An adventurous road trip from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya to Cherrapunji , the wettest place on Earth can be breathtakingly thrilling. Be it in a car or bike this whole journey can become a lifetime experience for many traveler’s. If you are here in search of information about the Road trip from Shillong to Cherrapunji then you are at the right place. We will now discuss everything you need to know before this journey starts.
What is the distance between Shillong and Cherrapunji?
The total route distance from shillong to cherrapunji is 57.3km. You would need around 2 hours to complete the journey.
However if you are taking quick stops in between then the time would vary.
How to reach Cherrapunji from Shillong
If you have your personal vehicle like a car or bike then no need to worry. You can just start your journey and follow the road maps. If you want to travel by bus you can take buses from the Bus Stand near Police Bazar. Bus service is regular on this route. You can also hire a taxi or a two wheeler from Police Bazar. Shillong to Cherrapunji taxi fare start around Rs.3000. The Meghalaya Tourism Department Corporation (MTDC) also organizes trips for Cherrapunji from Shillong but there you would not have the freedom to stop anywhere else as they only make a quick stop at the Dympep Valley View Point.
Shillong and Cherrapunji Tourist Places
Ward’s Lake
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Ward’s Lake is an artificial lake in Shillong that is shaped like a horse shoe. This is also known as the Pollock Lake or Nan Polok. The view here is amazing with cobble stoned footpaths and fountains. A wooden bridge is there just in the middle of the lake which is one of the most prominent features of this lake. The lake is equipped with a boating facility and a cafeteria as well.
Shillong Peak
Next stop is the Shillong Peak. This peak is the highest peak in Shillong standing as tall as 1970 meters. You can enjoy an all encompassing view of the entire city from this place. It is a beautiful place that gives a view of the Himalayas, the waterfalls as well as the Bangladesh plains. Telescopes are available for the viewers visiting there for a bird’s eye perspective. From there you can visit the Mahadev Khola Dham situated at upper Shillong which is near about 6 km drive from the church on the main road. This is one of the ancient temples in Meghalaya. There is a huge footfall of devotees here during the Maha Shivratri Mela.
Elephant Falls
The next spot is surely going to be one of the breathtaking viewpoints during this road trip. The Elephant Falls is a two tiered waterfall in Shillong. The sides of the waterfall are covered in lush greenery. This waterfall is an example of Horsetail-punchbowl waterfall. There is a ticket pricing of Rs.20 to view the waterfall and there are additional charges for cameras as well. Locally this waterfall is called Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew.
Wah Kaba Waterfalls
The Next spot will be a short drive to the Wah Kaba waterfalls. The waterfall descends from rocks and drops approximately 170-190 meters into a gorge. The ambience is captivating enough to grab all the eyeballs. The sound of the waterfall along with the scenic beauty is a treat for the visitors.
Arwah Caves
Arwah cave is another popular sight in Meghalaya. This cave is easily accessible to regular visitors. The beauty of these caves lies in the lit-up interiors and fossils. In the limestone walls of the cave you can find fossils of crustacean shells and fish bones.
Mawkdok Dympep Valley View point
This view point is approximately six minutes away from the caves. The lush greenery of the sloping hills almost forming a V-shape looks spectacular. This place literally looks straight out of a picture. It is a treat to the eyes of the visitors and makes space for beautiful photographs. If you are interested in the Zip line then it would take you around 30minutes there.
Dainthlen Falls
This one is another popular sight in Meghalaya. There is a story about how the waterfall got its name. It is believed by many that once there was a big battle between U-Thlen who was a demon serpent who had terrorized the villagers there. Finally one day they captured the demon serpent and ate him after cutting into pieces. The waterfall got its name from there, Dainthlen meaning where Thlen was cut. This fall is traditionally and culturally of utmost importance to the Khasi community. During drier months people go for picnics and sightseeing in the rocky River bed.
NohKalikai Waterfalls
In India the tallest plunging waterfall is the NohKalikai Falls. The height is 340metres. You can see a plunge pool below the waterfall. This fall is located at the edge of Cherrapunji Plateau and therefore is always fed by the rain.
What to eat?
The food joints and shops along the way serve hot and delicious food and the pocket pinch is affordable. If you want to try something unique and local try Ja stem which is a Khasi preparation of rice along with green peas, onion and turmeric. You can also try the khasi daal. Another famous local food is tungrymbai which is a dish made using fermented soy bean, meat and spices. Dishes prepared in bamboo are another option if you want to experience the local taste.
Some quick tips you can follow before the road trip starts from Shillong to Cherrapunji:
Try to start the journey as early as possible. The Recommended time is 8am in the morning.
Try to carry umbrellas and raincoats as the weather is extremely unpredictable. Also carry necessary medicines along with mosquito repellants.
Best time to visit Cherrapunji
The best time to travel is October to February. During this time the weather condition is most favorable. Also the rainfall would be comparatively lesser during this time which would make the journey more enjoyable.
And that is going to be the full road trip from Shillong to Cherrapunji. If you are planning your trip the above mentioned spots are definitely a must visit. I think this article will help you in planning this road trip more easily. Let me know if this was helpful.
