On your North East Package Tour, one of the first things that you should visit is the mist covered Nohkalikai Falls. From Cherrapunji (Sohra), Nohkalikai Falls is about 7.5 km away which is in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, it is the most tallest waterfall in India and you will be amazed to see that. The height of the waterfall is 1100 feet, you can experience this waterfall as one of the popular tourist attractions of Cherrapunji and you must add Nohkalikai waterfalls to your Shillong Meghalaya Package Tour itinerary.
Cherrapunji, once upon a time was one of the wettest places on Earth, which was insanely famous for its living root bridges in the village of Nongriat also but Double Decker the Living Room Bridge which is also worth visiting. And, they are lucky enough to have this amazing fall even they steal the limelight from Nohkalikai Falls in the tourism. Visit Nohkalikai when the falls are in their full form and that is the Moonsoon season. There is a viewing gallery, from where tourists can enjoy a panoramic view of the waterfalls and also enjoy the lush surroundings. Some stairs are there which takes you to other viewpoints. Please go through the article and you will know more about the Nohkalikai waterfalls and reasons why it is a must-visit place.
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME :
On the day of the visit our guide started narrating the extremely unpleasant story behind the waterfall’s name origin. There is a depressing story behind the naming of this waterfall. Noh Ka Likai, means "the leap of Likai" in local Khasi tribe’s language. They believe it that a woman named Ka Likai was a widow and had a daughter from this marriage. She remarried so that her daughter can have the love of a father, but her new husband hated the daughter as Ka Likai gave all her time to her little one. Once, when she was away for work, he killed the little girl and cooked her flesh as a meal. When she was back from the work, she was surprised not see her daughter around but she was happy as well that her husband had cooked a meal specially for her and she satisfied herself by telling that her daughter must be out playing in the neighborhood and she enjoyed the food. After that as usual she picked the betel nut basket and found her daughter’s fingers in it and filled with sadness, grief, and angriness she rushed to the cliff and threw herself down blaming herself. So from that day it named as Nohkalikai Waterfalls. That’s when the waterfall renamed as Nohkalikai.
WHEN TO VISIT NOHKALIKAI FALLS-
The perfect time to visit Nohkalikai Falls depends what you want to see. Like May to September (monsoon) is perfect as that time you can witness the falls in its full glory, and October to January is the best time for trekking and view of the fall.
BEST TIME OF THE DAY TO ENJOY THE FALLS-
Visiting the waterfall depends upon what you want to see. If you want to enjoy the beauty of the falls from the viewpoint, then I’d say go in the late afternoon when the mist cleared and stay till evening and you will witness the amazing sunset over the falls which will be worth visiting.
If you want to hike and trekking is on your mind, then get up early morning, that will be the best time to start off because the trek will take between 4 to 5 hours depending upon the weather and your walking capacity.
HOW TO REACH THE NOHKALIKAI FALLS -
You can reach Nohkalikai Falls by a cab or car from Cherrapunji (Sohra) or you can even walk from Sohra, who loves to trek or explore nature.
NOHKALIKAI FALLS EXPERIENCE -
There are several options to enjoy the Nohkalikai Falls. The view-point along the cliff gives you the panoramic view of the falls which will be an absolute bliss. There are several other viewpoints also. The view which you will get is not just the view of waterfall, but also the beauty of lush greenery will amaze you. The trek to the waterfall’s edge through lush grasslands, forested hills, enormous boulders over a fossil covered river bed, and clear streams, takes over 2 hours and it rewards you with the unique views of Nohkalikai. Sitting amongst the nature and listening to the sounds of the jungle will be something which you couldn’t forget. You will fall in love with the beauty once you step near the waterfalls. That’s how amazing the waterfall is.
Note: The trek to the waterfall’s bottom isn’t easy, especially with kids, as it involves a lot of climbing down the rocks and boulders along the mountain path. There are few decent places to eat near the falls.
THINGS TO DO IN NOHKALIKAI FALLS -
- Trekking
- Brid watching
- Swimming
- And the best place for Nature Photography
OTHER PLACES YOU CAN VISIT NEAR NOHKALIKAI FALLS -
- Double Decker Root Bridge
- Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang Falls)
- Dainthlen Falls
- Mawsmai and Arwah Caves
NOHKALIKAI FALLS TRAVEL TIPS -
- I recommend you to hire a good guide with you during the trek.
- You need almost an entire day if you want to trek the falls.
- Carry a raincoat during the trip as you’ll most likely get wet while trekking, as most of the time it may rain.
- You can even do shopping like local spices, honey, and handicrafts also from the local market at the parking lot near the Nohkalikai Viewpoint.
Hope with my article you will get an idea as to how to plan your North East Package Tour to behold this mesmerizing water falls. Along with this astonishing beauty you can include other attractions also in your North East Tour Itinerary like - Living Single Decker Root Bridge, Double Decker Root Bridge, Mawlynnong Village, Dawki River, Caves in Jayanti, Garo and Khasi Hills and even Kaziranga National Park you can include in your North East Tour Itinerary.
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