The pool at the base of the waterfall changes color from deep blue in winter to an emerald green during the monsoon season.
The waterfall is formed by the convergence of rainwater runoff from the plateau, rather than a perennial river source.
The drop of 340 meters classifies it as the tallest plunge-type waterfall in India.
The area experiences extreme rainfall, which often results in the waterfall being obscured by heavy fog and mist.
Nohkalikai Falls is India's tallest plunge waterfall, dropping from a height of 340 meters into a pool of deep blue water. The site is fed by rainwater collected on the plateau and typically thins out during the drier winter months. A viewing gallery at the top provides a direct vantage point of the falls and the verdant gorge below. The name originates from a local Khasi legend regarding a woman named Ka Likai. The waterfall is located near Cherrapunji, a region known as one of the wettest places on earth. The surrounding landscape features steep cliffs and dense subtropical vegetation characteristic of the East Khasi Hills.
The main iron-railed viewing gallery at the edge of the cliff provides the only unobstructed panoramic view of the falls.
Bring high-quality rain gear, even if the weather looks clear upon arrival.
Visit during or immediately after the monsoon months to see the waterfall at maximum volume.
Keep a sturdy pair of walking shoes for navigating the paved but potentially slippery pathways around the viewing deck.
Do not attempt to climb down the cliffs or venture off the designated pathways; the rock faces are unstable and prone to landslides.
Visibility is highly seasonal; the waterfall is frequently hidden by dense fog during the peak monsoon months of June through August.
Maintain silence at the viewing platform; dispose of all waste in provided bins to protect the fragile plateau ecosystem.
