Meghalaya—“the abode of clouds”—is one of Northeast India’s most spellbinding regions. Its rolling pine hills, living root bridges, and clean towns tell a story of resilience and craft shaped by Khasi and Jaintia communities over centuries. British officers once nicknamed Shillong the “Scotland of the East,” and the city still feels like a hill station with a youthful music scene and warm neighborhood markets.

This relaxed 4-day itinerary keeps you based in Shillong, cutting down transit while unlocking the best of Meghalaya: misty waterfalls in Cherrapunji (Sohra), the famously tidy village of Mawlynnong, and the glass-clear Umngot River at Dawki. Gentle walks, scenic viewpoints, and food stalls replace rush and rigor—perfect for easy sightseeing, light hiking, unique local experiences, and “live like a local” moments.

Practical notes: Weather swings quickly—carry a light rain jacket even in the dry season (Oct–Apr), and expect heavier rain May–Sept. ATMs are limited outside Shillong, so keep some cash handy. Many shops in Shillong close on Sundays. No Inner Line Permit is required for Meghalaya as of 2025, but bring ID for hotel check-ins and checkpoints.

Shillong

Perched at 4,900 feet, Shillong blends colonial-era lanes with church spires, pine forests, and café culture. Stroll Ward’s Lake in the golden hour, browse Iewduh (Bara Bazaar) for spices and bamboo crafts, and slip into Laitumkhrah for momos and jadoh (Khasi rice with meat). Music lovers will note: concerts and indie gigs are part of the city’s heartbeat.

• Top sights: Ward’s Lake, Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Don Bosco Museum, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Laitlum Canyon (sunset), Iewduh market.
• Great eats (budget to mid): Trattoria (Police Bazaar; Khasi thalis and dohneiiong), Jadoh stalls (iconic Khasi comfort food), City Hut Family Dhaba (North Indian, bamboo-grove vibe), Cafe Shillong (pan-Asian classics), Dylan’s Cafe (burgers, pancakes, music memorabilia), ML 05 Cafe (biker-themed coffee stop on the Upper Shillong road), Bread Cafe (breakfast pastries in Laitumkhrah).
• Local flavor: Try jadoh, dohkhleh (pork salad), tungrymbai (fermented soybean), smoked pork with bamboo shoot, and red rice. Tea is a ritual—stop for a milk tea with a hot pitha in the markets.

Where to stay (budget-friendly areas: Police Bazaar & Laitumkhrah): Browse guesthouses and value hotels on Hotels.com (Shillong) or home-style stays on VRBO (Shillong). Expect INR 1,000–2,500 per night for clean, simple rooms.

Getting in: Fly to Guwahati (GAU), then drive 2.5–3 hours to Shillong. Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. Budget option: shared “sumo”/shared taxis from Guwahati to Shillong (~INR 450–600 per seat); private cab INR 2,800–3,800.

By train (to Guwahati): If you prefer rail into the region, check Trip.com Trains. From Guwahati station, shared cabs and buses run to Shillong daily.

Day 1: Arrive in Shillong, Settle In, Walk the Neighborhoods

Morning: Travel day. Aim to reach Guwahati by late morning for a scenic 2.5–3-hour drive to Shillong. Check in around Laitumkhrah or Police Bazaar for easy food and transport; drop bags and freshen up.

Afternoon: Ease into the hills with a guided stroll through leafy lanes and local hangouts.

Laithmukhrah Walk in Shillong (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour)

After the walk, pause at Bread Cafe for egg puffs and tea or grab a cappuccino at Cafe Shillong tucked off the main street.

Evening: Taste the city’s comfort foods on a guided food hop—perfect for budget travelers to sample widely without guesswork.

Shillong Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Local Food Tasting Tour)

Prefer DIY? Try Trattoria in Police Bazaar for a Khasi thali (ask for dohneiiong, a peppery black sesame pork), and a bowl of red rice. End with a short walk around Ward’s Lake boardwalk if time permits (entry ~INR 20).

