Meghalaya—“the abode of clouds”—is India’s emerald, rain-washed state where waterfalls slice through limestone cliffs and ancient Khasi villages weave bridges from living tree roots. British-era Shillong pairs pine-scented avenues with a spirited music scene, while Cherrapunji (Sohra) reveals jungled canyons, sunlit caves, and record-breaking rainfall.

Across seven days, you’ll wander local markets, sip single-origin coffee, and dine on Khasi staples like jadoh and dohneiiong. You’ll float over Dawki’s glass-clear Umngot River, walk through sacred groves protected by community law, and conquer the iconic Nongriat double-decker living root bridge.

Practical notes: Fly into Guwahati, then drive 2.5–3 hours to Shillong. Monsoon (June–Sept) brings dramatic rain; Oct–Apr offers clearer skies and milder hikes. ATMs are limited outside cities; carry cash and use UPI where signal allows. Always pack rain gear, sturdy footwear, and respect local eco-guidelines (no single-use plastics on treks).

Shillong

Shillong, the “Scotland of the East,” is the cultural heart of Meghalaya—colonial cottages, church spires, indie music, and lively markets. It’s your ideal base for day trips to Umiam Lake, Laitlum Canyon, and the sacred forests of Mawphlang.

Top sights range from the panorama at Shillong Peak and Elephant Falls to the atmospheric lanes of Laitumkhrah and Police Bazar. Food lovers can graze between Khasi home-style counters and contemporary cafes championing local beans and bakes.

• Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Shillong and Hotels.com Shillong (look near Laitumkhrah or Golf Links for quiet neighborhoods).
• Getting in: Fly to Guwahati (GAU) via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical fares from Delhi $60–140 one-way; Kolkata $40–100; Mumbai $90–180.
• Transfers: GAU to Shillong is ~3 hours by car; private taxi INR 3,500–5,000; shared cabs INR 500–700 per seat. Train travelers can connect to Guwahati on Trip.com Trains and then drive.

Dining notes: Try Trattoria (Police Bazar) for Khasi classics; Jadoh in Laitumkhrah for jadoh, dohneiiong, and tungrymbai; Dylan’s Cafe for comfort eats and local coffee; City Hut Family Dhaba for North Indian; ML 05 Cafe for biker ambiance and hill views. Coffee lovers: Smoky Falls Tribe Coffee and The Bread Cafe.

Day 1: Arrival in Guwahati, Transfer to Shillong, Pine-Scented Evenings

Morning: Fly into Guwahati via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If arriving by rail, book to Guwahati on Trip.com Trains. Grab a private taxi for the scenic 3-hour drive to Shillong.

Afternoon: Check into your Shillong stay via Hotels.com Shillong or VRBO Shillong. Stretch your legs at Ward’s Lake, then browse Police Bazar for handicrafts and bamboo baskets.

Evening: Dinner at Trattoria—order jadoh, dohkhleh (pork salad), and dohneiiong (pork with black sesame). For dessert and live music ambience, swing by Dylan’s Cafe; their brownies pair well with a hot pour-over of local beans.

Day 2: Classic Shillong in a Day (Guided)

Make the most of your first full day with a comprehensive curated tour:

Tourisct Highlights of Shillong (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car)

Expect a full-day car tour covering Shillong Peak (weather permitting), Elephant Falls, the Don Bosco Museum’s skywalk, and bustling local markets. Your guide helps decode Khasi culture and history, and you can time a lakeside stop at Umiam for sunset photographs. Tip: carry a light rain jacket and small notes for site entry fees.

Food ideas today: Breakfast at The Bread Cafe (butter croissant, cappuccino), lunch at City Hut Family Dhaba (paneer tikka, naan, dal fry), and dinner at Deja Vu for Indo-Chinese favorites like chilli chicken and Hakka noodles.

Day 3: Laitlum Canyon, Mawphlang Sacred Grove, and an Old-Town Walk

Morning: Head early to Laitlum Grand Canyon (1–1.5 hours round-trip walk to viewpoints). When clouds part, valleys unfurl like green corduroy. Coffee stop at ML 05 Cafe on your return—try the waffles and a spiced latte.

Afternoon: Drive to Mawphlang Sacred Grove (about 1 hour from Shillong). Hire a local guide at the gate (cash required); learn how taboos preserved biodiversity for centuries. Trail is gentle but can be slick—wear grippy shoes.

Evening: Walk Shillong’s storied lanes with a guide: Laithmukhrah Walk in Shillong (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour)

Post-walk dinner at Jadoh (Laitumkhrah): sample a mini-thali of jadoh rice, dohshai (pork stew), and pickled bamboo shoots. End with a local brew-inspired mocktail at Cafe Shillong.

