Meghalaya, the “Abode of Clouds,” unfurls a tapestry of rolling pine hills, mist-washed waterfalls, and living root bridges woven by Khasi ingenuity. Once a colonial-era retreat, today it’s known for friendly hill towns, music-loving cafés, and the world’s highest recorded rainfall around Sohra (Cherrapunji) and Mawsynram.

Across five easygoing days, you’ll savor Shillong’s café culture, browse vibrant markets in Police Bazar, drift along Dawki’s glass-clear Umngot River, and breathe in the spray at Nohkalikai Falls. Food is a highlight: try jadoh (red rice with pork), dohneiiong (black sesame pork), tungrymbai (fermented soybean), smoked meats, wild honey, and Lakadong turmeric from nearby Jaintia Hills.

Practical notes: Fly or train to Guwahati, then drive 3–4 hours to Shillong. Monsoon (Jun–Sep) brings epic rain—great for waterfalls, less so for driving; Oct–Apr has crisp skies. ATMs are fewer outside Shillong; carry some cash. Mobile data can dip in valleys. Please avoid single-use plastic and respect village rules around root bridges.

Shillong

Perched at ~1,500m, Shillong blends pine-scented air with an easy rhythm: lakeside strolls at Ward’s Lake, colonial-era churches, indie-music cafés, and a thriving street-food scene in Laitumkhrah. It’s your soft landing in Meghalaya before you dip into deeper nature.

Top sights include Umiam (Barapani) Lake, the Don Bosco Museum’s stellar ethnographic exhibits, Elephant Falls, the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, and sweeping views from Shillong View Point (Iewduh/Laitkor).

• Where to stay (mid-range & homestay-friendly): Base near Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah for food and shopping. Search options on Hotels.com Shillong or VRBO Shillong. Look for cozy B&Bs in Laitumkhrah for café access and quieter nights.
• Getting there: Fly to Guwahati (GAU) via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, then drive 3–4 hours (₹2,800–3,800 by private cab). Trains run to Guwahati; check Trip.com Trains. Shared sumos from Guwahati’s Paltan Bazar are the budget pick (~₹500–600).

Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Sohra is the realm of rain and rock, where limestone caves tunnel the hills and waterfalls flame into green ravines. Even on clear days, clouds roll in like theater curtains. It’s also the gateway to the famed living root bridges crafted over generations.

Highlights: Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters (Nohsngithiang) Falls, Mawsmai Caves, Arwah Cave, Mawkdok Dympep Valley, Eco Park, and scenic villages like Nongriat (strenuous descent to the double-decker root bridge) or the gentler Riwai root bridge.

• Where to stay: Choose valley-view resorts or family-run stays near Tyrna/Mawsmai for nature access. Browse Hotels.com Cherrapunji or VRBO Cherrapunji.
• Getting there from Shillong: 2–2.5 hours by taxi (₹2,200–3,000). Roads are winding; depart after breakfast for smoother traffic and clearer views.

Day 1: Arrive Guwahati → Drive to Shillong, Umiam Lake pause, café evening

Afternoon: Land in Guwahati and drive to Shillong (3–4 hours). Stop at Umiam Lake viewpoint for tea and photos—the pine-clad water is your first real sigh of Meghalaya.

Evening: Settle into your stay near Laitumkhrah. For a relaxed, foodie start: Dylan’s Café (Bob Dylan memorabilia, good coffee, pancakes, and local pork burgers), Café Shillong (grilled pork, herbal teas, live music some nights), or ML 05 Café (biker vibe, momos, noodles). Early night to shake off travel.

Day 2: Easy Shillong sightseeing, markets, and a food crawl

Morning: Join a guided overview so you can sightsee without the logistics. Consider the 4-hour Best of Shillong (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car) to cover Ward’s Lake, Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, viewpoints, and Elephant Falls, with local history woven in.

Afternoon: Dive into culture at the Don Bosco Museum (excellent on Northeast tribes and textiles). Then shop in Police Bazar: pick up bamboo and cane crafts, pine-needle products, handwoven shawls, Meghalaya pepper, wild honey, and Lakadong turmeric. Swing by Glory’s Plaza for clothing bargains and the Meghalaya Handloom & Handicrafts Emporium for quality souvenirs.

Evening: Join the 2-hour Shillong Food Crawl (Guided Local Food Tasting Tour)—it’s perfect for a foodie who wants to taste beyond the obvious. Expect jadoh, dohneiiong, smoked meats, and local snacks you’d miss on your own.

