Take an early morning flight from Chennai to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, Guwahati (flight ~2h30m). Aim to arrive by mid-morning so you can make the road transfer to Shillong the same day.
Private taxi or shared cab from Guwahati airport to Shillong (approx 3–3.5 hours). Enjoy rolling hills en route; stops possible at scenic viewpoints and small towns.
Check into your Shillong hotel and have lunch nearby; try Cafe Shillong (local favourites) or Dylan's Café for Khasi dishes and continental options. Cafés typically open 9:00am–9:00pm.
Explore the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures for a compact, high-quality ethnographic museum covering North-East India; excellent orientation to local tribes and history. Open 9:00am–5:00pm (closed Mondays).
Relax at Ward's Lake and then walk Police Bazaar for local shopping, tea shops and handicrafts; shops typically open 10:00am–8:00pm so there's time to browse.
Enjoy dinner at Trattoria for pizzas and continental fare or City Hut Family Dhaba for Lakadong tea and Khasi-style dishes; most restaurants open until 9:30–10:00pm.
Early breakfast at the hotel before the full-day excursion; choose a hearty meal (eggs, toast, local tea) as the day includes outdoor viewpoints and short walks. Hotel restaurants usually start service around 7:00am.
Visit Mawsmai Cave, an easy-access limestone cave with short guided passages—great for curious visitors; typically open 9:00am–4:00pm, wear sturdy shoes.
See Nohkalikai Falls (one of India’s tallest plunge waterfalls) from the main viewpoint; visit before monsoon runoff subsides—viewpoint open around 8:00am–5:00pm.
Lunch at a local dhaba or café serving Khasi specialities such as jadoh (rice with pork) or vegetarian stews—simple, flavourful regional food. Most village eateries serve until mid-afternoon.
Stop at viewpoints for Seven Sisters Falls and visit the nearby Eco Park for short walks; viewpoints are accessible and usually open throughout daylight hours.
If energy allows, take easy local hikes or scenic stops around Cherrapunjee to capture sunset mist over the gorges; trails have no strict opening times but avoid late returns.
Drive back to Shillong (arrive ~9:30pm) and have dinner at Dylan's Café or a hotel restaurant; kitchens usually close by 10:00pm so aim to dine earlier if possible.
Have an early hotel breakfast and depart Shillong for the Dawki area; long day ahead so start around 6:30–7:00am. Hotel breakfast service commonly starts 7:00am but ask for packed breakfast if needed.
Take a government or private boat on the crystal-clear Umngot River—famous for near-transparent water; boat ops typically run 9:00am–4:00pm weather permitting. Bring sun protection and waterproof bags.
Have lunch at a riverside café or local restaurant in Dawki with fresh trout where available and simple Khasi dishes; most eateries serve until late afternoon.
Short drive to Mawlynnong village (approx 45 minutes). Explore the famously clean village, homestays, and the Sky View Tower; the tower is usually open 9:00am–5:00pm.
Climb Sky View Tower for panoramic views over Bangladesh plains and visit local living areas and well-kept gardens—village walks are self-guided and open all day.
Visit Shillong Peak for sunrise views (open 7:00am–5:00pm) and stop at Elephant Falls on the way down (viewing hours typically 8:00am–5:00pm). Both are short visits ideal for morning photography.
Catch an evening flight back to Chennai (flight ~2h30m). Aim for a flight no earlier than 6:00pm if road delays are a concern; flight costs vary by time and booking window.