Trek to the top of Nohkalikai Falls
Your Nohkalikai Falls Trek begins with a walk along a slippery mud path with moss covered rocks on the side.
At the end of this mudpath there is a riverbed that has several boulders which you can use as stepping stones to get across.
Once you cross the riverbed, you will need to walk a little further till you reach Tlai Falls which is a much smaller version of Nohkalikai Falls. You can rest here for sometime and enjoy the views.
Moving forward you will come across stunning landscapes with caves, natural pools, gorges and 1000 year old fossils.
A walk till the end of the cave will bring you directly to the mouth of the 1115 feet high Nohkalikai Waterfalls. The view is simply incredible and you can click as many pictures as you want.
Return to the entrance along the same route.
Your Nohkalikai Falls Trek comes to an end.
Water Bottle - Pack a sturdy water bottle which you can refill during your trip. Carry your filled water bottle during the trek to the top of the falls.
Shoes - Pack a good and comfortable pair of hiking shoes with excellent grip for your trek as the trekking route to the Nohkalikai Falls is quite slippery. Make sure that they are not brand new as new ones may bite.
Warm clothes - Always pack a light waterproof jacket even if you are traveling here during summer. Sudden showers will not hinder your plans if you do so.
Essentials:
Medicines - Pack emergency medicines for cold, cough, cuts and bruises, Ointments or sprays for sore muscles, mosquito repellent, bug sprays and your prescription drugs.
Raincoat - This trek will definitely get you completely soaked even if it is a perfectly sunny day so it is best to bring a raincoat for yourself if you don't like to get wet.
Sun block - Pack a good quality sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap to protect yourself from the sun's glare.
By bus - The Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) and the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) have a number of buses that travel to and fro from Shillong and Guwahati. Depending on your budget you can choose what kind of bus you want to book such as sleeper, AC, Luxury or Volvo.
By car - You can drive to Shillong from Guwahati via NH40 which will take approximately 3-4 hours to complete. NOTE: the road is very twisted and is best for experienced drivers. The Nohkalikai Falls is approximately 54 km drive away from the city center of Shillong.
By train- You can take a train to Guwahati from where you will need to book a cab to get into Shillong. Keep in mind the roads here are very twisted and can make you nauseous. The Nohkalikai Falls is 54 kms and you can drive there.
By air- The nearest airport is Umroi Airport in Shillong or you can use the Guwahati Airport which is about 130 km from Shillong and can be accessed from anywhere in the country.
You need to book a Licensed Guide to get the best of your trip and also for safety reasons as the trek route has many twists and turns along with many steep ascends and descends.
Take a camera with you as there will be some truly unique landforms and fossils that are millions of years old which you can take pictures of.
You will get an exceptional view of Bangladesh from Nohkalikai viewpoint which is unbeatable.
You can shop for handicrafts, honey and local spices that you can take with you as souvenirs for yourself, your family and friends.
You need to set aside at least a day for you to easily trek around the Nohkalikai Falls without rushing and be able to really appreciate the beauty of the falls.
Carry a raincoat and caps at all times whether it be sunny or rainy as there's always a chance for you to get soaked.
Where is the Nohkalikai Falls located?
The Nohkalikai Falls is the tallest plunge waterfall in India with a height of 1,115 feet and it is located in Meghalaya near Cherrapunjee which is the place with the most rainfall in the world.
How difficult is the Nohkalikai Falls Trek?
The Nohkalikai Falls trek is considered a moderately hard trek. The trek is best during winters but people with multiple health problems, old people and young children shouldn't do this trek due to its landscape.
What is the best time to do Nohkalikai Falls Trek?
The best time to visit the Nohkalikai trek is from September to May. The months right after the monsoon are great as you will get to see the Falls at its best. The winter months from December to March are a great time to express the beauty of this northeastern state but the waterfalls and rivers will not be as full as it is during the rainy season and just after the monsoons.
What is the highest altitude of the Nohkalikai Falls Trek?
The highest altitude of the Nohkalikai Falls is at 1,115 feet and can easily be achieved by people with good physical health. The scenery from here is simply mesmerizing.