Cherrapunji. Are you ready to discover India’s best hidden gem? Let’s get into it!
Cherrapunji or Sohra
When planning a trip to Cherrapunji you will come across the name Sohra, this is the original name used by the local Khasi people. The name Cherrapunji means “a large forest village” in Khasi and became more common during British Colonial times.
The area north of Cherrapunji on Google Maps seems to be still called Sohra, even though it is all technically Cherrapunji.
Getting to Cherrapunji
Before diving into the top Cherrapunji tourist attractions, let’s find out how to get to Cherrapunji first.
Getting to Cherrapunji by flight: The nearest airport to Cherrapunji is located in Guwahati, Assam, approximately 160 kilometers away. There are no direct international flights to Guwahati Airport, however, all major airports in India offer connecting flights to reach it.
Once you arrive in Guwahati, you can either take a private taxi or hire a car to travel to Cherrapunji. The journey takes around 4-5 hours, luckily you will be passing through scenic mountain roads so it won’t feel too long. Think of it as a sightseeing tour of Meghalaya.
Public Transport: There are no trains from Guwahati to Cherrapunji, which is surprising seeing most of India is connected through a railway network. If you are using public transport from Guwahati, then you must first travel to the capital of Meghalaya, Shillong, and from there you’ll need to take another form of transport to get to Cherrapunji.
This can be done by either taking a shared taxi or a “Sumo” car, which is a larger SUV that resembles a yellow Land Rover, but the Indian version. The difference is a shared taxi will take 4 people and a sumo car will take 10 people which may take a bit longer to fill up. Additionally, there is a small difference in the fee, with the Shared taxi being slightly more expensive.
How We Got to Cherrapunji from Guwahati
We got a shared taxi from Guwahati to Shillong for 500 INR per person, (everybody paid the same fare) which took two hours. (100 rupees is approximately equivalent to 1 euro or 1 dollar)
Once you arrive in Shillong, the shared taxi will drop you off at the IEW Mawlong Municipal Parking Lot. It may seem a bit chaotic, but the people there are friendly and helpful. Head up to the second floor, where you’ll find both shared taxis and Sumo cars waiting to fill up and head to Cherrapunji.
The distance from Shillong to Cherrapunji is only 60 kilometers (40 miles) but the journey will still take around two hours through a windy road but with some gorgeous scenery of mountains and valleys. We paid 200 INR per person in a shared taxi from Shillong to Cherrapunji.
You can also take a Sumo (the yellow jeep) for 150 INR per person but note that these take 10 passengers so you may have to wait longer for them to fill up – might be worth the extra 50 INR to hit the road quicker, unless you want to buy all seats.
Is Shillong Worth Visiting?
Another option when traveling from Guwahati to Cherrapunji is to take a break in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, and spend a few days there. Because we had lots of time, we stayed in Shillong for two nights exploring its local forests, the bustling Police Bazaar, beautiful parks like nowhere in India, and stunning viewpoints.
If you have the time when visiting Meghalaya, then Shillong is definitely worth visiting.
Where to stay in Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji offers a wide range of accommodation options, including guesthouses, hotels, and resorts, so you can easily find one that fits your preferences and budget. During our visit to Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, we chose to stay in a local guesthouse in the village that also rented out a scooter for 700 INR per day, allowing us to explore the area at our leisure.
The guesthouse we stayed at was called Bells Bigma. It offered basic accommodation that was very clean with Wi-Fi and hot water also provided (hot water is not always guaranteed) and it was the most affordable option in all of Cherrapunji at 1000 INR per night. For more information, you can contact Mickey on WhatsApp – +917005261904.
If you’re searching for a romantic getaway in Cherrapunji, we highly recommend Polo Orchid Resort, which offers breathtaking views of the Nohsngithiang Waterfall, also known as the Seven Sisters Falls. Keep in mind that the falls may not have water during the dry season, November to February, but the scenery over the valley is still spectacular.
Cherrapunji 3-Day Itinerary: The Best Cherrapunji Tourist Attractions
We have compiled the best tourist attractions in Cherrapunji into a 3-day itinerary to help you experience the best of this hidden gem of India, but take into account one full day of travel from Guwahati, and another full day of travel back that is not included with the 3-day itinerary.
Traveling from Guwahati to Cherrapunji in one day can be quite tiring, but try to take some time to explore Cherrapunji village when you arrive. Go out for a walk, meet the friendly locals, and visit the viewpoints where you can admire the stunning valleys below.
Another option is taking a taxi or scooter to the Bangladesh View Point, which is just a short 12 km drive away from Cherrapunji. As mentioned previously, Cherrapunji is one of the wettest places in the world, and when you visit the Bangladesh View Point you will understand where all this water goes and why Bangladesh has the largest delta in the world!
The last thing of the day is to indulge in a hearty Khasi/Indian meal and get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow marks the beginning of your real adventure, with an exciting three-day itinerary in Cherrapunji ahead of you.
Here are our recommendations for the best things to see in Cherrapunji in three days.
