Sohra (Cherrapunji)

Waterfalls, limestone caves and the rain capital of India

Sohra, long known as Cherrapunji, is a plateau town 55 km south of Shillong that receives about 11,000 mm of rain a year. Visit from October to April for clear views of its waterfalls and gorges, and stay one or two nights to walk to the Nongriat root bridges early in the morning.

Photo: JakilDedhia · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Sohra stands on the southern edge of the Khasi Hills, where the plateau drops more than a thousand metres to the plains of Bangladesh. Moist air from the Bay of Bengal hits this wall and rises, which is why the town holds some of the highest rainfall figures ever recorded: around 11,000 mm in an average year, and more than 2,500 mm in each of June and July alone. The result is a landscape of deep gorges, high plunge waterfalls and bare, rain-washed grassland on top.

For travellers, Sohra divides into two halves. The plateau around the town has the viewpoints: Nohkalikai Falls, the Seven Sisters falls at Mawsmai, the lit limestone cave nearby, and the cliff-edge park at Thangkharang looking out over Bangladesh. Below the escarpment, reached by long stairways, lie the forest villages of the living root bridges, Nongriat being the most famous.

Rooms in Sohra are simpler than in Shillong, and that is the main reason most visitors come only for a day. We think that is a mistake. One or two nights here let you start the Nongriat walk at 7 am, before the heat and the day crowds, and see the falls in the soft light of early morning and late afternoon, when the gorges are at their best.

Highlights

What Sohra (Cherrapunji) does best

Nohkalikai FallsIndia's tallest plunge waterfall drops about 340 m from the plateau into a green pool in a forested gorge. The viewing platform is a short walk from the car park. Flow is strongest from June to October; in the dry months from December to February the fall thins to a ribbon.
The Seven Sisters at MawsmaiNohsngithiang Falls, called the Seven Sisters, spills in several parallel streams over a long limestone cliff south of Sohra. It runs fully only in the monsoon and the weeks after, and the late afternoon sun lights it from the west on clear days.
Limestone cavesMawsmai cave is a short, lit show cave of stalactites and narrow passages, easy for most visitors. Nearby Mawmluh cave is a much longer wild cave, and a stalagmite taken from it was used in 2018 to define the Meghalayan Age, the most recent division of geological time.
Thangkharang and the Bangladesh plainsAt Thangkharang the plateau ends at a sheer cliff, and on clear days you look straight down to the flat green plains of Bangladesh, with Kynrem Falls dropping in three tiers on the hillside opposite. It is quieter than the main viewpoints.
Stairways to the root bridgesFrom Tyrna, just below Sohra, a stairway of roughly 3,000 concrete steps descends through forest to Nongriat and its double-decker root bridge. It is the region's most famous walk and the reason to spend a night in Sohra rather than drive from Shillong.

Experiences

Four hours to plan around

nature · Half day Nohkalikai and the Seven Sisters falls Sohra (Cherrapunji), North East India

adventure · 2 hours Mawsmai cave and the Meghalayan Age Sohra (Cherrapunji), North East India

nature · 3 hours Cliff-edge drive to Thangkharang Sohra (Cherrapunji), North East India

nature · 1–2 days A monsoon stay in the rain capital Sohra (Cherrapunji), North East India

Getting there

How to reach Sohra (Cherrapunji)

Air

Fly to Guwahati (GAU) and drive about 4.5 hours via Shillong. Shillong's small airport at Umroi has a few regional flights that change often, and saves little time once you account for the drive. Check current status before you travel.

Rail

There is no railway in the Khasi Hills. Guwahati station, about 155 km away, is the nearest. From there allow 4 to 4.5 hours by car.

Road

From Shillong the road crosses open plateau past Mawphlang junction and Mawkdok's valley viewpoint to Sohra, about 55 km and 1.5 to 2 hours. The road is good but narrow in places, and fog can slow it badly in the monsoon. You travel with a licensed driver, as self-drive rental is not permitted for tourists in Meghalaya.

Where to stay

Rooms we book

Sohra has no true luxury hotel, so we choose for location and comfort. The plateau edge near Mawsmai and the Laitkynsew area to the east have the best-placed resorts, with rooms looking towards the gorges and the Bangladesh plains. At Laitkynsew, the long-running Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort sits close to the Tyrna trailhead and is a practical base for the Nongriat walk. Many guests sleep at Ri Kynjai near Shillong and treat Sohra as a long day, but one night here makes the root bridge walk far more pleasant.

From our planners

Five things to know

Start the Nongriat walk by 7 am, when the steps are shaded and the path is quiet.
Carry a light rain jacket in every season; Sohra makes its own weather even in winter.
The waterfalls are thin from December to March, so come in October or November for both flow and clear skies.
Most viewpoints and caves charge a small entry fee, typically under ₹100 per person, plus parking.
Fog can close in within minutes on the plateau, so plan viewpoints for the morning and keep afternoons flexible.

Questions travellers ask

Questions about Sohra (Cherrapunji)

Is Sohra the same as Cherrapunji?

Yes. Sohra is the Khasi name of the town, and Cherrapunji is the older name used by the British and still common on maps and in guidebooks. Locally and on official signs you will see Sohra. Both refer to the plateau town about 55 km south of Shillong.

How far is Sohra from Shillong?

About 55 km, or 1.5 to 2 hours by car across the plateau. The road is good but winding, and fog can slow it in the monsoon. Many people visit as a day trip, but staying one or two nights makes the root bridge walk at Nongriat far more comfortable.

What is the best time to visit Sohra?

October and November are best: the falls are still full after the monsoon, skies are clear and the root bridge paths are dry. December to March is dry and cool with thinner falls. June to August is extremely wet and foggy, appealing mainly to those who want to experience the monsoon.

How many days do I need in Sohra?

One or two nights. One night lets you walk to Nongriat early the next morning; two nights add the waterfalls, caves and Thangkharang without rushing. If you want to see Rainbow Falls beyond the double-decker bridge, plan two nights so you are not walking back up in the afternoon heat.

Are there luxury hotels in Sohra?

No true luxury hotels yet. The best rooms are in a small number of resorts on the plateau edge and at Laitkynsew, with good views and simple comfort. We choose by location and service, and many guests pair one night in Sohra with a longer stay at Ri Kynjai near Shillong.

Can I visit the living root bridges from Sohra?

Yes. The trail to Nongriat and the double-decker root bridge starts at Tyrna, about 30 minutes' drive from Sohra town. Allow 5 to 6 hours for the round trip with a registered local guide. The trail is reported to close on Sundays, so check current status before you travel.

Is there an entry fee at Sohra's sights?

Most viewpoints, falls and caves charge small fees, typically under ₹100 per person, plus parking, collected by village councils or the local authority. Amounts change, so carry cash. Your guide usually handles payment as part of the day.

What is there to do in Sohra in winter?

Winter is good for walking and caving. Do the Nongriat root bridge walk, visit Mawsmai cave, drive to Thangkharang for views over Bangladesh and see Nohkalikai, which still falls in winter though with less water. Days are 15 to 20 °C and nights near 7 °C.

Is Sohra suitable for older travellers?

Yes, for the plateau sights. Nohkalikai, Mawsmai's viewpoint, Thangkharang and the drives involve short walks only. The Nongriat stairway is a different matter, with roughly 3,000 steps each way, and suits only those who are fit and comfortable with long descents and climbs.