Meghalaya Explorer: Shillong, Sohra & Dawki - 5 days 4 nights
The definitive Meghalaya trip - waterfalls, living root bridges, Asia's cleanest village, and India's clearest river. Stay at our highest-rated homestays handpicked from 200+ properties across Northeast India.
AdventureModerate
Shillong1 Nights Stay
Day 01
morning
09:00
Pickup from Guwahati Airport
09:30
Drive to Shillong via NH6 (99 km, 2.5-3 hrs). Stop at Umiam Lake - turquoise reservoir, entry ₹50, optional water sports.
afternoon
13:00
Lunch near Umiam (on your own, ₹150-250).
14:00
Arrive at your Shillong stay. Check in. Colonial-era property, 7 rooms, 1 km from Police Bazaar.
15:30
Laitlum Canyons (30 min). 'End of Hills' - 270-degree panoramic views. No entry fee. Best light: afternoon.
evening
17:30
Cafe hopping - Dylan's Cafe (Bob Dylan theme, live music), ML05 Cafe (rooftop views), The Living Roof Cafe. Budget: ₹400-800 for two.
19:30
Dinner: Trattoria for Khasi Jadoh, or Ryn San, or The Flare. Pro tip: fill up fuel and hit an ATM - they get scarce from here. Download offline maps tonight.
Travel to Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji2 Nights Stay
Day 02
morning
07:00
Breakfast (included). Check out.
08:00
Stop at Elephant Falls en route (three-tiered, entry ₹30, 20 min).
09:30
Drive to Cherrapunji (Sohra) via NH-51 (54 km, 1.5-2 hrs).
afternoon
11:00
Nohkalikai Falls - India's tallest plunge waterfall (1,115 ft). Entry ₹20-30. Allow 45-60 min.
13:00
Lunch in Sohra. Sky Grill for Jadoh with views, or Halari for smoked pork. ₹200-400.
14:30
Mawsmai Cave - 150m limestone cave. Entry ₹30. Closed Sundays. 30-60 min.
16:00
Seven Sisters Falls viewpoint - seven parallel streams. Free entry.
evening
17:00
Check in at your Cherrapunji stay - eco-cottage, traditional Khasi huts.
19:00
Home-cooked Khasi dinner at the property.
Day 03
morning
07:00
Breakfast at the property.
08:00
Wei Sawdong Falls - three-tiered, ~1,200 steps on bamboo ladders. NOT suitable for seniors/young children. Allow 2 hours. Sturdy shoes essential.
10:30
Mawkdok Valley Zipline - small (1,089 ft, ₹400) or big (2,600 ft, ₹800).
afternoon
12:00
CHOOSE: Option A (TREK) - Double Decker Root Bridge (5-7 hrs, 3,500 steps, ~₹50, guide included). Option B - Garden of Caves + Thangkharang Park.
14:00
Option A: at the bridge, natural pool below. Option B: Garden of Caves, relaxed afternoon.
evening
18:00
Home-cooked Khasi dinner. Pack for Mawlynnong and Dawki tomorrow.
Travel to Dawki
Dawki1 Nights Stay
Day 04
morning
07:00
Breakfast. Check out.
08:00
Drive to Mawlynnong - Asia's cleanest village (81 km, ~2 hrs). Sky View tower (85 ft), Balancing Rock, Riwai Root Bridge (easy 10-min walk), Church of Epiphany. Allow 1.5-2 hours.
10:30
Lunch at village eatery (₹100-200, cash only).
afternoon
11:30
Drive to Dawki / Shnongpdeng (~80 km, 2 hours).
14:00
Check in at your Dawki stay. Peaceful riverside location.
15:00
Shnongpdeng activities: cliff jumping (₹500), kayaking (₹500), snorkeling (₹500), scuba (₹2,500-3,500). Or float in the Umngot.
evening
20:00
Dinner at the property. Early night - tomorrow's boating is best at sunrise.