Day 4: Mawlynnong and Dawki—Village Life and the Glass-Clear Umngot (Full-Day)

Reserve a full day to pair two regional stars—Mawlynnong and Dawki. Many travelers book a private guided outing from Shillong that covers both highlights with relaxed pacing:

Day Trip to Mawlynnong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Shillong)

Day Trip to Dwaki (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Shillong)

In Mawlynnong, stroll spotless lanes and the Riwai single-decker living root bridge; in Dawki, float on a wooden boat over the Umngot’s crystalline waters and, if time allows, paddle at Shnongpdeng. Expect a 10–11 hour day with scenic stops for tea and snacks.

Where to eat today: Lunch at a Mawlynnong homestay kitchen (simple rice, dal, village veggies, egg curry) or snacks at roadside bamboo stalls. Back in Shillong, reward yourself with grilled trout or pasta at Dylan’s Cafe.

Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Cherrapunji is where rain becomes theatre. Home to Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave, and the world-famous living root bridges, Sohra’s red-earth plateaus tumble into jungled ravines and turquoise pools.

Base yourself in or around Sohra for easy access to trailheads. Clear mornings are gold—cloud curtains often sweep in by afternoon, so plan viewpoints first thing.

• Stay: See options on VRBO Cherrapunji and Hotels.com Cherrapunji (consider Mawkdok or Tyrna for quick access to hikes).
• Getting there from Shillong: 55 km/1.5–2 hours by car. Private transfer INR 2,000–3,000. Self-drive only if comfortable with fog and narrow hill roads.

Dining notes: Try Orange Roots (vegetarian Indian on the highway), the cafe at Cafe Cherrapunjee & Inn (great for breakfast with views), and Sa-I-Mika Park’s restaurant for local curries and hearthside dinners.

Day 5: Scenic Transfer to Sohra, Caves and Clifftops

Morning: Depart Shillong after breakfast for Sohra. Pause at Mawkdok Dympep Valley Viewpoint; if skies are clear, the suspension viewpoint offers sweeping gorge vistas.

Afternoon: Check in via Hotels.com Cherrapunji or VRBO Cherrapunji. Explore Mawsmai Cave’s lit pathways—limestone curtains and stalactites make easy, photogenic spelunking. Arwah Cave nearby is wilder with fossil imprints.

Evening: Dinner at Sa-I-Mika—opt for smoky pork curry, mustard greens, and red rice. If skies are open, swing by Dainthlen Falls for a golden-hour lookout over the canyon.

Day 6: Double-Decker Living Root Bridge and Jungle Pools (All-Day Trek)

Start at Tyrna village by 7:00–8:00 a.m. Descend ~3,500 stone steps to the Nongriat double-decker living root bridge, then swim in emerald pools near Rainbow Falls if stamina allows. A local guide is recommended (expect INR 1,000–1,500); carry 2 liters of water, snacks, and a poncho. Total time 6–8 hours round trip; the climb back is steep.

Prefer a guided day with logistics handled? Consider:

Pvt. Full Day Trip to Cherrapunjee (Sohra) with Lunch

Post-hike dinner at Orange Roots for hearty vegetarian thalis, or simple local plates at a Tyrna homestay if you lingered late on the trail.

Day 7: Nohkalikai Falls, Plateaus, and Departure

Morning: Catch early light at Nohkalikai Falls—India’s tallest plunge waterfall. Continue to Eco Park’s viewpoints over the Seven Sisters Falls gorge if open and conditions allow. Pick up cinnamon bark, bay leaves, and local honey at a small roadside stall.

Afternoon: Drive back to Guwahati Airport (3.5–4.5 hours from Sohra with Shillong traffic). Book your flight on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If overnighting near GAU, search Hotels.com Guwahati.

Evening: Flight out. If you have time in Shillong en route, grab a last cup of Smoky Falls Tribe Coffee and some fresh bakes from The Bread Cafe for the road.

Optional and Alternate Experiences

• Shillong Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Local Food Tasting Tour) for street eats and Khasi flavors: See tour

  

• Best of Shillong (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car) to swap into Day 3 if you prefer lighter walking: See tour

  

Practical Tips and Costs

• Car with driver: INR 3,500–4,500 per day ex-Shillong (fuel included), essential for flexible sightseeing.
• Entry fees: Most viewpoints INR 50–200; boat at Dawki INR 800–1,200 per boat; guides at Mawphlang INR 500–800 per group.
• What to pack: Quick-dry layers, waterproof jacket, trail shoes, power bank, small bills, refillable bottle.
• Connectivity: 4G is patchy outside towns; download offline maps.

In a sentence: This Meghalaya travel guide stitches together Shillong’s culture and coffee with Sohra’s epic waterfalls and living bridges, plus a crystal-clear river day. Expect short drives, big views, and food worth writing home about.