"Blue Heaven Falls" Shillong Off The Beaten Path Tip by anilpradhanshillong

The ‘Blue Heaven Falls’ appears to be a closely-guarded secret. Located behind the Crinoline Falls and in the higher reaches of Shillong Peak, past a thickly-wooded forest, this falls can only be reached after an arduous trek. Formed by the Um Risa stream, the local name is Kshaid Suin Bneng (Waterfall Higher Altitude Heaven). Best would be to undertake this trek on a holiday so that plenty of boys would be around to show you the way through the maze of jungle trails. For a good photo, undertake this trek in the early afternoon (say 2 pm) so that the rays of the sun are on the falls as you click. A video is at VirtualTourist.

At Malki point, you head towards ‘Seven Set’ School, past the wooden bridge and climb towards Mission locality, located almost at the summit of the hill. Park your vehicle and head into the woods to your right. The first few hundred yards are easy as you go downhill. Once you leap over a thin sparkling stream, the upward climb begins. As you huff and pant your way up, you will come across a four-way junction. Turn sharp right and continue your trek. After a small clearing, the steep descent begins. You hold on to a twig or the roots of an overgrown tree while the boys of the locality whistle past you.

At the bottom of the hill, you see a stream and the sound of people swimming. The sight that awaits you is worth all the trouble. Ensconced against the hill is a delicate waterfall with almost four branches in the leaner months. Though the height of the waterfall may not be more than 20 feet, its placement is a sight for sore eyes. Rocks have been used to dam the water of this falls so that a shallow swimming pool is formed. Boys of the locality laze around amongst the rocks while some frolic in the pool.

The journey back is equally difficult owing to the steep climb that you must negotiate to reach the clearing. Then onwards, its plain sailing. The total distance covered would not be more than 3 (three) kilometers while the time taken for the to and fro journey would be around 1 (one) hour.