Mawsmai Cave: A Spectacular Caving Adventure in Meghalaya

Are you looking for a thrilling and unique experience in the land of clouds? Do you want to explore the hidden wonders of nature and witness the marvels of geology? If yes, then you should not miss the opportunity to visit Mawsmai Cave, one of the most popular and accessible caves in Meghalaya. Mawsmai Cave is a limestone cave that offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of subterranean formations and features.

It is also a great place to enjoy some adventure and fun as you squeeze, crawl, and climb through the narrow passages and chambers of the cave. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Mawsmai Cave, including how to reach it, what to expect from it, and what else to see around it.

Location and Accessibility

Mawsmai Cave is located near Sohra (another name for Cherrapunji) in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. It is about 56 km from Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, and can be reached by road in about 2 hours. The road condition is good and scenic, as you pass through lush green hills, waterfalls, and valleys.

You can either hire a taxi or a private vehicle from Shillong or take a shared taxi or bus from Bara Bazar or Police Bazar. The cave is situated about 6 km from Sohra town and can be easily spotted by the signboards along the road. There is ample parking space available near the cave entrance.

Timings and Entry Fee

Mawsmai Cave is open for visitors from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm every day, except on Sundays. The entry fee is Rs. 20 per person for adults and Rs. 10 per person for children. There is also a camera fee of Rs. 20 per camera. You can also hire a guide for Rs. 300 per group, who can explain the features and history of the cave and help you navigate through it. The best time to visit Mawsmai Cave is during the winter months (November to February), when the weather is pleasant and dry. During the monsoon season (June to September), the cave can get flooded and slippery, making it difficult and dangerous to explore.

Cave Exploration

Mawsmai Cave is one of the most spectacular and well-lit caves in Meghalaya. It has a length of about 150 meters and a height of about 10 meters. The cave has two entrances, one at the lower level and one at the upper level. You can enter from either side and exit from the other. The cave has several chambers and passages that are connected by narrow openings and crevices. Some of these openings are so small that you have to bend down or crawl through them. This adds to the excitement and challenge of exploring the cave.

As you enter the cave, you will be amazed by the variety and beauty of the formations that adorn the walls, ceiling, and floor of the cave. You will see stalactites (formations that hang from the ceiling), stalagmites (formations that rise from the floor), pillars (formations that join stalactites and stalagmites), curtains (formations that look like drapes), pools (formations that contain water), fossils (remains of ancient animals or plants), etc.

Each formation has its own shape, size, color, and texture, creating a stunning visual effect. You will also hear the sound of water dripping from the formations or flowing through the cave.

The cave exploration takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace and interest. You will need a torch or a flashlight to see some of the darker parts of the cave. You will also need comfortable shoes and clothes that can get wet or dirty. You should also carry some water and snacks with you, as there are no shops or facilities inside or near the cave.

You may also like to check out: Wandering through Mawsmai Caves in Cherrapunji

Nearby Attractions

Mawsmai Cave is not the only attraction in this area. There are many other places that you can visit along with Mawsmai Cave to make your trip more enjoyable and memorable. Some of these places are:

Arwah Cave:

Another limestone cave that is located about 4 km from Mawsmai Cave. It is larger and deeper than Mawsmai Cave, but less developed and lit. It has more fossils and formations than Mawsmai Cave, but also more bats and insects.

Noh Sngithiang Falls:

Also known as Seven Sister Waterfalls or Mawsmai Falls, this is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Meghalaya. It is located about 5 km from Mawsmai Cave. It consists of seven streams of water that fall from a height of about 315 meters over a cliff into a valley. The waterfall is best seen during the monsoon season, when it is at its full glory.

Nongriat Root Bridges:

A cluster of living root bridges that are located about 15 km from Mawsmai Cave. These are bridges that are made by the roots of rubber trees that grow on either side of a stream or a river. The roots are intertwined and interlocked to form a strong and natural bridge that can support the weight of humans. There are several root bridges in this area, but the most famous ones are the Double Decker Root Bridge and the Rainbow Falls Root Bridge.

Places to Eat Near Mawsmai Cave

Here are some places to eat near Mawsmai Cave that you can try:

Jiva Grill sohra:

This is a 3-star resort that has a restaurant that serves delicious Indian and Asian dishes. You can enjoy the food while admiring the view of the Seven Sister Waterfalls from the resort. The restaurant is open from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm every day, except on Sundays. The price range is Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 10,000 per night for the resort and Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 per person for the food.

Orange Roots:

This is a vegetarian restaurant that offers a variety of dishes made from fresh and organic ingredients. You can also find some local delicacies such as jadoh (rice cooked with meat or vegetables) and tungrymbai (fermented soybean). The restaurant is open from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm every day, except on Sundays. The price range is Rs. 100 to Rs. 300 per person.

