Discover East Khasi Hills
Accommodation in East Khasi Hills
Deep waterfalls, caves, forests and Khasi culture shape the diverse experiences in East Khasi Hills. In Shillong, you can visit museums and take a guided tour through a historic city district; around Sohra (Cherrapunji), you’ll find caves and waterfalls. When looking for a holiday apartment, it therefore helps to consider which of the region’s attractions you want to make the focus of your trip.
Waterfalls, caves and gorges
Nohkalikai Falls plunge 340 m into a deep, emerald-green pool. They are in East Khasi Hills district, about 7.5 km from Sohra. Nohsngithiang descends more than 300 m in seven segments and is also known as Seven Sisters Falls. The nearest town, Sohra, is 3.7 km away; the best time to visit is considered to be from June to September. The different forms of the falls and the distances given provide concrete points of reference if waterfalls are among the highlights of your trip.
The caves also offer different experiences. Mawsmai Cave is in Cherrapunji (Sohra), about 58 km from Shillong. It is lit to make exploration easier, extends approximately 150 m into the hillside, and is considered safe and easy to navigate, even for beginners. Arwah Cave is also in Cherrapunji (Sohra), about 58 km from Shillong. Its limestone walls contain fossilised crustacean shells and fish bones; inside, it forms a labyrinth of numerous twists and turns. If you prefer a lit cave with a stated length, Mawsmai has these features. Arwah combines exploration of its winding interior with visible fossils.
Mawkdok-Dympep Valley is in Meghalaya, on the road between Shillong and Cherrapunji. It offers views of a river-carved gorge, as well as zipline rides across the gorge. A view of the landscape and an active experience are thus available at the same named valley, catering to different travel interests.
Experience Khasi culture and history
In Mawlai, Shillong, the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures offers insights into the diverse ways of life of Indigenous communities in Northeast India. Nineteen galleries display cultural objects and paintings, including a skywalk gallery. The Ever Living Museum has a different focus: visitors can see traditional weapons, musical instruments, bamboo crafts and rare coins from the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities. The museum can be reached by local buses and shared taxis from Laitumkhrah or Bara Bazaar.
If you’re interested in Shillong’s history, you can plan a 2.5-hour guided walking tour through the historic European Ward. In Smit, the capital of the Khyrim Syiemship, the five-day Nongkrem Dance Festival takes place annually in November. This cultural celebration is deeply rooted in Khasi tradition and includes sacred rituals and a strong sense of community. If you’re travelling in November, the festival can therefore be a reason in itself to include Smit in your travel plans.
At the Twahlongwar Open-Air Museum, your visit begins with information and tickets at the information centre. This is followed by a 30- to 45-minute climb, after which visitors explore the site with a guide. Archaeological investigations have uncovered the remains of an ancient settlement, a former marketplace, burial sites and megalithic monuments. The visit therefore combines a guided tour with places and traces from different aspects of life in the past.
Make forests and trails your travel focus
In the heart of Mawphlang lies the Sacred Grove, an ancient forest protected by the Khasi community for generations. The David Scott Trail, around 16 km long, also runs through the same area between Mawphlang and Lad Mawphlang. The trail was once part of a colonial trade route and is best explored between October and April. If you plan this hike, factor the approximate total distance into your day’s itinerary; no walking time is specified.
In Laitiam, visitors can visit craft workshops where local cane is used for furniture and handicrafts. A living root bridge connects Laitiam with Shella Bolagunj and formerly served as a route for villagers. A trip focused on local crafts and the Khasi landscape therefore offers a different experience from the museums in Shillong or the caves and waterfalls near Sohra.
When choosing your holiday apartment, you can first consider whether your trip will focus mainly on what Shillong has to offer, the caves and waterfalls near Sohra, or nature and cultural experiences at other places mentioned here. More local destination pages: Shillong, Cherrapunji and Mylliem.
For the overarching travel overview: Meghalaya.
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