Posted 27 December 2022

9 waterfalls in Northeast India that will have you spellbound

North East India has a well-preserved natural beauty and attracts tens of thousands of tourists. The seven sister states, which constitute the North-Eastern part of India, relies on tourism to fund their local government as there are not many industries or companies here. Due to this, the serene beauty of nature is well preserved. The state of Sikkim is the first-ever state in India to have declared itself carbon-free and is running fully on green energy. Since tourism is one of the primary sources of income for North-Eastern states, the local government has made more efforts in maintaining the natural beauty of all the 7 sister states.

Some famous waterfalls of North-East India are Langshiang falls, Kakochang Waterfall, Nohsngithiang Falls, Nuranang Falls, Nohkalikai falls, Akashiganga Vantawng Falls, and Elephanta Falls. These waterfalls are well known throughout and also act as tourist attractions. People worldwide come here to experience the thrilling water adventure, which has led to the growth of many small resorts around the area as well.

1. Elephant Falls

This famous waterfall of North-East India is situated in Shillong. Elephant Falls is just 12 km from the main city of Shillong. The waterfall also shows a rainbow when the sunlight hits the water during the afternoon hours. Elephant Falls, also known as the 3-step waterfall, has 3 different sections wherein one follows the other. The forest officials have maintained good greenery all around the waterfalls, and people are not allowed to come here during nighttime.

2. Nohsngithiang Falls

This famous waterfall is situated in the wettest part of the world at Cherrapunji in East Khasi Hills. Nohsngithiang Falls is also known as the Seven sisters waterfalls as one main branch of the waterfall gets divided into 7 layers when it makes its way down the mountain.

3. Kakochang Waterfall

The Kakochang Waterfall is situated in the Kaziranga Forest. People come to this forest to visit the famous one-horned rhinoceros and enjoy a refreshing bath under the Kakochang Waterfall. The waterfall is closed during the rainy season as the road leading to this gets quite slippery, which could be dangerous for the tourist. There is no entry fee, and here people are taken on a bamboo raft and the mouth of the waterfall to witness a serene view of the whole Kaziranga Forest.

4. Langshiang falls

This waterfall is in the Sangriang Village. It is around 1106 ft high, and the forest official advises people not to stand directly below the waterfall as the pressure of water is too high and could cause damage. To witness this waterfall, tourists need to make their way to Nongkhnum river island by trekking, and there is no easy way around it.

5. Vantawng Falls

This is regarded as the tallest waterfall in Mizoram and is situated inside the forest of the Serchhip district. Tourists need to book a local guide to reach Vantawng Falls, or else they would be lost in the forest as there is no clear way. There are no wild animals in the forest, and from the top of the waterfalls, one can see a serene view of the Himalayan Mountains.

6. Nuranang Falls

The Nuranang Falls is also known as Jung Falls, or Bong Bong falls by the local people. This is situated at a distance of 40 km from the city of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. The waterfall starts from the top of the mountain and meets the Tawang River below. During the rainy season, all tourist activities near the waterfalls are prohibited as there might be a lot of water coming down, which could block the passage for tourists.

7. Kynrem Falls

The second name for Kynrem Falls is paradise on Earth and is situated in Cherapunji. This spot is quite famous for photography and takes people into a whole different era. The water coming down the falls is quite fresh and unadulterated. The height of the waterfall is 1001 ft and is prohibited in the rainy season due to steep mountain climbs.

8. Triple Falls

Regarded as one of the famous waterfalls of North-East India, triple falls is situated in Seithekima Village near Dimapur, Nagaland. The waterfalls, which start as one stream, diverge into 3 streams and make up a natural swimming pool at the foot of the mountain. With a natural pool filled with greenery, it is an ideal place for many trekkers as well as family and friends who like to go for a picnic.

9. Kanchenjunga Falls

This waterfall is known to start from the glaciers of the Himalayan mountains and is situated in the state of Sikkim. It is being said that anyone who sees this waterfall will feel their heart skip a beat as the natural beauty around it is so mesmerising and unreal. This is one among the few places in North East India, which offers adventure sports near the waterfalls. This area is prohibited during monsoon season as it could be dangerous because of the landslides and tourists getting trapped at one point.

