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5-Day Guwahati–Shillong & Cherrapunji Itinerary (Oct 20–24, 2025): Umiam, Dawki, Living Root Bridge, Caves & Waterfalls

Viewed by 263 travelers

Day 1: Arrival & Shillong

Guwahati → Shillong, India on October 20, 2025

5:00am

Arrival at Guwahati Airport and meet driver

Land at Guwahati, meet your pre-booked driver and start the scenic drive to Shillong via the Umiam Lake road. This sets you up to reach Shillong comfortably in the morning.
INR0, 3h0m

8:00am

Umiam Lake (lakeside & optional boating)

Enjoy the vistas of Umiam (Barapani) and have breakfast at a lake-side café; boating typically runs from around 8:00–5:00 depending on operators, so plan a short boat if available. It's a calm place to stretch legs after the road.
INR300, 1h0m

9:30am

Drive to Shillong & hotel freshen-up

Short drive to central Shillong and quick hotel check-in / freshen-up. Many hotels allow luggage drop if full check-in isn't possible yet.
INR0, 0h45m

10:30am

Riat no Khlieh / Lai Pateng Kiosiew viewpoint

Visit the local viewpoint (Riat no khlieh / Lai Pateng) for panoramic views over Shillong; great early-morning light and local culture. No strict opening hours but best seen daytime.
INR0, 0h45m

11:30am

Elephant Falls

Short drive to Elephant Falls (open ~8:00–17:00). This multi-tiered waterfall is one of Shillong’s most photographed attractions and an easy, pleasant stop.
INR30, 0h45m

12:30pm

Lunch — City Hut Family Dhaba, Police Bazaar

Casual Assamese/North Indian lunch at City Hut Family Dhaba in Police Bazaar — simple local favourites and good value near the market. A practical stop before sightseeing in town.
INR400, 1h0m

1:45pm

Police Bazaar & Ward’s Lake stroll

Walk the lively Police Bazaar for shopping, and take a relaxed stroll around Ward’s Lake — a good cultural snapshot of Shillong life and crafts.
INR0, 1h15m

3:15pm

Lady Hydari Park or short tea break

Rest with tea and light snacks at a café or explore Lady Hydari Park for a quiet break; allow time to rest before tomorrow’s longer drives.
INR150, 1h15m

4:30pm

Return to hotel — day ends

Return to your hotel to relax. The guided touring day ends at 5:30pm as requested; evening is free for dinner (recommendations below).
INR0, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner recommendation — Dylan’s Café or Trattoria (optional, post-tour)

Dylan’s Café (good for continental and local fusion) or Trattoria (Italian) in Police Bazaar area; both offer comfortable ambience and varied menus after your day. (This is after the 17:30 tour end.)
INR600, 1h30m

Day 2: Mawlynnong & Dawki

Shillong → Mawlynnong → Dawki → Shillong, India on October 21, 2025

6:00am

Depart Shillong for Mawlynnong (Cleanest Village)

Early departure to Mawlynnong (approx 2–2.5 hours). The village is best in the morning when it’s quiet and the skywalk views are clear.
INR0, 2h0m

8:15am

Mawlynnong — Cleanest Village walk & skywalk

Stroll through Mawlynnong village, visit the Sky View tower and the living-root structures nearby; the community-run village is open daily (daylight hours) and makes an excellent cultural stop.
INR50, 1h15m

9:45am

Breakfast — local homestay/café in Mawlynnong

Simple local breakfast (tea, local breads/snacks) at a village café or homestay — great chance to try Khasi home-style food.
INR150, 0h30m

10:30am

Drive to Dawki (Umngot River)

Short drive to Dawki (boat point on the India–Bangladesh border area). Travel time ~30–45 minutes depending on road conditions.
INR0, 0h45m

11:30am

Dawki — Umngot River boating (clear waters)

Take a glass-like-Umngot river boat ride (boats operate roughly 8:00–16:00, weather dependent). The clear river and limestone valley scenery are highlights.
INR300, 1h30m

