Some places make you fall in love even before you reach the destination. The road from Guwahati to Cherrapunji is the one that gives you that kind of feeling. You will come across beautiful scenery surrounding you, full of greenery along the road as you leave the busy streets of Guwahati. You will notice that with every passing kilometre, the traffic becomes lighter and the weather starts to become comfortable.

By the time you reach Sohra, you will realize that the journey itself was one of the best parts of the trip.

Why Visit Cherrapunji?

Cherrapunji is one of the prettiest places in Northeast India, which is also called Sohra,. The town is famous for its enormous amounts of rainfall, but it has a lot to offer apart from that! People come here to witness the enormous waterfalls of the location, trek to large limestone caves, green valleys, living root bridges, and have wonderful views of the surrounding hills.

You will always find something interesting to do in this place. Different seasons give Cherrapunji a different charm, thus making this place worth visiting any time of the year.

Distance Between Guwahati and Cherrapunji

The distance from Guwahati to Cherrapunji is approximately 150 kilometers, and the journey takes around 4.5 to 6 hours, depending on traffic, weather, and road conditions,

Though the journey is a bit long, you will not get bored as the route is full of scenic spots where you will want to stop frequently and have a look at the winding mountain roads and panoramic valley views.

Best Ways to Reach Cherrapunji from Guwahati

A lot of options are available there to reach Cherrapunji from Guwahati, and which totally depends on your budget and travel style. Some of them are listed below. Kindly have a look:

Traveling by Private Taxi

Booking a private taxi is considered the best and most convenient way to travel around a place. This mode of commute lets you decide your trip the way you want it to be, where you don't need to worry about being on time for the changing of buses and trains or missing public transport completely.

In this mode, travelling becomes a lot of fun because it gives travelers the chance to stop by and visit any nice spots like Umiam Lake and various roadside cafes and viewpoints.

And if you are travelling, especially with family, the private taxi option is really the most suitable one in a lot of cases.

Traveling by Shared Taxi

You will find available shared cabs from Guwahati to Shillong on a regular basis. Once you reach Shillong, the next thing you need to do is to find another shared cab to go to Cherrapunji.

It might be cheaper compared to other options, yet it is not necessarily the wisest one, as you will have to wait until the cab is full before leaving, thereby a lot of your time will be wasted on the travelling itself.

People who are traveling on a budget prefer this mode, as it is one of the most affordable ways of traveling.

Traveling by Bus

Government buses and private buses operate between Guwahati and Shillong regularly. After reaching Shillong, travelers can take taxis or public buses to Cherrapunji.

Buses may be cheaper than any other mode, but they are not the easiest form of transport for travelers, especially if you are traveling with an elderly member with you or carrying heavy luggage.

Best Time to Visit Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji is open to visit at any time of the year, as different seasons give a completely different kind of experience, so you need to think about which season you want.

The monsoon season from June to September is a good time for a trip to Cherrapunji as the waterfalls are at their full flow, the hills are covered in clouds, and everything in the surroundings looks like a picture-perfect postcard. The trouble is, there is always a chance of getting wet, as you will experience frequent rainfall.

The months from October to February are great because the weather is mild and the skies are clear. This is the peak season for sightseeing, taking pictures, trekking, or examining caves.

The months of March to May are perfect as the weather is still nice and the crowds are small. Nature is nice and green at this time, so it's a good time for a trip too.

Now it's your call which one you prefer the most, and plan your trip according to your preferences, requirements, and convenience.

The Scenic Route from Guwahati to Cherrapunji

The journey by road itself is probably the best highlight of the trip. As soon as you leave Guwahati, you will get into the foothills of Meghalaya. The condition of the roads is good, so the drive is definitely going to be very pleasant.

After leaving Guwahati, you will shortly arrive at one of the main places of interest, Umiam Lake, located just a few kilometres before the city of Shillong. This massive man-made lake is surrounded by hills covered with lush green forests and is a perfect place to relax and have breakfast.