Day 1: The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya
Let’s start our Cherrapunji itinerary by visiting one of the most unique places in the world. In fact, this is the only place on earth where you can see these living root bridges, and probably the most famous of Cherrapunji tourist attractions.
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
Made famous by David Attenborough and the main reason why tourists visit Cherrapunji is the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya.
Living root bridges are natural bridges made by the indigenous Khasi people of Meghalaya. They are created by guiding and shaping the roots of fig trees over rivers or ravines. This process takes years, as the roots grow and strengthen into a durable bridge. The Double Decker Living Root Bridges Trek is now one of the most iconic treks in Meghalaya and one of our all-time favorite attractions.
From Cherrapunji to the Living Root Bridges Trek starting point is only 13km and will take you 30 minutes by scooter or taxi. We suggest starting your day early to make the most out of this special place because the trek to the Living Root Bridges involves a descent of 3000 steps, which means 3000 steps back up.
The Double Decker Living Root Bridge Trek offers much more than just one iconic bridge. Along the way, you’ll discover more living root bridges, a stunning blue lagoon, and the beautiful Rainbow Falls. Some of the best Cherrapunji tourist attractions, all on the same hike.
We began our trek at 10 AM, which is the latest time you should start if you want to complete the entire route to Rainbow Falls. The trek takes approximately 6 hours, including breaks.
Because there is so much information about hiking the Double Decker Living Bridge route, we have written an entire post dedicated to the Living Root Bridges with timings, things to see, tips and much more.
If time allows, consider visiting Umkar Living Root Bridge, a lesser-known but stunning living root bridge, 20 minutes from the Double-Decker Bridge car park.
We have visited many unique places on our travels, from the world’s largest acid lake in Indonesia to 1000-year-old dead trees in Sossusvlei Namibia, and Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges are now up there with the best of them.
You can check out our full hike to Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges as well as the Rainbow Falls in the video below so you know exactly what to expect when visiting these Cherrapunji tourist attractions, regarding trek difficulty, signs to look out for, and what to pack:
Day 2: Cherrapunji Waterfall Day
Continuing with Cherrapunji’s best places to see, it is time to visit some of the famous Cherrapunji waterfalls. The following Cherrapunji tourist attractions are all within close range of Cherrapunji village offering an enjoyable, relaxed “Cherrapunji waterfall day”, and you will even get to witness India’s tallest waterfall.
Again, we opted for a scooter rental but you can hire a taxi to take you around for the day. Plenty of taxis offer this service in Cherrapunji and you can also request that your accommodation organize this for you in advance.
Garden of Caves: Start your day with a visit to the famous Garden of Caves. The drive from Cherrapunji to the Garden of Caves will take 30 minutes (15 km, 10 miles). This Meghalaya attraction is a unique natural site located near the village of Mawsmai. The garden is a beautiful area with lush greenery, where the caves are nestled among the hills.
The caves are easily accessible, with well-maintained paths leading up to them. You will pass a few Cherrapunji waterfalls along the way, and even a pool to enjoy a refreshing dip if you wish. It will take about an hour to explore the Garden of Caves, depending on how many selfies you take.
Wah Kaba Falls: From the Garden of Caves you will start backtracking to Cherrapunji, we recommend visiting another breathtaking Cherrapunji waterfall along the way – The Wah Kaba Falls.
Wah Kaba Falls is a lesser-known waterfall, yet it is one of the best attractions in Cherrapunji, in the picturesque hills of Cherrapunji, Meghalaya. It is a multi-tiered waterfall that cascades down from a great height.
A short trek leads visitors to the top of the falls, which is relatively easy to access, just be safe and don’t stand too close to the edge. There are two paths leading left and right – the Wah Kaba Falls trek is a circuit so both paths lead to the same viewpoints.
Wah Kaba Falls is a great option for those looking to explore the less famous attractions in Cherrapunji. Although this part of India is known as the “Scotland of the East“, visiting Wah Kaba Falls, felt like we were back in Australia.
Nohkalikai Falls: Next on the list of our Cherrapunji tourist attractions you must visit, is the tallest waterfall in India – Nohkalikai Waterfall. Plunging from 340 meters (1,115 feet), India’s highest waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery and dramatic cliffs, creating the most breathtaking view. The entrance ticket to Nohkalikai Falls is 50 INR per person
From the Wah-Kaba Waterfall to Nohkalikai Falls is 10 km (6 miles) and will take just under 20 minutes to drive. Just put Nohkalikai Viewpoint into Google Maps if you are driving yourself, your driver will know where to go anyway, it is one of the best Cherrapunji tourist attractions after all.
The name “Nohkalikai” is derived from a local Khasi legend about the tragic story of a woman, which adds a layer of cultural intrigue to the site. The waterfall is best viewed from Nohkalikai Viewpoint, where you can capture this Cherrapunji waterfall in all its glory. We recommend visiting just before sunset as the glowing sun lights up the entire valley as well as reflecting off the cascading water.
