Have you ever fancied wandering along mysterious trails running through dense, hilly woodlands that are completely enveloped in the mist? That’s Cherrapunji for you! Resting just 56 km away from Shillong, the town of Cherrapunji in Meghalaya is a mystical land whose hills and valleys are always hidden away in celestial clouds.
Popularly known as the wettest place on the Earth, the incredible town of Cherrapunji and its romantic, dewy atmosphere can best be enjoyed during the monsoons. Wondering how to plan a holiday in this town? Here are our picks of 9 things to do in Cherrapunjee that will blow your mind and make your vacation unforgettable.
7 Things To Do In Cherrapunji
- Enjoy A Walk Over Living Root Bridges
- Explore The Mysterious Caves
- Admire The Eco Park Of Cherrapunji
- Try Out Some Exhilarating Adventure Sports
- Capture The Scenic Mawkdok Dympep Valley On Your Camera
- Witness The Majestic Nohkalikai Falls
- Picnic At The Thangkharang Park
Enjoy A Walk Over Living Root Bridges
Want to enjoy some unique things that Cherrapunjee has to offer? Head straight to the living root bridges that are deeply secluded in the verdant woodlands of Cherrapunjee. Also popularly known as the Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge, the 3-km-long bridge haven’t been constructed by anyone. Formed from the entangled roots of the rubber fig trees that grow in this area, these natural formations are marvellous masterpieces created by Mother Nature.
Hanging at a height of about 2,400 feet over the beautiful Umshiang River, the living root bridges of Meghalaya are more than 500 years old. Because the bridges are located deep inside the woods, you’ll have to hike for about a couple of hours to reach them. However, let us tell you that all the efforts are worth it when you walk over these bridges and enjoy the stunning views they have to offer. To add to that, soaking your feet in the cool river water while you receive a natural and free fish spa in it is one of the most heavenly feelings ever.
Explore The Mysterious Caves
Owing to its hilly terrain, Meghalaya is brimming with several untouched and even undiscovered mazes of caves. Exploring a cave can give you excellent thrills, so why don’t you go on a caving expedition in Cherrapunji? Located in the hugs of nature, the Mawsmai Cave is an amazing labyrinth of caves. It is situated just 6 km away from the main city of Cherrapunji.
Reflecting on some of the best elements of the East Khasi Hills, these caves let you witness some magnificent limestone formations. The very sight of the light rays falling upon these formations and creating some intriguing shadow patterns and vivid hues leaves you mesmerized. Although the Mawsmai Cave is not one of the largest or longest caves in the state, it gives you a pretty accurate insight into what lies under the hilly terrain of Meghalaya. These caves belong to ancient times as a result of which they’re delightful for both archaeology enthusiasts and history buffs.
Admire The Eco Park Of Cherrapunji
Tired of constantly roaming around and visiting one attraction after the other? Don’t worry, we got you covered! Spending an evening at the Eco Park of Cherrapunji will not only help you relax but will also bring you closer to nature. Established on the grand plateaus of Meghalaya by the state government, the Eco Park of Cherrapunji is a scenic location that ends up attracting a large number of locals and tourists alike. If you’re interested in photography, don’t forget to carry a camera with you to capture the charming vistas offered by this park.
All the visitors of Eco Park are met with the grand views of the gorgeous canyons. The views of the majestic waterfalls cascading off the hill range and the lush green valleys covered in dense fog leave one dazed. On a clear day, you might even be able to spot the exquisite Sylhet Plains of Bangladesh from this park. In addition to all this, the park is also home to a variety of orchids and a beautiful stream of water that enhances its overall attractiveness. If you visit the park, you’ll certainly leave it feeling completely rejuvenated.
Try Out Some Exhilarating Adventure Sports
Let us add to the excitement of your vacation in Meghalaya by sprinkling some challenging adventure activities into it. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you absolutely cannot leave Meghalaya without indulging in river canyoning. A true test for your strength as well as endurance, you’ll have to perform enthralling activities like boulder climbing, trekking by the riverside, and river crossing. Immersing yourself in the beauty of nature along with the rush of adrenaline through your body will make the entire experience super enjoyable.
Apart from that, ziplining in Cherrapunji has been gaining a lot of popularity in recent times. This activity not only gets your heart pumping but also offers you incredibly ravishing vistas of the gorgeous valleys that surround Cherrapunji. Both the activities, i.e., river canyoning and zip-lining are carried out by trained professionals who ensure that both newbies and pros make the most of their experience. So if you have a knack for adventure and feel that your vacation is incomplete without any thrilling experiences, don’t skip out on these amazing experiences.
Capture The Scenic Mawkdok Dympep Valley On Your Camera
While you’re traversing the route that runs between Shillong and Cherrapunji, we suggest making a quick stop at the Mawkdok Dympep Valley. A location alluring for all types of tourists, it offers a magnificent cross-sectional view of the valley covered in carpet decorated in all shades of green. This valley is extremely famous for the two ziplines that run across the two ends of the valley.
