Quick take: On a bike or scooty you can see Cherrapunji's (Sohra's) five best waterfall stops in one day: Wah Kaba on the way in, Nohkalikai and Dainthlen to the west of town, then Kynrem Falls and the Thangkharang Park view over Bangladesh to the south. From a night in Shillong or Sohra it's an easy, unhurried ride. All the photos here are our own, from August and September 2026. Scooties start at ₹799/day and bikes at ₹999/day in Guwahati.
Why ride Sohra on two wheels
Sohra's sights are spread along a few short roads that branch off the plateau, and almost every one of them sits right beside the road or a short walk from it. On a bike or scooty you park at the gate, walk to the edge, and move on. No hunting for car parking at the busy viewpoints, no waiting in a line of tourist taxis on the narrow stretch to Kynrem.
It's also simply a great ride. The plateau is open grassland with long views, the roads are quiet once you're past the town, and the clouds move in and out of the valleys around you all day.
The ride in order
| Stop | Where | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|
| Wah Kaba Falls | Shillong–Sohra road, a few km before town | 30 minutes |
| Nohkalikai Falls | West of Sohra town | 45 minutes |
| Dainthlen Falls | On the plateau west of town | 45 minutes |
| Kynrem Falls | South of Sohra, on the road towards Shella | 45 minutes |
| Thangkharang Park | Next to Kynrem, at the edge of the plateau | 30–45 minutes |
From Sohra town, the whole loop is well under 50 km of riding. Coming from Shillong and back, add about 55 km each way.
1. Wah Kaba Falls, on the way in
Wah Kaba is the first big waterfall you meet on the Shillong–Sohra road, a few kilometres before the town. A short path leads to the foot of the fall, and you can stand almost underneath it, behind the spray. Expect to get wet in the monsoon. Keep your phone in a zip bag and your helmet on the bike, not on your head under the water. The rest of the road in is in Shillong to Cherrapunji by scooty or bike.
2. Nohkalikai Falls, the big one
Nohkalikai is India's tallest plunge waterfall and the one photo everyone wants from Cherrapunji. The viewpoint is a short ride west of Sohra town, over open grassland. The road is good, and there's parking for two-wheelers near the viewpoint gate.
Go before noon if you can. Clouds often fill the gorge in the afternoon, and on some days the fall disappears completely for half an hour at a time. If that happens, wait: it usually clears again. More in our Nohkalikai Falls by bike or scooty guide.
The ride out to Nohkalikai is the best stretch of plateau riding in Sohra: wide grassy hills, a small lake, and almost no traffic.
3. Dainthlen Falls, the flat-rock river
Dainthlen is a different kind of waterfall. The river spreads across a broad, flat rock shelf before it drops over the edge, so you walk on the rock beside the water rather than looking up at it. The name comes from the Khasi legend of the Thlen, a giant serpent said to have been killed here.
There are railings along the edge of the drop. Stay behind them: the rock is slippery wherever it's wet, and the edge comes sooner than it looks. On a clear afternoon the rock pools reflect the sky, and it's one of the most peaceful stops in Sohra. See our Dainthlen Falls guide for the legend and safety on the rock.
4. Kynrem Falls
Kynrem Falls drops in three tiers right beside the road, at Umwai village south of Sohra. The sign at the gate calls it the 7th highest waterfall in India. In August, when we were there, smaller falls were pouring off every cliff around it.
The entry fee is small, and there are snack stalls at the gate. We've written a full guide to Kynrem Falls by bike or scooty, with the fees from the sign and how to get there.
5. Thangkharang Park and the Bangladesh view
Next to Kynrem, Thangkharang Park sits at the very edge of the Meghalaya plateau. Below you the hills drop away to the flat plains of Bangladesh, with rivers shining across them. It's the best place in Sohra to understand how high you are. On a clear day it's the view of the trip.
Our scooties
Allowed to Shillong and Cherrapunji
Bike or scooty for Sohra?
Both work, and both are allowed. The difference is the ride up from Guwahati, not the loop around Sohra.
- Scooty: the loop around Sohra is short and easy, and a scooty is perfect for it. Do the trip with a night in Shillong, so the 150 km from Guwahati isn't one long day. The TVS NTorq 150 (₹899/day) is our strongest scooty and the easiest on the climbs. The Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid Street Rally is our most affordable, from ₹799/day.
- Bike: better if you're riding two-up, carrying bags, or want to ride Guwahati to Sohra in fewer stops. The Yamaha FZ-S FI V2 starts at ₹999/day, and the Bajaj Pulsar N160 suits longer Meghalaya loops.
For three days, a scooty comes to ₹2,397 and a bike to ₹2,997. Rentals of 7 days or more get 10% off.
Our bikes
For two-up riding and longer Meghalaya loops
Self-drive · BikeYamaha FZ-S FI V2Solo riders · Couplesfrom ₹999/day
Self-drive · BikeHonda SP 125Solo riders · Couplesfrom ₹999/day
Self-drive · BikeBajaj Pulsar N160Solo riders · Couplesfrom ₹1,199/day
Self-drive · BikeRoyal Enfield Scram 440Experienced riders · Couplesfrom ₹1,999/day
Self-drive · BikeRoyal Enfield Himalayan 450Experienced riders · Couplesfrom ₹2,499/day
Self-drive · BikeHero XPulse 200 4VSolo riders · Off-road trailsfrom ₹1,499/day
Self-drive · BikeHero XPulse 210Solo riders · Couplesfrom ₹1,699/dayA simple 3-day plan from Guwahati
- Day 1: Guwahati to Shillong, about 100 km. Start by 9 AM and stop at Umiam Lake. The full route is in our Guwahati to Cherrapunji guide.
- Day 2: Shillong to Sohra in the morning, stopping at Wah Kaba. Nohkalikai before noon, then Dainthlen. Stay the night in Sohra.
- Day 3: Kynrem Falls and Thangkharang Park in the morning, then ride back to Guwahati, or stay another night in Shillong if you'd rather not rush.
Riding tips for Sohra
- Fuel up in Shillong. There are fewer pumps beyond it.
- Rain gear in every season. Sohra can rain on a sunny day.
- Daylight only. Fog often settles on the plateau from late afternoon, and the Shillong–Sohra road is no fun in the dark.
- Wet rock is the real danger, not the road. Wear shoes with grip at Dainthlen and Wah Kaba.
- Helmets come with every rental. Lock yours to the bike when you walk to a viewpoint.
Riding in the rains? We've written about Cherrapunji in the monsoon on a bike or scooty.
FAQs
Can I see Nohkalikai, Kynrem and Dainthlen in one day on a scooty? Yes. From a night in Sohra or Shillong they fit easily in one day. From Sohra town the loop is well under 50 km.
Is the road to Kynrem Falls good for a scooty? Yes. It's a paved hill road south of Sohra with some bends and short climbs. Take the bends slowly when it's wet.
Can I do Cherrapunji and back from Guwahati in one day on a bike? We wouldn't. It's about 150 km each way before you see anything. Stay a night in Shillong or Sohra.
Which waterfalls in Cherrapunji are right next to the road? Kynrem Falls is right beside the road, and Wah Kaba is a short walk from it. Nohkalikai and Dainthlen are short walks from their parking areas.
Is a helmet included with the scooty or bike? Yes, every bike and scooty comes with a helmet at no extra cost.
Contact / Book
Send us your dates on WhatsApp and tell us you're riding to Sohra. We'll suggest the right scooty or bike for the trip.
The information in this post is indicative. Final terms and policies are discussed and confirmed when you take the vehicle on rent.
