5 things to do in Cherrapunjee
Last September, I spent a pleasant week in Meghalaya exploring what the state had to offer. And yes, I did visit Cherrapunjee, the “wettest” place on planet earth !!! After spending two surprisingly rain-free days there, here’s my top 5 things to do in Cherrapunjee
Visit the “wettest” place on earth
While Cherrapunjee lost the moniker of the “wettest” place on earth to nearby Mawsynram, it still holds the record for the most rainfall recorded in human history !!! Spend some time exploring the sleepy town of Cherrapunjee and nearby sights. With the recently announced Rain Museum and cable car in Cherrapunjee, I’d expect a lot more to do within the town in coming years.
Trek to a double root bridge
Cherrapunjee makes an excellent spot from where to go explore the living root bridges that the region is renowned for. The bridges are constructed over decades by slowly prodding the roots of the native trees to grow across rivers, forming natural root bridges. The root bridge at Nongriat is a double decker one and involves an adventurous hike across rivers and through jungle to get to. But when you do get there, it’s a sight to behold.
Explore massive caves
Entering a deep and dark cave is probably not everyone’s idea of fun, but these natural wonders are a sight to behold. Arwah near the main town has a beautiful walkway that leads you to the caves. Inside you can explore various passageways, rock formations and even see fossils, in this massive cave complex that is rumored to extend to 10+ km. The smaller Mawsmai Caves and the nearby Seven sisters waterfalls are also worth a visit
See the breathtaking Nohkalikai Falls
No mention of Meghalaya would be complete without a mention of the numerous waterfalls that dot this hilly state. And Cherrapunjee is home to the mother of them all – the Nohkalikai Falls. The 1115 feet waterfall is the tallest plunge in India, and ends in a serene and extremely tempting pool of water
Immerse yourself in some local lore
From the sad story of Ka Likai after whom Nohkalikai was named, to the victorious tale of the slaying of the demon serpent that led to Dain-Thlen falls, there’s a story lurking in every corner of Cherrapunjee. So find a local storyteller and get your dose of local lore – from sad tales of love lost to eerie tales of ghosts on the misty highlands, Cherrapunjee has it all
Bonus – Warm your chilly bones around a camp fire
Find your way to the lovely Sa-i-mika resort and stay in a wooden cottage on the hills to round out your Cherrapunjee experience. Sipping hot tea and snacks while enjoying great conversation, around a wooden fire is what great trips are made of, and you can find that and a lot more at Sa-i-Mika, so do visit
