Nohkalikai Falls

1 dayBest: Oct–MayNatural Landscapes#waterfall#tallest#pool

Tallest plunge falls in India

Why this weekend?

370m plungeTeal poolViewpoint

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The great falls
- Deck views
- Stairs trail
- Mist stop
- Cliff walk
- Return

Geography & terrain

Nohkalikai Falls lie in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, 5 km from Cherrapunji and 60 km from Shillong — the plunge falls of the region, its 340-metre drop, the viewpoints and the rain forest set on the plateau's cliff edge.

History & culture

The falls' story runs with the tragic Khasi legend — the falls named after Ka Likai (the woman of the legend of the daughter's loss) and the plunge of the region's highest single drop, with the falls' modern role as the heritage stop of the Meghalaya circuit and the home of the viewpoint stairs and the rain-monsoon's full flow; the falls' history of the legend's telling and the seasonal water's brown and the clear days' white, gives the falls their legend character.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

340-metre drops
Viewpoint decks
Mist edges
Cliff walks
Rain legends

Eat & drink

Jadoh (rice with pork)
Dohneihong (minced meat)
Tungrymbai (fermented soya)
Pumaloi (steamed rice cake)

Getting there

Fly: Shillong (SHL) / Guwahati (GAU) nearest major
Train: Guwahati for long-distance rail
Road from Guwahati: 100 km / 3 hr to Shillong
Getting around: Shared taxis and autos

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹3,000–8,000 (1 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,000–5,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Activities: ₹700–1,100

Month by month

Jan · Best: 7–23°C · Light rain
Feb · Good: 10–26°C · Light rain
Mar · Good: 14–30°C · Moderate rain
Apr · Hot: 18–32°C · Moderate rain
May · Pre-monsoon: 21–33°C · Heavy rain
Jun · Monsoon: 23–32°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon: 23–32°C · Heavy rain
Oct · Good: 18–30°C · Moderate rain
Nov · Best: 12–27°C · Light rain
Dec · Best: 8–24°C · Light rain

Practical info

Language: Khasi / Garo; English common (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Oct–May
Connectivity: Patchy in villages — offline maps essential
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The falls ask the post-monsoon (Jun–Sep) water
The decks ask the entry hours
The season (Oct–May) holds the clear views

Frequently asked questions

What are the Nohkalikai Falls?

The 340-metre plunge falls of the Cherrapunji.

What is there to do?

The views, the mist and the trails.

How long is the visit?

A full day.