Nalgre Restaurant:

This is a budget hotel that has a restaurant that serves Indian and vegetarian food. You can also try some of the local snacks such as pukhlein (rice flour cake) and putharo (steamed rice cake). The restaurant is open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm every day. The price range is Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,500 per night for the hotel and Rs. 50 to Rs. 200 per person for the food

Also check out: 10 Incredible Hotels In Shillong For Couples

Mawsmai Cave is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves nature, adventure, and culture. It is a place where you can witness the wonders of geology, enjoy the thrill of caving, and learn about the history and culture of Meghalaya. It is also a place where you can discover some of the other attractions that Meghalaya has to offer, such as waterfalls, root bridges, and sacred groves.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Mawsmai Cave today and experience the magic of Meghalaya.

Mawsmai Cave Reviews

Abhishek Tyagi

100 Followers

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However amazing a place may be, one has to get going at some point, sand so we started again- to Mawsami Cavesthis time . These caves, apparently very old and holding a historic significance, attract a lot of crowd. We reached the parking lot and headed towards the cave entrance. One of the three of us felt claustrophobic, and decided not to go ahead. The remaining 2 of us went inside to find the cave becoming narrow at several points, which meant that a lot of care had to be taken while passing through them. To add an element of fun, the electricity supply inside the cave went off, switching off the only sources of light inside the otherwise dark path. There were sudden squeals inside, with immediate and frantic search of mobile phones to light the torches. It was a fun surprise, and we kept moving ahead further to come out through the exit point. While it was a good experience, someone running out of time and trying to cover only important spots in Cherrapunjee can give Mawsami Caves a miss! We now headed to our next destination, yet another waterfall!

Sonam Nimkar

444 Followers

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MawsmaiCAVE: Mawsmai caveslocated in Meghalaya are the most accessible caves of India. Yet it does not cease to take your breath away. You can explore these caves without a guide. You would find these caves 6 Km away from Cherapunji. You will find a small groove on a hill and Mawsmai caves are hidden beneath these trees. The cave is spacious and well lit throughout. Once you enter the cave you cannot exit from the same spot. You need to visit the entire length of the cave to be able to exit. There are places in the cave where you have to squeeze yourself to be able to cross. Since the cave is well lit you can actually see every little detail of the rock formations. The colors and patterns feel most alive among these lights. It paints a awesome picture with water dripping from these rocks, however because of these lights a sense of adventure is taken away.

Subhadeep Hazra

147 Followers

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DAY 3,Mawsmai Visit Mawsmai Cave and Nohkalikai Falls at Cherrapunji, Of the 10 longest and deepest caves in Asian country, 9 square measure found in Meghalaya. The Mawsmai Cave close to Sohra (Cherrapunji) could be a must-see with its dim-lit passages and sedimentary rock formations. The spectacular Nohkalikai Falls could be a prime rated Meghalaya attraction. it’s the tallest plunge body of water in Asian country, with a height of 340 metres. Fed by fresh water, the body of water is at its clamant best throughout and when the monsoons. You can additionally strive zip-lining at the Mawkdok – Dympep vale, the zip-line is 2600 feet long and 1200 feet high. you’ll admire the vale views from the Duwan Sing Syiem bridge. Cafe Cherrapunji situated on the point of the bridge could be a sensible pit-stop for lunch.

devanshimaloo

71 Followers

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Started the day super early so that we could get the pool below the Double Decker bridge all to ourselves. After spending some time enjoying the beautiful waterfall we started the trek back! To reach back to the starting point one has to climb 3000 steps. After taking a lot of detours while dipping in the various naturalpools we finally reached ourcab around 11 in the morning. We next went to Mawsmai Caves, the limestone cave where you enjoy the impressive formations, dark passages and chambers. This peak into the underworld is a small adventure in itself as there are places where you have to bend and squeeze yourself out. After the visit to the cave we spent some time admiring the scenery from the grasslands just outside the caves before driving back to Shillong.

Naveen C V

66 Followers

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Mawsmai caves are one of the most distinguished landmarks in Cherrapunji. It was still raining while we reached there. The parking lot there is surrounded by many shops. We ran into one of the shops and somehow managed to reach the caves. The cave has so many amazing natural structures and formations. It was dark, wet and slippery. Rainwater was dripping from the roof. At some point, we have to pass through small openings and cross natural water. The cave is really exciting and adventurous. But it will be difficult for old aged people to go inside. At the end of the cave, we'll enter into a botanical garden that has a peaceful ambiance. We wanted to spend some time there, but we couldn't due to the rain.