VANAMCOVE
Mawsmai Caves

Mawsmai Caves

Half dayBest: Oct–MayNatural Landscapes#caves#stalactites#family
Half day Oct–May

Well-lit limestone caves

Why this weekend?

Lit cave walkStalactitesMawsynram route
Some links below are affiliate links — booking through them may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The day-by-day plan

Day 1Half day · The caves
  1. Entrance walk
  2. Passage tour
  3. Stalactite hall
  4. Exit
  5. Return

Geography & terrain

Mawsmai Caves lie in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, 5 km from Cherrapunji and 60 km from Shillong — the limestone caves of the region, its lit passages, the stalactites and the family walk set on the plateau's edge.

History & culture

The caves' story runs with the region's cave life — the limestone caves of the Khasi hills and the naturally carved passages, with the caves' modern role as the tourist-friendly cave of the Cherrapunji circuit and the home of the lit walkways of the 1 km route; the caves' history of the rainwater's carving and the bats' life, gives Mawsmai its cave character.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

Limestone caves
🌟

Limestone caves

Stalactite forms
🌟

Stalactite forms

Lit passages
🌟

Lit passages

Narrow steps
🌟

Narrow steps

Bats' dark
🌟

Bats' dark

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

Jan—
Feb—
Mar—
Apr—
May—
Jun—
Jul—
Aug—
Sep—
Oct—
Nov—
Dec—

Practical info

  • Language: Khasi / Garo; English common (English understood in tourist spots)
  • Best window: Oct–May
  • Connectivity: Patchy in villages — offline maps essential
  • UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

  • The season (Oct–May) holds the cave's walks
  • The cave asks the head cover
  • Pairs with Nohkalikai for the Cherrapunji circuit

Frequently asked questions

The family-friendly limestone caves of the Cherrapunji.

Was this helpful?

The passages, the stalactites and the walk.

Was this helpful?

A half day.

Was this helpful?

Well-lit limestone caves

Take the break. We'll take the planning.

Tell us your dates, budget and travel style — we'll build your Mawsmai Caves plan with day-by-day routing, stays, food and bookings.

Free Planning 2 Free Iterations ~24hr Delivery
Get My Free Plan

Contents