Dinner ideas (if you still have room): Trattoria (no-frills, deeply local Khasi fare—order jadoh with pork), City Hut Dhaba (North Indian comfort dishes, vegetarian-friendly), or Deja Vu (pan-Asian, relaxed lighting, good for groups).

Day 3: Day trip to Dawki’s crystal river (option to add Mawlynnong), return to Shillong

Make this your one long day—river views and village beauty, then back to your Shillong base. Book the Day Trip to Dwaki (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Shillong) for the Umngot River’s famous “floating boats on glass” look, plus viewpoints and optional boating, depending on water levels and season.

Prefer quiet lanes and a gentle root bridge walk? Opt for the Day Trip to Mawlynnong, famed as “Asia’s cleanest village,” plus the short, manageable walk to the Riwai single-decker living root bridge. Many travelers pair Dawki and Mawlynnong on one circuit; your guide can advise on pacing.

Food along the way: Expect simple, hearty fare—rice thalis, dal, omelets, grilled fish. Back in Shillong, wind down with coffee and pastries at Bread Cafe or Smoky Falls Tribe Coffee (try locally roasted beans).

Day 4: Shillong → Cherrapunji; waterfalls, caves, and a valley sunset

Morning: Depart Shillong after breakfast for Sohra (2–2.5 hours). Check in, then visit Nohkalikai Falls—the tallest plunge in India. The viewing gallery is close to the parking area, making it an easy win with minimal walking.

Afternoon: Explore Mawsmai Caves (well-lit, short, and fun; mind your head) and the broader, fossil-studded Arwah Cave for an easy, atmospheric stroll. Break for a vegetarian thali and crisp pakoras at Orange Roots—reliable, fast, and with valley views.

Evening: Catch golden hour at Mawkdok Dympep Valley View Point. If your stay offers a bonfire, this is the night—pair with local Khasi-style pork or vegetarian bamboo shoot curry. Early to bed under quiet mountain skies.

Day 5: Gentle nature time in Sohra, brunch, depart via Guwahati

Morning: Keep it easy: wander Eco Park and Thangkharang Park for canyon views and distant glimpses of Bangladesh’s plains. If you skipped Mawlynnong on Day 3, consider a short village ramble near Tyrna without committing to the strenuous Nongriat descent.

Afternoon: Brunch at Café Cherrapunjee (sandwiches, soups, lemon tea) or your lodge restaurant, then depart for Guwahati Airport (allow 5–6 hours from Sohra to GAU, including Shillong traffic). Check options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening (if staying one more night in Shillong instead): A relaxed walk in Laitumkhrah with the Shillong Nature Walk (3 Hours Guided Trekking Experience) makes a serene finale before dinner.

Where to Eat & Drink (shortlist to bookmark)

• Shillong breakfasts/coffee: Dylan’s Café (pancakes, eggs benedict), Bread Cafe (croissants, cappuccinos), Khasi-style putharo (rice pancakes) at local stalls in Laitumkhrah.
• Shillong lunches: Trattoria (jadoh, dohneiiong, tungrymbai), City Hut Dhaba (North Indian classics), Lamee (quick Indo-Chinese).
• Shillong dinners: Café Shillong (grills, live music), Deja Vu (pan-Asian), You & I – Arts Café (craftsy vibe, comfort plates).
• Sohra bites: Orange Roots (veg thalis, pakoras), your lodge’s Khasi set meals, Café Cherrapunjee (soups/sandwiches), roadside momos and steaming tea at Mawkdok.

Logistics, Budget & Tips

• Budget (mid-range, 50/100): Expect ₹3,000–6,000 per room per night (double, breakfast often included); private day trips ₹3,500–8,500 per car depending on distance; meals ₹300–900 per person.
• Transport: Rideshare apps are limited; arrange cabs via hotel or reputable stand. Drives can fog up—start early, keep buffer time for airport runs.
• Shopping list: Lakadong turmeric, wild honey, black sesame, Meghalaya coffee, bamboo crafts, shawls. Police Bazar and Bara Bazar (Lewduh) are best for variety; mornings are livelier.
• Weather & packing: Light rain shell (even outside monsoon), warm layer for evenings, good walking shoes, and a small daypack. During monsoon, add quick-dry wear and a sturdy umbrella.
• Etiquette: Dress modestly in villages; don’t step on root bridges; carry back your trash; ask before photographing people.

With Shillong’s café culture and markets as your base and Sohra’s waterfalls as your finale, this 5-day Meghalaya itinerary keeps the pace calm while packing in signature sights, flavors, and views. You’ll leave with a tote full of spices, a camera roll of mountain light, and just enough wonder to plan a longer return.