Best Photo Spots in Cherrapunji
Sohra has five places that most photographers come for: two tall waterfalls, a living root bridge, a lit cave and a gorge on the road in. In this town the weather decides the photo more than the hour does.
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
- Best timeEarly morning if you have stayed in Nongriat, before the day-trekkers arrive; late afternoon for soft, even light on the roots once the crowd has gone back up.
- ColorsRustWhiteForest green
Entry Free (zipline extra)
Mawkdok Dympep Valley
- Best timeEarly morning, when mist sits in the gorge and the ridges stand out in layers; late afternoon for warmer light on the green slopes.
- ColorsRustWhiteForest green
Entry Nominal
Mawsmai Cave
- Best timeMorning, soon after opening, before queues fill the narrow passages; midweek for more time to stop and shoot.
- ColorsRustWhiteOlive
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Nohkalikai Falls
- Best timeMorning, before noon, when the sun is on the falls and the gorge is often clear; September to November for the fullest flow.
- ColorsYellowWhiteForest green
Medium crowdEntry Free
Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang)
- Best timeLate afternoon, when the setting sun lights the cliff and the streams; June to October for all seven running.
- ColorsYellowWhiteGreen
Waterfalls need the rain
The two big falls are fed by rain on the plateau, so their size follows the season. Seven Sisters Falls runs as seven streams only in the rainy months and can be almost dry in winter. Nohkalikai Falls keeps some water all year but thins out from December to February. For full falls and a chance of clear air, September to November is the best trade.
Cloud comes and goes in minutes
Cloud rises out of the gorges and can hide a waterfall completely, then clear a few minutes later. Do not give up at the first grey view. Wait at the railing with your camera ready, and shoot as soon as the gap opens. In the monsoon, much of the rain falls in the morning, so an afternoon visit can be clearer. In the dry season, haze from the plains often softens distant views.
Low light: the bridge and the cave
The Double Decker root bridge sits in shaded forest at the bottom of a deep valley, and Mawsmai Cave is lit by lamps. Both need steady hands. Raise your ISO, brace against a rock, and keep the lens dry. A small cloth in a pocket is more useful than any filter here.
Wide views
Mawkdok Dympep Valley is the best place for a layered view of ridges and mist, and it is an easy roadside stop. On clear days the southern cliffs of Sohra look out over the flat plains of Bangladesh, which makes a good background for a wide photo.
People and villages
Nongriat and the other villages are homes, not film sets. Ask before photographing people, especially children, and keep drones in your bag unless you have checked the local rules and asked the village.
Questions
Cherrapunji — FAQ
Which month is best for waterfall photos in Sohra?
September to November. The falls are still full after the monsoon, and the heaviest rain and cloud have usually eased. In June and July the falls are huge but often hidden by cloud.
Why can I not see the waterfall from the viewpoint?
Cloud often fills the gorge. It usually moves on within minutes, so wait at the railing rather than leaving straight away.
Can I see Bangladesh from Sohra?
On clear days, yes. The plateau ends in steep cliffs, and the flat plains of Bangladesh spread out below the southern viewpoints.
Do I need a tripod?
Not really. A tripod is awkward on the root bridge steps and in the narrow cave. A phone or camera braced on a rock or railing works for most shots.