Top Things To Do In Cherapunjee
Cherapunjee (known locally as Sohra) is one of the wettest places on Earth, which gives it lush natural beauty. It’s located in Northeast India in the state of Meghalaya.
So many things to do and so little time can often be the case, but in Cherapunjee it’s especially true because each sight is a bit of a drive.
How Many Days To Spend In Cherapunjee
Due to the road conditions, it is worth a two to three day itinerary if you want to see most of the main attractions. You can hit up a few of the highlights in a couple days, but the living root bridge hike will be one day on its own so plan accordingly.
Best Things To Do In Cherapunjee
Nature lovers will thrive in Cherapunjee! There are waterfalls to marvel at around every corner.
1. Wei Sawdong Waterfall
Hike down about thirty minutes to a gorgeous waterfall. The path gets challenging with some steep wooden and bamboo ladders constructed to get up and down the rock face. We almost didn’t finish the hike because it was getting close to sunset but it definitely would have been a mistake for us to turn around.
The waterfall at the end of the journey down was spectacular. It’s a multi level waterfall set in beautifully curved rock face that feels like something out of a movie. Though it’s not massive, it’s big enough and unique enough for this waterfall to be my new favorite falls I’ve witnessed in person. Plan for at least 20 minutes to admire the view at the bottom and another 45 minutes to hike back up.
2. Dainthlen Waterfall
Along the road to Wei Sawdong, you can stop at Dainthlen Waterfall. The river runs over the rocky plateau and plunges into the gorge below.
The view below is from October when some of the river bed flowing into the falls is lower and you walk all the way along the cliffside to view the falls from different angles.
3. Living Root Bridge Hike (Nongriat)
Be mentally prepared for a long day of climbing up and down stairs for the hike to the double decker living root bridge in the village of Nongriat. You’ll start the hike in the village of Tyrna, which is about a 25 minute drive from Cherapunjee.
There are over 3,500 stairs, and keep in mind you’ll need to go down and back up each stair making that number double for the full hike. The full hike to the double decker bridge and back (with a stop at the single decker bridge) is about four and a half hours. Cut that time down to two hours if you just want to do the single decker bridge, which only took us about an hour to get down to.
My best advice for the way back is to take less breaks and just keep a slow and steady pace. When you stop it can get harder to keep going when your muscles cool down. There are stands that sell water, juice, and snacks along the way. I recommend saving your stop at one of these stalls for the way back to break up the monotony of climbing up the stairs.
4. Nohkalikai Falls
The highest plunge waterfall in India (340m high) is a sight to behold. There is also a walk around the cliff in the grasslands to enjoy.
You can’t hike to the falls, but rather you park and walk a short distance to a viewpoint.
5. Seven Sisters
The viewpoint for these waterfalls is along a main road, no need to hike to the views for this spot. This multi-stream cascade is best viewed during the rainy season when all 7 waterfalls are flowing.
6. Stroll in Eco Park
Eco Park runs along the mouth of the Seven Sisters Waterfalls, with sweeping views of the Sylhet Plains of Bangladesh. Stroll through its lush gardens and listen to the roar of nearby waterfalls. It’s an ideal spot for a relaxed afternoon.
7. Explore Caves
Perfect for geology enthusiasts, there’s plenty of caves worth visiting in the area.
The Mawsmai Caves are the most popular of the caves in Cherapunjee. These two caves have a walkway and are fun for everyone.
Less crowded than Mawsmai Caves, Arwah Cave offers a quieter and equally fascinating experience. The cave is known for its fossil-rich limestone formations.
Additionally, you can visit the Mawjymbuin caves in Mawsynram village.
Where To Stay In Cherapunjee
More places to stay are popping up here every year as tourism increases. There are plenty of budget options (homestays) but not a lot of options for luxurious stays. Here are my top 2 recommendations.
📍Jiva Resort: This is where I stayed and I highly recommend it. The rooms are nice, the service is good, and the views from the property are beautiful. Plus there’s a restaurant on site with delicious food.
📍Polo Orchid Resort: As a second choice if Jiva does not have availability, I’d stay here, though I find it to be pricey for the area.
How To Get To Cherapunjee
There are no trains near Cherapunjee so you will need to get there by road. The nearest airport is in Shillong but Guwahati Airport offers better connectivity.
Cherapunjee is about 50kms from Shillong, Meghalaya’s capital city. You can hire a local taxi (from a tourist taxi stand) or private driver from Shillong to take you.
The drive takes about 1.5 hours if you don’t stop, but there are some places worth stopping for the views along the way. Mawkdok Bridge has a nice viewpoint and food stalls offering maggi and tea.
FAQs About Visiting Cherapunjee
Answering top questions about this off the beaten path destination.
Are Cherapunjee and Sohra the same place?
Yes, Sohra was the original name of the the village. The British called it “Cherra” because they had trouble pronouncing Sohra. The suffix “punjo” meaning “cluster” was later added and made up Cherapunjee. But the local villagers continued calling it Sohra. It is also sometimes spelled Cherapunji.
When is the best time to visit Cherapunjee?
The best time to visit Cherapunjee is during rainy season. The monsoons give this place life; the waterfalls flow and the green landscape becomes lush.
June-September make up monsoon season here and are the wettest months. It’s best to avoid the beginning of the monsoons in June and July as the rains are quite heavy. I recommend visiting in October, when monsoon season has ended and the rains are intermittent so you’re less likely to get fog that blocks the majestic views.
Also, if you are pairing a visit here with Shnongpdeng then it’s best to go after the monsoons for the river to be crystal clear.
TLDR: Things To Do In Cherapunjee
Cherapunjee is a true treasure trove of natural wonders. Out of all the top things to do in Cherapunjee, don’t miss the Living Root Bridge Hike and Wei Sawdong waterfall. Be sure to start your day early! Driving around takes longer than you think due to poor road conditions.
If you have time, there is so much to explore in Meghalaya! Consider making Cherapunjee a stop in a week long Meghalaya itinerary to fully enjoy the abode of the clouds.