Collect rental car or pick-up from airport and drive to Shillong (approx 2.5–3 hours) with scenic hills en route; this positions you to explore Meghalaya from Shillong as your base.
Casual lunch at Dylan's Café or another Police Bazar eatery to sample local Khasi dishes and continental options; cafés typically open 11:00am–10:00pm.
A well-curated, multi-story museum (tribal cultures, artefacts and dioramas) that gives a strong overview of Northeast India and Khasi heritage; great for orientation. Typical opening hours: 9:30am–5:00pm.
Short walk around the landscaped Ward's Lake and window-shopping in Police Bazar — ideal for buying local jams, handicrafts and warm clothes; Ward's Lake is usually open 6:00am–6:00pm.
Lunch at a roadside or village restaurant offering simple rice-and-curry meals and local specialities; good to keep energy for more walking and short hikes.
Visit viewpoints for panoramic valley and waterfall views and explore Arwah or other nearby caves; check each site’s opening times but most are accessible during daylight hours.
Leave early for Mawlynnong (approx 2.5–3 hours from Shillong) to explore the village, community-run eco-trails and the famous living cleanliness project.
Walk the tidy lanes, visit the bamboo viewpoint (Sky View Tower) for sweeping views over the Bangladesh plains; Sky View Tower generally open 9:00am–4:00pm.
Short drive (~45 mins–1 hour) to Dawki to see crystal-clear Umngot River and arrange a traditional boat ride; boat rides typically operate 8:00am–3:30pm depending on water and weather.
Depart very early to Tyrna (approx 2–2.5 hours from Shillong) so you can start the trek in cool morning conditions; the road there is hilly and scenic.
Steep descent (and later ascent) of roughly 3,000 steps through forested paths to reach the iconic double-decker living root bridge and nearby pools; allow 4–6 hours round trip depending on fitness. There is no fixed opening time — access is daylight-dependent.
Explore the historic Nartiang monolith complex (largest collection of megaliths in India) and scenic Thadlaskein Lake for a mix of culture and nature; sites generally open during daylight hours.
Visit Krang Suri Falls (clear pools and canyon) or Wei Sawdong (tiered falls) depending on water levels and road access; typically accessible 8:00am–5:00pm and magnificent after rains.
Visit the Kamakhya Temple (powerful Shakti shrine) for a short darshan; temple hours often split (early morning and late afternoon/evening) so check current timings before planning.
If time permits, short ferry to Umananda Island (ferry approx 8:00am–4:00pm) or shop for souvenirs in Fancy Bazaar before heading to the airport or railway station.
Arrive at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport or Guwahati railway station for onward travel; allow recommended check-in time for flights (usually 2 hours prior).