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Meghalaya

Lumshnong (Krem Kotsati caves)

Jaintia limestone cave country: swim-in river caves, a hidden waterfall and a lake

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Best time to visit Lumshnong (Krem Kotsati caves)

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: November to March
  • Shoulder: April and October, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: May to September

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryMarchNovemberDecember

Lumshnong (Krem Kotsati caves) season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Dec-Feb is caving season: low water makes it safest to swim into Krem Kotsati, and a 4x4 can get close to the Khaddum falls.

Summer March to May Prime time

Mar is still dry enough for the caves and the Khaddum trail; Apr storms raise cave water fast, so go only with a guide, and skip caving by May.

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Avoid Jun-Sep: cave entrances flood, the mouth of Krem Kotsati is underwater and the Khaddum trail turns to deep mud.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Oct is muddy as the water drops; by Nov the caves reopen to swimmers, the Khaddum falls are full and the 4x4 track dries out.

What Lumshnong (Krem Kotsati caves) is actually like

Cement-belt village on NH6 with basic stays; you go with a local caving guide and meet few other travellers.

Things to do in Lumshnong

The local places worth your time in and around Lumshnong, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Krem Kotsati

    Cave · 1 km out

    River cave whose entrance sits in the middle of the village; you swim in through a pool, and the mouth floods in monsoon.

  • Khaddum Falls (Pieltleng)

    Waterfall · 8 km out

    Fan-shaped falls over a green rock face into a deep pool, reached on foot from Brichyrnot; in dry weather a 4x4 cuts the walk to about 2 km.

  • Krem Chympe

    Cave · 8 km out

    Long river cave by Khaddum village, a short hike from the falls; you swim, canoe or take a bamboo raft into the dark.

  • Umhang Lake

    Lake · 14 km out

    Lake at Bataw village, reached south via Rymbai, that the district calls the largest natural lake in the Jaintia Hills.

Getting to Lumshnong (Krem Kotsati caves)

About 110 km from Shillong via Jowai on NH6; Badarpur Junction railhead about 80 km; no permits needed

Practical ways in: road

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Quiet at its peak
Solo travel
Doable solo with some planning
Altitude
585 m
State
Meghalaya
Coordinates
25.1840, 92.3767

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Lumshnong (Krem Kotsati caves)?

November to March is peak season in Lumshnong (Krem Kotsati caves). April and October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid May to September. Oct is muddy as the water drops; by Nov the caves reopen to swimmers, the Khaddum falls are full and the 4x4 track dries out.

How many days do you need in Lumshnong (Krem Kotsati caves)?

2 days is the usual stay. Cement-belt village on NH6 with basic stays; you go with a local caving guide and meet few other travellers.

How do you get to Lumshnong (Krem Kotsati caves)?

About 110 km from Shillong via Jowai on NH6; Badarpur Junction railhead about 80 km; no permits needed. Practical ways in: road.

Is Lumshnong (Krem Kotsati caves) expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs quiet at the busiest time of year. Doable solo with some planning.

What are the best things to do in Lumshnong?

Krem Kotsati, Khaddum Falls (Pieltleng), Krem Chympe and Umhang Lake. River cave whose entrance sits in the middle of the village; you swim in through a pool, and the mouth floods in monsoon.

Nearby, and where to go next

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