Have you ever dreamed of visiting a place where waterfalls are everywhere? Where can you witness the majestic beauty of nature in its purest form? Where can you experience the thrill of adventure and the serenity of solitude? If yes, then Meghalaya is the perfect destination for you.
Meghalaya, literally “the abode of clouds”, is a state in Northeast India blessed with abundant natural beauty. Its hidden gems include living root bridges, sacred forests, crystal clear rivers, and ancient caves. However, it is its waterfalls that command your attention. After all, what’s better than cooling off with a refreshing dip in a waterfall on a hot summer day?
Meghalaya has over 300 waterfalls, each with unique charm and character. Some are tall and powerful, some are gentle and soothing, some are hidden and mysterious, and some are breathtaking. No matter your preference, you will find a waterfall in Meghalaya that captivates your senses and makes you fall in love with this place.
In this 3-day guide to waterfall hopping in Meghalaya, we will provide you with the itinerary of the most stunning waterfalls in Meghalaya, where they are located, how to reach them, when to visit them, and what to do around them.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into Most Stunning Cascades in the Abode of Clouds. Read on!
How to Reach Meghalaya and Explore its Waterfalls
The first step to explore the waterfalls in Meghalaya is to reach Meghalaya itself. There are different ways to reach Meghalaya, depending on your budget, convenience, and preference.
By Air: The easiest and fastest way to reach Meghalaya is by air. You can fly to Shillong Airport, which is the nearest airport to Meghalaya. There are direct flights from Kolkata to Shillong, and you can also take connecting flights from other major cities in India. From Shillong Airport, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to reach your destination in Meghalaya.
By Train: The cheapest way to reach Meghalaya is by train. You can take a train to Guwahati Railway Station, which is the nearest railway station to Meghalaya. There are trains from various parts of India to Guwahati, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, etc. From Guwahati Railway Station, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab or a bus to reach your destination in Meghalaya.
By Road: The most scenic way to reach Meghalaya is by road. You can drive or take a bus from Guwahati or other nearby cities to reach Meghalaya. The road journey will take you through some beautiful landscapes and views of the hills and valleys. You can also stop at some interesting places along the way, such as Umiam Lake or Nongpoh.
You may also like to read: 10 Incredible Hotels In Shillong For Couples
Day 1: Shillong to Cherrapunji
Start your day early and fly to Shillong Airport, which is the nearest airport to Meghalaya. You can also take a train to Guwahati Railway Station and then take a cab or a bus to Shillong.
Hire a cab or take a shared cab from Shillong Airport or city center to Cherrapunji, which is about 55 km away. The road journey will take you through some beautiful landscapes and views of the hills and valleys.
Stop at Umiam Lake, which is a scenic reservoir surrounded by pine trees and hills. You can enjoy boating, kayaking, or fishing here.
Stop at Nongpoh, which is a small town with a market and some eateries. You can have some snacks and refreshments here.
Stop at Mawkdok Dympep Valley Viewpoint, which offers a breathtaking view of the valley and its greenery. You can also try zip-lining or paragliding here.
Reach Cherrapunji by noon and check into your hotel or homestay. Cherrapunji is the wettest place on earth and has many attractions to offer.
After lunch, visit Nohkalikai Falls, which is the tallest plunge waterfall in India and one of the most iconic attractions in Meghalaya. The waterfall drops from a height of 340 meters into a deep blue pool below. The sight of the waterfall is mesmerizing and awe-inspiring.
You may also visit Mawsmai Cave, which is a natural limestone cave with stalactites and stalagmites. You can explore the cave by walking through its narrow passages and chambers.
Or you may explore the Eco Park, which is a botanical garden with orchids, cacti, and other plants. You can also enjoy a view of the Seven Sisters Falls from here.
Return to your hotel or homestay by evening and relax. You can also visit the local market or pubs in Cherrapunji for some shopping or entertainment.
Day 2: Cherrapunji to Nongriat
Wake up early and have breakfast at your hotel or homestay. You can also pack some lunch and snacks for the day.
