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Meghalaya

Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls)

Sand-beach river island above one of India's tallest falls

OffbeatIslandWaterfalls

Best time to visit Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls)

peak shoulder off-season avoid

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

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryOctoberNovemberDecember

Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls) season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Dec-Feb is dry and blue: the Kynshi shrinks to green pools, the sand flats double in size and island camping is at its safest.

Summer March to May Shoulder

Mar-Apr stays warm and hazy but fine for the falls viewpoints; May's first storms make the river tracks greasy and slow.

Monsoon June to September Shoulder

Jun-Aug the Kynshi runs in spate: the beach disappears, crossings are dangerous and the track from Nongstoin slides; stay away.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Oct-Nov is the sweet spot: Langshiang still thunders at near-monsoon volume while the sand beach re-emerges for tents.

What Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls) is actually like

Khasi herders and rare Shillong campers; sleep in a simple Nongstoin lodge or camp on the island with a local guide

Things to do in Nongkhnum Island

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

  • Shadthum Falls

    Waterfall · in town

    The Phanliang branch of the Kynshi drops off the island's edge into a gorge; the rock at the lip stays wet, so keep back

  • Weinia Falls

    Waterfall · 1 km out

    The Namliang branch falls into a wooded gorge on the far side of the island, a short walk from the sand beach; loudest after rain

  • Nongstoin

    Village · 16 km out

    The district town you come in through, with the nearest bank, market and hotel rooms; sumos for Shillong go by mid afternoon

Getting to Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls)

Shillong to Nongstoin 92 km by shared sumo, then 16 km of rough track; hire wheels locally; no permits

Practical ways in: road

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Shoestring
How busy
Quiet at its peak
Solo travel
Doable solo with some planning
Altitude
1180 m
State
Meghalaya
Coordinates
25.4452, 91.2287

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls)?

October to February is peak season in Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls). March to April and September is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to August. Oct-Nov is the sweet spot: Langshiang still thunders at near-monsoon volume while the sand beach re-emerges for tents.

How many days do you need in Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls)?

2 days is the usual stay. Khasi herders and rare Shillong campers; sleep in a simple Nongstoin lodge or camp on the island with a local guide.

How do you get to Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls)?

Shillong to Nongstoin 92 km by shared sumo, then 16 km of rough track; hire wheels locally; no permits. Practical ways in: road.

Is Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls) expensive, and does it get crowded?

Shoestring 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 Nongkhnum Island?

Shadthum Falls, Weinia Falls and Nongstoin. The Phanliang branch of the Kynshi drops off the island's edge into a gorge; the rock at the lip stays wet, so keep back.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Meghalaya

All 17 destinations in Meghalaya