Meghalaya is a state of high plateaus and deep gorges, and it gets heavy rain. This plan starts in Shillong and heads for the waterfalls around Cherrapunji. From there you walk down to the double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat, and you finish at Mawlynnong and the clear water of the Umngot river at Dawki.
Meghalaya itinerary for 6 days: day by day
Day 1: Guwahati to Shillong
Most trips start in Guwahati, in Assam. From there it’s about three hours’ drive up the hill to Shillong, and Umiam Lake makes a good stop on the way. In the evening, walk around Police Bazaar, the busy centre of town.
Day 2: Shillong and Laitlum Canyons
Spend the morning at the Don Bosco Museum, whose seven floors cover the cultures of the North East, and walk around Ward’s Lake afterwards. After lunch, drive about an hour to Laitlum Canyons. The plateau ends there in a sheer drop to the valleys below, and sunset is the best time to see it.
Day 3: Shillong to Cherrapunji (Sohra)
Sohra is about two hours from Shillong, and there’s a viewpoint over the Mawkdok valley to stop at on the way. Spend the rest of the day on the sights the area is best known for. Nohkalikai Falls drops straight off the plateau into a green pool, and Mawsmai Cave is a run of limestone passages. Finish at the Seven Sisters Falls at sunset. Stay near Sohra, or in Laitkynsew or Tyrna if you’re doing the root bridge walk tomorrow.
Day 4: The double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat
From Tyrna village, a path of a few thousand steps goes down through the forest to Nongriat. Here the Khasi people have trained the roots of rubber trees across a stream to make a bridge two levels high. Rainbow Falls is about an hour further on, if you have the energy.
The climb back up is the hard part. Many people stay the night at a homestay in Nongriat and do it in the morning.
Day 5: Mawlynnong and Dawki
Drive to Mawlynnong, a village known for keeping itself spotless. Walk across the Riwai living root bridge nearby, then climb the bamboo viewing tower for a look over the plains of Bangladesh.
Dawki is about an hour further on. The water there is so clear that the boats seem to hang in the air. For the night, stay at a riverside camp in Shnongpdeng, a few kilometres upstream, where you can also kayak and swim.
Day 6: Back to Guwahati
The drive back to Guwahati through Shillong takes five to six hours, so book an evening flight or train.
Best time to visit Meghalaya
- October to April brings clear skies and cool days, and the water at Dawki is at its clearest. The river is most glass-like from about November to March.
- June to September is the monsoon, and Sohra is among the wettest places on Earth. The waterfalls are at full power and the hills deep green. On the other hand, steps get slippery, there are leeches on the trails, landslides can block roads and the river at Dawki turns muddy.
- May sees the first heavy showers before the monsoon arrives.
If waterfalls matter most to you, come in the monsoon. For clear water and dry walking, come in winter.
How to reach Meghalaya
- By flight: Guwahati’s airport has direct flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai and other cities. Shillong has a small airport at Umroi, but few flights use it.
- By train: Guwahati is the nearest major railway station, with trains from most of India.
- From Guwahati to Shillong: hire a taxi or take a shared one. It’s about three hours by road.
How many days are enough for Meghalaya?
Skip the Nongriat walk and four or five days is enough for Shillong, Cherrapunji and Dawki. Six days, as here, gives the root bridge the full day it needs. If you have eight, add the waterfalls around Jowai, or a two-day detour to Kaziranga National Park in Assam, several hours east of Guwahati.
What affects the cost of a Meghalaya trip
- Transport: a private taxi for the whole trip is usually the largest cost, though your group shares it.
- Where you stay: homestays and guesthouses are the norm outside Shillong, and they’re good value.
- Season: October to December and the summer holidays are the busiest times.
- Small fees: many viewpoints, falls and villages charge small entry, camera or parking fees, so keep change handy.
Meghalaya travel tips
- Cash: ATMs are scarce outside Shillong, so carry enough for the whole loop.
- Shoes and rain gear: wear shoes with good grip, and carry a rain jacket whatever the season.
- Village rules: the local community runs many of the sights. Follow their rules and pay their fees, and take your rubbish away with you.
- Photos: ask before you photograph people.
- Timing: Shillong’s traffic is slow and hill roads are best driven in daylight, so leave early.
- Sundays: much of Shillong closes on Sunday.
Updated . Roads, ferries and rules change, so check the latest before you book.