If Meghalaya is an abode of clouds, Cherrrapunji is perhaps its dewdrop. Nestled in the East Khasi Hills, Cherrapunji was formerly the wettest place on earth.
However now the title has been passed to Mawsynram, also in Meghalaya.
During our North East visit, if you have been following us, you would know we landed at Guwahati and moved to Shillong (Read our blog post to know more).
How to reach Cherrapunji
- By air and railway: The nearest airport and railway station from Cherrapunji is Guwahati. Though there’s an airport at Shillong, the frequency of flights is very less.
- By road: There are buses and taxis connecting Cherrapunji to Shilong and Guwahati. Since we too the 16 km David Scott trail, from Shillong, we reached Cherrapunji or Sohra as it is locally called, by foot.
Where to stay: There is no dearth of homestays in Cherrapunji. There are also a few resorts- Like Sai Mika, Jiva and Cherrapunji Holiday Home.
We stayed in Sai Mika for three days. Sai Mika is a nature resort offering cozy huts in various categories. It also has in house restaurants, bars, pool, and a stream too. We were lucky to catch foot-tapping live music at the restaurant.
Where to eat
While Sai Mika’s inhouse restaurant offered us reasonably good food, another good restaurant that we came across was Orange Roots. The restaurant offers North Indian thalis and south Indian delicacies and like most establishments in Meghalaya are managed by women.
Places To See
- Double Decker Living Roots Bridge: The most well-known attraction of Meghalaya is Double Decker Root Bridge. The Bridge lies in the Nongriat village and one must climb down close to 4000 stairs to reach the spot. The place deserves a detailed write up that I have categorically created.
- Arwah Caves: Meghalaya is on the world map for possessing some of the most magnificent caves of the world.
Arwah caves are known for the fossils and limestone formations. One can spot the streams flowing inside, as well as stalagmites and stalactites formations.
A guide is available at the entrance, you can choose to explore with the guide. Also, using torchlight is advisable inside. The timings are 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Also, there’s an entry fee, which is very nominal. - Seven Sisters Waterfall or The Nohsngithiang Waterfall: Seven Sisters Waterfalls is a major tourist attraction here. The waterfall is known for its seven ribbon streams that tear through the Khasi hills here. One of the tallest waterfalls in India, Nohsngithiang waterfalls are situated near the Mawsmail village. Unfortunately in the month of February, the waterfall had dried up. We were quite disappointed frankly as we were hoping to see it in full bloom.
- Mawsmai Caves: Another interesting cave in Meghalaya is Mawsmai Cave. Situated at a distance of around 6 km from Cherrapunji, Mawsmai lies in the East Khasi hills. The limestone patterns are breathtaking here. Personally, I like this one better than Arwah. Traveling through the cave and moving to the other end is quite an adventure. Keep your torchlights on, all the way. Also, there are caution boards, kindly adhere to them.
- Nohkalikai Waterfalls: Situated around 5 km from Cherapunjee, this is the fourth highest waterfall in the world. The stunning waterfall plunges into a turquoise pool from a height of 100 feet. A viewing gallery gives you a glimpse of the stunning falls. There are also stairs that take you to the viewpoints. This fall has a sad legend behind it.
Noh Ka Likai literally translates into “the leap of Likai”.As per the legend, a young woman named Ka Likai, who had a daughter from her earlier marriage remarried. Her new husband disliked his stepdaughter and out of jealousy, one day kill her. He not only slaughtered the girl but also used her flesh to cook a meal. After returning home from work, Likai ate the meal without suspicion as she had no inkling about her husband’s gory act.However, she later discovered her daughter’s fingers in the betel-nut basket. Distraught with grief and remorse, she rushed to the nearby cliffs and threw herself over the precipice adjoining the waterfalls. The fall has ever since been known as Nohlakikai.
This tale was narrated to us by our driver who took us there. In fact, the story is all over the internet and as per him even in the textbooks.
We spent 4 days in Sohra or Cherrapunji.
For 3 days we stayed in Sai Mika Resort and then next day proceed to the prime attraction of the Meghalaya – Double decker root bridge.
