Cradled in India’s Northeast, Meghalaya—“abode of clouds”—was carved from Assam in 1972 and is home to the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo peoples. British-era hill stations gave Shillong its moniker “Scotland of the East,” while dramatic limestone caves, plunging waterfalls, and root-bridge engineering make Cherrapunji (Sohra) a world wonder.

Fun fact: Cherrapunji long held the title of the world’s wettest place, and the Umngot River at Dawki is so clear that boats appear to float on air. Living root bridges, patiently trained from rubber fig trees over generations, are living infrastructure—and a lesson in sustainable design.

Practical notes: Expect cool, damp weather year-round; heavy monsoon arrives roughly June–September. Pack a rain shell, quick-dry layers, and grippy shoes. ATMs are in towns; carry cash for villages. Most shops in Shillong and Khasi villages close early on Sundays. No Inner Line Permit is required for most travelers as of 2025, but carry a valid ID and register at entry checkpoints when asked.

Shillong

Shillong hums with indie cafes, pine-scented lanes, and markets selling jadoh (pork-and-rice), bamboo shoots, and smoked meats. Start with Ward’s Lake and the calm of the Cathedral, then rise to Laitlum Canyon for vast, cloud-brushed horizons. Umiam Lake, on the city’s doorstep, delivers golden-hour bliss.

• Top sights: Don Bosco Museum (ethnographic galleries and skywalk), Elephant Falls, Ward’s Lake gardens, Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Laitlum Canyon.
• Where to eat: Trattoria (Police Bazar) for Khasi staples like dohneiiong (black-sesame pork) and jadoh; Cafe Shillong and Dylan’s Café for comfort classics and live-music vibes; City Hut Family Dhaba for hearty North Indian and Indo-Chinese; Smoky Falls Tribe Coffee for single-origin local beans; Laitumkhrah lane stalls for momos and tungrymbai (fermented soybean).
• Sleep: Browse stays on VRBO Shillong and Hotels.com Shillong. Look for heritage stays near Tripura Castle, central hotels around Police Bazar, or lake-view retreats near Umiam.
• Getting there: Fly to Guwahati (GAU) via Trip.com Flights. Guwahati Airport to Shillong is ~120 km (3–3.5 hours) by taxi (₹2,800–3,500), or shared sumo (₹400–500). If arriving by rail to Guwahati, check Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive Guwahati, Drive to Shillong

Morning: Fly into Guwahati with Trip.com. Have a light bite at the airport—travel time to Shillong is ~3–3.5 hours.

Afternoon: Scenic transfer to Shillong. If time allows, detour to Umiam Lake (30 minutes before Shillong) for a shoreline stretch and tea. Check in at your Shillong hotel from Hotels.com Shillong or VRBO Shillong.

Evening: Stroll Ward’s Lake loop (30–45 minutes). Dinner at Trattoria—order jadoh, dohneiiong, and pumaloi (steamed rice bread). Nightcap at Dylan’s Café with brownies and local coffee.

Day 2: Shillong Highlights—Museums, Falls, and Viewpoints

Morning: Coffee at Smoky Falls Tribe Coffee (try a pourover of Khasi Hills beans). Visit Don Bosco Museum; end at the rooftop skywalk for city views. Continue to the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians—soaring arches and stained glass.

Afternoon: Head to Elephant Falls (triple-tiered; steps can be wet—wear grippy soles). Late lunch at City Hut Family Dhaba—order chicken butter masala, veg thali, or hakka noodles for a crowd-pleaser.

Evening: Golden hour at Laitlum Canyon (45 minutes from town; return before dark if fog rolls in). Dinner at Cafe Shillong (fish ‘n’ chips, grilled meats) or Bamboo Hut for Khasi set meals.

Prefer a guided day? Book Tourisct Highlights of Shillong (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) for door-to-door convenience and local insight.

Day 3: Mawlynnong and Dawki Day Trip (Root Bridges + Glassy River)

Morning: Early start (2.5–3 hours to Mawlynnong). Walk the neat lanes of Asia’s “cleanest village,” then take the short path to the Riwai single-decker living root bridge. Carry cash for small viewpoint fees and fruit stalls.

Afternoon: Continue to Dawki/Shnongpdeng (1–1.5 hours). Boat on the Umngot River (₹700–1,200 per boat; life jackets provided). The river is clearest Oct–Mar; in monsoon, currents are stronger and water turns teal.

Evening: Return to Shillong (~3 hours). Dinner at Heritage Club (Tripura Castle) for a cozy, wood-and-stone setting; try smoked pork and sautéed greens.

Consider booking Day Trip to Mawlynnong for expert guiding and transport.

Or lock in logistics with Day Trip to Dwaki and ask to include Shnongpdeng’s hanging bridge and cliffside viewpoints.

Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Sohra is Meghalaya’s edge-of-the-world balcony: mossy cliffs, rumbling waterfalls, and cave systems stitched beneath rolling hills. On clear days, plains open toward Bangladesh; on misty ones, you walk through the clouds.

