Northeast India rewards the curious. Meghalaya—often called the Abode of Clouds—unfurls forested canyons, limestone caves, and villages where bridges are grown from living roots. Nearby Assam adds temple heritage, slow river life on the Brahmaputra, and a cuisine that’s fragrant, light, and utterly distinct.

This 5-day itinerary focuses on Shillong, Cherrapunji (Sohra), and Guwahati—great choices for a first-time visit with limited time. You’ll trace misty ridgelines to Laitlum Canyon, climb down to the iconic Double Decker Living Root Bridge, and toast the day with tea and local specialties. Travel is mainly by road, with Guwahati as your flight gateway.

Expect cool mornings (especially Nov–Feb) and rain any time of year; the monsoon (Jun–Sep) brings thunderous waterfalls but slick trails. Carry cash for village entries, respect local customs in Khasi areas (Meghalaya is matrilineal), and pack sturdy footwear. As with any mountain region, timings can shift due to fog or landslides—build in small buffers.

Shillong

Nicknamed the “Scotland of the East,” Shillong is a hill city with musicians on every corner, colonial-era homes draped in orchids, and cozy cafes serving locally roasted beans. It’s a perfect base for Meghalaya day trips.

• Top sights: Ward’s Lake (leisure strolls), Don Bosco Museum (ethnography and seven-sister cultures), Shillong Peak (panoramas), Elephant Falls (tiered cascade), and the dramatic Laitlum Canyon at golden hour.
• Eat & drink: Dylan’s Café (all-day breakfast, pancakes, and a Bob Dylan theme), Trattoria (Police Bazar) for Khasi thalis (try pork with bamboo shoot), City Hut Family Dhaba for North Indian comfort classics, and Smoky Falls Tribe Coffee for single-origin brews.
• Good to know: The old market of Iewduh (Bara Bazar) hums in the morning; go early for produce, spices, and local snacks. Evenings cool fast—carry a light jacket year-round.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Shillong | Hotels.com Shillong. Look for stays near Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah for dining/coffee on foot; consider lakeside resorts near Umiam for quiet.

Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Once the rainiest place on Earth, Cherrapunji is all cliffs and cloud curtains. Limestone caves thread the hills, waterfalls plunge into jade pools, and villages coax living roots into bridges—a world wonder of bioengineering.

• Top sights: Nohkalikai Falls (India’s tallest plunge), Mawsmai and Arwah Caves (easy introductions to Meghalaya’s caverns), Wei Sawdong (three-tiered falls via a steep but photogenic trail), and Nohsngithiang (Seven Sisters) Falls in season.
• Signature trek: Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Nongriat—thousands of stone steps down from Tyrna village; start early with water, grippy shoes, and time to savor swims in natural pools. Fit hikers can add Rainbow Falls (+2–3 hours).
• Eat & drink: Orange Roots (popular vegetarian stop), 7 Trep Restaurant & Café for Khasi dishes, and Café Cherrapunjee & Inn near Mawkdok viewpoint for coffee and views.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Cherrapunji | Hotels.com Cherrapunji. Aim for cliff-view stays for sunrise mist and quick access to the falls.

Guwahati

Guwahati is the Northeast’s main air/rail gateway and Assam’s cultural heart. Temples crown its hills, the Brahmaputra lingers wide as a sea, and meals are light and herb-forward—perfect after a few trekking days.

• Top sights: Kamakhya Temple (major Shakti Peeth on Nilachal Hill), Umananda Island by local ferry, Assam State Museum, and riverfront walks. If you have an evening, consider a Brahmaputra sunset cruise.
• Eat & drink: Paradise or Gam’s Delicacy for Assamese thali (try tenga fish curry, mustard greens, and smoked pork), Khorikaa for grills and bamboo-smoked meats, and 11th Avenue Café for coffee and pastries.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Guwahati | Hotels.com Guwahati. For quick airport access, look near NH27; for dining/nightlife, GS Road and Uzan Bazar areas are convenient.

How to get there: Fly into Guwahati (GAU) and transfer by road. Search flights with Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Trains to Guwahati are extensive from Kolkata/Delhi—browse schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Fly to Guwahati, Scenic Drive to Shillong

Morning: Travel day. Aim to arrive in Guwahati by early afternoon. Book tickets into GAU via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Land at GAU and drive to Shillong (100–110 km; 3–4 hours). Private taxi is ~INR 2,800–3,800 ($35–46); shared sumo from the airport road is ~INR 400–500 per seat. Pause at Umiam Lake (Barapani) for photos and tea. Check in near Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah.

Evening: Walk Ward’s Lake loop (30–40 minutes) before dusk. Dinner at Trattoria—order the Khasi pork rice set with pickled bamboo and dohjem (pork offal; optional), or go classic North Indian at City Hut Family Dhaba (butter chicken, dal fry). Nightcap coffee at Smoky Falls Tribe Coffee.

Day 2: Shillong Essentials & Laitlum Canyon Sunset

Morning: Breakfast at Dylan’s Café (fluffy pancakes, shakshuka, strong pour-overs). Dive into the Don Bosco Museum for a well-curated overview of Northeast India’s tribes, textiles, and architecture; climb to the skywalk for city views. Swing by Police Bazar for souvenir scarves and pine-needle crafts.

Afternoon: Head to Elephant Falls (go stepwise to see all tiers; best light early/late) and, if skies are clear, Shillong Peak for a panoramic stop. Lunch in Laitumkhrah at Café Shillong Heritage (crispy pork, momos) or Jadoh stalls for the namesake pork-and-rice specialty.

