Wildlife, Nature & Eco Tourism

Cave Exploration & Eco-Tourism

Meghalaya is famous for its vast network of limestone and sandstone caves, some of which are among the longest and deepest in India. These caves offer adventurous treks, ancient fossils, hidden waterfalls, and underground rivers, making Meghalaya a top destination for spelunking (cave exploration) and eco-tourism.

Here are the best caves to explore in Meghalaya:

1. Mawsmai Cave – Meghalaya’s Most Popular Cave

 Location: Cherrapunji (Near Seven Sisters Falls)
 Length: 150 meters (Tourist-friendly)
✅ Easiest and most accessible cave in Meghalaya.
✅ Features limestone formations, stalactites, and stalagmites.
✅ Has narrow passages & illuminated chambers, perfect for beginners.

 Best Time to Visit: October – April (Dry season for easy exploration).

 Ideal for: Families, first-time cave explorers, nature lovers.

2. Siju Cave (Bat Cave) – Meghalaya’s Longest River Cave

 Location: Garo Hills (Near Balpakram National Park)
 Length: 4 km (Explorable length: 1 km)
✅ One of India’s longest caves, with underground rivers & bat colonies.
✅ Features dark tunnels, water pools & rare limestone formations.
✅ Home to thousands of bats, making it an exciting adventure for wildlife lovers.

 Best Time to Visit: October – March.

 Ideal for: Adventure seekers, wildlife photographers, spelunkers.

3. Arwah Cave – The Fossil Cave of Meghalaya

 Location: Cherrapunji (Near Mawsmai Cave)
 Length: 300 meters
✅ Contains prehistoric marine fossils & unique rock formations.
✅ Features large limestone chambers & hidden waterfalls.
✅ Less crowded than Mawsmai Cave, perfect for peaceful exploration.

 Best Time to Visit: October – April.

 Ideal for: History buffs, fossil hunters, offbeat explorers.

4. Krem Mawmluh – The Adventurer’s Cave

 Location: Cherrapunji
 Length: 7 km (One of the longest caves in Meghalaya)
✅ Known for its subterranean river & deep pools.
✅ Requires wading through waist-deep water & crawling through passages.
✅ Challenging yet rewarding, with breathtaking cave chambers.

 Best Time to Visit: October – April.

 Ideal for: Experienced trekkers, adventure seekers, extreme spelunkers.

5. Krem Liat Prah – India’s Longest Cave

 Location: Jaintia Hills
 Length: 34 km (Longest cave in India!)
✅ A massive cave system with the largest cave passage (Dolomite Hall).
✅ Restricted for expert cavers, but parts of it are explored with trained guides.
✅ Features huge underground caverns, waterfalls & limestone formations.

 Best Time to Visit: November – March.

 Ideal for: Professional cavers & researchers.

6. Krem Puri – The World’s Longest Sandstone Cave

 Location: Mawsynram (World’s Wettest Place)
 Length: 24.5 km (World’s longest sandstone cave)
✅ Discovered in 2016, making it one of Meghalaya’s newest cave attractions.
✅ Home to rare fossils, hidden tunnels & untouched chambers.
✅ Strictly for expert cavers & geological researchers.

 Best Time to Visit: November – March.

 Ideal for: Geologists, cave experts, serious spelunkers.

7. Krem Dam – Meghalaya’s Waterfall Cave

 Location: South Garo Hills
 Length: 1297 meters
✅ A unique cave with waterfalls & deep water pools inside.
✅ Requires swimming & rock climbing to explore fully.
✅ Offers an offbeat adventure experience in the wild Garo Hills.

 Best Time to Visit: November – March.

 Ideal for: Adventure travelers, cave swimmers, offbeat explorers.

8. Krem Lubon – Meghalaya’s Crystal Cave

 Location: Jaintia Hills
✅ Known for its glowing crystal formations & underground pools.
✅ Features cave pearls, stalactites & mineral-rich deposits.
✅ A beautiful off-the-beaten-path cave, less explored by tourists.

 Best Time to Visit: November – April.

 Ideal for: Eco-tourists, geology enthusiasts, explorers.