• Top sights: Nohkalikai Falls (India’s tallest plunge waterfall), Dainthlen Falls, Arwah and Mawsmai caves (limestone formations), Wei Sawdong’s tiered emerald pools, Mawkdok Dympep Valley viewpoint, and the double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat (full-day trek).
• Where to eat: Orange Roots (veg-only highway stop; dosa, poori bhaji), Sa-I-Mika Park restaurant (smoked pork, local greens), Halari Restaurant (simple thalis), Jiva Grill (tandoor and kebabs), and homestay kitchens for hearty Khasi meals.
• Sleep: See options on VRBO Cherrapunji and Hotels.com Cherrapunji. Aim for cliff-view cottages near Nohkalikai or greenery-rich retreats around Sohra market.
• Getting there from Shillong: 55 km; plan 1.5–2 hours by taxi (₹1,500–2,200), longer in rain or fog. Depart in the morning for Wei Sawdong or caves en route.

Day 4: Shillong to Sohra + Caves and Waterfalls

Morning: Depart Shillong after breakfast (bread-and-buns at Bread Café or a quick jadoh at Laitumkhrah stalls). Stop at Mawkdok Dympep viewpoint for a sweeping valley vista and zipline options (seasonal).

Afternoon: Explore Arwah Cave’s wide chambers (headlamp helpful) and Mawsmai Cave’s tighter, photogenic passageways. Lunch at Orange Roots (veg thalis, masala dosa).

Evening: Check in to your Sohra stay from Hotels.com Cherrapunji. Catch sunset mist at Dainthlen Falls. Dinner at Sa-I-Mika Park restaurant—smoked pork, bamboo shoot curry, and red rice.

Day 5: Double-Decker Living Root Bridge Trek (Nongriat)

This is a full-day trek from Tyrna village: roughly 3,500 steep steps down to the Nongriat valley and up again, with hanging bridges and jungle paths. Hire a local guide (₹700–1,200), carry 2 liters of water, and start early (7–8 a.m.) to reach the double-decker bridge before midday crowds. Strong knees and sturdy shoes are essential; in the wet season, steps are slick. Add Rainbow Falls (extra 1.5–2 hours each way) only if daylight and fitness allow. Return to Sohra by late afternoon. Reward yourself with hot tea and a simple Khasi dinner at your homestay or Halari Restaurant.

Day 6: Waterfall Hops, Back to Shillong + Food Crawl

Morning: If legs allow, trek to Wei Sawdong’s tiered pools (final descent is steep; go slow). Then drive to Nohkalikai Falls—watch the plunge cauldron shift from sapphire to jade as light changes. Pick up pineapples and bay leaf at souvenir stalls.

Afternoon: Return drive to Shillong (1.5–2 hours). Break at Mawkdok tea kiosks for spicy pakoras. Check back into your Shillong hotel via VRBO Shillong or Hotels.com Shillong.

Evening: Join a guided food walk to taste Khasi staples, sweets, and snacks across lanes and markets.

Book the Shillong Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Local Food Tasting Tour) and ask to include jadoh stalls and the best momos in Laitumkhrah.

Day 7: Umiam Lake Ease + Departure

Morning: Drive out early to Umiam Lake for kayaking or a mellow boat ride (activities typically from 9–10 a.m.; weather dependent). Grab brunch at Dylan’s Café (shakshuka, pancakes) or Cafe Shillong (eggs and bakes).

Afternoon: Souvenir dash in Police Bazar—pick up shawls, bamboo handicrafts, local honey, and bay leaf. Transfer to Guwahati Airport (3–3.5 hours) for flights booked via Trip.com. If taking trains onward, see Trip.com Trains.

Evening: If you have a late flight, relax at Ward’s Lake or sip one last pourover at Smoky Falls Tribe Coffee.

Practical Tips and Cost Notes

• Local transport: Private cabs are easiest for day trips (typical day hire ₹3,000–5,500 depending on distance). Shared sumos run between Shillong, Sohra, and Dawki in daylight hours; carry small bills.
• Entry fees (approx.): Nohkalikai ₹30; Mawsmai Cave ₹20–40; Arwah Cave ₹50–100; Wei Sawdong small local fee; Umngot boat ₹700–1,200 per boat. Prices vary by season.
• Weather: October–April offers clearest skies and best river color. June–September brings powerful waterfalls but muddy trails and intermittent landslides—build buffer time.
• Connectivity: Jio and Airtel have the best coverage. Download offline maps and keep cash for villages.

Optional Extras (If You Want More)

Add a compact city intro with Best of Shillong (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car) on arrival day, or swap Day 2’s DIY with this curated loop.

Seven days in Meghalaya lets you taste city culture and wild landscapes without rushing: cafes and markets in Shillong, waterfalls and caves in Sohra, and bucket-list moments at Nongriat and Dawki. With flexible weather days built in, you’ll leave with mist in your hair, river-light in your photos, and a soft spot for Khasi hillside hospitality.