What to Wear in Cherrapunji
In Sohra, what you wear is mostly about rain, steps and wet rock. Dress for a sudden downpour at a windy cliff edge, and for thousands of stone steps if you are going to the root bridge.
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A real rain jacket, not an umbrella
The viewpoints stand on open cliff edges, and the wind that brings the rain also turns umbrellas inside out. A hooded rain jacket and quick-dry trousers are the most useful things you can pack, even outside the monsoon. Keep your phone and money in a dry bag or a zip-lock pouch.
Shoes for steps and wet stone
The trek to the Double Decker root bridge is thousands of stone steps down and back up, often wet and mossy. Wear trail shoes or sports sandals with a good grip and a back strap. Flip-flops and smooth soles slip. In Mawsmai Cave the floor is damp and uneven, and many visitors go barefoot, so shoes that come off easily help.
Warm layers in winter
Sohra sits at about 1,430 m. December and January nights are cold, with lows that can fall to around 5°C. Bring a fleece or down jacket and something warm for the evening, since many homestays have no heating. In the monsoon it is mild, and a thin layer under the rain jacket is enough.
Khasi dress
Khasi women wear the jainsem, two lengths of cloth fastened at each shoulder, often in checked or silk fabric. Men wear the sleeveless jymphong jacket on festival days. At Mawkdok Dympep Valley stalls rent Khasi outfits for photos, which is a popular and welcome way to try them. Handle festival silks with care and ask before photographing people in their own clothes.
Church and village manners
Sohra is mostly Christian. If you visit a church, dress neatly with shoulders and knees covered, and keep your voice low. In Nongriat and other villages, dress modestly and keep swimwear for the stream pools.
Questions
Cherrapunji — FAQ
Should I bring an umbrella or a raincoat to Sohra?
A hooded raincoat or rain jacket. The viewpoints are on windy cliff edges where umbrellas are hard to hold, and you need both hands on the root bridge steps.
What shoes should I wear for the root bridge trek?
Trail shoes or strapped sports sandals with a grippy sole. The steps are steep and often wet, and you cross streams and swaying wire bridges on the way.
How cold does Sohra get in winter?
December and January are the coldest months. Days are cool and nights can drop to around 5°C, so pack a warm jacket and layers.
Can visitors wear a Khasi jainsem?
Yes. Stalls at viewpoints such as Mawkdok rent jainsems and other Khasi outfits for photos. Wear them with respect, as they are also worn to church and at festivals.