Krem Chympe Cave & Falls: How to Reach, Trek, Fee & Best Time

Where: Near Khaddum village, East Jaintia Hills district
Altitude: About 250 m
Distance: About 120–130 km from Shillong; 70 km from Jowai
Timings: Daylight; start the walk by 9am
Entry fee: About ₹50 reported; guide charged separately
Permit: Not needed for Indian citizens
Best time: November–March; avoid June–September
Time needed: Full day from Jowai

Krem means cave in Khasi and Jaintia. At Krem Chympe a river flows out of a limestone cave and drops as a waterfall into a deep blue-green pool, with the cave mouth arching over it. It's in the East Jaintia Hills, an area that has some of the longest cave systems in India, and it's become one of the most photographed "hidden" places in Meghalaya in the last few years.

What you'll see

The Chympe waterfall spilling out of the cave mouth.
The pool below, clear and turquoise in the dry season.
The cave entrance: you can look in, but going further needs caving gear and an experienced guide.
Khaddum waterfall nearby, often combined on the same day.

How to reach Krem Chympe

Drive from Shillong to Jowai and on towards Lumshnong, then turn off towards the villages near Khaddum. From the roadhead it's a trek downhill to the river, reported at 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the route and your pace, and longer coming back up. There are no signboards; hire a local guide at the village.

From	Road distance	Usual drive time
Jowai	about 70 km	2–2.5 hrs
Shillong	about 120 km	3.5–4 hrs
Guwahati Airport	about 240 km	6–7 hrs

Road distances from OpenStreetMap routing. Drive times are what we see on these mountain roads, not map estimates.

Weather and when to go

The site is low and very wet in summer. Our ten-year data shows June as the wettest month by far.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Rain
Jan	23°C	13°C	Dry
Feb	25°C	15°C	Dry
Mar	28°C	18°C	Light
Apr	29°C	21°C	Wet
May	29°C	22°C	Wet
Jun	29°C	24°C	Very wet
Jul	30°C	24°C	Very wet
Aug	30°C	24°C	Very wet
Sep	30°C	24°C	Wet
Oct	29°C	22°C	Light
Nov	27°C	18°C	Dry
Dec	24°C	14°C	Dry

Swipe sideways to see the full table

Monthly averages for 2015–2024 from ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, at the site's elevation (about 240 m). Rain and snow are rated relative to this location's own year.

November–March: the only sensible months. The water is clear and the trail dry.
June–September: guides refuse trips because of flash floods. Don't go.

Where to stay

Stay at Jowai the night before, or in a homestay near Lumshnong. There's nothing at the falls.

What to carry

Trekking shoes with grip, a change of clothes, a dry bag, water, packed lunch and cash for the guide and entry.

Things most guides don't tell you

The walk back up is the hard part. Leave enough daylight.
Rain anywhere upstream can raise the river within an hour. If your guide says turn back, turn back.
The pool is deep and cold. Swim only where your guide says it's safe.

We also have a longer Krem Chympe cave guide with more photos.

Nearby

Phe Phe Falls near Jowai.
Nartiang Monoliths, on the way back to Shillong.
Krang Suri Falls, near Jowai.

Krem Chympe: questions travellers ask

Where is Krem Chympe?

Near Khaddum village in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya, about 70 km beyond Jowai.

How far is Krem Chympe from Shillong?

About 120–130 km, 3.5–4 hours by road, plus the trek.

Is there an entry fee for Krem Chympe?

A small fee of about ₹50 is reported, with the local guide paid separately.

Do I need a guide for Krem Chympe?

Yes. There are no signboards and the trail and river conditions change.

How long is the trek to Krem Chympe?

Reported at 1.5–2.5 hours downhill from the roadhead, longer on the way back.

When should I avoid Krem Chympe?

June to September, because of flash floods.

Can I go inside Krem Chympe cave?

Only a short way without caving equipment and an experienced caving guide.

Sources

Timings and fees change. Check on the day, or ask us when you book.

Krem Chympe