Photo spot in Nongriat
Rainbow Falls
Nongriat, Meghalaya
A tall, powerful waterfall about an hour's further trek beyond Nongriat, plunging into a turquoise pool where the spray throws rainbows in the morning sun — a rewarding hike deeper into the gorge.
Best time
Late morning on a clear day, when the sun reaches the spray and the rainbow appears; early morning for an empty pool in even light.
Best angle
Stand on the boulders at the edge of the pool, a little to one side, and take a tall, vertical photo of the whole drop with the rainbow across its foot.
Entry fee
No separate entry fee at Rainbow Falls. The village charges a small entry fee at the double-decker bridge on the way in, and sometimes a separate camera fee — carry small notes.
Opening hours
Daylight hours
Crowd level
Low
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Rainbow Falls
Late morning on a clear day, when the sun reaches the spray and the rainbow appears; early morning for an empty pool in even light. Crowds here are typically low. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Rainbow Falls
Stand on the boulders at the edge of the pool, a little to one side, and take a tall, vertical photo of the whole drop with the rainbow across its foot. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
By the waterfall
At the turquoise pool
Outfit guide
What to wear at Rainbow Falls
For photos at Rainbow Falls, teal, forest green and coral work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Nongriat.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Nongriat.
Eat nearby
Food near Rainbow Falls
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for tungrymbai nearby, or settle in at one of the 1 restaurants close by.
Special dishes to try
Restaurants & food places nearby
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Good to know
Local tips
Leave Nongriat by 8 am to reach the falls for the late-morning rainbow.
Wear shoes with grip that can get wet; there are stream crossings on rocks.
Carry at least a litre of water each and a packed lunch from your homestay.
Ask your homestay whether the stream crossings are safe that day, especially after rain.
Do not attempt the walk in heavy monsoon rain, when the streams rise fast.
Keep to the edges of the pool if you swim; the middle is deep and cold.
Turn back by early afternoon so you are in the village well before dark.
The falls beyond the village
Rainbow Falls is a tall waterfall deep in the gorge beyond Nongriat. It drops over a rock face into a wide pool that turns a clear blue in the dry months. On a sunny day, when the light reaches the spray, a rainbow forms across the foot of the falls, which is how it got its name.
A second walk, not a stroll
Reaching it is a separate effort from the Nongriat steps. From the double-decker root bridge most people take one and a half to two hours each way. The path is rougher than the main stone staircase: rocky, uneven, with climbs, descents and stream crossings on stones. There is a small natural pool, sometimes called the blue lagoon, on the way. Most walkers do this as the middle day of a stay in Nongriat, not after coming down from Tyrna the same morning.
At the falls
The viewing area is a scatter of boulders around the pool. The water is cold and deep in places, and there are no lifeguards. Swim only in calm, shallow edges, and not at all if the water is high. In the monsoon the falls are loudest and fullest, but the trail and crossings are at their most dangerous, and the rainbow is rarely seen through the cloud.
Going with a guide
A local guide from the village is not required, but helps on the less obvious parts of the trail and knows when the stream crossings are safe. Ask at your homestay. There is sometimes a small stall on the trail for tea and noodles, but carry your own water and food.
Plan your time
Leave Nongriat by about 8 am. That gets you to the falls for late morning, when the rainbow is most likely, and back to the village in daylight. Pair it with an evening in the village and a swim in the natural pools.
Questions
Rainbow Falls — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Rainbow Falls?
Late morning on a clear day, when the sun reaches the spray and the rainbow appears; early morning for an empty pool in even light. Stand on the boulders at the edge of the pool, a little to one side, and take a tall, vertical photo of the whole drop with the rainbow across its foot.
Is there an entry fee at Rainbow Falls?
No separate entry fee at Rainbow Falls. The village charges a small entry fee at the double-decker bridge on the way in, and sometimes a separate camera fee — carry small notes.
What are the opening hours of Rainbow Falls?
Rainbow Falls keeps daylight hours.
What should I wear at Rainbow Falls?
Teal, forest green and coral photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Rainbow Falls get?
Crowd levels are typically low. To miss the busiest window: late morning on a clear day, when the sun reaches the spray and the rainbow appears; early morning for an empty pool in even light.
What food should I try near Rainbow Falls?
Try tungrymbai, available at nearby restaurants.
How far is Rainbow Falls from the double-decker root bridge?
Most people take one and a half to two hours each way on foot. It is a rough trail with climbs and stream crossings, not a paved path.
Can I see Rainbow Falls and the double-decker bridge in one day from Tyrna?
Only if you are very fit and start at first light. Most people stay a night in Nongriat and do Rainbow Falls the next morning.
Is it safe to swim at Rainbow Falls?
Only at the calm edges in the dry months. The pool is deep and cold, there is no lifeguard, and it is not safe when the water is high.
Why is it called Rainbow Falls?
When sunlight reaches the spray at the foot of the falls, usually on clear mornings, a rainbow forms across the pool.