East Khasi Hills · Meghalaya
Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave
Often called the wettest place on earth, with a limestone cave and a natural Shiva-linga stalagmite.
Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave is an easy hill destination in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, reaching 1,400 m. The best time to go is March and April and September to November. Plan 2 days on the ground from Guwahati and about ₹2,200 per person per day.
What to do in Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave
The one thing not to miss
Mawjymbuin cave
A limestone cave with a large natural stalagmite.
- 2The rainAmong the wettest places on earth; in the monsoon it rarely stops.
- 3MawlyngbnaA village further on with fossils, a small lake and river walks.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Guwahati to Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave
Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Mawjymbuin cave · The rain · Mawlyngbna
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave to Guwahati
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
For rain lovers — mist, waterfalls and green everywhere in the monsoon.
Why not
Very little infrastructure; views can vanish for days.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Cave floors are slippery; wear grippy shoes.
- Phone & internet
- Weak.
Permits, food and festivals in Meghalaya →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: Police control room, Shillong, Shillong.
All emergency contacts for Meghalaya →What to pack for Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
4 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Sandals with grip Wet stone steps and river rocks are slippery; flip-flops are not enough.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
4 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 The sun burns faster in the hills than in the plains.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereWeak.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Meghalaya Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Homestays in Meghalaya
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Guwahati.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it.
By road
From
Shillong
- Distance
- about 60 km
- Drive time
- about 2 hours
- Shillong
- Mawphlang
- Mawsynram
Buses and shared taxis. Fly or take a train to Guwahati; shared taxis and buses to Shillong leave from the airport and from Paltan Bazaar. Shared sumos run from Shillong; they are few.
Pickups & drivers
From Guwahati. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave?
The best months for Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave are March and April and September to November. December to February and May to August are possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave?
Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 1,400 m and reaching 1,400 m.
How many days do you need for Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave?
Plan 2 days on the ground, counted from Guwahati. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave cost?
Expect about ₹2,200 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹4,400 for 2 days, before the cost of getting to Guwahati.
How do you reach Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave?
By road: from Shillong it is about 60 km, about 2 hours (Shillong → Mawphlang → Mawsynram). Fly or take a train to Guwahati; shared taxis and buses to Shillong leave from the airport and from Paltan Bazaar. Shared sumos run from Shillong; they are few. The nearest gateway is Guwahati.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave?
Permits: None. Guide: Not needed.
Is Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is good. It is quiet in season. Cave floors are slippery; wear grippy shoes.
What should you pack for Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave?
Pack fleece or light sweater, sun cap or hat, compact umbrella, rain jacket or poncho, comfortable walking shoes with grip, day pack, 20–30 litres, water bottles, 2 litres in total, sunscreen, spf 50, small first-aid kit and your own medicines. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave?
Weak.
Who should not go to Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave?
Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Very little infrastructure; views can vanish for days.
Close to Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Nongriat Double-Decker Root Bridgeabout 11 km
- Sohra (Cherrapunji)about 15 km