Travel to Guwahati
Flight Departure
Where You'll Stay
1N in Shillong
7BR Charming City-View Retreat, 1km from Bazaar or similar
Shillong, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya 793001 · View stay
ROOM DETAILS:
WiFi
Hot Water
Breakfast Included
Room Heater
Central Location
4.3/5
Guest Rating
2N in Sohra
Authentic Himalayan Eco-Cottage or similar
Laitumiong, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya · View stay
ROOM DETAILS:
Home-Cooked Meals
Traditional Khasi Huts
Offbeat Location
Eco-Friendly
4.5/5
Guest Rating
1N in Dawki
A Hidden Gem With Soulful Khasi Hospitality or similar
Near Dawki, West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya · View stay
ROOM DETAILS:
Hot Water
Breakfast Included
River Access
Peaceful Location
4.9/5
Guest Rating
What's Included
Inclusions
4 nights accommodation at handpicked homestays
Daily breakfast at each property
Airport pickup and drop-off (Guwahati Airport - GAU)
All inter-city transfers in private vehicle with experienced local driver
Umngot River boating at Dawki (₹800/boat, seats 4)
Local guide for Double Decker Living Root Bridge trek
Bamboo walking canes for the trek
All parking, toll, and permit charges
24/7 WhatsApp support during the trip
Exclusions
Flights to/from Guwahati
Lunch and dinner (₹200–500 per meal at local restaurants)
Entry fees at tourist spots (₹10-100 each - Don Bosco ₹100/₹200 foreigners, Mawsmai Cave ₹30, Nohkalikai ₹20-30, Umiam Lake ₹50, Elephant Falls ₹30, Root Bridge entry ~₹50)
Optional activities at Shnongpdeng (cliff jumping ₹500, kayaking ₹500, snorkeling ₹500, scuba ₹2,500-3,500)
Personal expenses, tips, and shopping
Travel insurance
Anything not mentioned in inclusions
Trip Overview
A 5-day curated journey through Meghalaya's most iconic destinations, designed around our three best-performing properties. You'll trek 3,500 steps to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge, boat on the crystal-clear Umngot River at Dawki (where boats appear to float in mid-air), explore Nohkalikai Falls - India's tallest plunge waterfall at 1,115 ft - and walk through Mawlynnong, voted Asia's cleanest village. Every night you sleep at a locally-run homestay with real Google reviews, not a chain hotel. No tourist-bus chaos, no cookie-cutter itineraries.
Travel Tips
BEST TIME TO VISIT
October to May. Peak season: March–June (15–25°C, pleasant for sightseeing). Best river clarity at Dawki: November–March. Avoid July–September - heavy monsoon makes roads risky and Dawki water turns muddy (but waterfalls are at their most dramatic).
GETTING THERE
Fly to Guwahati (GAU) - Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. Direct flights from:
• Delhi: 2.5 hours (IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet - ₹3,000–6,000)
• Kolkata: 1 hour (most convenient gateway - ₹2,500–4,500)
• Bangalore: 3.5 hours (IndiGo direct)
• Mumbai: 3.5 hours (IndiGo, Air India)
No commercial airport in Shillong - Guwahati is the only gateway.
WHAT TO PACK
• Layered clothing - Shillong is 1,500m altitude, cool year-round (10–25°C)
• Rain jacket or poncho - it can rain any month in Meghalaya
• Sturdy trekking shoes with grip (essential for Living Root Bridge)
• 2–3 litre water bottle + ORS/glucose sachets for the trek
• Power bank - limited charging at rural homestays
• Cash: ₹5,000–8,000 in small notes. UPI works only in Shillong.
FOOD - WHAT TO EAT
Must-try Khasi dishes: Jadoh (rice with pork/chicken), Dohneiiong (pork with black sesame), Tungrymbai (fermented soybean), Dohkhlieh (cold pork salad), Nakham Bitchi (dried fish soup), Ki Kpu (Khasi rice beer).
WHERE TO EAT: SHILLONG - Dylan's Café, Trattoria, ML05 Café. CHERRAPUNJI - Sky Grill, Halari, Rain Cafe. DAWKI/MAWLYNNONG - Village eateries only, ₹100–200.
IMPORTANT - SUNDAY CLOSURES & EVENING HOURS
Meghalaya is India's most Christian state (~75%). Many shops, restaurants, and museums close on Sundays (including Don Bosco Museum and Mawsmai Cave). Plan accordingly. Also: most places outside Shillong close by 8:30 PM. Finish your dinner and shopping before then.
