Shillong – Cherrapunjee – Shillong (60 kms / 2 hrs-one way)
Today morning after breakfast excursion to Cherrapunjee. Visit DwanSyiem view point, Noh kalikai falls, Mawsmai caves, Seven Sister falls, Eco park etc. Later drive back to Shillong. On the way visit to Shillong Peak & Elephant Falls. Overnight stay at Shillong.
Shillong Peak: It is the highest point of Shillong, located in the upper Shillong an an altitude of 1961 meters (6,433 feet). The name Shillong originated from “Leishyllong” meaning god who is believed to live on the Shillong peak, overlooking the city. It is located 5 kilometers away from Shillong and on a clear day one can enjoy the beautiful view of the entire city.
Elephant Falls: Located in the Upper Shillong 10 kms away from the Shillong town it is one of the majestic waterfalls in Meghalaya. The water of this three steps falls comes down in flows from different levels over the fern-covered rocks and falls into the canyon down below. In the morning it forms a wonderful sight when the sun rays fall on the cascades of water creating the rainbow colors. The best time to visit the waterfalls is during the monsoon when it offers a breath-taking scenery. The forests covered with ferns and thick bamboo grooves are also worth visited for the nature lovers to find the presence of various species of butterflies, birds and orchids.
Nohkalikai falls: This waterfall located 4 kms away from Cherrapunjee and is possibly between 1500 and 2000 feet tall. Known to be the fourth longest fall in the world it carries a pathetic legend behind its name. A woman named Ka Likai had a illegitimate child. After marriage the husband became jealous of her love for her daughter. One day Ka Likai was out for work and her husband killed the daughter, cooked her flesh into a meal. When the woman inquired about her daughter, her husband showed the sign of ignorance. Before she went to look for her daughter, she thought of eating something and had the meal that her husband prepared for her. After having the meal she found both the wrist of her daughter in the betel-nut basket. Then she realized what had happened, killed her husband with a dagger and threw herself off this cliff of this falls. This is how the falls got its name which means “Fall of Ka Likai.”
Nohsngithiang Falls (also known as the Seven Sisters Waterfalls or Mawsmai Falls)
Mawsmai Cave: This 250m long cave is the major attraction for the tourists in Cherrapunjee. This cave is located 6 kms away from Cherrapunjee near to Mawsmai village. This natural limestone cave is wide enough for a person to walk comfortably, and one can see the myriads of stalagmites and stalactites all over the caves which are growing gradually. The caves are dark inside and electric torches are installed for the convenient of the tourists.
Eco Park: The Eco Park has been designed by the Meghalaya government to facilitate tourist to enjoy the ‘Green Canyons” ofSohra as well as the waterfalls that lie around it. There is a stream inside the park and one has to cross a bridge to get near the edge of the canyon.
The scenic beauty from the edge is awe inspiring. On the other side of the Eco Park is a view point to see the Bangladesh plains. The Eco Park also houses a wide variety of orchids, courtesy the Shillong Agri-Horticultural society.
Elephant Falls
/ Shillong Peak
/ Mawsmai Falls
/ Nohsngithiang Falls
/ The Eco Park
