9 Places to Visit in Cherrapunji (2026): Tourist Spots, Timings & Entry Fees
Cherrapunji (Sohra) is Meghalaya's waterfall country: Nohkalikai, India's tallest plunge falls, the Seven Sisters falls, and the three-tiered Wei Sawdong. Below the plateau is the Double Decker living root bridge at Nongriat, a steep trek of about 3,500 steps. Mawsmai and Arwah caves are short visits close to town.
1.Nohkalikai Falls
Cherrapunji (Sohra), East Khasi Hills
Nohkalikai is India's tallest plunge waterfall, dropping about 340 m into a green pool near Cherrapunji. It's at its fullest from June to September.
- Timings
- Roughly 8–9am to 5pm
- Entry fee
- Small fee, reported as ₹20–50, plus a camera charge
- Distance
- About 7 km from Sohra, 53 km from Shillong
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Best time
- June–September for the most water; October–November for clear views
2.Double-Decker Living Root Bridge
Nongriat village, below Tyrna
The double-decker root bridge at Nongriat is two bridges of living rubber-tree roots, one above the other, reached by a steep trek of about 3,000 steps from Tyrna.
- Timings
- Daylight; start the trek by 8–9am
- Entry fee
- Small fee, reported as ₹20–100, plus camera charges
- Distance
- Trek starts at Tyrna, about 11 km (30 minutes) from Sohra
- Time needed
- 5–7 hours return, or stay a night in Nongriat
- Best time
- October–March for dry steps
Double-Decker Living Root Bridge: full guide, how to reach and tips →
3.Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang)
Mawsmai, about 5 km from Sohra
Nohsngithiang, the Seven Sisters Falls, drops 315 metres off the limestone cliffs south of Cherrapunji in up to seven streams. Here's when all seven actually flow, the sunset view and how to see it with Mawsmai Cave.
- Timings
- Daylight; best late afternoon
- Entry fee
- Small fee or none reported
- Distance
- About 5 km from Sohra, 55 km from Shillong
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Best time
- June–October for all seven streams
Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang): full guide, how to reach and tips →
4.Mawsmai Cave
Mawsmai, about 6 km from Sohra
Mawsmai is a short, lit limestone cave near Cherrapunji: about 150 metres of stalactites, squeezes and low ceilings that anyone reasonably fit can walk through in half an hour.
- Timings
- About 9:30am–5:30pm; reported closed on Sundays
- Entry fee
- About ₹20 adults, ₹10 children, ₹20 camera (reports vary)
- Distance
- About 6 km from Sohra; 55–58 km from Shillong
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes inside
- Best time
- October–April
5.Arwah Cave
Sohra (Cherrapunji), East Khasi Hills
Arwah Cave near Cherrapunji is a limestone cave with marine fossils in its walls, reached by a forest path with views over the Sohra plateau. Entry fee, timings, the walk, what you'll see and how it compares with Mawsmai.
- Timings
- About 9 am–5 pm
- Entry fee
- Roughly ₹20–50 per adult; camera extra
- Distance
- About 3.5 km from Sohra bus stand; about 58 km from Shillong
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best time
- October–May
6.Wei Sawdong Falls
Near Dainthlen, about 12 km from Sohra
Wei Sawdong is a three-tiered waterfall near Cherrapunji with square blue pools, reached by a steep 15–20 minute walk down bamboo and stone steps. Here is the fee, the trail and when to go.
- Timings
- Roughly 7am–5pm
- Entry fee
- About ₹50 per person; parking ₹20–50 (reported)
- Distance
- About 12 km from Sohra; 55–60 km from Shillong
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best time
- October–March for safe paths; July–September for the fullest flow
7.Dainthlen Falls
Near Sohra (Cherrapunji), East Khasi Hills
Dainthlen Falls near Cherrapunji drops over a broad rock shelf tied to the Khasi legend of the serpent Thlen. The legend, entry, distance from Sohra and Shillong, safety at the edge and the best season.
- Timings
- Daylight hours
- Entry fee
- Free; small parking fee
- Distance
- About 5 km off the Shillong–Sohra road; about 11 km from Sohra town
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Best time
- June–October for flow; October–November for safer rocks
8.Lyngksiar Falls
East Khasi Hills, west of Sohra
Lyngksiar Falls is a tall, little-visited waterfall in the East Khasi Hills, reached by a short walk through a cave. Distance from Shillong and Cherrapunji, the walk, the best season and tips.
- Timings
- Daylight hours
- Entry fee
- Free or a small local fee
- Distance
- About 50–55 km from Shillong, 2 hours by road
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours with the walk
- Best time
- October–November, after the monsoon
9.Mawkdok Dympep Valley
Shillong–Sohra road, East Khasi Hills
Mawkdok Dympep is the deep green valley you see from the Shillong–Sohra road, with a viewpoint, a zipline across the gorge and morning mist. It's the classic first stop on the drive to Cherrapunji.
- Timings
- About 7am–6pm (Meghalaya Tourism)
- Entry fee
- Viewpoint free or nominal; zipline charged separately
- Distance
- About 24 km from Shillong; 30 km from Sohra
- Time needed
- 20–60 minutes
- Best time
- October and April for clear views
Best time to visit Cherrapunji
October to May for treks and clear views over the plains of Bangladesh. June to September is when the falls are biggest, but expect heavy rain, mist and slippery steps on the root bridge trek.
Cherrapunji weather month by month →How to reach Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji is about 55 km (1.5–2 hours) from Shillong and about 150 km from Guwahati. Most travellers come by cab from Shillong, stopping at the Mawkdok Dympep valley viewpoint on the way.
See Cherrapunji with a local team
Private trips with a driver, hotels and permits arranged, built around the places above.
Meghalaya and Cherrapunji tour packages →Cherrapunji: frequently asked questions
How many days are needed for Cherrapunji?+
Two days: one for Nohkalikai, Seven Sisters, Mawsmai and Arwah caves, and one for the Double Decker root bridge trek.
How difficult is the Double Decker root bridge trek?+
Moderate. It is about 3,500 steps down from Tyrna to Nongriat and back up, 4–6 hours round trip at an easy pace.
Is Cherrapunji worth visiting in the monsoon?+
Yes, for the waterfalls, which are at their fullest from June to September. Views can be hidden by cloud and the trek is slippery.
Should I stay in Cherrapunji or Shillong?+
Stay at least one night in Cherrapunji if you are doing the root bridge trek; it saves a long early drive from Shillong.
More places to visit in Northeast India
- Places to visit in Darjeeling
- Places to visit in Meghalaya
- Places to visit in Sikkim
- Places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh
- Places to visit in Gangtok
- Places to visit in Assam
- Places to visit in Shillong
- Places to visit in Tawang
- Places to visit in Pelling
- Places to visit in Guwahati
- Places to visit near Guwahati
- Places to visit in Northeast India
- Offbeat places to visit in Meghalaya
- Places to visit in Gangtok and Darjeeling
- Places to visit in North Sikkim
- Places to visit in South Sikkim
- Places to visit in Nagaland
- Places to visit in Kaziranga
- Places to visit in Dawki and Mawlynnong
- All Northeast India attractions