As is going to be the case with all the Cherrapunji waterfalls, during the monsoon season, the falls are particularly impressive, as the volume of water increases dramatically. Below the Nohkalikai Falls, there’s a pool that has a unique greenish hue, adding to the beauty of the scene, however, you will need to get a guide if you wish to walk to the bottom of Nohkalikai Falls.
About 100 meters before the entrance gate, there’s another trekking point that takes you to the top of Nohkalikai Falls. However, we chose to enjoy a view of the falls instead – after all, as the tallest waterfall in India, we wanted to experience its full grandeur.
Cherrapunji The Wettest Place On Earth Sign: Once you have taken in the views of India’s tallest waterfall, continue walking past the market stalls to take a photo of one the most famous attractions in Cherrapunji, the renowned sign that says: Cherrapunji – one of the rainiest places on earth.
If you would prefer the ease of sitting back and having someone else organize all these Meghalaya attractions, consider a Meghalaya Multi-Day Tour Group.
Seven Sisters Falls: Last up on the best tourist attractions in Cherrapunji on day 2 of your itinerary, are the Seven Sisters Falls. These famous Cherrapunji waterfalls, also known as Nohsngithiang Falls, are named after the seven sisters of Meghalaya and are best visible during the monsoon season, (June to September) when the region experiences heavy rainfall and transforms Cherrapunji into one of the wettest places on Earth. However, the view of the valley during dry season is still breathtaking and worth a visit.
Unfortunately, we visited Cherrapunji Meghalaya in the dry season so we shook hands and vowed to return to the Seven Sisters Falls during monsoon season at the Polo Orchid Resort in the future to witness yet the biggest Cherrapunji waterfall in full flow.
The Polo Orchid Resort features an infinity pool with breathtaking views of the majestic Cherrapunji waterfalls. Plus, some rooms come with their own private plunge pool on the balcony so you can soak in these views by yourself. If you are looking to make your Meghalaya trip extra special then we don’t think it gets better than this. In our opinion, staying at this resort is a top Cherrapunji tourist attraction in itself. Click on the link to start planning your stay at the Polo Orchid Resort.
Day 3: Bamboo Trek Meghalaya/Mawryngkhang Trek
We hope you enjoyed your relaxed Cherrapunji waterfall day yesterday because we are back to adventure. Have you ever walked on a bamboo skywalk with the cliff on one side and the gorge on the other?
This Bamboo trek also, known as Mawryngkhang Trek, is often referred to as the “scariest trek in India”. Like the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya, the bamboo trail of the Mawryngkhang trek signifies the rich cultural techniques of the Khasis’ balance with nature.
The Bamboo Trail is not for the faint-hearted. The entire Mawryngkhang trek involves walking over man-made bamboo bridges tied with cane ropes as you look down over farms, rivers, and deep gorges.
The distance from Cherrapunji to the Bamboo Trek in Wahkhen Village Meghalaya is 50km and will take 2 hours. The Bamboo trek itself entails a 4km hike and will take up to 4 hours to complete.
While the Bamboo Trek in Meghalaya may not be as widely known as some of India’s more famous treks, its rugged trails and steep ascents make it a fun but challenging adventure, particularly if you throw in a fear of heights.
However, you probably guessed it at this stage, the reward will be worth the effort! Taking on the “toughest trek in India”, you will be treated to stunning views of Cherrapunji’s waterfalls, lush landscapes, valleys, and an adrenaline rush!
We have gone on many hikes around the world, such as the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Mount Bromo, and although the Bamboo Trek Meghalaya wasn’t up there as the most strenuous of hikes it definitely holds a spot as one of the most unique and “scariest hikes” we’ve done.
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Tips for Travelers visiting Cherrapunji:
- Weather: Cherrapunji Meghalaya is famous for its heavy rainfall, especially during the monsoon months (June to September). It’s best to visit in the winter (October to March) for the clearest skies and most pleasant trekking conditions.
- Packing: Bring sturdy trekking shoes, light but warm clothing (even in summer, it gets chilly at night time), and a good rain jacket – Cherrapunji is the wettest place on Earth remember!
- Local People: The local people of Cherrapunji are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people we have met on our travels so make sure to spend some time chatting with them – even join in a game of football like Kevin did to really get stuck in!
Enjoy Cherrapunji Meghalaya!
We did not quite know what to expect when visiting Cherrapunji, but we now know that this hidden gem of India surpassed all expectations.
Every day when we set out exploring the Cherrapunji tourist attractions, we discovered something new, and something unique, all the while encountering some of the most welcoming and kind people we have had the pleasure to meet.
From exploring the awe-inspiring Cherrapunji waterfalls, trekking through ancient Meghalaya jungles to witness the craftsmanship of the Living Root Bridges, and testing your courage along the scariest trek in India – the Bamboo Trek. We honestly believe that visiting these Cherrapunji tourist attractions has something for everyone. In fact, we are certain that you will love beautiful Meghalaya as much as we did.
Why not let us know how you got on visiting Cherrapunji and how you found this itinerary? We would love to hear from you.
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