Shillong is a good base for exploring the Khasi Hills. In the city itself, you can visit Ward's Lake, a 19th-century horse-shoe lake perfect for an afternoon of paddle boating or a walk among the rhododendrons. A short drive away in Mawlai is the Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures, with seven storeys dedicated to the tribes of Northeast India. For a quick city stop, especially with family, Lady Hydari Park & Mini Zoo is just 1km from the central Police Bazar. The Gothic-style Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, built in 1936, is another key landmark.
For day trips, Elephant Falls is an easy half-day excursion, just 12km from town, with its popular three-tier cascade. For sweeping views on a clear day, drive up to Shillong Peak, the highest point in the area at 1,965m. Further afield, Laitlum Canyons, about 25km east, offers dramatic ridge views at what feels like the 'end of the hills'. And about 25km southwest, the Mawphlang Sacred Grove is worth it-do, a dense Khasi sacred forest best explored with a local guide.
By air: The nearest airport is Shillong (SHL) at Umroi, 30km away. It has limited flights, mostly connecting through Kolkata, and operations can be weather-dependent. The more common arrival point is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati (GAU), Assam, which is 100km away. The drive from Guwahati to Shillong takes about 3 hours on NH6.
By rail: Meghalaya has no rail lines. The nearest major railway station is in Guwahati, 100km away. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to Shillong.
By road: Shillong is well-connected by road. Police Bazar is the central hub for taxis and local transport. Key landmarks for navigation include Umiam Lake (Barapani), a large reservoir 17km out on the Guwahati road, and the routes to Cherrapunji (Sohra, 53km) and Dawki (95km).
The best season for clear skies and valley views is from October to April. The weather is pleasant for walking around Shillong and for day trips into the surrounding hills. The monsoon arrives from June to September, bringing the famous Khasi rain. While Shillong itself remains mostly walkable, the heavy rains can cause some outlying sights and roads to close temporarily. This is the time to see the waterfalls at their most powerful.
