Landmarks in Sohra (Cherrapunji)
- 01
Dainthlen Falls
A waterfall near Sohra tied to the Khasi story of the Thlen, a giant serpent, with a broad flat rock and a short walk. Best in the monsoon.
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Monsoon for volume; morning for fewer crowds
- Tickets
- Entry and parking arrangements are informal and can change; check locally for any fee.
- 02
Mawkdok Dympep Valley
A deep V-shaped gorge on the road from Shillong to Sohra, with a bridge, short walking paths, stalls and a zipline. A good first stop on the way in.
- Time needed
- 20-30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to April for clear views; mornings
- Tickets
- The viewpoint is a roadside stop; check for any parking or activity fees at the site. Zipline operators charge separately.
- 03
Nohkalikai Falls
A single 340-metre plunge off the edge of the Sohra plateau, billed as the tallest plunge waterfall in India. The viewing deck is a short walk from the road.
- Time needed
- About 45-60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, before the cloud builds; June to October for water, November to March for clearer air
- Tickets
- A ticketed viewing deck overlooks the falls; check current fees and hours locally. Fees and timings for parking and the deck can change.
- 04
Nohsngithiang (Seven Sisters) Falls
A 315-metre limestone waterfall that splits into seven strands in the rainy season, seen from a roadside viewpoint just south of Mawsmai village.
- Time needed
- 20-30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Monsoon and just after, in the morning; sunset can be dramatic if skies are clear
- Tickets
- Check locally for any viewpoint or parking fee; this varies and is not fixed in published sources.
- 05
Wei Sawdong Falls
A three-tiered waterfall with blue-green pools, reached on a short but steep trail near Dainthlen Falls. A good, shorter walk for fit visitors.
- Time needed
- About 1-1.5 hours including the walk
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- October to March, when trails are drier; monsoon has more water but is slippery
- Tickets
- A small entry fee and parking fee are commonly charged; confirm current charges at the gate. Open daytime only.
Experiences in Sohra (Cherrapunji)
- 06
Double-Decker Living Root Bridge, Nongriat
A two-level bridge grown from the roots of rubber fig trees, in Nongriat village at the foot of a long stone stairway. It is Sohra's best-known sight, and a demanding walk.
- Time needed
- Half to full day including the climb back
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- October to March, when the steps are drier; start at first light
- Tickets
- A local fee is commonly collected in the village, and a local guide is strongly advised. Check current arrangements through the tourism helpline or your hotel.
- 07
Mawsmai Cave
A lit limestone cave near Mawsmai village, with a clearly marked 150-metre walk past stalactites and stalagmites. Easy to enter, but narrow in places and damp throughout.
- Time needed
- 20-40 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Anytime, but the cave is wet year-round; visit in the morning to avoid queues
- Tickets
- A small entry fee is charged, with extra for cameras on some visits; check current fees at the ticket counter. Opening hours are daytime only.
- 08
Rainbow Falls, Nongriat
A waterfall with a turquoise pool in the valley beyond the double-decker root bridge at Nongriat, reached by continuing on steep steps and forest paths after the 3,000-step descent from Tyrna.
- Time needed
- A full day of 7 to 8 hours from Tyrna and back, or 2 days with a night in Nongriat
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- October to March; avoid the monsoon and the weeks just after it
- Tickets
- Small local fees are commonly collected in Nongriat, and a local guide is strongly advised. A mandatory registered-guide rule for East Khasi Hills has been reported; confirm current fees and rules locally or through the Meghalaya Tourism helpline.
Places of worship in Sohra (Cherrapunji)
- 09
Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church
The first Presbyterian church in Meghalaya, founded by Welsh missionaries in Lower Cherrapunjee, with an old school and theological college beside it.
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Daytime, outside service times; clear weather for the surrounding views
- Tickets
- Open to respectful visitors; check service times and any rules on photography locally. Dress modestly.
Museums in Sohra (Cherrapunji)
- 10
Ramakrishna Mission, Sohra
A mission campus in Sohra with two small museums on Khasi and other northeastern tribal cultures, a temple and a shop. A useful, level, indoor stop on a wet day.
- Time needed
- About an hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Wet or foggy hours; daytime opening only
- Tickets
- The temple, shop and museum are reported to be open to visitors without a ticket, but check opening days and any donation or fee locally.
Gardens and parks in Sohra (Cherrapunji)
- 11
Thangkharang Park
A forest-department park on the cliff edge with a viewing deck over Kynrem Falls and the plains of Bangladesh. A good, easy alternative to the long trails.
- Time needed
- About an hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Clear mornings; October to April for visibility, though monsoon makes the falls stronger
- Tickets
- A small entry fee is charged at the gate, and the park has fixed daytime hours; check the current fee and closing time locally.
