Guidebook
Lonely Planet India
Lonely Planet · 2024
The 20th edition covers every state with a fall on this site, from Goa and Karnataka to Meghalaya and Chhattisgarh.
India · Meghalaya
Nohkalikai Falls
India's tallest plunge waterfall drops from the edge of Cherrapunji, among the wettest inhabited places on Earth, into a pool that turns an otherworldly green-blue in the drier months. Its name comes from a Khasi legend about a woman named Ka Likai who leapt to her death from the cliff.
India's tallest plunge waterfall Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Nohkalikai Falls drops 340 metres (1,116 ft) on the seasonal stream. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Cherrapunji, with SHL the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.
Nohkalikai Falls is the second-tallest of the 77 we cover in India. As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Nohkalikai Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Cherrapunji are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Monsoon season in one of the wettest places on Earth keeps the falls at full force; a striking turquoise pool forms in drier months.
Entry: Small viewpoint entry fee
Getting there
- Base town Cherrapunji
- Airport SHL
- Country India
- Region Meghalaya, South Asia, Asia
- Access Easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint
How it compares
This waterfall
Nohkalikai Falls
India
Height340 mWidth—
Most similar
Shōmyō Falls
Japan
Height350 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall, of similar height and in Japan
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
108 m
330 m
340 m
350 m
979 m
Victoria FallsEiffel TowerNohkalikai FallsShōmyō FallsAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 2.9× taller than Nohkalikai Falls. It drops 3.1× further than Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Nohkalikai Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Nohkalikai Falls
2:01
2:21
16:42
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
On the map
25.2757, 91.6866
Quick answers
Where is Nohkalikai Falls?
Nohkalikai Falls is in India (Meghalaya). The nearest base is Cherrapunji and the closest airport is SHL. Its coordinates are 25.2757, 91.6866.
How tall is Nohkalikai Falls?
Nohkalikai Falls drops 340 metres (1,116 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the seasonal stream.
When is the best time to visit Nohkalikai Falls?
Peak flow is June to September. Monsoon season in one of the wettest places on Earth keeps the falls at full force; a striking turquoise pool forms in drier months.
What can you do at Nohkalikai Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.
How do you get to Nohkalikai Falls?
The usual base is Cherrapunji, and the closest airport is SHL. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there. Small viewpoint entry fee.
Nearby
Closest to Nohkalikai Falls
Kynrem Falls
India · 6 km away
The Kynrem Falls is located 12 kilometres from Cherrapunji in East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state…
Nohsngithiang Falls
India · 315 m · 7 km away
Nohsngithiang Falls is a seven-segmented waterfall located 1 kilometre south of Mawsmai village in East Khasi…
Elephant Falls
India · 30 m · 30 km away
Meghalaya most accessible multi-tier waterfall
Langshiang Falls
India · 50 km away
The Langshiang Falls is located near the village of Sangriang, 24 kilometres from Nongstoin, in West Khasi…