The hilly state of North East India – Meghalaya is truly designated as the adobe of clouds. The credit behind its name is those cities which are always covered with misty clouds. Be it Shillong, Cherrapunji, Mawsynram, Guwahati, Mawphlang Sacred Forest, Dawaki all are special in their own ways. Among all the towns, rides through the misty mountain of Cherapungii is must for everyone.
In this blog, we will explore the beautiful Hilltown of Cherapunjee. Take a look-
Cherrapunji is also known as Sohra or Churra in some regions. It is recognised as the wettest place on the earth and carries the world record due to the massive rainfall that it sees throughout the year. Nestled on the edge of the Himalayas, Cherrapunji has many gleaming rivers that fall off the mountains in cascading waterfalls, plenty of hills, natural caves, and beautiful valleys. It’s truly a paradise on earth and the home of indigenous tribes and exotic cultures. Your visit to Cherrapunji will strive you with a unique panorama of Northern India.
The lush green surroundings of Cherrapunji will definitely bring out every explorer’s soul. Explore beautiful places to visit in Cherrapunji, and go to peaceful lands and charming surroundings.
Here are some bright spots:
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
You have heard of double-decker and single-decker root bridges of Meghalaya which are unique in the world and are a sight to behold. Yes, they are part of Cherrapunji!! This iconic Living Root Bridge is nestled in the dense green forests of Meghalaya and graced with rain most of the time.
It is one of Meghalaya’s most beautiful, partly man-made structures, created partly by the Khasi tribe which conditioned the roots to grow in some way. It is trapped with massive dense roots of Ficus Elastica Tree, which have been joined to form a bridge that can hold several people at a time. You must cross this bridge if you want to experience the
Mawsmai Caves
Mawsmai caves are now the fastest emerging tourist destination of Cherrapunji. It is one of the most friendly caves for tourists as it allows visitors to travel through it without any special assistance. The 150 m cave is almost entirely lit from inside which makes it even easier for one to find the way and are made of limestone which lures the visitor the moment they enters it.
Water dripping from the cave roofs and the formation of stalactites adds the charm to these caves. The cave has a wide entrance, but very soon the passage gets very narrow. It can be quite an exhilarating experience, with lots of twists and turns. This cave, apart from it, shelters rich fauna and flora. The exquisite shape of rocks formed merely from the dripping water is truly another natural wonder.
Nohkalikai Falls
Nohkalikai Falls is the tallest plunge waterfall in India. Its height is 1115 feet The waterfall is located near Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on Earth. Nohkalikai Falls are fed by the rainwater collected on the summit of the comparatively small plateau.
Below the falls there has formed a plunge pool with unusual green coloured water. Nohkalikai Falls here are particularly dramatic especially during the monsoon season when they are brimming exclusively.
Mawlynnong Village
Mawlynnong Village is known as cleanest village of Asia and referred as God’s Own Garden. The reason is its picturesque natural beauty which this village holds. Though it is supported widely by Cherrapunji tourism on a world scale. It is completely taken over by the villagers, from its cleanliness to tourism.
It offers lush green valleys, crystal clear water in the river, an abundance of flowering orchids hanging from the trees and extremely clean roads which makes this small village a worth visiting destination for tourists visiting Meghalaya. Mawlynnong village also offers pleasant weather throughout the year and especially during monsoon.
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Seven Sisters Falls
Nohsngithiang Falls are particularly acknowledged as Seven Sisters Falls. These falls are located within the vicinity of Mawsmai village, East Khasi Hills. These are the fourth highest waterfall in India. It is a cluster of seven different waterfalls, adjacent to each other. This thunderous 315 m high waterfall is one of Cherrapunji’s most spectacular locations.
The waters crash down Khasi Hills’ slippery limestone cliffs into a cavernous gorge. The rising and setting of the water is showered calmly and glows gloriously in crystalline. This location is a paradise for photography freaks, with a picturesque setting and lush greenery.
Mawkdok Dympep Valley
The Mawkdok Dympep Valley is discovered at the beginning of the Sohra circuit and it is a mandatory halt for tourists travelling to Cherrapunji. The viewpoint is a short walk down the road and provides endless panoramic views of the vibrant valley. It’s a breathtaking sight, when the clouds play hide and seek, particularly in the monsoons.
The valley’s expansive beauty appears very striking against the backdrop of calm, cloudy skies offering a stunning sunset panorama. Ziplining through the valley is the most exciting experience, with the cool air touching your body and the excites your soul. So every nature lover and adventure seeker cherishes it.
Dainthlen Waterfall
Another beautiful spot in Cherrapunji is Dainthlen Waterfalls. These falls are now the most popular tourist places due to the presence of natural rock carvings. If local residents and historical tales to be believed, this waterfall is named after a big snake killed by the local people to end the snake’s terror.
There are also some stones in the vicinity of the falls that mark this violent act. The waters slide through heavily wooded hills from a height of around 90 m. Monsoons rejuvenate the region, but visitors are welcome all year long. Exploring Dainthlen Fällen is a splendid experience for those who want to get away from social lifestyle.
Krem Mawmluh
Tucked away in Khasi Hills near Cherrapunji, Krem Mawmluh cave is one of the most exciting tourist spots of Cherrapunji. It is the 4th longest cave of India and offers chances for caving and exploration. The entrance to the cave sits low and leads to a shallow pool before opening upwards.
The cave’s main entrance is a pool, which allows you to wade through a stretch of water. There are five separate rivers flow inside the cave walls and converge close to the entrance to form a shallow lake giving a dizzying view. Visiting Krem Mawmluh is suitable for adventure seekers.
Thangkharang Park
Thangkharang Park is located 12 km away from Cherrapunji, is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. It is close to the Khoh Ramhah rock and offers you a panoramic view of Bangladesh and Kynrem falls cascading into three levels. The park has a beautiful fountain, garden for little children and various species of plants and trees in the greenhouse in the park.
There is a small bridge that helps the visitors to reach the other section of the park and offers a stunning view of the plains and the valley. Monsoon is the best time to visit the park and the Khoh Ramhah rock when the entire valley is covered in lush greenery.
Adventure Activities in Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji is a paradise for adventure enthusiasts, especially trekkers. The most famous trekking itinerary is the one that leads to Nongriat village’s Double Decker Living Root Bridge. Other activities that you can do in Cherrapunji include river canyoning from Nongthymmai to steel rope bridge in Menteng, rock climbing and camping.
Note: Those people who are Claustrophobic, Asthama or suffering from heart diseases should avoid entering caves of Cherrapungi.
Overall this beautiful town of Meghalaya is perfect for nature lovers and for those who love experiencing adventure activities, especially in Monsoon Season. So join your travelling group now and directly rides with your vehicles following the safety norms following the misty clouds in the mountains of Cherrapungi.
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