As you continue to drive from Shillong, you will see how dramatically the scenery changes. You will see hills, valleys, waterfalls, forests, scenic countryside landscapes, and beautiful views until you arrive in Cherrapunji.

Along the entire route, you will notice that travelers make many stops every few kilometers to admire the views around.

Places to Visit in Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji is loved by travelers because it has a variety of scenic spots packed into a relatively small area. Below are some of the sights surrounding Cherrapunji.

NohKaLikai Falls

This is one of India's highest waterfalls, the NohKaLikai Falls, which is the most well-known site in Cherrapunji. The green water in the pool under the waterfall makes the scene awesome after the monsoons.

Seven Sisters Falls

This beautiful waterfall looks stunning during monsoon season when waterfalls flow down from seven different streams simultaneously. The viewpoint there gives a wonderful view of the surrounding valleys and farther to Bangladesh.

Mawsmai Cave

The limestone cave offers an exciting underground experience. The pretty rock formations and narrow passages allow both beginners and skilled explorers to have fun.

Arwah Cave

This place is less crowded than Mawsmai Cave. Arwah Cave is quieter and has beautiful limestone formations, and there you can see remains of fossils millions of years old.

Double Decker Living Root Bridge

This is probably the most unusual sight in Meghalaya. This unique structure has been formed by guiding the roots of rubber trees over the years by the local people.

Wei Sawdong Falls

Wei Sawdong Falls is famous for its bright blue water and tiered shapes, and this waterfall has gained a lot of admirers and is often looked for by adventure seekers and photographers. A short walk is required to reach the waterfall; tourists agree that the sight makes the journey worth it.

How Many Days Are Enough for Cherrapunji?

Tourists can get to Cherrapunji from Shillong in just one day, but it's always better to stay for a couple of nights if you want to explore the place with ease.

This way, tourists have more time to see the most interesting waterfalls, caves, viewpoints, living root bridges, and villages in the area seamlessly.

Where to Stay in Cherrapunji

You can for sure find a place to stay in Cherrapunji that fits your budget. If you are a budget traveler, many guesthouses and homestays are available, offering comfortable rooms at a very reasonable price. You can also find mid-range hotels with modern facilities, from which you can have easy access to tourist attractions.

Also, there are High-end resorts that offer luxury rooms, pampering amenities, and stunning views, making them great to visit for honeymooners and families looking for a getaway. It's best to book your stay in advance, especially during peak tourist periods.

Food You Should Try

If you are in Cherrapunji, then you should definitely try the local Khasi foods! Most of the restaurants in the area serve the typical dishes made from fresh ingredients found locally. Locals and tourists alike enjoy rice, smoked meat, bamboo shoots, local vegetables, and tasty soups.

In addition to the local cuisine, you will find many restaurants serving North Indian, Chinese, and continental food if you are in the mood for something more familiar. Along the way, many small roadside cafes serve tea where you can stop and sip hot tea while admiring the views of the mountains.

Travel Tips for a Smooth Journey

Firstly, you should always carry a small raincoat or a small umbrella, even in the winter, because the weather in the mountains is unpredictable and can change at any time.

Secondly, good footwear is a must because some attractions involve hiking, staircases, or tough pathways.

Mobile coverage is usually good; however, occasionally in certain remote areas, there may be a weak signal.

You should carry some cash on hand as digital payments will not be honored everywhere.

If you are traveling during monsoons, be sure to check weather reports, as rain may affect roads.

Most importantly, leave Guwahati early to avoid traffic and enjoy the scenic drive in the morning.

Conclusion:

If you are searching for a place for your next trip and your requirements are something that mixes adventure, nature, and some good old peace from the city, then Cherrapunji is the place that can be beaten by any other destination.

The road from Guwahati to Cherrapunji is nice and smooth to travel on, with several amazing stops along the way. Once you reach the destination, you will understand why travelers from all parts of India come to this beautiful part of Meghalaya year after year.