Hire a cab or take a shared cab from Cherrapunji to Tyrna village, which is about 15 km away. This is where your trek to Nongriat village will start.
Trek from Tyrna village to Nongriat village, which is about 3 km away. The trek will take you through some steep stairs, bridges, streams, and forests. You will also cross two living root bridges on the way, which are natural bridges made of roots of rubber trees.
Reach Nongriat village by noon and check into your homestay or guesthouse. Nongriat village is a remote village that has no road connectivity or electricity. It is known for its living root bridges and waterfalls.
After lunch, visit Rainbow Falls, which is a hidden waterfall near Nongriat that forms a rainbow when the sun shines on it. The waterfall falls from a height of 120 meters into a natural pool below. The sight of the waterfall is enchanting and magnificent.
Trek back to Nongriat village by evening and relax. You can also interact with the locals and learn about their culture and lifestyle.
Have dinner at your homestay or guesthouse and enjoy the night under the stars.
Day 3: Nongriat to Jowai
Wake up early and have breakfast at your homestay or guesthouse. You can also pack some lunch and snacks for the day.
Trek from Nongriat village to Tyrna village, which will take you about 2 hours. You will cross the living root bridges and the forests again on your way back.
Hire a cab or take a shared cab from Tyrna village to Jowai, which is about 70 km away. The road journey will take you through some scenic landscapes and views of the hills and valleys.
Stop at Krang Suri Falls, which is a turquoise-colored waterfall near Jowai that is ideal for swimming and camping. The waterfall falls from a height of 40 meters into a natural pool below. The sight of the waterfall is refreshing and inviting.
Stop at Umlawan Cave, which is one of the longest and deepest caves in India. You can explore the cave by walking through its narrow passages and chambers.
Reach Jowai by evening and check into your hotel or homestay. Jowai is the headquarters of the West Jaintia Hills district and has many attractions to offer.
After dinner, visit the local market or pubs in Jowai for some shopping or entertainment.
This is the end of your 3 day guide to Meghalaya waterfall hopping. You have explored some of the most stunning waterfalls in Meghalaya, as well as some of the culture, history, and nature of Meghalaya along the way. You have also experienced the thrill of adventure and the serenity of solitude in this trip.
You may also like to read: 10 Best Meghalaya Tourist Places
We hope you have enjoyed this trip and have made some unforgettable memories. We also hope you have fallen in love with Meghalaya and its waterfalls, and will come back again to explore more of them. Meghalaya has over 300 waterfalls, and each one has its own story to tell.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Meghalaya waterfalls today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the abode of clouds.
You can also connect with me, here: Instagram & YouTube.
Ready to travel for free? Earn credits and redeem them on Tripoto’s weekend getaways, hotel stays and vacation packages!
Think we missed out on something? Tell us about it in the comments below. Or write about it here on Tripoto and earn Tripoto Credits!
' fill='%23359391'%3e %3cpath d='M46.1538462%2c43.5714286 L41.5%2c50 L36.8461538%2c43.5714286 L36.8670256%2c43.5714286 C36.3173077%2c42.7142857 36%2c41.6851429 36%2c40.5714286 C36%2c37.4854286 38.4535641%2c35 41.5%2c35 C44.5464359%2c35 47%2c37.4854286 47%2c40.5714286 C47%2c41.6851429 46.6826923%2c42.7142857 46.1329744%2c43.5714286 L46.1538462%2c43.5714286 Z M41.4294872%2c39 C40.6150641%2c39 39.9487179%2c39.675 39.9487179%2c40.5 C39.9487179%2c41.325 40.6150641%2c42 41.4294872%2c42 C42.2439103%2c42 42.9102564%2c41.325 42.9102564%2c40.5 C42.9102564%2c39.675 42.2439103%2c39 41.4294872%2c39 L41.4294872%2c39 Z' id='Location-white'%3e%3c/path%3e %3c/g%3e %3c/svg%3e)
