In mid-December 20024, embarked on a long pending trip to Meghalaya, India. I was just taking a chance to go as the rains would have subsided and the famous waterfalls in Meghalaya would have been reduced to trickles of water. Having heard about the Nohkalikai Falls and the fascinating stories about the falls, I decided to proceed. My worst fears were confirmed as I reached Nohkalikai falls. There were just a handful of sightseers and the majestic falls in the distance was a few strands of water trickling down. Disappointed and ready to leave, I met a local who said there was another waterfall called Tlai Falls, just behind Nohkalikai falls. He told me that though Tlai was much smaller there is usually a lot of water flowing down the rocks and there is a crystal- clear lake just below the falls. Was also informed that the trek down to the falls would be roughly 1.5 Km. This trek would be through a narrow unpaved path. Despite being a bit skeptical, nevertheless took the local’s offer to be a guide. This was possibly one of the best decisions taken during my solivagant trips.
The trek to Tlai-A timeless walk-through nature
To get to Tlai falls you need to trek down a narrow forest path downhill. The trail is about 1.5 Km’s and is made of huge boulder’s, rocky terrain and slippery soil. In some places logs of wood have been placed on the ground to form makeshift bridges between boulders. Also, at many places you can hold on to branches of trees and overgrown roots for support. As there is always a thick canopy of trees overhead during most part of the trek you will be walking in the shade. As you near the falls, the water gurgling down the rocks and the chirping of birds will be music to your ears.
Finally, at the Tlai Falls
Reached the Tlai falls and the sight left me totally awestruck. The tranquility and the serenity of the place is something that words cannot truly describe. It certainly is a place where time has stood still for decades if not centuries. Though not as huge and imposing as Nohkalikai, the serenity and the calmness of the Tlai Falls makes the moderately difficult trek worth the effort. The lush green vegetation gives a turquoise hue to the lake and crystal-clear water is temptation for anyone to dive in and refresh after the trek. There were just about a handful of sightseers and this added to the calm and serenity of the place.
Preparing for the trek down and back
The trail is of moderate difficulty and anyone in reasonably good physical condition will definitely enjoy the hike. A good pair of hiking shoes is a must and possibly a pair of jeans with a T shirt and a light jacket will take care of the clothing requirements. Remember to carry water and energy bars for the hike. As in most parts of North East India, sun set is pretty early and it gets dark by 4:30 PM, so start early. The return hike should be started latest by 3:30 PM so that you get back to the road with enough sunlight. Suggest pick up a stout stick or a broken branch to provide support when you are hiking down. It would be a good idea to get a local or a guide to come along during the trek.
Geographical Information
Meghalaya is situated in North East India and the Tlai falls is in the East Khasi Hill. It is near Cherrapunji also known locally as Sohar. Cherrapunji is one of the wettest places on Earth known for receiving maximum rainfall year on year. The heavy rainfall and copious amount of water has resulted in dense forests with vibrant green landscapes. The steep mountains and the vegetation is home to a number of lesser known waterfalls and streams. The region being subtropical enjoys cool weather year around. The monsoon that usually begins in June and subsides by September. October to March is the ideal time to travel to Meghalaya with the entire state turning lush green and most of the waterfalls in full flow. The night temperature between November to January can drop below 10 degrees Centigrade. The days during the period offers clean crip conditions that are ideal for hiking and trekking.
Getting There
Shillong airport is a small airport in Meghalaya. Flights mainly operate to/from Kolkata, Imphal, Delhi and Dibrugarh. A better option would be to fly from down to Gauhati which is well connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru or Kolkata. The distance form Gauhati airport to Tlai falls is about 160 kms. The road conditions are pretty good and there are various options such as cabs, jeeps with shared rides and buses. The closest railway station is again Gauhati which is well connected from most parts of India.
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Intrepid Travellers Final Thoughts on Tlai Falls
The trip and the hike to Tlai Falls was definitely the highlight of my trip to Meghalaya in 2024. If you are the adventure seeker who enjoys a trek then this should definitely be on your list. There is a certain amount of difficulty getting to Cherrapunji, but once you are there, the charm and the earthliness of the place takes over. Please note there are a lot of accommodation options available in Cherappunji. The food options are also excellent with a range of food available to suit any palate. Please do keep these offbeat places in your radar during you trip to North East India.