1:15pm

Lunch — Dawki riverside restaurant

Lunch at a Dawki riverside restaurant; try the fresh fish and local Khasi dishes. Comfortable stop before the afternoon short trek.
INR400, 1h0m

2:30pm

Short Bamboo trek / riverside walk

A gentle bamboo-track walk and riverside exploration near Dawki — this is not the long multi-day trek but a pleasant 30–60 minute outdoor walk to experience local flora and riverside views.
INR0, 0h45m

3:30pm

Return drive to Shillong (arrive before 5:30)

Drive back to Shillong, timed to arrive by about 17:15–17:30 so your day tour ends at the requested time. Road conditions vary so we build in comfortable margins.
INR0, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner recommendation — Bon Apetit / Cloud 9 (optional, post-tour)

For a relaxed evening, try Bon Apetit (multi-cuisine) or Cloud 9 for local dishes. Dining is after the formal tour end time of 17:30.
INR700, 1h30m

Day 3: Cherrapunji — Caves & Falls

Shillong → Cherrapunji (Sohra), India on October 22, 2025

6:00am

Depart Shillong for Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Early drive to Sohra (approx 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic). Starting early gives more time to visit multiple viewpoints and caves in one day.
INR0, 2h0m

8:15am

Nohkalikai Falls viewpoint

Visit the famous Nohkalikai Falls viewpoint (open daylight hours, typically ~8:00–17:00). One of India’s tallest plunge waterfalls and a must-see for dramatic vistas.
INR20, 0h45m

9:15am

Seven Sisters / Nohsngithiang Falls viewpoint

Short drive to view the Seven Sisters Falls (best seen in good light/wet season). The viewpoint allows great photos and quick exploration.
INR0, 0h45m

10:15am

Mawsmai Cave (open ~8:30–17:00)

Explore Mawsmai Cave — an easy, well-lit limestone cave close to main Sohra attractions. Typical visiting hours are roughly 8:30–17:00, so visit mid-morning for comfortable conditions.
INR40, 1h0m

11:30am

Garden of Caves / nearby cave garden

Visit the local ‘Garden of Caves’ area (grouped cave gardens and viewpoints near Mawsmai). This is a pleasant short walk and photo stop; opening hours generally daylight.
INR20, 0h45m

12:30pm

Lunch — local restaurant in Cherrapunji

Lunch at a recommended local café/restaurant in Sohra — fuel up before the afternoon waterfall viewpoints and drives.
INR400, 1h0m

1:45pm

Kynrem Falls viewpoint

Drive to Kynrem Falls (within the Thangkharang Park area). The drive and viewpoints take time but reward you with a tall and scenic cascade; usually open daylight hours.
INR20, 1h15m

3:15pm

Double Decker Waterfalls / local viewpoints

Visit the Double Decker Waterfalls and other local viewpoints — these falls and multi-tier streams are typically visible from short view platforms; access is daylight only.
INR0, 0h45m

4:15pm

Return to Shillong — arrive by 5:30pm

Drive back to Shillong with expected arrival around 17:15–17:30; this concludes the day's formal tour (you’ll have time to rest before dinner).
INR0, 1h15m

7:30pm

Dinner recommendation — City Social / Trattoria (optional)

Try City Social for varied cuisine or revisit a favourite in Police Bazaar; dinner is after the day tour end at 17:30.
INR700, 1h30m

Day 4: Root Bridge Trek

Shillong → Cherrapunji (Nongriat), India on October 23, 2025

4:30am

Very early depart for Tyrna (start of Nongriat trek)

Leave extremely early to reach Tyrna / Nongriat trailhead — the Living Root Bridge trek is strenuous and best started at first light. Expect 1.5–3 hours descent and multiple hours exploring and returning.
INR0, 2h0m

6:45am

Begin trek to Nongriat (Living Root Bridge)