Besides all this, the Mawkdok Dympep Valley provides you with a breathtaking sight of the Duwan Sing Syiem Bridge which is completely unspoiled by commercial activities and covered in white, fluffy clouds. Be it clicking your pictures against the panoramic background of the valley or indulging in some nature photography, this paradisiac location brings joy to the hearts of photographers. While you admire the spectacular views of the valley, slurp on some Maggi noodles and sip on a hot cup of coffee that’s sold by the local vendors.
Witness The Majestic Nohkalikai Falls
You won’t be able to resist visiting the Nohkalikai Falls while holidaying in Cherrapunji when we tell you that it is the world’s fourth-highest waterfall. Cascading off a lush cliff that towers over 335 meters, the Nohkalikai Falls embody the raw nature of Meghalaya in all its glory. The water of the Nohkalikai Falls comes down with force so great that it produces roaring sounds that might end up scaring children. Hidden amid the thick jungles of the Khasi Hills, the waterfall forms a lagoon whose brilliant blue waters leave one awestruck.
Although this waterfall is an incredible location in itself, the local folklore surrounding this waterfall adds to its charm. The intriguing folklore links up this waterfall to a woman named Ka Likai who was remarried to a man. He grew jealous of all the love she showered on her daughter. Out of spite, this man then killed the daughter and served Ka Likai food that was filled with her flesh. After having the food, she naturally set out to search for her daughter.
After some time, she found her daughter’s fingers and she realized what had happened. Struck by grief she jumped off the cliff of the waterfall and hence the waterfall was named ‘Noh Ka Likai’. Irrespective of the local folklore, this waterfall is one of the coolest things to add to your bucket list when you visit Cherrapunji.
Picnic At The Thangkharang Park
Resting next to the famous Khoh Ramhah Rock (also known as the Shiva Rock), Thangkharang Park is flocked by both tourists and locals regularly. Resting 13 km away from the main city centre of Cherrapunji, this park lets you catch a glimpse of the incredible landscapes of Bangladesh. Apart from that, treating your eyes to the splendid views of the Kynrem Falls that cascade down three tiers of rock terrains tends to be the highlight of your picnic.
Studded with fountains, a water stream, and various exotic species of plants, trees, and flowers, the park is enveloped and brings sheer joy to the hearts of children and adults alike. Cross the small bridge to access different sections of the garden and enjoy the most spectacular views of the valley from there. Visiting the park during the monsoons is a great idea as the rains enhance the beauty of the park and its surroundings several times. Well maintained by the State Forest Department Control, this park is a must-visit tourist attraction of Cherrapunji.
Summing Up
Heavy rainfalls, clouds touching the roads and the valleys, rich native culture, plenty of dense woodlands, and diverse flora and fauna, that’s what Cherrapunji is all about. If experiencing the raw natural beauty of Northeast India is on your bucket list, you certainly should consider ticking off all the items from our list of 9 things to do in Cherrapunji.
FAQs
How Can I Reach Cherrapunji?
Located about 150 km away from Cherrapunji, Guwahati houses the nearest airport as well as the railway station to Cherrapunji. Both the railhead and the airport are well connected to the major cities that are located in and around the state. From Guwahati, you can easily find a bus or cab to Cherrapunji.
Is It Safe To Visit Cherrapunji During Monsoons?
You should know that it rains throughout the year in Cherrapunji. It means you’re going to encounter rain irrespective of when you visit this beautiful town. Although the main monsoon months do receive excessive amounts of rainfall, it is not necessarily an unsafe time to visit Cherrapunji. Some of the ravishing perennial waterfalls of Cherrapunji are at their best during the monsoons.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Cherrapunji?
Popular for being the wettest place on Earth, Cherrapunji receives non-stop rain all year long. However, the months from November to February witnessed a lesser amount of rain as compared to the rest of the year. So do visit Cherrapunji in these months to enjoy its pleasant weather.
What Is The New Name For Cherrapunji?
The state government of Meghalaya has decided to rename Cherrapunji as Sohra because the locals have always referred to this town as Sohra.
How Many Days Are Enough For Cherrapunji?
Spending 3-4 days in Cherrapunji is enough. In 3-4 days, you can explore most of the major attractions of this town.
Why Is Cherrapunji Famous?
Cherrapunji is famous for its living root bridges that have been made by the locals practising bio-engineering for many years.
Does It Rain Everyday In Cherrapunji?
Cherrapunji does see rain every day, though it does not rain all day continuously. The rains are due to the summer air flowing in through Bangladesh causing the humidity to rise and bringing in the rain.
How Far Is Cherrapunji From Shillong?
The road distance between Cherrapunji and Shillong is about 54 km. It takes about 2 hours of car drive to get to Shillong via the SH 5.
