VANAMCOVE 
Elephant Falls
Three-tier falls by the city
Why this weekend?
The day-by-day plan
- Morning arrival
- Upper falls
- Steps descent
- Lower pool
- Return
Geography & terrain
Elephant Falls lie in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, 12 km from Shillong on the way to Cherrapunjee — the three-tiered waterfall of the Umshyrpi river, its falls and the forested setting set in the green hills near the capital.
History & culture
The falls' name was given by the British — the elephant-shaped rock of the cascade that later broke in the earthquakes; the site's story as the Shillong-country's famous waterfall, with its three tiers and the viewing steps of the modern era, gives the falls their place in the region's sightseeing.
Where to stay
Budget
₹1,000–2,500/nightMid-range
₹2,500–5,000/nightComfort
₹5,000+/nightThings to do
Three tiers
Forest green
Mossy rocks
Monsoon roar
Viewing steps
Eat & drink
- Jadoh (rice with pork)
- Dohneihong (minced meat)
- Tungrymbai (fermented soya)
- Pumaloi (steamed rice cake)
Getting there
- Fly
- Shillong (SHL) / Guwahati (GAU) nearest major
- Train
- Guwahati for long-distance rail
- Road from Guwahati
- 100 km / 3 hr to Shillong
- Getting around
- Shared taxis and autos
Budget snapshot
- Total
- ₹5,000–11,000 (2 days)
- Per day · Stay
- ₹1,000–5,000/night
- Per day · Food
- ₹600–1,000
- Per day · Transport
- ₹600–1,000
- Per day · Activities
- ₹700–1,100
Month by month
Practical info
- Language: Khasi / Garo; English common (English understood in tourist spots)
- Best window: Jun–Dec
- Connectivity: Patchy in villages — offline maps essential
- UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops
Practical tips
- The steps' descent asks the steady shoes — the railings serve
- The monsoon (Jun–Sep) is the falls' fullest — the wet walkways
- An easy stop on the Cherrapunjee road
Frequently asked questions
The three-tiered waterfall of the Umshyrpi near Shillong.
The three falls' viewpoints and the forest walks.
A half day.
Three-tier falls by the city
Take the break. We'll take the planning.
Tell us your dates, budget and travel style — we'll build your Elephant Falls plan with day-by-day routing, stays, food and bookings.