Overview
Cherrapunjee
Cherrapunjee, also known as Sohra, is a high-altitude town in the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. It’s known for its living root bridges, made from rubber trees. To the northeast, Mawkdok Dympep Valley View Point overlooks verdant gorges. In the surrounding hills, the Noh-Kalikai, Dain-Thlen and Kynrem waterfalls plunge from forested clifftops. South of town, Mawsmai Cave is illuminated to show its stalagmites.
This high-altitude town in the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya is renowned for its unique living root bridges. The place receives 11777 mm rainfall each year making it one of the wettest places on the earth.
Things to Do
Go for a walk on the Living Roots Bridges: A trip to Cherrapunjee is incomplete without a trip to see one of its most amazing attractions, the living roots bridges made out of entangled roots of rubber fig trees. Located deep within the lush Cherrapunjee forests, these naturally formed bridges are nothing short of engineering marvels. The most famous among these is the 3km long Umshiang Double-Decker root bridge.
Mawsynram Village: If you want to experience the beauty of the place at its height, you must visit here during the monsoons when the rain soaked surroundings gleam in every possible shade of green. Although renowned all over the globe for receiving over 11,000 mm of rainfall each year, Mawsynram has retained its solitariness away from the buzz of city life.
Seven Sister Falls: Nestled in the East district, seven individual waterfalls gushing down adjacent to each other. Falling from a jaw-dropping height of 315 m in a furious roaring cascade, this is definitely one of the most magnificent places to visit in Cherrapunjee. It is an especial treat to view this wonder against a backdrop of the rising or the setting sun with a riot of colors casting scintillating hues against the water.
Dawki: This is a quiet little town tucked along the south eastern borders of the state. The main attraction of the place is the river Umngot which meanders through it and captivates nature lovers from all across the country. Dawki also offers a host of adventurous sports activities like zip lining, camping, kayaking and snorkeling, which makes it one of the best places to visit in Cherrapunjee.
Mawkdok Dympep Valley: This cavernous valley going deep down the sides of majestic mountains carpeted in sheer verdure, is a must-visit for every nature admirer and thrill seeker. Go zip lining across the sprawling valley for imbibing the unrestrained beauty of the place.
Nohkalikai waterfall: This spectacular waterfall, also the fourth largest in the country, is one of the perfect places to visit in Cherrapunjee to enjoy the beauty of raw nature. Pack a picnic basket and spend a few good hours soaking in the sheer beauty around you with the roar of cascading water down the sides of majestic mountains amid lush greenery.
Wakaba Falls: This two-tiered waterfall rushing down a height of almost 190 meters makes for the perfect place to visit in Cherrapunjee with family. Enjoy a light hearted picnic under the shady trees by the water’s edge enjoying the mighty sound of gushing water down the hill side. The waterfalls are a sight to behold especially in the monsoons when it lashes down in full fury.
Explore the caves: If caving is an activity you would like to try out, Cherrapunji is the ideal destination. Blessed with umpteen caves, some of them being the largest in India, this is hot ground for archaeology lovers as well as those intrigued by the wonders of nature.
Arwah Caves: If you hail from a family that enjoys a bit of adventure and are on the lookout for places off the beaten track, these newly discovered caves are just for you. The massive cave features marvelous limestone formations as well as fossils of marine creatures that lived millions of years ago. The caves are tucked deep within the Law Shynna forest and are an example of some of the finest of nature’s creations.
