Cherrapunji Travel Guide

Best Time To Visit Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji is perhaps the only place in India with just one season: the monsoon. It varies from heavy to medium to light, but there is no month without rain. July receives the most rainfall, with an average of 16.4 inches. It rains mostly at night, so it does not disrupt day-to-day activity.

History of Cherrapunji

As days go by, the faces of Cherrapunji change not with the seasons but with the pattern of rainfall. The heaviest downpours span approximately five long months from May until September. The clouds then are dark and menacing, full-blown with rain, which descends earthwards with the stinging force of a whiplash.

Throughout these months, Cherrapunji is transformed into a sea of tiny, gushing rivulets. The raindrops beat incessantly on rooftops and treetops, creating a compelling tattoo of awesome sounds, which cannot be savored anywhere else but in the Northeastern states. These are also the 'record-making' months, contributing to records such as the stunning 22,987 mm of rainfall in 1861. The annual average rainfall of Cherrapunji stands today at 10,871 millimeters. Barely 10 km from Cherrapunji stands the village of Mawsynram, which has snatched away the heaviest rainfall record, with 12,163 millimeters of rainfall.

With the passage of September, the rhythm of the rain-its main force spent-changes to a gentle pattern. And the Khasis and other residents of Cherrapunji, the flora, and the fauna respond to the change in the Rain God's mood. Soft pastel shades begin to appear in skies that were gray all day, and rainbows that are a photographer's delight begin to make unexpected guest appearances.

Tourists Attractions Of Cherrapunji

Titled as one of the wettest places on Earth, Cherrapunji is replete with many tourist attractions to explore.

• Mawsmai Cave – Offering a thrilling experience, the cave is a work of nature.
• Krem Mawmluh Cave – The fourth-longest cave with a pool formed because of five different rivers.
• Nohkalikai Falls – Tallest plunge waterfall in India, which presents a sight to behold during monsoon.
• Double Decker Living Root Bridge – Presenting a unique example of bioengineering, the two-tier bridge is almost 100-ft long.
• Seven Sisters Falls – Falling from a height of 1033 feet, the Seven Sisters Falls or the Nohsngithiang Falls are 70 meters wide.
• Dainthlen Falls – A large number of potholes make the waterfalls look splendid.
• Krem Phyllut – Several caves make it one of the popular tourist attractions.
• Thangkharang Park – Located on the cliff's edge, the park overlooks the Kynrem Falls.
• Eco Park – To witness beautiful blooming orchids.
• Kynrem Falls – Towering mountain waterfall visible from the road.
• Motrop or Khoh Ramhah – Cone-shaped rock formation which was once believed to be a giant’s basket.
• Dawki – A small border town is known for the famous River Umngot and crystal clear waters
• Mawlynnong – Asia’s cleanest village.
• Mawsmai Falls – Highest waterfall in India.
• The Mawkdok Dympep Valley View – A viewpoint offering stunning scenery of the surroundings.
• Nongsawlia – Great work by Welsh Missionaries makes one of the most visited sites.
• Mawsynram – A village that has now earned the title of the wettest place on the planet.
• Khasi Monoliths – Passages of the ancient caves.
• Nokrek National Park – A park with a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Places to Visit Near Cherrapunji

After a relaxing holiday, here are some places to visit near Shillong and Cherrapunji you can explore -

• Arwah Cave 
• Spread Eagle Falls
• Lum Kshaid View Point
• Manipur Memorial 
• Garden of Caves 
• Wankhar Entomology Museum

How To Reach Cherrapunji

• By Air - The nearest airport to Cherrapunji is in Guwahati (5 hours drive). You can hire taxis from the Paltan Bazar bus stand in Guwahati or book guided tours with us. Umroi Airport in Shillong is located at 91 km but only receives low-frequency domestic flights.
• By Train - Guwahati Railway Station is the nearest rail stop to Cherrapunji. You can avail taxis from the railway station itself.
• By Road - Cherrapunji is 58 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. A steep motorable road, almost perpetually bathed in mist as it climbs upwards on the last lap, leads Cherrapunji. Buses and taxis ply to Cherrapunji from Shillong.

Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on Cherrapunji about tourism in Cherrapunji. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.