Day 2: Gentle Nature Walks, Museums, and Sunset Views

Morning: Stretch your legs on an easy forested ramble with viewpoints and bird song—great for a relaxing vibe.

Shillong Nature Walk (3 Hours Guided Trekking Experience)

Refuel with pancakes and locally roasted coffee at Dylan’s Cafe, or try momos and thukpa at Laitumkhrah stalls for a budget brunch.

Afternoon: Dive into culture at Don Bosco Museum (excellent ethnographic exhibits spanning the Northeast). Continue to the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians for quiet reflection; its pale blue facade is a city icon. If skies stay clear, ride up to Elephant Falls (3-tier cascade; entry ~INR 30–50; modest stair walking).

Evening: Sunset at Laitlum Canyon if weather cooperates—sweeping valleys and cloud play. Back in town, City Hut Family Dhaba serves reliable North Indian plates under bamboo eaves, while ML 05 Cafe offers pastas, fries, and masala chai. Early night to rest for tomorrow’s day trip.

Day 3: Day Trip to Mawlynnong + Riwai Living Root Bridge + Dawki’s Emerald River

Morning: Depart Shillong by 7:30–8:00 AM for Mawlynnong (2.5–3 hours). Budget tip: arrange a shared seat from a local taxi stand a day in advance; a private cab for the circuit typically runs INR 3,800–5,000 for the car. Stroll spotless lanes lined with betel-nut palms, bamboo homes, and flower gardens (there’s a modest skywalk viewpoint managed by villagers).

Afternoon: Walk 10–15 minutes to the Riwai Living Root Bridge, a gentle introduction to Meghalaya’s living architecture (formed by training rubber tree roots over decades). Continue to Dawki (Umngot River; ~1 hour). On clear days the water is famously transparent—hire a local boat (~INR 700–1,200 per boat, lifejackets provided) and drift between limestone cliffs.

Evening: Return to Shillong (~2.5–3 hours). Dinner ideas: Khasi jadoh and pork at a Jadoh stall for a wallet-friendly meal, or fried rice and chilli chicken at neighborhood cafés in Laitumkhrah. Sleep early after a full, yet easygoing, day.

Day 4: Slow Shillong Morning + Colonial Stories, Then Departure

Morning: Have a relaxed breakfast—butter toast and chai at Bread Cafe or a latte at Cafe Shillong. Join a short, story-rich amble through the city’s older quarters to trace hill-station history and British-era footprints.

Colonial Walk Shillong (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour)

Pick up spices, handwoven stoles, or bamboo baskets at Iewduh (Bara Bazaar)—ideal for small, meaningful souvenirs. Keep it light: many shops shut early on Sundays.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to Guwahati for your flight or train. For bookings and schedules, search Trip.com Flights / Kiwi.com Flights and Trip.com Trains. Shared cabs to Guwahati run throughout the day (aim to depart Shillong 5–6 hours before flight time in case of traffic or fog).

Optional swap (if weather is sparkling on Day 2): Replace Elephant Falls with a Sohra (Cherrapunji) loop for viewpoints and short cave walks—Nohkalikai Falls viewpoint (jaw-dropping plunge, entry ~INR 50), Mawsmai Cave (easy, lit limestone corridor; ~INR 20), Arwah Cave (short walk, fossils on the walls), and Eco Park. Expect 1.5 hours each way by road; pack snacks and cash.

Trip budgeting tips (targeting a budget score of 12/100): Use shared cabs for intercity travel, eat at Jadoh stalls and local dhabas (INR 120–250 per meal), and choose simple guesthouses (INR 1,000–2,000 per room). Many paid viewpoints cost INR 20–50. Carry small notes for village-run sites and parking.

Where to book: Rooms on Hotels.com (Shillong) or VRBO (Shillong). Transport on Trip.com Flights, Kiwi.com Flights, and Trip.com Trains.

Over four easygoing days, you’ll savor Shillong’s lakeside strolls, Khasi kitchens, and story-packed lanes, with two scenic day trips that feel adventurous yet unhurried. Meghalaya rewards slow travel—the clouds roll in, the tea warms your hands, and the hills do the rest.