‘Residence of clouds’ is what Meghalaya is and the place bombasts its beautiful charm and peace. Not only the blurry hills, valleys, luminous lakes and rivers, this angelic state of India is also gifted with many mesmerizing waterfalls. By rolling down the magnificent hills, these waterfalls look absolutely attractive on a sunny day. Some waterfalls in Meghalaya also make great trekking trails.
List of some hypnotizing waterfalls in Meghalaya.
1. Elephant Falls, one of the best and must visit waterfalls in Meghalaya
Elephant Falls is the most popular tourist place in Shillong. As one of the popular waterfalls in Meghalaya, Elephant Falls is a three-level magnificent cascade. This beautiful fall is located near Shillong peak and it is known by the locals as ‘Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew’, which means ‘three-step waterfalls’.
Situated between thick forests, after the monsoon season, especially from October to December the elephant falls in Shillong, looks gorgeous and radiant.
The British people gave it this name because the huge rock lies on the foot of the waterfall, which is similar to the elephant. However, the rock is no longer there, since it was destroyed in an earthquake. Located 12 km from Shillong city, this place is regularly visited by tourists and locals, especially at the weekend. It ranks in the top waterfalls in Meghalaya.
How to Reach Elephant Falls: With the help of a public bus or by hiring a cab from Police Bazaar or MTDC bus complex. You can easily reach the elephant fall.
Things to do at Elephant Falls: Go for trekking (about 200 steps to reach the bottom), photography, and enjoy shopping from the souvenir shop at the main gate.
2. Kynrem Falls – Highest waterfalls in Meghalaya
Kynrem fall is located near Cherrapunji, inside Thangkarang Park which is known to be one of the most scenic waterfalls in Meghalaya.
This fall is one of the highest waterfalls in Meghalaya. Plunging down through three levels, from an altitude of about 1003 feet, it is ranked as the 7th highest waterfall in India. Wrapped in the lush green forests of Khasi Hills, Kynrem Falls grandstand its spellbinding beauty in post-monsoon and winter season.
Pillar Rock or Shiva Rock is one of the major attraction here which is locally known as Khoh Ramhah or Mothorp. This is a gigantic rock located next to the falls.
How To Reach Kynrem Falls: From Cherrapunji, Kynrem falls is 12 km away. One can either choose to prefer a bus or can hire a taxi to reach the park, and then a 3 to 5-minute march downhill and you will reach the waterfall.
Best Things To Do At Kynrem Falls: Go for a local guide to trek through the shabby forests, up to the waterfall. Enjoy witnessing bird chirping and spot wildlife during the trek.
3. Nohkalikai Falls – one of the biggest waterfalls in India
Nohkalikai Falls is also one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Meghalaya, which is located about 7 kilometers away from Cherrapunji. This is the highest cascading waterfall in India. The waterfall drops down from a moderate height and falls under force, making a deep high-dive pool, where the water is greenish in color at the time of summers and turns blue in the winter season.
There is a viewing gallery on the top and you can climb the stairs to enjoy the view of the waterfall and the spectacular plunge (high-dive) pool.
How to Reach Nohkalikai Falls: The place is about 7 kms from Cherrapunji. Either hire a taxi from Cherrapunji or directly from Shillong.
Best Things to do at Nohkalikai Falls: From locals, you can buy home-grown bay leaves and cinnamon sticks at very low prices.
4. Dainthlen Falls – One of the most spectacular waterfalls
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Dainthlen Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls situated near the Cherrapunji in Sohra, which is best known for its wonderful and magnificent panorama.
The waterfall received its name from the huge snake, which lived in the nearby cave. The locals killed this big snake due to its destructive nature.
The view of the water flowing in full force is the most wonderful beauty that anyone can experience from the viewing gallery.
How to Reach Dainthlen Falls: It will take approximately one hour to drive from Shillong to Sohra.
Best Things to do at Dainthlen Falls: Enjoy the calmness of the place.