HEALTH & SAFETY
No special vaccinations needed. Carry basic first-aid (motion sickness meds, band-aids, antiseptic, ORS packets). Living Root Bridge: pace yourself, drink water constantly, wear proper hiking boots (sneakers and sandals FAIL on slippery steps). Leeches possible on trail during/after rain - tuck pants into socks. Never swim in rivers or waterfalls without local guidance - currents are unpredictable. Wei Sawdong Falls descent (~1,200 steep bamboo-ladder steps) is NOT suitable for seniors, young children, or anyone with knee problems.
VEGETARIAN TRAVELERS
Meghalaya cuisine is heavily meat-based (pork, beef, fish). If you're vegetarian, tell your homestay host in advance - most can prepare rice, dal, and vegetable dishes. In Shillong: Jiva Veg Restaurant serves Meghalayan vegetarian thalis. Tungrymbai (fermented soybean curry) is the signature Khasi vegetarian dish. Carry snacks for long drives between towns.
CASH & PAYMENTS
Carry ₹5,000-8,000 in small notes. UPI works in most Shillong shops but is unreliable elsewhere. ATMs: available in Shillong and Jowai only. Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong, and Dawki are cash-only.
MOBILE & INTERNET
Jio and Airtel work in Shillong. Patchy in Cherrapunji, minimal in Dawki/Mawlynnong. Download offline Google Maps before leaving Shillong. Inform family of your itinerary - you may be unreachable for stretches.
CULTURE & ETIQUETTE
Meghalaya is matrilineal - children take mother's surname and property passes through the mother's line. Ask before photographing people - especially during ceremonies. Don't litter (especially in Mawlynnong - community pride). Don't touch people's heads (cultural taboo). English is widely spoken. Greet locals with "Khublei" (thank you in Khasi) - it goes a long way.
USEFUL KHASI PHRASES
"Khublei" = Thank you. "Phi long kumno?" = How are you? "Nga kmen" = I'm fine. "Kumno ka jingshisha?" = How much does this cost?
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
Best light for Dawki river: before 9 AM on sunny days (the "floating boat" illusion needs direct sunlight and calm water). Nohkalikai Falls: morning for clear views, monsoon for dramatic water. Laitlum Canyons: early morning before fog rolls in. Bring a polarizing filter for Dawki water clarity and ND filters for waterfall long exposures. Carry a waterproof bag/case - unexpected rain is guaranteed.
BEYOND THIS TOUR
If you have extra time, consider: Krem Chympe cave (India's 5th longest - underground river, world's largest cavefish, 4-5 hrs from Shillong via Jowai), Kongthong Whistling Village (55 km from Shillong - villagers use unique whistling tunes instead of names), Mawphlang Sacred Grove (1,000-year-old protected Khasi forest, 25 km from Shillong), or Krang Suri Falls (turquoise waterfall near Jowai where you can swim behind the curtain).
₹ 19,299
₹ 25,089
if booked separately₹ 19,299 per room
Save up to 30% vs. booking each stay separately
Guests
2 guests (1 room)
2
You won't be charged yet
Free cancellation up to 30 days
50% refund after that
Verified homestays
Best price guarantee
24/7 support
No hidden charges
Trip Overview
A 5-day curated journey through Meghalaya's most iconic destinations, designed around our three best-performing properties. You'll trek 3,500 steps to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge, boat on the crystal-clear Umngot River at Dawki (where boats appear to float in mid-air), explore Nohkalikai Falls - India's tallest plunge waterfall at 1,115 ft - and walk through Mawlynnong, voted Asia's cleanest village. Every night you sleep at a locally-run homestay with real Google reviews, not a chain hotel. No tourist-bus chaos, no cookie-cutter itineraries.
Travel Tips
BEST TIME TO VISIT
October to May. Peak season: March–June (15–25°C, pleasant for sightseeing). Best river clarity at Dawki: November–March. Avoid July–September - heavy monsoon makes roads risky and Dawki water turns muddy (but waterfalls are at their most dramatic).
GETTING THERE
Fly to Guwahati (GAU) - Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. Direct flights from:
• Delhi: 2.5 hours (IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet - ₹3,000–6,000)
• Kolkata: 1 hour (most convenient gateway - ₹2,500–4,500)
• Bangalore: 3.5 hours (IndiGo direct)
• Mumbai: 3.5 hours (IndiGo, Air India)
No commercial airport in Shillong - Guwahati is the only gateway.
