East Khasi Hills · Meghalaya
Sohra (Cherrapunji)
Plunging waterfalls like Nohkalikai, limestone caves and gorge views over Bangladesh.
Sohra (Cherrapunji) is an easy hill destination in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, reaching 1,500 m. The best time to go is March and April and September to November. Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground from Guwahati and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Sohra (Cherrapunji)
The one thing not to miss
Nohkalikai Falls
One of the tallest plunge waterfalls in India.
- 2The double-decker root bridgeAt Nongriat, about 3,500 steps down and the same back.
- 3Mawsmai CaveA lit limestone cave near the town.
- 4Seven Sisters FallsAt its best in the monsoon.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Guwahati to Sohra (Cherrapunji)
About 4.5–5 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Nohkalikai Falls · The double-decker root bridge · Mawsmai Cave
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Sohra (Cherrapunji) 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
Some of India's tallest waterfalls and the real feel of the Khasi hills.
Why not
In the monsoon, fog can hide everything; in winter the falls get thin.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Not needed for viewpoints.
- Safety
- Viewpoint edges have no fencing in places; keep children back.
- Phone & internet
- Decent.
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 Sohra (Cherrapunji)
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 thereDecent.
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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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 55 km
- Drive time
- 1.5–2 hours
- Shillong
- Mylliem
- Laitlyngkot
- Sohra
From
Guwahati
- Distance
- about 150 km
- Drive time
- 4.5–5 hours
- Guwahati
- Shillong
- Sohra
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 to Sohra leave from Bara Bazaar in Shillong.
Pickups & drivers
From Guwahati. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Sohra (Cherrapunji) yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Sohra (Cherrapunji): questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Sohra (Cherrapunji)?
The best months for Sohra (Cherrapunji) 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 Sohra (Cherrapunji)?
Sohra (Cherrapunji) is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 1,430 m and reaching 1,500 m.
How many days do you need for Sohra (Cherrapunji)?
Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground, counted from Guwahati. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Sohra (Cherrapunji) cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹7,500 for 3 days, before the cost of getting to Guwahati.
How do you reach Sohra (Cherrapunji)?
By road: from Shillong it is about 55 km, 1.5–2 hours (Shillong → Mylliem → Laitlyngkot → Sohra); from Guwahati it is about 150 km, 4.5–5 hours (Guwahati → Shillong → Sohra). Fly or take a train to Guwahati; shared taxis and buses to Shillong leave from the airport and from Paltan Bazaar. Shared sumos to Sohra leave from Bara Bazaar in Shillong. The nearest gateway is Guwahati.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Sohra (Cherrapunji)?
Permits: None. Guide: Not needed for viewpoints.
Is Sohra (Cherrapunji) suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is good. It is moderately busy in season. Viewpoint edges have no fencing in places; keep children back.
What should you pack for Sohra (Cherrapunji)?
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 Sohra (Cherrapunji)?
Decent.
Who should not go to Sohra (Cherrapunji)?
Sohra (Cherrapunji) suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: In the monsoon, fog can hide everything; in winter the falls get thin.
Close to Sohra (Cherrapunji)
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 6 km
- Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Caveabout 15 km
- Mawlynnongabout 21 km
- Laitlum Canyonsabout 28 km
- Dawki & Shnongpdengabout 31 km