Shillong is the hub for exploring the Khasi & Jaintia Hills. From here, day trips or multi-day tours can take you to some of Meghalaya’s most famous sights. The host can help arrange a car and driver.
The living root bridges of Nongriat are an essential trek. The most famous is the double-decker bridge, reached by a steep descent of 3,500 stone steps into the valley. It’s a challenging but rewarding journey.
Near Cherrapunji (Sohra), you can explore the Mawsmai and Krem Phyllut caves. These limestone cave systems have well-lit passages for easy exploration, showing off impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations.
The Umngot river at Dawki, on the Bangladesh border, is famous for its crystal-clear water, which makes boats look like they are floating on air. The water is clearest from January to March, before the monsoon rains arrive.
Mawlynnong is often called ‘Asia’s Cleanest Village’. It’s a small, well-kept village with gardens and bamboo dustbins. Nearby, the Riwai sky walk offers a walk across a bamboo bridge with views over the treetops.
Nohkalikai Falls, at 340 metres, is India’s tallest plunge waterfall. The viewpoint near Cherrapunji offers a direct, dramatic view of the falls cascading into a turquoise pool below.
By Air: The nearest major airport is Guwahati (GAU), about 100km or a 3-hour drive from Shillong. It has good connectivity with major Indian cities. Shillong has its own airport at Umroi (SHL), just 30km away, but it has limited flights, mostly connecting through Kolkata.
By Rail: Meghalaya has no railway lines. The nearest major railhead is in Guwahati, 100km from Shillong. From the station, you can hire a shared or private taxi for the journey up to Shillong.
By Road: Shillong is the main road hub for the region. It is well-connected by road to Guwahati. From Shillong, you can hire taxis to explore Cherrapunji (53km, 2 hours), Dawki (95km), and other destinations.
The best time to visit the Khasi Hills is from October to April, when the weather is dry and pleasant. The skies are clear, and all attractions are accessible. The monsoon season, from June to September, brings some of the heaviest rainfall in the world (over 10,000mm). During this time, some caves and waterfalls may be closed, but the landscape is incredibly lush and green.
