Laitlum Canyons

Cherrapunji Tourism – An Ultimate Travel Guide, 2024

From fluffy clouds painting the blue sky to cascading waterfalls, Cherrapunji has it all. Just 55 kilometres from Shillong and at a height of 1300 meters, the city of Sohra, better known as Cherrapunji is located. Cherraounji Tourism has gained a lot of boost in the recent past as its popularity has grown a lot in this era of technology.
Cherrapunji is a must-visit for any traveller visiting Meghalaya. It is the hub of Khasi. Cherrapunji is a city that is like a vivid painting that leaves tourists and travellers mesmerized. It is located at the heart of Meghalaya and has an untouched, unblemished, and unperturbed beauty to it.
Some of the best cherrapunji tourism places include Seven Sister Falls, Wei Sawdong Falls, Dainthlen Falls, Arwah Caves, Mawsmai Caves, Eco Park and Thangkharang Park.
Apart from these Cherrapunji Places an astonishing living root bridge known as the Double Decker Living Root Bridge has also become famous.
Along with the Double Decker Living Root Bridge there are other less explored places in and around Cherrapunji. A traveller may need a Cherrapunji Tour Guide for exploring Double Decker Living Root Bridge and those places.

What Makes Cherrapunji So Famous?

Cherrapunji is known as the wettest place on earth with record rainfall of 104 centimetres. But that record was broken by a village on the southern slopes of the Khasi hills near Cherrapunji, named Mawsynram with a rainfall of 2300 centimetres. If someone wants to bask in the true beauty of nature, Cherrapunji is the place.
A result of bio-engineering by the local Khasi people, the double-decker living root bridge is a beauty in itself. It is also a splendid location for trekking. It also provides a mind-blowing view of the plains of Bangladesh.

When to Visit Cherrapunji for Tourism

The best time to visit Cherrapunji is the months of September till the month of December since the rain simmers down a lot. During these months the rainfall is minimum and the maximum temperature rises to an average of 16 degrees Celsius while the lowest can touch around 8 degrees Celsius. Since Cherrapunji is known for its heavy rainfall, or better to say downpour, scattered can be expected every now and then. The monsoon months hits Cherrapunji from June to August. When it rains in Cherrapunji, it pours.

Things to do in Cherrapunji

  • River Canyoning:River Canyoning is one of the best activities for thrill-seekers. Crossing a river, climbing a boulder, trekking by the river, this activity includes all. This is a very challenging activity and one’s physicality should be taken into account.
  • Boating along the Dawki river:Boating along the Dawki river is an experience of a lifetime. The water is so clear, that one can clearly see the marine life in the water. The view of the river is mesmerizing but what is more wonderful is the view of the lush green hills while boating in the river.
  • Ziplining:Ziplining is not an activity for the faint-hearted. Ziplining over the valley of Mawdok Dyempep. The activity is looked after by a team of well-trained staff who make sure that all the people undertaking this activity stay safe. It costs around five hundred rupees and can be done from sunrise to sunset.
  • Camping by the river Nongriat:Camping by the river Nongriat is a splendid experience. With the green lush forest along the sides of the river is the view during the daytime and the blanket of stars overhead during the night, one may not ever want to leave the place.

Itineraries for Cherrapunji Tour

You can choose your ideal Cherrapunji Tour plan from our list of Cherrapunji Tour Packages.

How do we reach Cherrapunji

The best way to reach Cherrapunji, especially by train is to first reach Shillong and then travel there. Since the closest airport to Cherrapunji is Shillong airport, it is really easy to travel from Shillong. Almost all types of transportation are available. Since there is no airport in Cherrapunji itself, you cannot fly in there directly.
One can also travel from Guwahati since the Guwahati railway Station is the nearest railway station to Cherrapunji. It is about 150 kilometres from Guwahati and is a well-connected station. Tourists can get to Sohra by availing of the direct transportation available in Guwahati.
If someone is willing to travel by road then traveling from Shillong is the best way. Local bus service as well as transportation provided by private service providers are available. While local buses are more crowded, private transportation provides a much more comfortable option for traveling by road. In a place like Cherrapunji, where the terrain is rough especially just after the monsoon season, traveling by crowded buses may not be comfortable or relaxing so to speak for tourists who visit Cherrapunji only to experience the beauty for a few days.

Languages
History
People

Khasi is the official language of Cherrapunji and Meghalaya as a matter of fact. Cherrapunji is a culturally rich and diverse part of the state that seemed to have grabbed the attention of the entire world. The people have their own mother tongue to speak even if the official language is Khasi. All the official, legal and Government-related documents are processed in Khasi. The Khasi language didn’t have a script of its own. Today it follows the Roman script introduced by Rev. Thomas Jones in 1842. It has a very strong oral tradition.

Though Cherrapunji is known for tall plunging waterfalls and lush green hills, it has a rich history too. The original name of the town was Sohra, which was pronounced “Cherra” by the British. The name eventually became ‘Cherrapunji’ which means ‘the land of the oranges’. Cherrapunji was the capital of the Khasi states until Shillong become the capital in 1864. There are shreds of evidence all over the town of Cherrapunji that it was under British authority. One can see the monument of David Scott who was the administrator of North East India from 1802 to 1831.

The town of Cherrapunji is comprised of mainly three tribal groups- the Khasis, the Jaintias, and the Garos. However, the majority of the Garo population lives in the western part of the state. The Khasis occupy the central part of the state and the Jaintias occupy the eastern part of the state. The Khasis & Jaintias together known as HynniewTrep, as of the Austro Mon-Khmer population are believed to have originated from Laos and Cambodia area and are said to be one of the oldest inhabitants. They are probably one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Indian Sub-continent.

