Elephant Falls Shillong - A Guide to the Three-Tiered Waterfall

Shillong, MeghalayaWATERFALL

A popular three-tiered waterfall near Shillong, accessible via a series of steps leading to different viewing platforms for each cascade.

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Info

WATERFALL

Info

1-2 hours

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Elephant Falls is a three-tiered waterfall located on the outskirts of Shillong. Locally known as 'Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew' (The Three Step Waterfalls), it offers a different view at each of its three levels. A well-maintained pathway with over a hundred steps descends alongside the falls, leading visitors to separate viewing platforms for each section. The first fall is wide and tucked behind dense trees. The second fall is smaller and flows into a pool. The third and final fall is the most impressive, with a large volume of water cascading over dark rocks into a clear pool below.

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Location & Address

Upper Shillong, Shillong, Meghalaya 793009, Upper Shillong, Shillong, Meghalaya, India

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Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit Elephant Falls is from October to February. During these post-monsoon months, the waterfall is at its fullest, and the weather is cool and pleasant for sightseeing. The monsoon season (June to September) sees the heaviest water flow, but the paths can be very slippery and risky. In the summer months (March to May), the water level recedes, which might reduce the visual impact of the falls.
Peak Crowd: October-January, weekends, and public holidays due to peak tourist season and pleasant weather.
Moderate Crowd: February-May, weekday afternoons.
Low Crowd: July-September during heavy monsoon rains.

How to Reach

Air

The nearest airport is Shillong Airport (SHL) in Umroi, about 35 km away. The more connected airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) in Guwahati, Assam, which is around 120 km away (a 3-4 hour drive). Taxis are available from both airports.

Train

Guwahati Railway Station (GHY) is the nearest major railhead, located about 100 km from Shillong. From the station, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab or bus to Shillong, a journey of about 3-4 hours.

Road

Shillong is well-connected by NH-6 to Guwahati. Regular bus services and shared taxis ply this route. From Shillong, the falls are located about 12 km away on the road to Cherrapunji.

Local Transport

From Shillong's Police Bazar area, hire a local taxi for a sightseeing tour that includes Elephant Falls. This is the most convenient option. Rented bikes or scooters are also available in Shillong for more flexible travel.

Food & Dining

Nearby restaurants near Elephant Falls

No restaurants found nearby