Evening: Drive 45–60 minutes to Laitlum Canyon for one of Meghalaya’s most stirring vistas—rolling, grass-clad amphitheaters dropping into cloud. Return to town for pan-Asian at Deja Vu (dimsum, teriyaki) or thin-crust pies at ML 05 Café (biker-themed, cozy).

Day 3: Shillong to Cherrapunji – Caves, Cliffs, and Waterfalls

Morning: Depart after an early bite. Shillong → Cherrapunji (Sohra) is ~55 km; 1.5–2 hours. First stop: Mawsmai Cave (short, fun squeezes; non-technical) and nearby Arwah Cave (larger chambers, fossil imprints on the walls—bring a headlamp).

Afternoon: Lunch at Orange Roots (veg thalis, dosa) or 7 Trep (smoked meats, local curries). Continue to Nohkalikai Falls—India’s tallest plunge fall, with an emerald plunge pool far below. If trails are dry and you’re up for a short but steep scramble, visit Wei Sawdong (rope/wood ladders; wear good shoes).

Evening: Check into a cliff-view stay. Early dinner on-site or at Café Cherrapunjee & Inn (samosas, tea, simple mains). Rest up for tomorrow’s big trek. Note: Entry fees are collected at most sights (~INR 50–200 per person, plus parking).

Day 4: Double Decker Living Root Bridge Trek (Nongriat)

Start pre-8 a.m. from Sohra to Tyrna trailhead (45–60 minutes). Hire a local guide at the staircase gate and carry 2L water per person. The round-trip hike to the Double Decker Bridge takes 5–7 hours, involving ~3,000–3,500 steps each way through villages and suspension bridges. Swim in crystal pools near the lower bridges; if energy allows, add Rainbow Falls (+2–3 hours). Permits/fees are payable at the entry (cash only). Return to Sohra by late afternoon and drive back to Shillong (1.5–2 hours) to position for departure.

Evening (back in Shillong): Reward dinner at Café Shillong Heritage or comforting dosas at Madras Café (if you crave South Indian). Pack and rest.

Day 5: Shillong to Guwahati – Kamakhya Temple & Departure

Morning: Drive Shillong → Guwahati (100–110 km; 3–4 hours). Go straight to Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill; queues can be long, so plan 1.5–2 hours for the complex and viewpoints even if you skip the inner sanctum.

Afternoon: Lunch at Paradise or Gam’s Delicacy—order an Assamese thali with tenga (tomato-lemon fish curry), aloo pitika (mustard-scented mashed potatoes), and seasonal greens. If time allows before your flight, stroll the riverfront or take the quick local ferry to Umananda Island. Depart from GAU. If you have an evening flight, you can add a Brahmaputra sunset cruise; otherwise, save it for a future visit.

Getting between cities (at-a-glance):

• Guwahati Airport → Shillong: 3–4 hrs by taxi (INR 2,800–3,800 private; ~INR 400–500 shared seat). Roads are windy—motion sickness bands help.
• Shillong → Cherrapunji (Sohra): 1.5–2 hrs by taxi (INR 1,500–2,200 one-way). Hire a driver for the day to string sights together (INR 3,500–5,000).
• Shillong → Guwahati: 3–4 hrs by taxi; pad an extra 30–45 minutes for airport security lines.

Where to book transport: Long-haul flights via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If arriving overland, compare train options to Guwahati on Trip.com Trains.

Food & coffee cheat sheet:

• Shillong breakfast: Dylan’s Café; The Bread Café (Laitumkhrah) for fresh bakes.
• Shillong lunch: Trattoria (Khasi thali), City Hut Family Dhaba (Indian mains).
• Sohra lunch: Orange Roots (veg); 7 Trep Restaurant & Café (local Khasi).
• Guwahati lunch/dinner: Paradise or Gam’s Delicacy (Assamese thali), Khorikaa (grills), 11th Avenue Café (coffee).

Packing & practical tips: Grippy hiking shoes, lightweight rain shell, headlamp for caves, small notes for entry fees, and a reusable bottle (many villages discourage single-use plastic). Mobile data is decent in towns; patchy in valleys. Trail steps to Nongriat are steep—knee support helps.

Optional Pre/Post-Trip Add-Ons via Delhi (if you have an extra day)

Many flights to Guwahati connect via Delhi. If you plan a buffer day, these highly rated experiences pair well with your Northeast adventure:

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

  

  Maximize time with the Gatimaan Express and see the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in a single, well-paced day.

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

  

  From Jama Masjid’s Mughal grandeur to Lutyens’ boulevards, this tour brings the capital’s layers to life.

Note: Sight hours, trail access, and fees can change seasonally; check locally the day prior, especially in monsoon months. Driving times reflect normal conditions; fog or roadwork can add delays.

Where to book stays again (quick links): Shillong — VRBO | Hotels.com • Cherrapunji — VRBO | Hotels.com • Guwahati — VRBO | Hotels.com.

Summary: In five days, you’ll sample the best of Meghalaya’s nature—Laitlum’s windswept rim, Sohra’s caves and cascades, and the unforgettable Double Decker Living Root Bridge—then wrap with an Assamese feast and a temple visit in Guwahati. It’s a compact, soulful circuit that balances hiking, culture, and great food—easy to extend deeper into Northeast India next time.