Read more about - Here’s why you should travel to Sikkim right now

Tourist attractions in North East India

Apart from the famous waterfalls of North-East India, there are many other places the tourist can visit.

Balpakram National Park:This is a famous park situated in Garo hills in Meghalaya which offers a wide range of birds and has many animals like Tiger, Leopard, Red Panda, Elephant, and many more. Many safaris happen in this park, and the local guide takes the tourist in an open jeep to see animals in their natural habitat. The best time to visit Balpakram National Park is during the winter season, as many foreign birds migrate here to survive the cold.
The Khasi Hills:Khasi hills is a mountain range which is situated on the Shillong plateau. Shillong itself is a mesmerising destination and is also known as the Scotland of the East. Shillong is home for ancient British architecture, the city also has a street market, which is a must-visit place, and people can get many good items at a cheap price if they know how to put up a strong bargain.
Don Bosco Museum:This is the best place to visit in Meghalaya for all the people who love history and art. The entry fee for the museum is INR 100 for adults and is open from 9 am to 6 pm every day. The museum has many tour guides who explain the history behind most paintings and other antiques, and it offers an amazing experience. This is also regarded as one of the largest museums of the country and is situated within the city of Shillong, making it highly accessible.

Travel Tips for North East India

Tourists should know which locations they want to visit as there are many spots in this part of the country. A local guide can be hired to see all the famous waterfalls of North-East India, which would save the tourist some time and money.
Most of the places are to be travelled by road in this part of the country. People who feel motion sickness should carry their medicine, and it would take 2 to 3 hours to reach the waterfall from the main city.
If you are travelling in a remote village, carrying an extra battery for the camera or a power bank for your phone is highly recommended.
Many locals speak only their regional language, specially in villages, but you can always try speaking in Hindi or English, even if they can’t speak they can understand.
Day-to-day essentials can be easily obtained from any local store, and tourists need not carry all of their household items to this place.
The tourist must have hard cash with them as some small towns may have limited ATM service, and not all of the small restaurants in the section or area accept UPI payment options. Carrying a traveller’s cheque could come in handy as well.
Tourists should pre-book their hotels or resorts as most places are sold out during the winter and summer seasons as tens of thousands of people visit this part of India every year.
There are good hospitals and clinics in the vicinity, making it easy for tourists to face any discomfort. Most of the hospitals are open 24 hours a day, which makes it easy for patient admission.

How to reach North East India?

There are many airports in the different states of northeast India and are accessible from major cities across India. However, places like Shillong are accessible via road from Guwahati which also has an airport which can be a great experience too as Guwahati is known as the “Gateway to Northeast” region.

Tourists who want to visit this part through railways can travel via train to Guwahati. Most of the states in North East India do not have a railway route as the terrain is full of mountains and plateaus, and it is difficult to make railway tracks in this region. Tourists can take government buses from the Guwahati Railway Station or even shared taxis to reach their desired destination.

The climate of North East India

Tourists who are planning to see famous waterfalls of North-East India should choose the appropriate climate to visit. North East India experiences 3 seasons, namely summer, winter and monsoons. Most of the waterfalls are closed off for tourist activities during the monsoon period as the road leading to the waterfalls are quite dangerous and slippery. The highest temperature which the North East sees during summer is 35°C while the lowest it goes is up to 2°C at the tip of the mountains. Carrying winter wear is highly advisable if you are planning to visit during the winter season.

Best time to travel to North East India

The preferred time to see the famous waterfalls of North-East India is in the winter season as the travel is much easier. One must know that in some parts of the states, the temperature falls quite low, making it hard to enjoy during the wintertime. Many of the tourists also visit during the summer period from March to May to have a refreshing vacation under the waterfall. During summer, the temperature is in the range of 25°C to 35°C, which makes it ideal to have fun under the water.