Northeast India is a mosaic of highland cultures, emerald valleys, and one of the world’s wettest belts. In the Khasi hills of Meghalaya, forests have literally been shaped into living root bridges over centuries, while neighboring Assam unfurls tea estates and the mighty Brahmaputra. This 5-day itinerary keeps travel easy and the pace unhurried—perfect for a relaxing escape with great food, light hikes, and photogenic viewpoints.

Historically, the region sits at a crossroads of the Himalaya and South Asia. The Ahom dynasty once ruled Assam for six centuries; Khasi and Jaintia tribes cultivated distinct matrilineal traditions; British hill stations like Shillong layered in colonial-era parks, bungalows, and churches. Today you’ll find vibrant markets, indie cafes, and a modern music scene alongside sacred shrines and timeless craft.

Practical notes: You’ll fly into Guwahati (GAU) and drive 3–3.5 hours to Shillong. Monsoon (June–September) brings thunderous waterfalls and mist; October–April offers clearer skies and easy road days. Assam and Meghalaya don’t require Inner Line Permits for most travelers. Pack a light rain jacket, sturdy walking shoes, and cash for rural stops. Cuisine highlights include Khasi jadoh (rice and pork), dohkhleh (pork salad), tungrymbai (fermented soybean), and Assamese thalis with tenga fish curry and pithas.

Shillong

Nicknamed the “Scotland of the East,” Shillong is a former hill station perched amid pine groves and rolling ridges. It’s known for live music, indie cafes, and day trips to roaring waterfalls and caves. Neighborhoods like Laitumkhrah and Police Bazaar are compact and walkable, ideal for coffee crawls and shopping local handlooms.

• Top sights: Umiam (Barapani) Lake, Ward’s Lake, Laitlum Canyon, Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians.
• Eat & drink: Dylan’s Cafe (music memorabilia, pancakes, burgers); Cafe Shillong (grills and pork ribs); Trattoria (tiny local spot for Khasi staples); City Hut Family Dhaba (reliable multicuisine with North-Eastern specials).
• Fun fact: The Khasi community traces lineage through women—property often passes from mother to youngest daughter.

Where to stay (Shillong): Browse homestays, cottages, and mid-range hotels on VRBO or compare 3–4 star stays (think Hotel Polo Towers, boutique family-run guesthouses in Laitumkhrah) on Hotels.com.

Getting there: Fly to Guwahati (GAU) via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, or take an Indian Railways train to Guwahati via Trip.com Trains. From GAU to Shillong: 3–3.5 hours by private taxi (~INR 3,500–5,500) or shared sumo from Paltan Bazaar (~INR 400–500 per seat).

Day 1: Arrive Guwahati → Drive to Shillong

Afternoon: Land at GAU and meet your driver. Stop at the Umiam Lake viewpoint for your first postcard shot—pine-clad islands and glassy water. Check in at your Shillong stay and decompress with tea.

Evening: Stroll the loop around Ward’s Lake (swan-dotted gardens, green bridges). Dinner at Dylan’s Cafe—order smoky pork sandwich, pancakes with local honey, and a pour-over. Nightcap: ginger-lemon tea back at your stay; Shillong nights are cool year-round.

Day 2: Shillong’s viewpoints, easy hikes, and cafes

Morning: Coffee and a croissant at Cafe Shillong Laitumkhrah. Drive 45–60 minutes to Laitlum Canyon—gentle ridge walks and big-sky panoramas; spend 60–90 minutes ambling to viewpoints. On the way back, stop at Shillong Peak (cloudscapes; bring a light jacket) and Elephant Falls (stone steps, three-tiered cascade).

Afternoon: Lunch at City Hut Family Dhaba—ask for the North-Eastern specials (smoked pork, bamboo shoot, steamed rice). Shop Police Bazaar’s handloom stalls for Eri silk scarves and bamboo crafts; for an immersive local slice, wander Iewduh (Bara Bazaar), one of Meghalaya’s oldest markets.

Evening: Try Trattoria (tiny, beloved; dohkhleh pork salad, jadoh rice, tungrymbai). If you want a soft soundtrack, Deja Vu serves pan-Asian plates with live music some nights. Early to bed—tomorrow is for waterfalls.

Day 3: Day Trip to Cherrapunji (Sohra): Waterfalls and caves

Morning: Depart 7:30 a.m. for Sohra (2 hours). Warm up at Mawkdok Dympep Valley viewpoint; in drier months, try the long zipline for a thrill. Continue to Nohkalikai Falls—the tallest plunge waterfall in India—best viewed mid-morning for color on the pool below.

