Cherrapunjee tour takes an entire day. About two and a half hours to three hour’s drive from Shillong city, best is to start at about 7 am in the morning, reach by 10am and have four-five hours in hand before you set out to get back to Shillong. The other good option is to book an overnight’s stay at one of the many resorts in Cherrapunjee and head out for Mawlynnong-Dawki the next morning. That way, you will save the evening trip, as well as one hour of driving if you had to go to Mawlynnong from Shillong another day. Plus the charm of staying back in Cherrapunjee, seeing its sunset and dusk, and its sunrise….:-)
- Stop by View Point at Laitkor Peak: It offers a sweeping view of the Shillong town. Since the View Point is right in the middle of the airforce base, you will be asked for your identity proof at the entrance gate.
- Visit Elephant Falls. A few kilometres beyond the Laitkor Peak is Elephant Falls is very beautiful, and is on the way and will take just about 30-45 minutes more. A very short detour will take you there. Do make an effort to climb down and see it in its full glory. Charge yourself with some ‘chai’ from the Khasi Kongs on your way up and you are set to enjoy the rest of the drive to Cherrapunjee.
Did anybody tell you that the drive to Cherrapunjee is beautiful? You will know why now. The hills that are unending, undulating, with a thick cover of pine trees; the road flanked by the hills on one side and a deep gorge on the other (lose your concentration while driving and you know where you will land 😉 ); the tiny village you cross every now and then; the crisp air that makes you feel you are alive; and if lucky enough, the occasional fog that enters from one side of the car window and gets out from the other (literally!!!); believe it, it is real even though you might feel that you have been transported to another world.
- Stop again, this time at Mawdok Valley: This is bang on the way….a beautiful view of the rolling hills and the valley down there. If you are adventurous enough and decide to go down right into the valley through a flight of stairs and see the little waterfall, it can extend to be a 30-minute stop!
The drive through Mawdok valley is always through blinding fog for about 15-20 minutes. Can be unnerving…..we hold on to our breath, drive very slowly with the blinkers on…and honking every now and then to alert oncoming traffic. Soon you will reach Sohra, aka Cherrapunjee.
- You have reached the land of waterfalls – here you will see that famous Mawsmai Falls, or the Seven Sisters falls. And then there are the Nohkalikai Falls and Dain Thlen Falls. After you have photographed yourself against the falls, walk a yard or two ahead and look to your front. Down below, far into the plains, there is Bangladesh.
- Mawsmai village is also famous for its caves. They allow you inside the lighted cave. Try it if you can stop yourself from thinking about snakes and lizards – I managed to do it only once, and believe me, it’s an out of the world experience. You get to see beautiful formations off limestone rocks inside with water trickling away and the lights giving it an unearthly look.
- This done, head for the Thangkharang Park – they have a glass house with a good collection of orchids and pitcher plants. This park also overlooks the Bangladesh plains. Another majestic falls, Kynrem, is easily visible from here and makes for great photographs. We would get our picnic hamper and lay down our blankets here for lunch. You could do the same. However, you won’t get to buy any food here, as they don’t sell any. In case you are not carrying any food with you, your only bet is the restaurant near Mawsmai falls. Or else the local food at Sohra village. I suggest you carry your own food – that way, you won’t waste time looking for food. Instead, use it to behold nature at its best.
- Ramakrishna Mission in Cherrapunjee. Stop by if you want to, you won’t be disappointed.
- Laitmawsiang Caves: A 5km drive from the main Sohra village takes you past bare hills and table lands to a nondescript village called Laitmawsiang. Take a local guide who will take you for a 3-minute spin of the caves cum falls cum forest stroll cum spring water tour, and tell you about their kings and queens and village lore…
In case you are not staying at Cherrapunjee, target to start by maximum by 4pm.
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Plan your Shillong holiday with help from our detailed posts at — Holiday in Shillong — Falling in love with her hills
Also read — My Favourite Places in Shillong, Must-Try Food When In Shillong and What To Buy When In Shillong