Start the descent (approx 3,000 steps down) toward the double-decker living root bridge. The trek down can take 1–2 hours; ensure a guide if you prefer and carry water/snacks.
INR0, 2h45m

9:30am

Explore Nongriat & Double-decker Root Bridge

Explore the double-decker root bridge, natural pools and nearby small waterfalls. This is the highlight — spend time photographing and relaxing near the bridge. Note: facilities are basic.
INR0, 1h30m

11:15am

Light breakfast/snack in Nongriat

Simple snack/tea at a local stall in Nongriat to refuel before the ascent; carry energy snacks as the climb back is steep and long.
INR200, 0h30m

11:45am

Trek back to Tyrna and drive to Shillong

Begin the ascent (this can take 2.5–3.5 hours depending on fitness); after reaching Tyrna drive back to Shillong. The entire return may be lengthy — keep a steady pace and hydrate.
INR0, 3h15m

3:30pm

Quick lunch/refresh in Shillong

Quick lunch or heavy snack on arrival in Shillong — a short break to regain energy after the trek before an optional viewpoint visit.
INR350, 0h45m

4:30pm

Laitlum Canyons (late afternoon viewpoint)

Drive to Laitlum Canyons for sweeping canyon vistas and dramatic cliff views. Best visited in clear daylight; should be done and back to Shillong by 17:30 to meet the tour end requirement.
INR0, 1h0m

5:30pm

Return to hotel — day ends

Arrive back at your Shillong hotel and rest. The day’s official touring ends at 17:30 as requested — tonight is free for dinner and rest.
INR0, 0h0m

7:30pm

Dinner recommendation — Local Khasi homestay or Cafe Shillong (optional)

After a very active day, pick a comfortable Khasi homestay meal or relax in Cafe Shillong for lighter fare. Post-tour dining only.
INR600, 1h30m

Day 5: Guwhati & Departure

Shillong → Guwahati, India on October 24, 2025

6:30am

Checkout and drive to Guwahati

Depart early for Guwahati (approx 3 hours). This gets you into the city mid-morning for temple and river visits before your 22:00 flight.
INR0, 3h0m

9:45am

Kamakhya Temple visit (timings: early morning & afternoons)

Visit Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill. Temple visiting windows are generally early morning and again in the afternoon; modest dress required and expect donation/queue for entry to inner sanctum.
INR50, 1h15m

11:15am

Boat to Umananda Island (optional)

Short boat ride to Umananda Temple on the Brahmaputra if you wish — boat services usually operate till mid-afternoon; a pleasant river experience and temple visit.
INR200, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — local Assamese restaurant (Paradise / Khorika)

Enjoy traditional Assamese flavours at a recommended local restaurant (Paradise / Khorika) to sample fish and regional dishes before afternoon sightseeing.
INR500, 1h0m

2:00pm

Assam State Museum or Fancy Bazaar shopping / Sualkuchi (time permitting)

Choose between Assam State Museum plus nearby Fancy Bazaar for textiles and souvenirs, or drive to Sualkuchi (silk-weaving village) if you prefer traditional crafts; Sualkuchi requires extra travel time.
INR50, 2h0m

4:15pm

Return to hotel / airport area — tour ends

Return to your hotel or a drop-off point near Guwahati airport — official touring day ends at 17:30. You’ll have time to relax, pack, and prepare for the evening flight.
INR0, 1h15m

7:30pm

Dinner recommendation — Taste of Assam / hotel restaurant (optional)

A calm final dinner at your hotel or Taste of Assam to savour local cuisine before heading to the airport. This is after the 17:30 end-of-day requirement.
INR600, 1h30m

8:30pm

Depart for Guwahati Airport (allow 1–1.5 hours before 22:00 flight)

Leave for the airport in good time for your 22:00 departure; typical recommended arrival at airport is 1.5–2 hours before an international flight or 1 hour for domestic depending on airline.
INR0, 1h30m
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