Wei Sawdong is a three-tier waterfall with turquoise pools just off the Shillong–Sohra road near Dainthlen, about 50 km (1.5 hours) from Shillong in Meghalaya. A steep, rough path with bamboo ladders takes 20 to 30 minutes down. Go from October to April. A small community entry fee is collected; no permit is needed.
Wei Sawdong is a short but steep adventure off the main Sohra road. A hill stream here drops in three steps down a curved rock wall, and in the dry months the pools between the tiers turn a clear turquoise blue. The Khasi name is usually translated as square pool, which makes sense once you see the stepped basins from below.
Getting there takes a little effort. From the parking area near Dainthlen, the local community has built a trail of mud steps, rocks and bamboo ladders down through forest to the lowest pool. The descent takes 20 to 30 minutes for most people; the climb back is harder. There are no railings on the lower rocks, and the area is not a swimming spot for casual visitors.
We like it on a winter morning, on the way from Shillong to Sohra, when the light reaches the pools by about 10 am. After heavy rain the path is slippery and the water turns brown and fast; in the peak monsoon, look from the top and move on.
What makes it worth the trip
Three tiers
Water drops in three steps into pools you can see stacked from the lower rocks.
Turquoise pools
Between November and April the water turns a clear blue-green, the reason most people come.
Bamboo ladders
The community-built path includes short bamboo ladders on the steepest bits; take them slowly.
Dainthlen nearby
Dainthlen Falls, with its carved rock legends, is a few minutes away for an easy second stop.
Shreekanth Ramasamy · Commons · CC0
Abhai Kollara · Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
ANKAN · Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Things to do
- Walk down to the lowest viewpoint for the full three-tier view
- Photograph the turquoise pools in mid-morning light in winter
- Stop at Dainthlen Falls a few minutes away
- Pair it with the Mawkdok Dympep valley viewpoint on the same road
- Rest at the tea stalls near the parking area before the climb back
- Continue to Sohra for Nohkalikai Falls and Mawsmai Cave in the afternoon
Getting there
Wei Sawdong is just off the Shillong–Sohra road, near the Dainthlen Falls turn, about 50 km from Shillong and 8 to 10 km before Sohra market. By taxi it takes around 1.5 hours from Shillong. Ask your driver for the Wei Sawdong parking; the trail starts a short walk from there. There is no dedicated public transport, though shared taxis to Sohra pass the junction. Most people add it as a stop on the drive to Sohra, keeping 1.5 to 2 hours for the walk down and back.
Where to stay
There is no accommodation at the falls. Stay in Sohra, 15 to 20 minutes away, where homestays around the market and resorts such as Sa-I-Mika Park Resort and Polo Cherrapunjee Resort make a good base for the falls and the rest of the plateau. Travellers on a tight schedule stay in Shillong and stop at Wei Sawdong on the way to Sohra in the morning. A few homestays have opened along the Shillong–Sohra road near Mawkdok; these suit anyone with a car who wants early starts.
Local tips
- Wear shoes with strong grip; the rocks and ladders are slick with spray
- Do not swim; the pools are deep with strong undercurrents below the falls
- Keep both hands free on the bamboo ladders and use a small backpack
- Skip the descent in heavy rain and view from the top instead
- Allow twice as long for the climb back up as the walk down
- Carry cash for the entry and parking fees
Rain and weather
Source: IMD 1991–2020 normals
October to April, when the pools are clear blue and the path is dry.
