A 5-day adventure-packed Meghalaya trip designed for friend groups. Budget stays at Astro Lodge in Shillong (12 rooms, pet-friendly), rustic S.Khongthiem in Mawlynnong (the cleanest village), and Ribsweet Treetops near Dawki's adventure village Shnongpdeng. Cliff jumping, kayaking, Living Root Bridge trek, cave exploration - this is NOT a sightseeing tour.
The itinerary.
Shillong
- 09:00Pickup from Guwahati Airport
- 09:30Drive to Shillong via NH6 (99 km, 2.5–3 hrs)
- 12:00Stop at Umiam Lake (Barapani) - photo stop, optional water sports. Entry ₹50.
- 13:00Lunch near Umiam (on your own, ₹150–250)
- 15:00Arrive at Astro Lodge. Check in.
- 17:00Walk through Police Bazaar - street food, momos, Jadoh stalls
- 19:30Dinner on your own. Try Trattoria or Dylan's Café.
Shillong
- 07:00Breakfast (included)
- 08:30Laitlum Canyons - 270° panoramic views, 'End of Hills.' No entry fee. Best before 10 AM fog.
- 12:00Don Bosco Museum - 7-storey tribal heritage, 18 galleries. ₹100 entry. 2–3 hours.
- 14:30Lunch on your own
- 15:30Ward's Lake - serene stroll, ₹10 entry.
- 17:00Café hopping - Dylan's Café, ML05, The Living Roof Café. ₹400–800 for two.
- 20:00Dinner on your own. Download offline maps tonight.
Sohra
- 07:00Breakfast. Check out.
- 08:30Drive to Cherrapunji via NH-51 (54 km, 1.5–2 hrs)
- 11:00Nohkalikai Falls - India's tallest plunge waterfall (1,115 ft). No entry fee.
- 13:00Lunch in Sohra - Sky Grill or Halari. ₹200–400.
- 14:30Mawsmai Cave - 150m limestone cave with stalactites. ₹30 entry. 30–60 min.
- 15:30Wei Sawdong Falls - hidden three-tiered waterfall. Steep descent ~1,200 steps (30–40 min down, 45 min up). Far fewer tourists than Nohkalikai. No entry fee. Allow 2 hours.
- 17:30Seven Sisters Falls viewpoint - free entry
- 18:00Check in at S.Khongthiem
- 19:00Dinner at the property
Dawki
- 06:30Early breakfast. Check out. Drive to Tyrna village (30 min).
- 07:30Trek to Double Decker Living Root Bridge - 3,500 steps, 5–7 hrs round trip. Guide included. Bamboo cane ₹20.
- 12:30Drive to Mawlynnong - Asia's cleanest village. Sky View tower (85 ft), Balancing Rock, Riwai Root Bridge. 1.5–2 hrs.
- 14:30Lunch at village eatery (₹100–200, cash only)
- 15:30Drive to Dawki / Shnongpdeng (~80 km, 2 hrs). Crystal-clear Umngot River.
- 17:00Check in at Ribsweet Treetops
- 18:00Shnongpdeng riverside sunset
- 20:00Dinner. Early night for morning boating.
Guwahati
- 06:30Breakfast. Check out.
- 07:00Umngot River boating - crystal-clear water, boats float in mid-air. ₹800/boat, 45–50 min. Best before 9 AM.
- 09:00Drive to Guwahati Airport (170 km, 4–4.5 hrs via Jowai)
- 13:30Arrive Guwahati Airport. Trip ends.
The properties.
What you'll get.
- 4 nights accommodation at handpicked homestays
- Daily breakfast at each property
- Airport pickup and drop-off (Guwahati Airport)
- All inter-city transfers in private vehicle
- Umngot River boating at Dawki
- All parking, toll, and permit charges
- 24/7 WhatsApp support during the trip
- Local guide for Living Root Bridge trek
- Bamboo walking canes
- Flights to/from Guwahati
- Lunch and dinner (₹200–500 per meal)
- Entry fees at tourist spots (₹10–100 each)
- Personal expenses, tips, and shopping
- Travel insurance
- Optional: cliff jumping ₹400, kayaking ₹300–500, scuba ₹3,200 at Shnongpdeng
A few things worth knowing.
1 hour direct (IndiGo, SpiceJet - ₹2,500–4,500). The closest major city to Guwahati. Kolkata is the most convenient gateway - just 1 hour flight. You can even take an overnight train (Kamrup Express, 18 hrs) for a budget option.
BEST TIME: October–May. Best river clarity at Dawki: November–March.
GETTING THERE: Fly to Guwahati (GAU). Delhi 2.5hrs, Kolkata 1hr, Bangalore 3.5hrs.
WHAT TO PACK: Layered clothing, rain jacket, trekking shoes, power bank, ₹5,000–8,000 cash (UPI only works in Shillong).
FOOD: Jadoh, Dohneiiong, Tungrymbai, Dohkhlieh. Shillong: Dylan's Café, Trattoria. Cherrapunji: Sky Grill, Halari. Dawki: village eateries only.
MOBILE: Jio/Airtel in Shillong. Patchy in Cherrapunji, minimal in Dawki. Download offline maps.
Stay options in Meghalaya.
Prefer to plan your own trip? Browse verified stays in the cities this tour covers.