Elephant Falls

Elephant Falls is one of the most visited waterfalls in and around Shillong, located just 12 km from the city center. The falls descend in three distinct tiers through dense subtropical forest, each tier accessible via a well-maintained staircase path through the trees.

The British named it 'Elephant Falls' after a rock that resembled an elephant — the rock was unfortunately destroyed in an earthquake in 1897, but the name persisted. The Khasi people call it 'Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew' meaning 'Three Step Waterfall.'

The lowermost tier is the most dramatic and most photographed — a broad curtain of white water framed by moss-covered rocks and hanging ferns. The surrounding forest is alive with birdsong, making it a wonderful sensory experience beyond just the visual spectacle.