Afternoon: Lunch at Orange Roots (pure-veg, efficient thalis) or Cafe Cherrapunjee (colonial bungalow vibes, sandwiches, coffee). Walk the boardwalk to Arwah Cave (stalactites, fossils embedded in limestone) and pop into Mawsmai Cave for an easy lit pathway through sculpted chambers. Seasonal picks: Seven Sisters Falls roars in monsoon; Garden of Caves offers ferny cascades year-round.

Evening: Drive back to Shillong before dark. Casual dinner at Cafe Shillong (grilled pork ribs; Khasi-style sides). If you still have energy, grab a pastry at The Bread Cafe for tomorrow’s road snack.

Active alternative (full-day): Tackle the Double Decker Living Root Bridge trek in Nongriat (many steps; 5–7 hours round-trip). Start by 6:00 a.m., carry water, and expect a workout; reward: a world-unique bioengineering wonder beneath rainforest canopies.

Guwahati

Assam’s gateway city sprawls along the Brahmaputra, anchored by hilltop shrines and river life. It’s a place for sunlit ferries, silk shopping, and Assamese cuisine with bright, citrusy tenga gravies. Sunsets on the river are a must, preferably from a boat deck.

• Top sights: Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Island by ferry, Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Dighalipukhuri park, local markets along GS Road.
• Eat & drink: Paradise (iconic Assamese thali), Gam’s Delicacy (regional staples; try duck with sesame, pork with bamboo shoot), Khorikaa (smoky grills), 11th Avenue Cafe & Bistro (espresso and cakes).
• Fun fact: The Brahmaputra is among the few major rivers with a male name; in monsoon it can span over 10 km wide here.

Where to stay (Guwahati): Compare central hotels and riverside stays on Hotels.com (think Novotel Guwahati GS Road, Radisson Blu, Vivanta) or browse apartments/guesthouses on VRBO.

Day 4: Shillong → Guwahati, temples and river cruise

Morning: After an easy breakfast, drive 3–3.5 hours to Guwahati. Check in and refresh. Light lunch at 11th Avenue Cafe & Bistro (flat whites, pesto sandwiches) near leafy Dighalipukhuri.

Afternoon: Visit the revered Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal Hill (temple closes mid-day; dress conservatively; leave leather items outside). If time allows, take the short ferry to Umananda (Peacock) Island for a riverside Shiva shrine and breezy views.

Evening: Sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra—look for options like the larger dinner boats that sail at golden hour; book on arrival day. Dinner at Paradise or Gam’s Delicacy: get an Assamese thali with rice, khar, tenga, aloo pitika, and seasonal greens. Night stroll along GS Road for sweets and tea.

Day 5: Slow Guwahati morning and departure

Morning: Coffee and a croissant at The Corner Cafe or return to 11th Avenue. If your flight is later, stop by Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra for a well-curated peek at Assamese crafts, masks, and textiles; or nip out to Sualkuchi (if you have 4–5 hours) for Eri and Muga silk weaving demonstrations.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping for bamboo crafts and tea. Head to GAU for your flight via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you’re continuing by rail, check options on Trip.com Trains.

Evening: Departure day—if you have a late flight, treat yourself to a short riverside walk and lemon tea before heading to the airport. Safe travels!

Getting around & budget tips (designed for a mid-range budget ~50/100):

• Private car with driver for 5 days: ~INR 18,000–28,000 depending on vehicle and distances; shared rides are cheaper but less relaxing.
• Meals: street snacks INR 100–200; cafe mains INR 250–450; Assamese/Khasi thali INR 300–600.
• Entry fees: most viewpoints INR 20–50; caves INR 20–100; cruises INR 500–1,200 depending on boat/meal.

Optional add-ons if routing via Delhi (before/after Northeast India)

If your flights route through Delhi with a spare day, these highly rated experiences pair well with a foodie, culture-forward trip. Bookable via Viator:

Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR

Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available

The Great Indian Food Tour: Old Delhi Food and Heritage Walk

For Delhi–Agra express trains (e.g., Gatimaan Express), search schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Accommodation quick-links (for easy planning):

• Shillong stays: VRBO Shillong | Hotels.com Shillong
• Guwahati stays: VRBO Guwahati | Hotels.com Guwahati

Getting there & between cities (estimated times/costs):

• International/domestic flights to GAU: check fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Trains to Guwahati Junction: search via Trip.com Trains.
• Guwahati ↔ Shillong: ~100–120 km, 3–3.5 hours. Private taxi INR 3,500–5,500; shared sumo INR 400–500 per seat.

Summary: Across five easygoing days, this Northeast India itinerary layers Shillong’s cafes and viewpoints with a waterfall-laced Cherrapunji loop, then winds down in Guwahati with temples and a Brahmaputra sunset. Expect gentle hikes, great regional food, and plenty of unhurried moments amid mist and river light.