The home is a good starting point for the region's main sights. The famous living root bridges are a drive and a significant trek away. The Nongriat double-decker bridge requires a descent of over 3,500 steps into the valley, so plan a full day for it.
Closer by are the Mawsmai and Krem Phyllut caves, a short drive from the main Cherrapunji town area. These limestone caves are well-lit and can be explored with or without a guide.
About 95km away is Dawki, on the Bangladesh border, where the Umngot river runs famously clear. For the best "glass boat" experience, visit between January and March, before the monsoon clouds the water.
Nearby, you can also visit Mawlynnong, often called Asia's cleanest village, and climb the Riwai sky walk, a bamboo viewpoint offering views over the plains of Bangladesh. And not far from Cherrapunji is Nohkalikai Falls, India's tallest plunge waterfall at 340 metres.
By Air: The standard arrival airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati (GAU), about 100km from Shillong. From Guwahati, it's a 3-hour drive to Shillong, and another 2 hours to Cherrapunji. A smaller airport at Umroi near Shillong (SHL) has limited flights, mostly from Kolkata.
By Rail: The nearest major railway station is in Guwahati, 100km from Shillong. There is no rail network in Meghalaya itself. Taxis are available at the station for the onward journey.
By Road: Shillong is the state capital and the central road hub. Cherrapunji (Sohra) is 53km from Shillong, a winding 2-hour drive.
The best weather is from October to April, when the skies are clearer and the air is dry. This is the ideal time for trekking and caving. The monsoon, from June to September, is intense, with the region receiving over 10,000mm of rain. During these months, some waterfalls and caves may be closed, but the landscape is a deep, unmatched green.
