Elephant Falls, Shillong
A multi-tier waterfall about 12 km from Shillong, reached by steep stairs with viewpoints at each level.
Overview
Elephant Falls is the most visited waterfall among the places to visit in Shillong. This guide covers its three tiers, the walk down and the fee details that sources disagree on.
Elephant Falls is a waterfall on a mountain stream about 12 km from Shillong city centre, near Laitmynsaw in the East Khasi Hills. The Khasi name is Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew, meaning three-step waterfall. British settlers named it Elephant Falls after a rock that resembled an elephant, which was destroyed in the 1897 earthquake. Wikipedia describes a first drop of horsetail-punchbowl form and a third fall that is the tallest and comes into view suddenly.
Steep stairs lead down to each level, with benches for resting. Veena World estimates under an hour for a visit. Flow is strongest after the monsoon and the middle tier shrinks in winter. Fee information conflicts: Wikipedia states Rs 20 entry plus Rs 20 for a camera, while a Veena World page says there is no entry fee, so the amounts here are unconfirmed. Hours also differ between sources and none is official.
Entry fees
Entry
Amount needs verification
Camera
Amount needs verification
Wikipedia gives Rs 20 entry plus Rs 20 camera; Veena World says there is no entry fee. No official source was found.
We only show an amount when a source backs it. Prices change, so confirm locally before you go.
Opening hours
Opening hours have not been confirmed by a reliable source yet.
No official hours found; a travel blog lists 10:00 am-6:00 pm, closed Sunday (unverified).
Unofficial source only; not stored as hours rows.
Visitor information
- Best time to visit
- Just after the monsoon for the fullest flow; the middle tier shrinks in winter.
- Best time of day
- Morning, before tour groups arrive
- How long to spend
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Families
- Suitable for families
Good to know
- Steep, wet stairs: wear shoes with grip
Location
Laitmynsaw, Upper Shillong, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya
Shillong, Meghalaya, India
25.53786, 91.82205
Get directionsPhotos
Elephant Falls in a long-exposure shot. Photo: Sudip2104 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 The first tier. Photo: ANKAN / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 The last tier. Photo: ANKAN / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 The park beside the falls. Photo: ANKAN / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Visitor signboard at the falls. Photo: ANKAN / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
How far is Elephant Falls from Shillong?
About 12 km from the city centre, according to Wikipedia and Veena World.
Is there an entry fee for Elephant Falls?
Wikipedia lists Rs 20 plus Rs 20 for a camera, but another page says there is no entry fee; confirm at the gate.
Why is it called Elephant Falls?
British settlers named it after an elephant-shaped rock that was destroyed in the 1897 earthquake.
Information sources
Where the facts on this page come from, and what still needs confirming.
Information last checked 7 October 2026
Not yet confirmed
- Entry and camera fees (conflicting sources)
- Hours (blog only)
Not available yet
- official fee and hours source
- Wikipedia – Elephant Falls · Encyclopedia
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