A Day in Sohra (Cherrapunji)
Hello all,
We love waterfalls.
And we were in the land of waterfall…
If Meghalaya is the abode of clouds, then Sohra (Cherrapunji) is the land of waterfalls.
You name the type of waterfall, plunge pool to cascade falls, tiered waterfall to fan fall.. you will get them all! The best season to see all waterfalls in their full glory is monsoon and post-monsoon. Our guide said you will be mesmerised to see waterfalls all around!
Though we went in winter, that didn’t stop us from visiting a few of them. The water flow was less, but the plus point was that the water in plunge pools was crystal clear…
Here is what we did in Cherrapunji in a day. But let me tell you, one day is not enough if you want to cover most of the places.
Prut waterfall:
This is one of the best waterfalls and is relatively less explored. The best part is you can also go behind the waterfall!
Trail: it takes approximately 25-30 minutes.
Type of trail: The path is well-paved with a beautiful landscape. In fact, before the waterfall, the landscape will take your breath away… I can not imagine how it must look in a monsoon.
There are a few steps in the last part with a downhill way.
Trek type: easy
Waterfall:
It is a 40-meter-tall waterfall emerging from the Wah Urwan River. It is located in Laitlyndop Village. The waterfall is like a thin curtain spilling from a cliff with an excellent blue pool with clear water. There are giant boulders just beside the pool where you can sit and have perfect pictures..Swimming is not allowed in the pool.
From the right side, just above the waterfall, there is one path where you can go behind the waterfall also. Don’t miss this. It is fantastic. It is safe also. Just watch for slippery surfaces.
Timings: 7 am to 6 pm
Entry fees: Rs 50
There are washrooms at the entrance.
Lyngksiar
I was mesmerised whenever I watched pictures of the three-tier Wei Sawdong waterfall of Meghalaya. I so so wanted to visit it. But it has been closed for the last few months due to a dispute between two villages.
But after visiting Lyngksiar, I didn’t think of Wai Saw Dang at all.. this one is equally stunning! The Waterfall is layered with three tiers.
Trail: the trail is well paved and well maintained. The landscape surrounding the waterfall is mind-boggling. The water flow was significantly less, but what amazed me was the crystal clear water in the emerald pool… I could count the tiny stones within! The trail that takes us to the upper level of the waterfall was closed when we went. But it ahs been mentioned that the view is amazing from there.
Trail type: Mild
Distance – 2 km Both ways
The place is commercialised so you can have jackets on rent for swimming in the pool. One rope is setting the limit in the pool, beyond which you can’t go without a life jacket. Many people come here for a picnic also. There are spots overlooking the fall where you can send your mats and have a fantastic time with your friends and families.
There is one small waterfall with medicinal properties also adjacent to this. The setting of this pool is nothing but magical. It is like a small, secluded corner, which we can see in Bollywood romantic songs, but nothing is fake here!
There is one cave, also. Don’t miss it. The way to the cave is also well paved with few steps. Inside, the rocks give the impression of golden and silver colours on the walls!
The waterfall is magical, with a beautiful oasis created by surrounding hills, landscape beauty and tranquil ambience.
Timings: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Entry fees: Rs 20. There are separate charges for life jackets, camera and picnic.
Arwah caves:
So, the magical terrain of Meghalaya has as many caves as waterfalls. There are endless giant caves yet to be fully explored, like Siju and Krem Chympe, to caves like Arwah High, which are well-lit with artificial lights and appropriately developed for tourism.
How to reach?
Just before the Cherrapunji town, there is a small road to Arwah caves. There is a parking lot and ticket window after a while on the narrow road. We have a guide with us, but you can also get the form here if you want. But take a guide with you because they will show you hidden fossils you might miss.
Trail to the cave:
The pathway to the cave is a beautiful wooden trail overlooking the valley. The entire walkway is picturesque because of the valley. The scenery must be unique during monsoon, with beautiful waterfalls plunging from the hills. When we came back from the cave, it was just before sunset, and the colours of the sky took us to breathe away! There are a few resting platforms also with benches at regular intervals.
The cave has Law Shynna forest all around, giving a captivating look from afar also… the cave is excellent for people interested in archaeology as well as adventure. Only a part of the cave is accessible to tourists, with few closed sections. It is around 30 meters long. It takes approximately 30 minutes to explore the cave.
The entrance of the cave is enchanting. The cave is limestone, just like all other caves in Meghalaya. There are a few fantastic stalagmites and stalactites formations. At places, you have to bend to pass through these formations. Keep your eyes on the walls and search for fossils. However, according to our guide, many people remove fossils and damage this magnificent marvel.
The floor is slippery in places as there are few natural streams and creeks passing through the cave.
Points to consider:
– Please don’t litter
– These caves were formed a million years ago, so we should preserve the natural wonders. Please don’t touch the fossils or try to remove them.
– Wear proper shoes as floors are slippery in places.
NohKaLikai Falls:
It is one of the tallest plunge waterfalls in India, plunging from a height of 1115 feet (340 meters). It is also one of the most famous waterfalls in Cherrapunji. The view is picturesque, with tall falls from a red rocky cliff and a deep plunge pool. Our guide said the pool changes color from blue to green depending on the season. The sunset is impressive from the waterfall’s viewpoint, with a panoramic view of the falls and valley and unique colors filling the sky. There is one food joint at the viewpoint and a few shops for souvenirs.
The waterfall looks gigantic in winter, so I cannot imagine its monsoon glory! There are a few stairs; from there, you can go to other viewpoints. You can also go to the pool at the waterfall’s base via a forest hike. And you can also go to the cliff at the mouth of the waterfall. Both hikes are moderate-to-severe and take a few hours.
Though this is so glorious, the story behind the waterfall is sorrowful and tragic. I don’t dare to recall it. If you want, you can Google it.
Timings of Nohkalikai Falls: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
So this was our day in Sohra.
There are so many places to see and we had only a day…
If you want you can stay here for few more days and explore this amazing town to the fullest!
Don’t forget to share this post and comment.
Thank you…