Tips for visiting Cherrapunji

If you are vacationing in a place far away from your home town then you must take a few tips. It is advised to not go alone without proper guidance since Meghalaya is a hilly region with a population only in selected areas and getting stuck alone is a big problem. Always be with a guide. Apart from these, Cherrapunji can be considered a pretty safe place to travel around.
Pack an umbrella! That is a must. Make sure you pack appropriately.
Try to stick to the local transportation in Cherrapunji since they are much cheaper than private transportation. Make sure you have a piece of full knowledge about what you are eating. Stay healthy and eat healthy, always.

Rainfall in Cherrapunji

A visit to Cherrapunji is practically incomplete without experiencing the rainfall. So, the best time to visit Cherrapunji is in the months of October to May. The downpours are not harsh as a matter of fact, they are very pleasant and hygienic. The temperature during this season ranges between 10 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. In the Summertime, the maximum temperature that can be expected is 25 degrees Celsius. This is generally in the months of March, April and May. The monsoon season comes after this and is maximum in the month of June. The monsoon lasts till September. This is the most difficult time to visit Cherrapunji.

Weather in Cherrapunji

The summer months in Cherrapunji are from March till May. During these months, the maximum temperature one can expect is about 25 degrees Celsius. If it doesn’t rain and the skies are clear, it becomes quite humid during the summers. May is the wettest summer month here. Then comes the months of monsoon. It starts in May and continues till the end of September. The month of June is the wettest of them receiving the maximum rainfall. When it rains in Cherrapunji, it is better to say that it pours. The scenery after every downpour is beautiful. but during the rain, hardly anything can be seen and the surrounding goes white. Then comes the winter season from the month of October. But the temperature really drops in the month of November and the winter lasts till February. The lowest temperature one can experience is 5 degrees Celsius. However, the average temperature lingers around 15 degrees Celsius. With less rainfall, it is a good time to visit Cherrapunji. Though the temperature remains low in the winter months, October and February are quite pleasant.

SeasonTemperature
Summer(April-June) 15.9°C-30°C
Monsoon(July-September) 17.9°C-24.3°C
Winter(October-March) 3°C-15°C

Best Places to stay in Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji
NamePrice (Tentative)
Smoky Falls Mae Fi ResortStarts from Rs.4,500/- per night.
La Kupar InnStarts from Rs.3,000/- per night.
Jiva ResortsStarts from Rs.14,000/- per night.
Abode of CloudsStarts from Rs.3,000/-per night.
Amazing ResortStarts from Rs.3,000/- per night.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cherrapunji Tourism

1. What is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Cherrapunji is the winter times, that is the months of November to February.

2. Is the rainfall too much in Cherrapunji?

Cherrapunji is the wettest place in the world, so it rains less during the winter but has a heavy downpour during the monsoon months.

3. How much does it cost to stay in Cherrapunji?

High-end hotels as well that cost around twenty thousand rupees as well as homestays that cost around five thousand rupees to four thousand rupees are all available in Cherrapunji for night stays.

4. What fun activities can I do in Cherrapunji?

Boating, trekking, river canyoning, ziplining, and riverside camping are a few fun activities one can do in Cherrapunji.

5. How far are the tourist locations from Cherrapunji?

All the tourist locations are located at distance ranging from a few kilometers to thirty kilometers from Cherrapunji.

6. How far is the Nohkalikai Falls from Cherrapunji?

Nohkalikai is approximately 14 kilometers from Cherrapunji.

7. Is camping safe in Cherrapunji?

Yes, camping is done only at local camping sites and is overlooked by authorities.

8. What are the monsoon months in Cherrapunji?

Monsoon starts in May and ends in November. The wettest month is June.

9. What is the cheapest time to visit Cherrapunji?

The cheapest time to visit Cherrapunji is the month of September to November.

10. What is the wettest month in Cherrapunji?

The wettest month in Cherrapunji is the month of June.

11. Why is Cherrapunji so famous?

Cherrapunji is famous for its scenic beauty and lush green forests with beautiful waterfalls.

12. Where is Cherrapunji?

Cherrapunji is in Meghalaya, 53 kilometers from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya.

13. Which is the highest waterfall in Cherrapunji?

Nohkalikai Falls is the highest waterfall in Cherrapunji with a height of 1100 feet.

14. Does it rain daily in Cherrapunji?

No, it does not rain daily in Cherrapunji. However, apart from the monsoon season, one can expect rain once in a while.

15. What is the other name for Cherrapunji?

The other name for Cherrapunji is Sohra.

16. How can I reach Cherrapunji?

One can take a bus from Shillong to Cherrapunji or the car services provided by different traveling service providers to Cherrapunji.

17. How is the weather in Cherrapunji in peak season?

The peak tourist season is mostly the winters as summers get too humid for visitors and tourists avoid the rainy season.

18. Are Mawsynram and Cherrapunji the same?

No, Mawsynram and Cherrapunji are not the same. Mawsynram is 118 kilometres away from Cherrapunji.

19. How many days of the trip would Cherrapunji require?

It is advised to take a trip of 3 to 4 days to experience Shillong and about a day or two is enough to experience Cherrapunji.

20. What is the local food in Cherrapunji?

Pork Momos and Jadoh are two famous are must-eat local foods in Cherrapunji.