Hillside Homestay in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
4.5· 141 stays
Things to do nearby.
Nohkalikai Falls sits a short drive away, dropping 340 meters straight down a sheer cliff face into a turquoise pool. It is best visited in the clear morning light before fog rolls across the gorge edge.
The Mawsmai and Krem Phyllut caves offer easy limestone trail walks underground. Visitors should carry a small flashlight and wear footwear with grip, as the rock floors inside stay damp throughout the year.
The Nongriat double-decker living root bridge requires a steep trek down 3,500 stone steps into the river valley below. Start before 7am to avoid the midday sun and hire a local guide at the trailhead for navigation.
Mawlynnong village sits further east along the ridge, known for stone paths and bamboo trash baskets along every garden boundary. Nearby at Riwai, a single-tier root bridge spans a wide mountain brook with simple bamboo viewing platforms.
The Umngot River at Dawki lies near the border crossing, roughly 95km from Shillong. The water runs completely clear between January and March, allowing wooden boats to float over visible riverbed stones.
Getting there.
Guwahati airport is the primary entry point for Meghalaya, situated roughly 100km from Shillong and followed by a two-hour hill climb to Cherrapunji. Pre-booked cabs operate directly from the terminal exit.
Shillong airport at Umroi sits 30km from Shillong city center, operating a limited schedule of regional flights primarily connected to Kolkata.
Guwahati railway station is the nearest major railhead, located 100km from Shillong. Taxis and shared sumos connect the station directly to Shillong and onward to Sohra.
Cherrapunji, locally called Sohra, sits 53km south of Shillong. The drive takes around two hours along a winding mountain highway that threads through clouds and ridge passes.
Best time to visit.
October through April brings dry weather, blue skies, and cool mountain breezes across the plateau. Days stay bright and clear, making it ideal for cave exploration and long valley walks.
June through September marks the heavy monsoon season, delivering over 10,000mm of rainfall to the region. Waterfalls swell to full volume and the landscape turns deep green, though heavy rains occasionally close cave entrances and slippery forest trails.


