Trek to Noh Kawang Falls, West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India

Quick Facts About Noh Kawang Falls

Noh Ka Likai Falls Quick Facts

Why Visit Noh Ka Likai Falls Meghalaya

Visitors come to Noh Ka Likai Falls to witness one of India’s tallest plunge waterfalls and enjoy sweeping views of the dramatic cliffs and valleys surrounding Cherrapunji.

The atmosphere is scenic and awe-inspiring, with mist-covered landscapes, seasonal cloud formations, and dedicated viewpoints overlooking the waterfall and its turquoise plunge pool.

What makes Noh Ka Likai Falls distinct is its sheer vertical drop, striking blue-green pool at the base, and its location in one of the wettest regions on Earth, creating a spectacular natural setting for travelers.

History of Noh Ka Wang Falls

Noh Ka Wang Falls, located in Meghalaya, is primarily known for its dramatic natural setting and the local folklore associated with its name. The waterfall forms part of the region's rich cultural landscape, where many natural landmarks are closely connected to traditional Khasi legends passed down through generations.

According to local tradition, the name of the waterfall is linked to a tragic tale that has become an enduring part of Khasi folklore. While the story belongs to oral tradition rather than documented history, it has contributed significantly to the cultural identity and recognition of the site.

Today, the waterfall is one of Meghalaya's most celebrated natural attractions, drawing visitors who come to experience its scenic beauty and learn about the local heritage associated with the surrounding landscape.

Best Time to Visit Noh Ka Likai Falls

Noh Ka Likai Falls is best visited from October to April when the skies are clearer, the weather is pleasant, and visitors can enjoy uninterrupted views of India's tallest plunge waterfall and the surrounding Khasi Hills.

• Ideal months: October to April is the most favorable period to visit Noh Ka Likai Falls, offering excellent visibility and comfortable weather for sightseeing and photography.
• Weather conditions during the best season: Cool temperatures, low humidity, and clear skies provide spectacular views of the waterfall plunging into its turquoise pool, along with panoramic vistas of the surrounding cliffs and valleys.
• Periods to avoid: June to September brings heavy monsoon rainfall to Cherrapunji, often resulting in dense fog, reduced visibility, slippery pathways, and frequent rain that can limit sightseeing. While the waterfall is at its most powerful during this season, views may be obscured by clouds and mist.

How to Reach Noh Ka Likai Falls

• Nearest Airport: Shillong Airport (Umroi Airport), located approximately 95 km from Noh Ka Likai Falls, is the nearest airport. For better flight connectivity, many travelers use Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, about 170 km away.
• Nearest Railway Station: Guwahati Railway Station, approximately 150 km from the falls, is the nearest major railway station with extensive rail connectivity across India.
• Road Access and Last-Mile Connectivity: Noh Ka Likai Falls is located near Cherrapunji (Sohra) in Meghalaya and is easily accessible by road from Shillong via NH 206. Private vehicles, taxis, and shared cabs regularly operate between Shillong and Cherrapunji. Visitors can reach the designated parking area directly, followed by a short walk to the official viewpoint overlooking the waterfall. Visibility may be affected during heavy monsoon rains or dense fog, especially between June and September.

What to Expect When You Visit Noh Ka Likai Falls

• Environment and Surroundings: Noh Ka Likai Falls is one of India's tallest plunge waterfalls, located near Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. Visitors can expect dramatic cliffs, lush green valleys, mist-covered landscapes, and a deep turquoise plunge pool at the base of the falls.
• Facilities and Amenities: The viewpoint area offers basic facilities such as parking, local food stalls, souvenir shops, seating areas, and restrooms. Amenities are concentrated near the viewing platform rather than at the waterfall itself.
• Accessibility and Movement: The waterfall is easily accessible by road, followed by a short walk to the designated viewpoint. Most visitors view the falls from the top, as there is no direct tourist access to the plunge pool below through regular sightseeing routes.
• Visitor Conditions: Visibility and water flow vary significantly with weather conditions. During the monsoon season, the waterfall is at its most powerful but may be partially obscured by mist and clouds. Crowd levels are generally moderate, with increased visitor activity during weekends and peak tourist seasons.

Important Visitor Information for Noh Ka Likai Falls

• Noh Ka Likai Falls experiences its highest visitor numbers during weekends, public holidays, and the peak travel seasons of October to April when Meghalaya receives favorable weather for sightseeing.
• Early morning hours generally offer clearer views of the waterfall and gorge, while afternoons can occasionally bring mist, cloud cover, or increased visitor activity.
• The waterfall is most dramatic during and immediately after the monsoon season, though heavy rainfall can reduce visibility and make viewing areas slippery.
• No specific dress code applies, but comfortable clothing and footwear with good grip are recommended due to damp pathways and uneven terrain around the viewpoint.
• Visitors should remain behind safety barriers, exercise caution near cliff-edge viewpoints, and avoid venturing onto restricted areas, especially during rainy or foggy conditions.

Photography and Viewpoints at NohKaLikai Falls

• The main viewing platform offers the most iconic perspective of NohKaLikai Falls, where the plunge waterfall drops dramatically from the cliff into a striking turquoise pool surrounded by deep gorges.
• Early morning provides the clearest visibility before clouds and mist build up across the Khasi Hills, making it the preferred time for landscape photography.
• Post-monsoon months offer the most spectacular photography conditions, with powerful water flow, lush green cliffs, and vibrant colors throughout the valley.
• Several viewpoints along the cliff edge provide different angles of the waterfall, allowing photographers to capture both the full height of the falls and the surrounding escarpment.
• Changing weather conditions frequently create dramatic scenes with drifting clouds, rainbows, and mist rising from the gorge below.
• Photography is generally permitted from the designated public viewpoints, but visitors should remain behind safety barriers and avoid approaching unstable cliff edges.
• Weekends and peak tourist seasons can make the main viewpoint crowded, while weekday mornings usually provide quieter conditions and unobstructed views of the waterfall.

Near By Attraction

Tourist Attraction

Jarain Pitcher Plant Lake

Jarain Pitcher Plant Lake is a nature-based eco-tourism site located near Jarain village in West Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya, known for its conservation of the indigenous pitcher plant species Nepenthes khasiana.

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Kyndong Lai Teng Falls

Kyndong Lai Teng Falls is a scenic waterfall located near Sohra (Cherrapunji) in East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya, descending through steep cliffs into a deep valley.

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Krang Suri Waterfall

Krang Suri Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Meghalaya, famous for its turquoise-blue water and scenic surroundings in the Jaintia Hills.