5. Langshiang Falls – One of the top waterfalls in Meghalaya
Langshiang is one of the largest cascades in Meghalaya, which is situated between the beautiful green forests of Sangriang, near Nongstoin. Blessed with fresh beauty, this waterfall is locally known as ‘kshaid Ur-Nar’ and gives you the marvelous beauty of green hills and surrounding villages.
Langshiang Falls is perfectly seen from the village called, Mawpon.
How to Reach Langshiang Falls: The waterfall is approximately 18 kms from Nongkhnum and Nongkhnum is 93 kms from Shillong. Rent a cab from Shillong and go on a drive through Mairang and Nongkhnum, to reach the place.
Best Things to do at Langshiang Falls: Go for trekking in a nearby located Nongkhnum river island.
6. Bishop and Beadon Falls – Twin waterfalls in Meghalaya
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They are the twin brother falls and one of the spectacular waterfalls in Meghalaya. Bishop and Beadon are one of the most stunning twin waterfalls in Meghalaya. Bishop Falls is a three-tier stream, which flows towards the East Khasi hills from an elevation of about 443 feet.
The beauty of the waterfall is stuck between thick forests. Beadon Falls offers stunning views of the surroundings through the rocky edges, while the scummy water of Bishop falls down to form a deep plunge.
The twin falls of Meghalaya drops down to the gorgeous Umiam River and flows through picturesque Suna valley.
How to Reach Bishop and Beadon Falls: Right from Shillong, head towards Mawlai in Mawprem. The passable road ends at Mawlai. From Mawlai in Mawprem, trek for 5-minutes and you will reach both the waterfalls.
Best Things to do at Bishop and Beadon Falls: Spotting wildlife including leopard, wild cats, and langurs, and swimming in the plunge pool, day picnic
7. Sweet Falls – One of the most dangerous waterfalls in Shillong, India
Sweet Falls is also popularly known as Kshaid Weitden which is the most stunning and most dangerous waterfall in Shillong. The waterfall is situated at a height of 96 meters (315 ft.) Tourists are not allowed to go close to the waterfall but you can see it from a viewpoint called “Happy Valley“.
How to Reach Sweet Falls: From Police Bazaar, Sweet Waterfall is 12 km. Head through Hopkinson Road and Demthring up to Mawshbuit Sweet Falls Road.
Best Things to do at Sweet Falls: Just stare at the gorgeous beauty from the viewing gallery at Happy Valley and visit the nearby butterfly museum and mini zoo.
8. Mawphlang Falls – One of the most amazing waterfalls in Shillong.
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One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state is Mawphlang. Rolling down through many levels with great height, it is a quiet and calm fall, which is located within the Mawhplang Holy Forest. The Water flows in a small dive pool, which is an ideal place to relax, rejuvenate and spend some time in the middle of a peaceful nature.
You have to travel Mawsynram-Shillong Road for about 25 km to reach this place. The road is through forests and you need to go through a little trek from the endpoint of the road, to reach the falls.
How to Reach Mawphlang Falls: For about 25 Kms, drive through Mawsynram-Shillong Road to reach the place. The access road is under the shades of forests and a little trekking is required from the end point of the road, to reach the falls.
Best Things to do Mawphlang Falls: Spend some fun time while plunging in the pool and enjoy swimming. The locals here worship trees in Mawhplang Sacred Forest. Your journey will be memorable while you trek through the forest and experience such worship.
9. Bophill Falls – one of the most scenic waterfalls in India
Located at the Indo-Bangladesh border, Bophill Falls is not so famous but extremely beautiful waterfall in Meghalaya. This is an ardent stream, which shows grace and glory during rainy and monsoon season.
It is a favorite place and best waterfalls of Meghalaya among nature lovers and photography buffs, Bophill Falls offers panoramic views of the Khasi hills on one side and Bangladesh’s ground on the other side.
From Shillong, drive 90 km to reach Dwaki. The waterfall is about 5 km from Dwak.
How to Reach Bophill Falls: From Shillong, drive 90 kms to reach Dwaki. From Dwaki, the waterfall is just about 5 kms.
Best Things to do Bophill Falls: Boating, photography, and swimming at the Umngot river.