Chirnzb · Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Krang Suri is a waterfall with a deep blue pool near Amlarem in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, about 29 km from Jowai and 93 km (3 hours) from Shillong. It is one of the few falls where swimming is allowed, with a compulsory life jacket. Go between October and April. Entry is a small cash fee; check locally.
Krang Suri is the waterfall people in Jowai recommend when you ask where they swim. The falls pour over a limestone lip into a wide, deep pool that turns a clear sky-blue in the dry months, and the local management has built changing rooms, a cafe and paved steps so that visitors can get into the water safely.
The falls lie in Amlarem sub-division of West Jaintia Hills, about 29 km south of Jowai and 31 km from Dawki. From the parking area a stone path and steps lead down through forest, past a viewpoint that looks onto the falls from above, to the pool edge. Most people take 15 to 30 minutes each way.
We plan it for a sunny day between November and March, around late morning, when light reaches the pool. The water is cold all year. In the monsoon the flow turns powerful and brown, and the pool may be closed to swimmers; the view is still worth it from the path.
What makes it worth the trip
The blue pool
A wide, deep pool that turns clear blue from about October to April.
Swimming with life jackets
Swimming is permitted, and a life jacket, available for hire on site, is compulsory in the water.
Walk behind the falls
In the dry months some visitors can reach a ledge behind the curtain of water; follow staff advice.
Visitor facilities
Changing rooms, toilets, bamboo seating and a small cafe near the pool.
Things to do
- Swim in the pool with a life jacket in the dry season
- Photograph the falls from the viewpoint on the way down
- Walk behind the water curtain where staff allow it
- Relax at the bamboo seating and cafe near the pool
- Combine with Jowai, Thadlaskein Lake or Nartiang on a Jaintia Hills day
- Continue to Dawki, about 31 km away, for boating on the Umngot
Getting there
Krang Suri is about 29 km from Jowai via Amlarem, roughly 1 hour by car, and about 93 km from Shillong, usually 3 hours. From Shillong the route runs east on the highway to Jowai, then south. It can also be linked with Dawki, about 31 km away, making a loop of Shillong, Jowai, Krang Suri and Dawki over one or two days. There is no dependable public transport to the falls, so hire a taxi from Shillong or Jowai. Parking is near the ticket gate.
Where to stay
The nearest town with hotels is Jowai, about an hour away, which has modest hotels and guest houses suited to one or two nights. Homestays around Amlarem and nearby villages offer simple rooms if you want to be close to the falls. Travellers heading on to the river can stay in riverside camps at Shnongpdeng or basic homestays in Dawki, about an hour away. Anyone wanting more choice and comfort should stay in Shillong and plan a long day trip.
Local tips
- Life jackets are compulsory in the pool; hire one at the counter
- The water is cold even in April; swim in short spells
- Rocks around the pool are slippery; walk, do not run
- Arrive by 10 am on weekends to find space on the bamboo seating
- Swimming may be stopped after heavy rain; follow staff instructions
- Carry cash for tickets, life jacket hire and the cafe
Rain and weather
Source: IMD 1991–2020 normals
October to April for blue water and safe swimming; the pool can be closed in heavy monsoon rain.