WHAT TO PACK
• Layered clothing - Shillong is 1,500m altitude, cool year-round (10–25°C)
• Rain jacket or poncho - it can rain any month in Meghalaya
• Sturdy trekking shoes with grip (essential for Living Root Bridge)
• 2–3 litre water bottle + ORS/glucose sachets for the trek
• Power bank - limited charging at rural homestays
• Cash: ₹5,000–8,000 in small notes. UPI works only in Shillong.
FOOD - WHAT TO EAT
Must-try Khasi dishes: Jadoh (rice with pork/chicken), Dohneiiong (pork with black sesame), Tungrymbai (fermented soybean), Dohkhlieh (cold pork salad), Nakham Bitchi (dried fish soup), Ki Kpu (Khasi rice beer).
WHERE TO EAT: SHILLONG - Dylan's Café, Trattoria, ML05 Café. CHERRAPUNJI - Sky Grill, Halari, Rain Cafe. DAWKI/MAWLYNNONG - Village eateries only, ₹100–200.
IMPORTANT - SUNDAY CLOSURES & EVENING HOURS
Meghalaya is India's most Christian state (~75%). Many shops, restaurants, and museums close on Sundays (including Don Bosco Museum and Mawsmai Cave). Plan accordingly. Also: most places outside Shillong close by 8:30 PM. Finish your dinner and shopping before then.
HEALTH & SAFETY
No special vaccinations needed. Carry basic first-aid (motion sickness meds, band-aids, antiseptic, ORS packets). Living Root Bridge: pace yourself, drink water constantly, wear proper hiking boots (sneakers and sandals FAIL on slippery steps). Leeches possible on trail during/after rain - tuck pants into socks. Never swim in rivers or waterfalls without local guidance - currents are unpredictable. Wei Sawdong Falls descent (~1,200 steep bamboo-ladder steps) is NOT suitable for seniors, young children, or anyone with knee problems.
VEGETARIAN TRAVELERS
Meghalaya cuisine is heavily meat-based (pork, beef, fish). If you're vegetarian, tell your homestay host in advance - most can prepare rice, dal, and vegetable dishes. In Shillong: Jiva Veg Restaurant serves Meghalayan vegetarian thalis. Tungrymbai (fermented soybean curry) is the signature Khasi vegetarian dish. Carry snacks for long drives between towns.
CASH & PAYMENTS
Carry ₹5,000-8,000 in small notes. UPI works in most Shillong shops but is unreliable elsewhere. ATMs: available in Shillong and Jowai only. Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong, and Dawki are cash-only.
MOBILE & INTERNET
Jio and Airtel work in Shillong. Patchy in Cherrapunji, minimal in Dawki/Mawlynnong. Download offline Google Maps before leaving Shillong. Inform family of your itinerary - you may be unreachable for stretches.
CULTURE & ETIQUETTE
Meghalaya is matrilineal - children take mother's surname and property passes through the mother's line. Ask before photographing people - especially during ceremonies. Don't litter (especially in Mawlynnong - community pride). Don't touch people's heads (cultural taboo). English is widely spoken. Greet locals with "Khublei" (thank you in Khasi) - it goes a long way.
USEFUL KHASI PHRASES
"Khublei" = Thank you. "Phi long kumno?" = How are you? "Nga kmen" = I'm fine. "Kumno ka jingshisha?" = How much does this cost?
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
Best light for Dawki river: before 9 AM on sunny days (the "floating boat" illusion needs direct sunlight and calm water). Nohkalikai Falls: morning for clear views, monsoon for dramatic water. Laitlum Canyons: early morning before fog rolls in. Bring a polarizing filter for Dawki water clarity and ND filters for waterfall long exposures. Carry a waterproof bag/case - unexpected rain is guaranteed.
BEYOND THIS TOUR
If you have extra time, consider: Krem Chympe cave (India's 5th longest - underground river, world's largest cavefish, 4-5 hrs from Shillong via Jowai), Kongthong Whistling Village (55 km from Shillong - villagers use unique whistling tunes instead of names), Mawphlang Sacred Grove (1,000-year-old protected Khasi forest, 25 km from Shillong), or Krang Suri Falls (turquoise waterfall near Jowai where you can swim behind the curtain).