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Bishop Falls Cherrapunji — Complete Travel Guide
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Bishop Falls Cherrapunji — Complete Travel Guide
Cherrapunji is home to some of India's most spectacular waterfalls — and while Nohkalikai Falls and Seven Sisters Falls rightfully attract most of the attention — Bishop Falls is one of Cherrapunji's most beautiful and most underappreciated natural treasures. A powerful cascade dropping into a deep forested gorge, perfectly framed from a dramatic elevated viewpoint — Bishop Falls is a genuinely extraordinary waterfall experience that deserves far more recognition than it currently receives.
Whether you're planning a full Cherrapunji waterfall circuit or looking for a specific waterfall destination — here's your complete travel guide to Bishop Falls.
About Bishop Falls
Bishop Falls is located on the southern edge of the Cherrapunji plateau — the same dramatic limestone plateau that makes Cherrapunji one of the wettest and most visually extraordinary places on earth. The falls drop in a powerful single cascade into a deep forested gorge below — the sheer depth of the gorge and the surrounding forest creating a very dramatic and photogenic natural setting.
During monsoon between June and October — when Cherrapunji receives some of the world's heaviest rainfall — Bishop Falls is at its most powerful and dramatic. The cascade roars with impressive force and the surrounding forest turns deep lush green creating an extraordinarily atmospheric waterfall experience.
The viewpoint above the gorge offers an excellent elevated perspective of the full cascade — perfectly framed by the surrounding forest and the dramatic Cherrapunji plateau landscape. On clear days the distant Bangladesh plains are visible in the background adding an extraordinary panoramic quality to the already stunning view.
How to Reach Bishop Falls from Shillong
Bishop Falls is located approximately 55 km from Shillong — about 1.5 hours drive on a smooth and well maintained road.
How to reach: Shillong → Mawkdok Valley Viewpoint → Cherrapunji → Bishop Falls. Approximately 55 km, 1.5 hours drive.
The drive from Shillong to Cherrapunji is itself one of Northeast India's most scenic road experiences — dramatic plateau views, sudden cloud cover, and the entire Bangladesh plains opening up dramatically as you approach the southern edge of the Meghalaya plateau.
From Guwahati:
Guwahati → Jorabat → Nongpoh → Shillong → Cherrapunji → Bishop Falls. Approximately 175 km, 4 hours drive.
From Shillong Airport:
Shillong Airport → Shillong → Cherrapunji → Bishop Falls. Approximately 80 km, 2 hours drive.
A self drive car rental Shillong from Car4Hires is the ideal way to make this journey — complete freedom to stop at viewpoints along the way, visit multiple Cherrapunji waterfalls in one trip, and return to Shillong at your own pace.
Best Time to Visit Bishop Falls
June to October — Monsoon Season
This is when Bishop Falls is at its absolute most powerful and dramatic. Cherrapunji's famous heavy monsoon rainfall fills the river to capacity and the cascade roars with impressive force. The surrounding forest is deep green and incredibly atmospheric — mist, clouds, and the sound of rain on forest leaves adding to the extraordinary sensory experience.
November to January — Post Monsoon Sweet Spot
Falls still have excellent water flow, the surrounding landscape is beautifully green, skies are clear, and the drive from Shillong is very comfortable. The Bangladesh plains views from nearby Cherrapunji viewpoints are particularly clear during this period. My personal recommendation for a comfortable Bishop Falls visit.
February to May
Water levels reduce significantly during dry season. Bishop Falls is still worth visiting as part of a Cherrapunji day trip but the cascade is nowhere near as dramatic as monsoon and post monsoon. Not recommended as a primary waterfall destination during this period.
What to See Near Bishop Falls
Since Bishop Falls is located in Cherrapunji — one of Meghalaya's most waterfall rich destinations — always combine it with nearby attractions for a complete Cherrapunji day trip:
Nohkalikai Falls — 2 km from Bishop Falls
India's tallest plunge waterfall at 340 meters — non negotiable on any Cherrapunji visit. Start your day here before moving to Bishop Falls.
Seven Sisters Falls — 3 km from Bishop Falls
Seven simultaneous streams cascading off a 315 meter limestone cliff — monsoon only phenomenon and one of the most unique waterfall sights in India.
Dainthlen Falls — 4 km from Bishop Falls
Beautiful wide cascade with fascinating Khasi legend — the place where a giant serpent called Thlen was reportedly killed. Easy to combine with Bishop Falls.
Mawsmai Falls and Caves — 5 km from Bishop Falls
Beautiful single cascade right next to the famous Mawsmai limestone caves — combine both in one stop for maximum efficiency.
Nohwet Falls — 6 km from Bishop Falls
Dramatic valley viewpoint waterfall with Bangladesh plains visible in the distance on clear days.
Eco Park, Cherrapunji — 1 km from Bishop Falls
Beautiful park on the plateau edge with stunning valley views — perfect for a quick walk between waterfall visits.
Complete Cherrapunji Day Trip Itinerary Including Bishop Falls
6:00 AM — Pick up self drive car from Car4Hires in Shillong
6:30 AM — Leave Shillong heading towards Cherrapunji
7:00 AM — Stop at Mawkdok Dympep Valley Viewpoint — 20 minutes
8:00 AM — Arrive Cherrapunji — Nohkalikai Falls first
9:30 AM — Seven Sisters Falls viewpoint
10:30 AM — Bishop Falls — spend 45 minutes to 1 hour
11:30 AM — Dainthlen Falls
12:30 PM — Lunch at local Cherrapunji restaurant
2:00 PM — Mawsmai Caves and Mawsmai Falls
3:30 PM — Nohwet Falls viewpoint
4:30 PM — Drive back to Shillong
6:00 PM — Arrive back in Shillong
Tips for Visiting Bishop Falls
- Start early from Shillong — leave by 6 AM to reach Cherrapunji before morning clouds build up over the plateau and obstruct views
- Carry rain gear always — Cherrapunji is one of the wettest places on earth and rain arrives without warning at any time of year
- Wear waterproof footwear — the viewpoint path to Bishop Falls is wet and slippery especially during and after monsoon
- Carry cash — entry fees at Cherrapunji waterfall sites and local restaurants don't always accept UPI or cards
- Visit on weekdays — Bishop Falls and other Cherrapunji waterfalls are significantly less crowded on weekdays compared to weekends
- Combine with other waterfalls — Bishop Falls is within a few kilometers of five other major Cherrapunji waterfalls, always combine as many as possible in one day trip
Book Your Self Drive Car Rental Shillong with Car4Hires
Bishop Falls and the other Cherrapunji waterfalls are best explored on a self drive car rental Shillong from Car4Hires. Public transport between Shillong and Cherrapunji is limited and doesn't allow the flexibility to visit multiple waterfalls efficiently in a single day trip.
With a self drive car from Car4Hires you get the complete freedom to create your own Cherrapunji waterfall itinerary — spending as much time as you want at Bishop Falls and each other waterfall, stopping at viewpoints along the Shillong to Cherrapunji road, and returning to Shillong whenever you're ready.
Arriving at Shillong Airport?
Car4Hires also offers convenient self drive car rental Shillong Airport — pick up your car right after landing and head straight to Cherrapunji and Bishop Falls without any delay.
Clean well maintained vehicles, transparent pricing, zero hidden charges, and flexible daily rental plans — Car4Hires has the perfect self drive car for your Bishop Falls and Cherrapunji waterfall adventure.
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