Nongriat Rainbow Falls or simply Rainbow Falls is a wonderful unexplored waterfall in Meghalaya. It is situated at Nongriat village which is 65 km from Shillong, the state capital of Meghalaya. If you are travelling to Shillong and want to explore an offbeat destination near Shillong, then you must add Nongriat Rainbow Falls to your bucket list.
The Nongriat Rainbow Falls is not a standalone destination, it is a complete package in itself. If you plan to visit the area, you can explore Mawsaw Steel & Root Bridge, El Waterfall and Natural Swimming Pool (Blue Lagoon), and Double Decker Living Root Bridge along with it. This blog will explain travel itineraries regarding Nongriat Rainbow Falls.
How To Reach Nongriat Village
Nongriat village is 65 km from the state capital of Meghalaya, Shillong. You can book a taxi from Shillong to reach Nongriat village. Shillong > Tyrna village > Nongriat village. A hired cab would take around Rs. 2500 for the trip to Nongriat. There are shared taxis available from Shillong which cost Rs. 1000 per person. The shared taxi can be booked from a taxi stand, but it is not a regular service. There are no other means of transport between Nongriat and Shillong.
Planning Your Trip To Rainbow Falls
This is the view of Nongriat Rainbow Falls. This is not as majestic as other waterfalls of Meghalaya. But, it is the journey, not the destination. The journey to this Rainbow Waterfall starts from Nongriat village. It is a 13 km trek from the village. It would take more than one hour. So, planning is essential to make your trek enjoyable. Planning is also needed so that you get to explore other beautiful places along the route from Nongriat village to Rainbow Falls.
Book Your Stay in Advance
Book your resort of homestay/resort in advance in Nongriat Village. It is advisable because if you are travelling from outside of Meghalaya, you cannot choose to trek on the same day. It is better to stay at a homestay at Nongriat village or Cherrapunji for the night and start your journey to the waterfall early in the morning.
If you want a luxury resort, stay at Cherrapunji. Otherwise, you stay at Nongriat village in a budget homestay.
Hire a Local Guide
Unless one of your friends has been to this place earlier or you are a trekking expert, hire a local guide. Google Maps is horrible out there. Even if you manage to get to your destination i.e. Nongriat Rainbow Falls, you will miss other beautiful destinations along the trek. Even if you don’t hire a guide, ask the locals for the route.
Trekking To Nongriat Rainbow Falls
The trek to Rainbow Falls demands a lot of physical fitness. Though it is considered an hour’s trek, it would need more time. You would find more exotic places along the way. Once you start your journey from your homestay, you should head towards Double Decker Living Root Bridge. (Google Map Location)
It is one of the most famous living root bridges of Meghalaya. It is a 30-metre bridge that can bear the weight of 50 people at a time. The journey to the Nongriat double-decker root bridge is quite an adventure. The bridge is estimated to be 200 years old.
Your next destination is Mawsaw Steel & Root Bridge. (Google Map Location)
You can access this bridge within a 30-minute walk from either Nongriat village or the double-decker root bridge. The trail is carefully constructed through the thick forest. As you step onto the bridge, it sways, adding a touch of adventure! The azure river flowing beneath offers a delightful sight. For added enjoyment, consider descending to the riverbanks below.
Your next destination is El Waterfall and Natural Swimming Pool (Blue Lagoon). (Google Map Location)
What a place! Once you reach this place, you will feel that all the money, time and energy that you have invested in this trip is worth it. To be fair, it is more beautiful than the rainbow fall. You can swim in the crystal clear waters of the pool. A life jacket is mandatory for Rs. 100. Even if you don’t know how to swim, you can easily float in the shallow waters.
You can also visit this place on your return journey from Rainbow Waterfall. The waterfall is just a 10-minute walk from here. Stay in the swimming pool for an hour or two, rejuvenate your body and return to your homestay.
As you can see, there are three major tourist attractions near Nongriat Falls, so you plan your trip accordingly. To be fair, you can complete all these places in 6 hours. Start early morning, return to your homestay at Nongriat village and back to Shillong by the evening.
Best Time To Visit Rainbow Falls
The falls are in full swing all season. But to watch the rainbow in the waterfall, you need to wait for the golden hour – early morning or late evening.
Homestays Near Nongriat Rainbow Falls
There are not many luxury resorts near the Nongriat village. In case you want luxury hotels and resorts, you can choose to stay at Cherrapunji and plan accordingly. There is not much of a difference whether you stay at Nongriat village or Cherrapunji. You can follow the same trekking route.
Cherrapunji To Rainbow Falls Distance
If you are staying near Cherrapunji, you can reach this waterfall via Sohra-Shella Rd and Nohkalikai Rd. It is just 19 min drive (8 km). Instead of staying at Nongriat village, you can select any luxury hotel and resort in Cherrapunji, and then plan your trip accordingly.
