Bandare Waterfalls, Meghalaya

Bandare Waterfalls is a stunning yet lesser-known waterfall located in Durabanda, South Garo Hills, Meghalaya. The waterfall is situated approximately 9 km from Gimbil Adinggre, a village located around 14 km from Tura, the district headquarters and a major town in the region. 

Surrounded by dense, green subtropical forests, Bandare Waterfalls offers visitors pristine surroundings, along with pure air and water. The serene natural setting makes it an ideal destination for camping and trekking.

Bandare waterfall reaches its highest water volume during the monsoon, when it presents its most spectacular appearance. Bandare Waterfall is formed by the Rongkra River, as it is known locally. The waterfall appears in two distinct tiers, with the first tier being higher than the second. At the second tier, the water spreads into several smaller cascades, particularly during the monsoon season when the water volume is at its highest. These multiple cascades may not be visible during other seasons. 

The first tier of the waterfall is situated amid rocky, mountainous terrain that can be challenging to navigate and is best suited to experienced hikers. Visitors generally enjoy the waterfall at its second, or lower, tier. As the water flows over the rocky terrain, it forms a stream and creates a natural pool of fresh, clean water. Surrounded by lush greenery, the pool provides visitors with an ideal spot to swim and enjoy the natural surroundings. Swimming or bathing is strictly prohibited at the waterfall.

Located in the remote and pristine terrain of Durabanda in South Garo Hills, Bandare Waterfalls is known for its raw and untouched tropical beauty. Visitors can trek through the natural terrain from nearby villages such as Dura A•sim to reach the waterfall. Trekkers can also explore the surrounding forest by following the stream and navigating the natural trails. 

The waterfall is surrounded by lush, dense subtropical forests, heavy foliage and extensive groves of native areca nut trees. Its mountainous setting also provides opportunities to explore the surrounding rocky terrain. A few open stretches near the waterfall offer suitable spaces for visitors to camp and enjoy the natural surroundings. 

With relatively little exposure to mainstream tourism, Bandare Waterfalls retains a tranquil environment, and visitors often appreciate its clean water and fresh air. To improve visitor facilities and promote sustainable tourism, the local government has also initiated eco-tourism projects, including the Bandare Waterfall Tourism Centre.

Reaching Bandare Waterfalls can be challenging due to the rugged and underdeveloped local road infrastructure. Visitors also need to cross small streams along the way. Although the entire route is motorable, only a small section has been paved in recent years. The waterfall itself cannot be accessed directly by motor vehicle. Visitors need to trek for some time through dense subtropical forests before reaching the falls. The trek involves crossing small streams and navigating rocky terrain, adding to the adventure of reaching the waterfall.

To reach the general vicinity of Bandare Waterfalls in Durabanda, visitors can travel southeast from Tura towards South Garo Hills. Hiring a private local vehicle is a convenient option for reaching the area. While the primary roads are generally in decent condition, the interior stretches leading to remote natural attractions can be rugged and underdeveloped. 

For travellers arriving from Guwahati, road travel is the primary option for reaching Tura. The nearest airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, while Guwahati Railway Station in Paltan Bazaar is the nearest major railway station.