CHERRAPUNJEE

Sunny days are few here. But still bright dry days are not rare and can be the best time to make a trip to this wild and sparsely populated place. There are many sites to visit in Cherrapunjee. But what should not be missed are the spectacular water falls. No one hates a silent, natural and isolated place if he spends only a few moments there.

Here is some useful information for a tourist who is thinking of undertaking a trip to Cherrapunjee.

• Visit Cherrapunjee in early summer (March to May) to enjoy the rain as well as the waterfalls. But if you want a bright sunny weather go in February (note you won’t find the waterfalls then). It is better not to venture into Cherrapunjee in June & July as there are thunder storms. There is lightening at head level which is dangerous and strong winds will always blow away your umbrella. The rain almost never stops.
• Cherrapunjee has a good network of lanes but has too many of them to confuse a new driver. So do not go alone if you are new. There are now sigh boards fixed that show the way to a spot.
• Stay in Shillong ( there are many cheap hotels) and make a day trip to Cherrapunjee. Take a conducted tour in a bus. It is cheaper and you won’t miss a spot. But if you are an explorer hire a taxi. You can also take a guide but choose a good one. You will find a MTDC office and a private tour agency at Police Bazar, Shillong who will cater to your needs.
• Orchids can be seen growing wildly in Cherrapunjee. Birds and animals are few. But there is greenery all around. One popular variety of flower that is seen here and there on the hill slopes is the Rhododendron. It is a small tree with pink flowers.
• In Cherrapunjee you will see many coal mines with hips of coal around.
• Rain is a menace here in summer. Better bring a rain coat or a strong umbrella will do.
• You need not stay in Cherrapunjee. There are many good cheap hotels in Shillong. You will only have to do some searching on foot.
• There are 8 sites to see in Cherrapunjee. You can see more but it will take more time. The typical 8 spots takes a single day. Start early.

1. The first spot is a point on the way. It is called Mawdok View point. There is a small hanging bridge and you can climb down a long line of curving stairs to reach a plateform from which you can view a great valley.Climbing up & down is very tiring due to the cold.

2. The next stop is at the Ramkrishna Mission. There is a museum, a book shop, a temple and a place where a rain gause is kept and from where you can see Mawsynram. Big packs of Dalchini (Cinnamon) can be got here.

3.&4. The 3^rd & 4^th points are two waterfalls. They are beautiful and magestic.

5. Next comes the Mawsmai cave. It is lighted inside and if you dare you can somehow manage to enter, and leave at the backside. Lunch is available at this point only.

6. Mawtrop is the place where Bangladesh is seen. In winter atmospheric dust blocks the view. There is a mighty natural monolith near the view point. A pillar like rock made to represent the burial place of an ancestor is a Khasi monolith.

7. & 8. The last two spots are parks. They are simple: one with an orchidarium and the other with a cliff which is the mouth of a waterfalls.

There are small stalls at each spot where you can have tea and snacks. No road maps of Cherrapunjee are available at present. But here are some images which will help you to identify the tourist spots.