Caves of Meghalaya

Caves can be dark and frightening, but they can be a lot of fun too. Exploring them provides a sense of excitement you can not relish unless you are picking your way through their dark, murky interiors. The numerous natural caves all over Meghalaya are a special attraction for tourists. A few of them are even the longest you can find in the Indian Sub-continent .You find them in the East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and the South Garo Hills.

Caves in the Khasi Hills

Krem Mawmluh : The cave is situated approximately half a kilometre west of Cherrapunjee adjacent to the small hamlet of Mawmluh. This cave interestingly has a five river passage with impressive proportions. With a length of 4503m it is currently the 4th longest in the Indian sub continent.

Krem Phyllut : Situated in village Mawsmai, south of Cherrapunjee. The cave has a large section of fossil passage, two stream ways and three entrances. Length - 1003m.

Krem Soh Shympi (Mawlong, East Khasi Hills) : It has a large pothole entrance of 20m deep. The cave passage is very large with numerous formations at one end. Length - 760m.

Krem Dam : Located in Mawsynram at a distance of 58 kms from Shillong, this is the largest sandstone cave in the Indian sub-continent. It has a very large entrance with a stream entering the cave and running down its main passage. Length -1297m.


Caves in the Jaintia Hills

Jowai a picturesque town situated on the Shillong - Silchar national highway is circled by the Myntdu river. In the vicinity of Jowai are numerous thrilling caves & caverns used as hideouts during war time between Jaintia Kings and foreign intruders. The villages of Amlarem, Pdengshakap, Syndai and Nongtalang are dotted with such caves and caverns.

The Cave of Eocene Age - Krem Um-Lawan : A beautiful cave of the Eocene Age with an upper fossil passage and a lower active passage. It has numerous cataracts and waterfalls. It is presently the longest (6381m) and deepest (106.8m) cave in the Indian sub-continent.

KREM KOTSATI : This cave has 8 entrances with the main entrance through a deep pool. Portions of the beautiful river passage have to be traverse by swimming or by using inflatable rubber boat. Length: 3650m.

Krem Umshangktat : The entrance passage of 350 metres offers a comfortable stroll on moist sand. The last stretch requires a mild climb across fallen limestone blocks and debris to reach the collapse doline of the upper entrance. By the collapse there is a belly crawl passage which eventually terminates in a sizeable chamber. Length: 955m.

Krem Lashinng (Pdengshakap, 37 kms from Jowai): A massive cave measuring 50m wide and 40m high.) Due to the huge amount of sticky and slippery mud in the cave, the best period to visit would be Feb/March. Length: 2650m.

Krem Sweep (Syndai) : 47 kms from Jowai : The cave is situated just a few minutes walk from behind the village school in a depression. It has beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Length: 970m.


Caves in the Garo Hills

Garo hills are known for their abundance of wild life, flora and fauna and their caves. The headquarter town of Tura is 323 kms via Guwahati, at an altitude of 657 metres. The highest point is Nokrek Peak, 1.412 metres.

Siju-Dobkhakol : The third longest cave in the Indian sub-continent, it is situated on the bank of the Simsang river just below the village of Siju. It contains some of the finest river passage to be found anywhere in the world. It is the most researched cave in India and is the home of tens of thousands of bats. Length: 4772m.

Tetengkol-Balwakol (Cave of dwarfs with inverted feet): At Nengkhong village, 15 kms from Siju. The small and insignificant circular entrance of 1 metre diameter hides a large cave of 5334m long, which is currently the 2nd longest cave in the Indian sub-continent.

Dobhakol Chibe Nala (Nengkhong) : The cave is situated a few hundred metres downstream from Tetengkol-Balwakol on the river Chibe Nala. It is well hidden by a large rock. Length: 1978m

Bok Bak Dobhakol (Nengkhong, Rongdik Nala) : A rather complex cave which would seem to be an intermittently active river sink. During wet weather the cave floods to the roof. Length: 1051m.