A 5-day Meghalaya tour designed for senior citizens and those who prefer a gentler pace. Skip the 3,500-step Living Root Bridge trek - instead, visit the easy-access Riwai Single Root Bridge near Mawlynnong. Stay at Sunshine Guest House (4.9★, 23 rooms, room service) and Abode of Clouds Resort in Cherrapunji. All viewpoints are car-accessible. The boating at Dawki is calm and seated - no physical effort required.
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 Sunshine Guest House. 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 Abode Of Clouds Resort
- 19:00Dinner at the property
Dawki
- 07:00Breakfast. Check out.
- 08:00Drive directly to Mawlynnong (skip the 3,500-step Living Root Bridge trek). Visit the easy Riwai Single Root Bridge instead - flat 10-min walk from Mawlynnong village.
- 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 The Dawki View Guesthouse
- 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
- Wheelchair-friendly viewpoint access where available
- Flexible morning departure times
- 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
A few things worth knowing.
3.5 hours direct (IndiGo - ₹4,500–8,000). Limited daily flights, book early. Only 1-2 direct flights per day from Bangalore. Consider connecting via Kolkata for more options and potentially lower fares.
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.